![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 20 of 20. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Cif on December 19, 2013, at 9:56:14
Dear Reader,
I have been diagnosed with Bipolar 1 Mood Disorder for 12 years now.
I have been on countless treatments and am now stabilized on 20mg Olansapine and 2200mg Epilum...
There is a strong history of mental disorder in my family.
I have tried a few times to drop my meds and go cold-turkey - which has had very negative effects.
I have also tried to self-taper my meds without the support of psychiatrists.
I do not have any family or social support to leave the meds and would just like to find out if this is going to be a life-long-lot or whether there actually is a way out?
Or have there already been numerous neuropathways bored into my brain that have formed such a strong dependency that makes me a slave of the psychopharmaceuticals?
Your input will be valued!
Cif...
Posted by SLS on December 19, 2013, at 11:15:13
In reply to A way out?, posted by Cif on December 19, 2013, at 9:56:14
Hi.
A way out? I guess that is a matter of perspective.
If a higher power were to tell you that you have a life-long illness that would need indefinite treatment, would you be able to accept that?
Well, the bad news is that your illness will be life-long, unless a cure for it is discovered (gene therapy, perhaps). There is no cure for diabetes type I yet, so the diabetic must administer insulin injections several times a day. Yes, they are dependent on the insulin.
The good news is that you managed to find an effective treatment. Most people on this forum have not, and continue to suffer. You, my friend, have already found your way out.
Acceptance?
> Or have there already been numerous neuropathways bored into my brain that have formed such a strong dependency that makes me a slave of the psychopharmaceuticals?
I am unclear as to what you are referring to. Are you proposing that the medications have made you permanently dependent on them? That might depend on the medication. For instance, it may be that serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants are more likely to do this than other types of psychotropics (just a thought).
If you decide to attempt discontinuing drug treatment, I suggest that you remove one agent at a time, and reduce the dosage gradually over the course of weeks or months. If you relapse under these circumstances, you will probably have to restart the drug. However, it is important to understand that one of the symptoms of withdrawal from psychotropic drugs is often indistinguishable from relapse, and can be caused by a rebound phenomenon. If you remain ill for more than two weeks after discontinuing medication, it is probably relapse rather than withdrawal.
What side effects are you experiencing with Zyprexa?
What other antipsychotics have you tried?
- Scott
Posted by bleauberry on December 19, 2013, at 12:03:17
In reply to A way out?, posted by Cif on December 19, 2013, at 9:56:14
Can offer some thoughts? Opinions?
I think it helps when we feel like we are in trouble to view it in perspective as a big picture rather than an isolated idiopathic thing. There is nothing about the Bible that can be disproved and I believe the Word of God through His chosen servants in that book. From that perspective, our earthly experience here is not our home. Earth is called the Valley of the Shadow of Death for a reason. Every single thing upon the face of the earth will deteriorate and die, beginning the moment it is born. Temporary rule is Satan's. God does all kinds of stuff for us on the front end of events and on the back end of events which almost magically take any evil Satan can throw at us and somehow cause the outcome to be great instead of bad. In any case, we don't belong here. Temporary. Sin and suffering is what Satan loves. But his rule does have an end.
For those who put their faith in Jesus, there is a new world beyond anything the human brain could envision waiting after our earthly bodies die. I feel sorry for our spirits sometimes, stuck in these diseased bodies!
How long will I live? How long will you live? It really doesn't matter whether it is 40 years or 90 years....it is still just a speck of sand on a large beach in the span of time.
While we should do everything possible to enjoy our life and make the most of the unique gifts to each of us that God gave us, guitar playing is mine, the real focus needs to stay on making it to that great place where all this crap simply doesn't exist. We tend to put all of our importance and focu on the 70 or so years we are alive, and practically zero importance to the forever amount of time that comes afterward. There are only two destinations in that world. Choose the good one. And realize through the worst of suffering, it is the way of this world at this point of history, stay focused on what matters.
You have a ton of healing and improved times ahead of you. I just know it. Ignore the stuff in here that I have shared, and then my opinion would change to pessimistic rathe than optimistic.
Do you know how a stock trader makes money? Well, their paycheck depends on them taking a risk. No risk, no pay. Simple as that. It's the same with our healing. If we become aware of things have helped other people and may help you too, yet choose to ignore it for any reason, you don't get well. Simple as that.
