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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Christ_empowered on March 22, 2011, at 14:20:00
I take 30mgs Abiliy and 20mgs Celexa. The Abilify is absolutely necessary for me to function. The Celexa was added b/c I has breakthrough Psychotic Depression.
The combination works nicely, especially with all the supplements I'm taking (I'll list those below). However, I've been on Celexa for several months now, and I'm kind of worried about long-term effects. I know "natural" doesn't always mean safe or effective, but I'd feel better about my situation if I could find a more natural alternative to using an SSRI indefinitely.
Here are my supplements: 6 grams taurine; 6 grams vitamin c; 1200 IU vitamin E; 300 micrograms selenium; 2 B-100 capsules; 3 grams niacinamide; 30mgs OptiZinc; 2.4 grams NAC; 2.126 grams fish oil; 600mgs Alpha Lipoic Acid; 3 grams (6 500mgs capsules) green tea extract.
Any suggestions?
Posted by morgan miller on March 22, 2011, at 23:40:09
In reply to any alternatives to Celexa?, posted by Christ_empowered on March 22, 2011, at 14:20:00
I don't think you're going to find a natural alternative. Maybe 5htp? Maybe high doses of tryptophan?
What long term effects are you worried about? The potential long term effects of Abilify treatment are much much worse than any(there are no known long term effects) from Celexa. I'm not trying to freak you out any more, I'm sure you already know the risks of taking Abilify.
Hmm, let me think here.
Do you mind my asking, if you are doing much better, what's keeping you from beginning to get on with life and enjoy it and forget about the meds for a while? Are you going to the gym, hanging with friends, working, going to therapy, thinking about the opposite sex and the possibility of having some kind of romantic relationship one day? Sorry if it sounds like I'm coming down hard on you.
Morgan
Posted by morgan miller on March 22, 2011, at 23:54:09
In reply to Re: any alternatives to Celexa?, posted by morgan miller on March 22, 2011, at 23:40:09
O.k. I thought about this...You could try doing a combination of things-Curcumin(take with Phosphatydil choline), high dose fish oil(think you already do this), Holy basil, Resveratrol, Lithium orotate, Magnesium Glycinate, and tryptophan(5htp was too much for me). You would have to dose these in the morning and evening, hopefully this would be enough. I would still hold onto a very low dose of Celexa or even better buy 2.5 mg of Lexapro(you can buy it very cheap at MagicPharma.com, this is where I get it).
Morgan
Posted by Christ_empowered on March 23, 2011, at 12:41:12
In reply to Re: any alternatives to Celexa?, posted by morgan miller on March 22, 2011, at 23:54:09
I am doing a good bit better, and you really didn't seem like you were coming down that hard on me.
I guess I'm just thinking about it too much. The Abilify keeps me stable (I'm not happy about having to take such a high dose, or taking a neuroleptic long term at all, but...you do what you gotta do, right?) and the Celexa helps keep the Psychotic Depression and anxiety at bay. I should just be happy I'm doing better and move on.
Thanks for your posts.
Posted by Phillipa on March 24, 2011, at 22:24:38
In reply to Re: any alternatives to Celexa?, posted by Christ_empowered on March 23, 2011, at 12:41:12
I agree congrats Phillipa
Posted by morgan miller on March 25, 2011, at 11:18:45
In reply to Re: any alternatives to Celexa?, posted by Christ_empowered on March 23, 2011, at 12:41:12
Yeah try to do the best you can for now and not think about the meds, I know it's hard. I think if you can get to a point where you are really feeling good about what you are doing in life, maybe a job that you like, and hanging with friends that you love and truly enjoying your time with them, you will not be thinking of the medications in a negative way. Instead, you may be occasionally feeling very grateful that you have them.
I really would not be concerned about adverse long term effects of Celexa. If you have to take it for the rest of your life in order to fully enjoy life and get the most you can out of it, then that's just something many of us have to accept. You are lucky it is working for you, very very lucky. And I believe if you try to do all the right things, your current medications will continue to work for you for a very long time-exercise, therapy, meditation/meditative stretching(after exercise)/yoga, maintain positive relationships and a strong supportive social network, keep up with supplementation that helps, maintain proper nutrition(I'm biased towards Paleo-like/Primal diets), find a job that interests you somewhat where you like the people you work with(this is hard sometimes I realize), find hobbies that you truly enjoy, and focus on your talents(I'm sure you have some) and develop them(usually talents are things people are naturally passionate about and feel good about).
Glad to hear you are doing much better.
Morgan
Posted by morgan miller on March 25, 2011, at 11:22:47
In reply to Re: any alternatives to Celexa? » Christ_empowered, posted by morgan miller on March 25, 2011, at 11:18:45
> Yeah try to do the best you can for now and not think about the meds, I know it's hard. I think if you can get to a point where you are really feeling good about what you are doing in life, maybe a job that you like, and hanging with friends that you love and truly enjoying your time with them, you will not be thinking of the medications in a negative way. Instead, you may be occasionally feeling very grateful that you have them.
>
> I really would not be concerned about adverse long term effects of Celexa. If you have to take it for the rest of your life in order to fully enjoy life and get the most you can out of it, then that's just something many of us have to accept. You are lucky it is working for you, very very lucky. And I believe if you try to do all the right things, your current medications will continue to work for you for a very long time-exercise, therapy, meditation/meditative stretching(after exercise)/yoga, maintain positive relationships and a strong supportive social network, keep up with supplementation that helps, maintain proper nutrition(I'm biased towards Paleo-like/Primal diets), find a job that interests you somewhat where you like the people you work with(this is hard sometimes I realize), find hobbies that you truly enjoy, and focus on your talents(I'm sure you have some) and develop them(usually talents are things people are naturally passionate about and feel good about).
>
> Glad to hear you are doing much better.
>
> MorganHa ha, I realize I was being a bit redundant here. I guess I just would hope you could take this time and really take advantage of feeling well. If I remember correctly, you still are very young. You have a great opportunity here CE. I know you've been through hell, but you may now have an opportunity to do what many that have suffered like you have not been able to.
Morgan
Posted by sigismund on March 25, 2011, at 17:32:06
In reply to any alternatives to Celexa?, posted by Christ_empowered on March 22, 2011, at 14:20:00
I took this.
It does work and may be of some use to you.
Posted by Christ_empowered on March 26, 2011, at 11:07:47
In reply to Re: any alternatives to Celexa?, posted by morgan miller on March 25, 2011, at 11:22:47
Sorry to have wasted y'alls time. I think I'll stick with celexa--it works, its $4 a month. I appreciate the input. I think every time I have a shrink appointment (and for some reason, I have one every 4-6 weeks), I start thinking about my meds.
Posted by Phillipa on March 26, 2011, at 21:59:10
In reply to thanks, everyone, posted by Christ_empowered on March 26, 2011, at 11:07:47
I know what you mean. Seriously so I time mine far apart helps. Phillipa
Posted by morgan miller on March 26, 2011, at 23:59:58
In reply to thanks, everyone, posted by Christ_empowered on March 26, 2011, at 11:07:47
Never a waste of time : )
This is the end of the thread.
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