I am currently taking 20mg Prozac for depression, but would like to taper off and try something natural to tx.
Anyone had any luck with herbals etc?
I still have a few weeks left before I am done tapering off Klonopin, then will taper the Prozac.
I would like to be drug-free for the first time in what seems like forever.
Thanks.
Posted by phyl6648 (Member # 28522) on :
I would love to do the same. Wish I was of some help. How long have you been on Klonopin? I take xanax and doubt if I will ever be drug free.
I have tried a few natural supplements but they were of no help.
Hoping you get some replies.
Posted by Healing in Santa Cruz (Member # 7798) on :
Source Natural Sam-e,works for me and in the past I was on Prozac and addicted to valium. Glad I am free of them. Taper off very slowly and check w/doc about sam-e.
Posted by Carol in PA (Member # 5338) on :
Before you try to taper off the Prozac, work up to a good level of magnesium, and take fish oil with a high ratio of EPA. Lyme Disease can cause low magnesium, and that causes many symptoms, including depression, anxiety, insomnia.
For the fish oil, here are several suggestions. Aim for 2000 mg of EPA daily...these products have lots of EPA and low DHA.
Look at the list of ingredients for the fish oil, for the EPA. Fish oils provide Omega 3's that increase the integrity of the cell membranes, which means that your brain cells will get more oxygen and nutrients, and they'll work better.
Plus it will help to reduce body and joint pain.
If you're not sure if this will help, consider trying it for a month, AT FULL DOSE. Some people just take a little and then say it's not helping them.
I wish I had known about magnesium and fish oil thirty years ago.
Posted by cleo (Member # 6646) on :
My dr. has me on deplin. It is prescription folate. It takes a couple of weeks to kick in but seems to be working. good luck
Posted by linky123 (Member # 19974) on :
Phyl,
I have been taking Klonopin for five years. Did not know it was addicting. When I found out, I decided to taper off.
I have gone from 3mg down to .4mg since August. It hasn't been that bad except for some pretty nasty headaches which resolve a couple of days after I cut.
Got a really rough start, but things leveled out once I began cutting.
This medication was no longer working for me, but I realize that it is helpful for some, so do not judge those who have to take them.
I realize some of my problem is situational. I am in remission, but see what a toll all of this has taken on me and my family.
I have been in a real funk lately and can't seem to get out.
Thanks to all for the advice and sharing your experiences.
Take care and God bless.
Posted by WPinVA (Member # 33581) on :
Sunlight and exercise outside and you can even get special lamps for the indoors.
Posted by klutzo (Member # 5701) on :
Large doses of vit. D3 really help me (10,000 units daily) along with 2.5 grams of L-tryptophan at bedtime and exercise to tolerance.
klutzo
Posted by searching4truth (Member # 28481) on :
I take Stabillium, and LOVE it!
Posted by linky123 (Member # 19974) on :
Lots of possibilities - thanks!
Posted by jkmom (Member # 14004) on :
Going gluten free worked for me.
Posted by MannaMe (Member # 33330) on :
I second the omega 3 fish oil!!
Posted by Nicole_Denise (Member # 20620) on :
Fish oil, B-vitamins (I take a full complex plus a B12 shot), Vitamin D all help.
I take a supplement called Calm (through an ND) that is amazing. I found an almost identical one in a regular health store called "chill pill" (but I am in Canada..it might not be in the US).
If you go to a healtfood store/supplement store, they should have a whole section with both "calming" (anti-anxiety) and anti-depressant supplements.
Posted by jer69 (Member # 34046) on :
Extraordinary Properties Some extraordinary properties of this Amazon rainforest fruit are described by Gary Null, Ph.D., a nationally known nutritionist and researcher.
In his Clinician�s Handbook of Natural Healing, (1998), Null lists disease conditions and the herbs that have been found effective for their health promoting properties in reference to specific organ/system weaknesses and problems.
In discussing the holistic treatment of depression, Gary Null lists 19 plants containing chemical compounds with antidepressant properties, in order of potency, Camu-Camu is #2 on his list.
Null also lists 19 plants which contain anti-herpetic phytochemicals. The plant with the largest amount of these phyto-chemicals is Camu-Camu.
Posted by CountryMouse (Member # 32073) on :
I have S.A.D. (Seasonal Affected Disorder). Doc says 5000 iu of Vitamin D3 every day for month, then every other day. I started to have side effects so I am down to 3 times a week. (My mom can't take a lot of D either, genetic issue).
I also take LDN (low dose naltrexone) which increases endorphin production. This past fall and winter was the first time in 2 decades that I did not get depressed in the winter. There is a yahoo group for LDN, btw.