Back to meds. I think we have to do everything we possibly can to improve the quality of our lives. You've made valiant efforts in that area, except it appears they have all been in the direction of psychiatrists and psych meds? In terms of human health and comfort, that represents only a small slice of the whole pie, and the rest of the pie is being ignored. The rest of the pie is where the healing and improvement happens, when psych meds alone fail. The fact that they have been generally disappointing for you, is actually a strong hint that is the wrong approach to heal whatever is wrong.
If the current meds bring you some relief, cool. Is t hat is good as it gets? With psych meds, that is a high probability. Maybe spend the next 20 years trying another backpack full of them? I think those 20 years would be much more fruitful addressing other real problems that cause diseases like yours and mine. Makes more sense, to me anyway, than gambling on the next prescription. I think the odds at a Las Vegas gambling table are more in your favor than more scripts would be.
In my very long suffered experience with treatment resistant depression and other psychiatric symptoms, my journeys have shown me that the majority of depressions which appear to be mostly biological have at their root something that is insulting the brain's receptors. The something is most likely toxins. The origination of the toxins includes unsuspected stealth infections such as Lyme for just one example, lead and mercury and aluminum from our environment or from teeth. Chemicals in common soaps actually screw up our hormones when they mix with the chlorine in the water we wash with, and this finally made its way to the news this week. But many of us outside the box of psychiatry have known this for a couple years now already. The classical medicine world might not realize it, but they are playing catch-up to what is already known in the field. Other toxins? Who knows.
Ever noticed how some depression patients get more depressed when they exercise? There is a reason for that. Toxins. Exercise stirs up a lot of existing toxins, and creates more as tissues are stressed.
Inflammation is a huge issue also. Any kind of toxin is going to do that. A confused immune system will do that.
Most of your symptoms are from toxins, not from a supposed chemical imbalance. What they do is dock at receptors where our own neurotransmitters are supposed to dock. They can bind with serotonin and dopamine and sort of corrupt them so they can't function properly no matter how much we increase the levels.
Antipsychotics happen to be helpful for this stuff, because they offer competition for the toxins, and can block receptors that are being impacted. Zyprexa is a great med for this purpose. As for withdrawing from it, yeah, that is hard. I was on 5mg for 8 years. It took me about 3 months weaning off in tiny amounts, crumbs actually, until finally gone. Lemon Balm, Passion Flower, Valerian....very helpful herbs for zyprexa withdrawal. Helped me and saved me multiple times.
In a nutshell, we need to:
1. Clean up the diet to remove toxins and to increase plant intake which will help clear out toxins. Organic is important because while a young healthy vibrant person with good genes can process the trace amounts of pesticides and chemicals, patients with chronic illnesses and/or stress and/or bad genes will tend to accumulate those toxins rather than clean them out.
2. Support and modulate the immune system with specific minerals, herbs, and vitamins.
3. Try antimicrobial herbs as diagnostic tests to see what happens. This will help to determine if an infection is involved or not. If one of these herbs makes you feel like absolute crap, all of your symptoms worse and some new ones on top of it, you just made a rough diagnosis and even identified the substance that is effective against it. Cat's Claw, Japanese Knotweed, raw garlic cloves, olive leaf, pau d'arco, and at least a dozen others available.
4. Anti-inflammation from various angles, including herbs and OTC pain relievers.
5. Hormonal support and neurotransmitter support (rhodiola rosea or eleuthero or ashwaganda).The same herbs that Lyme patients use happen to be excellent at all of this stuff. If you were to study up on natural treatments of lyme disease, which is mostly a toxin disease actually, you will be armed with powerful stuff to fight psychiatric symptoms at their core. Not just bandaid them.
The brain is plastic, meaning it is always changing and rebuilding and rewiring. It is not static. That is in our favor. Because as more and more time passes while we engage in the above treatments, the brain will change in response to the lessened toxin load and the lessened inflammation load and the cleaner more powerful vital nutrients found in organic non-GMO foods.
So where you might be wondering if this is a trap, the end of the road, no way out, well, no, none of those. To answer your question in the title, yes, there is a way out.
But I do not believe that will happen with psychiatry by itself. No way. It just isn't enough, misses all the important targets, doesn't heal anything. Their role is.....improvement of quality of life, period. For a while anyway. You are aware how the meds fall short and poop out. They don't heal disease.
