exploring alternatives

[lizziebelle]

The antidepressant I've been taking is almost gone, and I really don't want to go to a new doctor to get more. I very much dislike going to the doctor, especially a new one where I have to start from scratch and answer a million questions and get poked & prodded. I'd like to put that off until I have to go anyway.

So I guess it's time to explore the alternatives a bit more. I took St. John's wort for a while last year, but I don't think I took it long enough to see the difference. In my online explorations I've come across a few others.

Sam-e: I've been taking this for years, for my knees more than my mood. I don't know if it really helps, since I was depressed for a long time while taking it. But I'll continue taking it because it really does help my knees.

5-HTP: someone gave me a bottle of this, which says it "supports serotonin synthesis." Has anyone had any experience with this?

Folic acid, B6, and Magnesium: all of these are in the vitamins I already take, as well as Omega-3 which I also take and is recommended. Would it be worth it to get extra supplements?

Exercise: I know I need more exercise. I know it makes me feel better. I've been a winter slug, but now that spring is (supposedly) here, I plan on getting out more. A lot more. I've been walking on my lunch break; I need to start walking after supper again, now that it's light out later (and also less cold).

Cutting back on sugar: I know I eat too much sugar. I was actually already trying to do this, for other reasons. I guess I really do need to cut it back, if not out. There's no way I'm giving up chocolate! Just cutting back on it.

Does anyone have experience with any of these remedies? I really don't want to be on meds forever, but I also don't want to be depressed again. I've been doing so well, I don't want to slip back. It wasn't debilitating, but it wasn't fun, either.

Comments

St John's Wort

[chalkhorse.livejournal.com]

I did take SJW off and on over the years; it seems to take from 3-6 weeks to "kick in" depending...and I found it worked for me (it is good for mild depression) HOWEVER: when I broke my leg and had to get surgery I had to get a spinal anaesthetic because I was taking SJW, and that was nasty. (SJW can cause blood pressure spike with general anaesthetic).
ALSO: a few years ago when I was taking SJW, I suddenly had higher blood pressure than normal. Now, my BP is normally very low (100/60 ish) so spiking to 132/75 was not a huge deal, but it was high for me. The doc and I were trying to figure out the deal. I did some research and that SJW reacts with certain foods that contain a chemical that can spike BP. These foods include cheese, wine, coffee, smoked meats, chocolate and many fermented foods. I stopped taking the SJW and my BP went back to normal. So, unless you want to avoid those foods, SJW may not be for you.

Gotta say, getting more exercise got me through a very hellish time last year. :) I slacked off a bit this winter but now I am back into it it feels great. It's nature's anti-depressant!

You could also try aromatherapy: the citrus oils are all good for mild depression. Lemon orange, grapefruit, etc.

Re: St John's Wort

[lizziebelle.livejournal.com]

Ooh, good to know. I eat a lot of those things. I mean, I eat them often. You know. ;)

[anaquana.livejournal.com]

Gisela used to take 5-HTP (not sure if she still does or not) so she might be able to tell you how it worked for her.

*hugs*

[lizziebelle.livejournal.com]

Thanks! And hugs back. :)

[lizardqueen.livejournal.com]

I have taken a daily hit of 100 mg of vitamin B6 for years, and have noticed that when I forget, my moods get really savage. You might want to take an extra supplement just of this, to try it out and see if it works for you...

[lizziebelle.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I will try this. It certainly can't hurt. :)

[damiana-swan.livejournal.com]

I take 5-HTP. And when my dad died, I put myself on a significantly higher dose for a couple months, until I had mostly processed things.

As a result, I am sane, and relatively unstressed. And I sleep at night.

I do sometimes have some pretty intense dreams, however.

[lizziebelle.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I was hoping to hear from someone who had tried it. Adding it to the arsenal. :)

[grrlfriday.livejournal.com]

On the sugar front-- one of my issues at the moment (besides all the other random s***) is that I have really high cortisol, and that's contributing to the fatigue and symptoms of depression. I don't have the anxiety that goes with it-- or at least, I'm a naturally high-strung person so the anxiety feels normal to me, haha. Anyhoo, because refined sugars contribute to cortisol production, I cut way back on all of them (switched to agave for coffee, used only maple syrup in oatmeal, etc) and even stopped drinking alcohol, and noticed a *huge* difference in my mood within days. Yesterday, I had both alcohol and more sugar (in the mixes in the fancy drinks we got), and notice a big drop in how I feel.

I found this Pinterest board of low glycemic index treats (what with me being the sugar junkie, I can't eliminate treats completely) here: http://pinterest.com/tlsweightloss/snacks-and-desserts-low-gi/ and, from there, found this to try this weekend: http://www.easyvegan.info/2012/05/09/chocolate-peanut-butter-banana-ice-cream/ There are also some really good raw chocolate bars at WF and Trader Joes that don't have added sugar, or that have low-GI sweeteners.

One other supplement for anxiety that I've heard good things about, in case that's in your mix, is L-Theanine. My therapist recommends it, and I've read a lot of good things about it online.

[lizziebelle.livejournal.com]

Ooh, thank you! Subscribed to that board. :)

I hadn't heard of L-Theanine, I'll have to look into it. Another excuse to go to the health food store here in town! I never need an excuse to go to Trader Joe's. ;)

I had one cocktail, and some cherry pie, last night, and I feel crappy this morning. Ugh. I really don't drink that often (I have a half-finished bottle of wine that's been half-finished for months), so I'm a total lightweight. But I do love cocktails, mostly for the taste. I'll have to make sure they're not very strong, or switch to smaller glasses!

(I notice you switched your icon here, too! I need to make my own cartoon icon ;)

[wordweaverlynn.livejournal.com]

If you're going off SSRIs, you should taper off gradually. Otherwise you get a week or more of sheer hell. IMX.

[lizziebelle.livejournal.com]

It's not an SSRI. It's Wellbutrin. And I'm weaning myself off slowly anyway. :)