My own story involves 25 years or so of serious depression, failed a backpack full of meds as well as ECT. The only med I have not taken is Nardil and a couple of the more obscure TCAs. I have had amalgams. I have had and do have lyme disease. I do have and have had several amazing M.D.s who shared with me some of the stuff I have shared with you. I just want you to know that everything I have said here is not academic professor theory talk, is not bizarre crazy talk, and that while they are all opinions, they are ones I feel very strongly about, can defend in a debate, and are the result of experience guided by intuition. And God.
My own depression is mostly gone most of the time. The strategies above did what $35,000+ of psychiatry could not do.
What is something in the Bible that God tells us is a most important thing to gather on this earth? Wisdom. I have just given you about 25 years of it so you can do it in just 1 year. I think maybe what God meant was, this is not a good place to be and if you want to do the best you can while here, you need to know a lot of stuff. More importantly, we need the wisdom of perspective so we can keep our sights on what really matters.
You are going to see days, weeks, and months where you feel a lot better than now. That I know for sure.
Who is the best guide through this valley and this journey? His name is Jesus. There is one best path for every person, and He is the only one who knows each of those paths. He works on a volunteer basis....don't call on His help, He will leave you alone to your own doings....call for His help, He will be there to show you how it's done.
> Dear Reader,
>
> I have been diagnosed with Bipolar 1 Mood Disorder for 12 years now.
>
> I have been on countless treatments and am now stabilized on 20mg Olansapine and 2200mg Epilum...
>
> There is a strong history of mental disorder in my family.
>
> I have tried a few times to drop my meds and go cold-turkey - which has had very negative effects.
>
> I have also tried to self-taper my meds without the support of psychiatrists.
>
> I do not have any family or social support to leave the meds and would just like to find out if this is going to be a life-long-lot or whether there actually is a way out?
>
> Or have there already been numerous neuropathways bored into my brain that have formed such a strong dependency that makes me a slave of the psychopharmaceuticals?
>
> Your input will be valued!
>
> Cif...
Posted by SLS on December 19, 2013, at 13:24:24
In reply to Re: A way out?, posted by bleauberry on December 19, 2013, at 12:03:17
This person feels fine with his current treatment.
What do you have to offer as a replacement - if any?
Let's go through this one step at a time - a dialectic.
Step #1: What would you recommend as the first step?
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on December 19, 2013, at 18:16:44
In reply to Re: A way out?, posted by bleauberry on December 19, 2013, at 12:03:17
What board is this? Doesn't sound like the meds board. This person is doing fine and only wants to discuss whether what he has is permanent? Phillipa
Posted by Christ_empowered on December 19, 2013, at 23:43:47
In reply to Re: A way out? » Cif, posted by SLS on December 19, 2013, at 11:15:13
I have somewhat similar problems, but take much different meds (Abilify, Trileptal, Prozac, Neurontin).I don't know of any way to deal with more severe mental illness without meds. I do Orthomolecular, which works with meds, and that's been helpful.
I think there's overlap between relapse and drug induced brain changes. Just being honest. For instance, when I was younger, I went off all meds for a couple years. I was barely functioning, then I flipped out completely under high stress. Something about that crack up changed my diagnosis from severe depression (psychotic) to bipolar I. I can't do without modern day pharmaceuticals.
Was at least part of the problem prior medication use? Probably. Was there an underlying problem as well? Definitely. Do I wish I could be without meds? Yeah. Do I worry about it a whole lot? Not really.
Posted by SLS on December 20, 2013, at 6:59:43
In reply to Re: A way out?, posted by Christ_empowered on December 19, 2013, at 23:43:47
>
> I have somewhat similar problems, but take much different meds (Abilify, Trileptal, Prozac, Neurontin).
>
> I don't know of any way to deal with more severe mental illness without meds. I do Orthomolecular, which works with meds, and that's been helpful.
>
> I think there's overlap between relapse and drug induced brain changes. Just being honest. For instance, when I was younger, I went off all meds for a couple years. I was barely functioning, then I flipped out completely under high stress. Something about that crack up changed my diagnosis from severe depression (psychotic) to bipolar I. I can't do without modern day pharmaceuticals.
>
> Was at least part of the problem prior medication use? Probably. Was there an underlying problem as well? Definitely. Do I wish I could be without meds? Yeah. Do I worry about it a whole lot? Not really.You've come a long way, C_E. You are a good example of how it sometimes takes acceptance of one's medical condition along with the practice of patience to reach a better place.
I don't discount the health-promoting potential of "orthomolecular medicine". I am cautious when I hear someone tout its healing potential as being absolute exclusive of other treatment modalities. Will someone deficient in vitamin D feel less depressed for taking vitamin D3? Apparently, the answer is yes. If it were me, I would probably try no more than two orthomolecular treatments before bringing in allopathic pharmaceuticals; at which point, one may continue to explore orthomolecular alternatives. If you get feeling really good, don't make any other changes! Once you are stable for 6 - 12 months, and you feel the need to explore the discontinuation of your medication, I would suggest doing it one at a time using a gradual taper that may take several months. Do NOT shock the system and destroy the newly built scaffolding that your medical treatment has established. Fortunately, you seem to be able to recapture the therapeutic response to Abilify, even after a complete relapse.
I wish for you your continuing healing and the work it might take for you to integrate into society as a more functional human being.
Prayer doesn't hurt.
- Scott
Posted by bleauberry on December 20, 2013, at 15:29:07
In reply to Re: A way out? » bleauberry, posted by SLS on December 19, 2013, at 13:24:24
Scott I'm just giving a little respect to the common expected outcome of either poop out or diminished effectiveness. Might be months or years, but the likelihood of it coming is high enough to acknowledge and plan for.
Patient feels fine. Awesome. Just want to keep it that way. While the meds are temporarily, countering some of the downstream effects of whatever is really going on, things are always in motion and there is a reasonable expectation that it won't last. I believe. The meds are doing nothing to support the body's arsenal against disease.
> This person feels fine with his current treatment.
>
> What do you have to offer as a replacement - if any?
>
> Let's go through this one step at a time - a dialectic.
>
> Step #1: What would you recommend as the first step?
>
>
> - Scott
Posted by bleauberry on December 20, 2013, at 15:32:42
In reply to Re: A way out? » bleauberry, posted by SLS on December 19, 2013, at 13:24:24
First step, let's take a close detailed look at the vitamin and mineral supplements presenting being utilized.
And let's take a look in the grocery cart.
Without a solid foundation, anything built on top of it becomes less reliable in achieving the desired outcome.
Start with bare bones basics, stabilize with that, then on to the next step.
The vitamins in mind are fairly specific, not the average garden variety from the local store.
> This person feels fine with his current treatment.
>
> What do you have to offer as a replacement - if any?
>
> Let's go through this one step at a time - a dialectic.
>
> Step #1: What would you recommend as the first step?
>
>
> - Scott
Posted by SLS on December 21, 2013, at 6:06:38
In reply to Re: A way out? » SLS, posted by bleauberry on December 20, 2013, at 15:32:42
Hi BB.
> First step, let's take a close detailed look at the vitamin and mineral supplements presenting being utilized.
This person is seriously depressed and having thoughts of suicide. How long will your nutritional strategy take to work?
> And let's take a look in the grocery cart.
> Without a solid foundation, anything built on top of it becomes less reliable in achieving the desired outcome.Are you so confident in your nutritional approach that you would exclude medication as a first line treatment? I would feel more confident in your treatment strategy if you could determine through testing the need for supplements or other alternative treatments in the first place, and then provide scientific evidence that a particular finding is associated with a therapeutic response.
What about working with medication and nutrition concurrently and perhaps optimize one's chances of feeling better and avoiding suicide?
Time is of the essence.
- Scott
Posted by bleauberry on December 21, 2013, at 14:22:19
In reply to Re: A way out? » bleauberry, posted by SLS on December 21, 2013, at 6:06:38
Hi Scott. I knew you were going to do this.
To settle your question, if he is thinking suicide then I will first drive him to the hospital because I'm not taking any chances, and then I can take a look at the nutrients while he is safe.
We are talking long term game plans. Disease takes a long time to settle in, and is not about to just get up and leave quickly.
I never said I was confident of a nutritional strategy. I said it is a mandatory base upon which to build. With it, high confidence with other treatments. Without it, less confidence.
I absolutely would not use integrative strategies as first line if the person is suicidal. They need meds to buffer things for a while. Problem is, sometimes that doesn't work and they kill themselves anyway. In any case, psych meds are first line.The other stuff is approached after crisis stabilization has been achieved.
Time is of the essence. Ok, then why is he not in the hospital?
From the natural world, the fastest strongest approach I know of, is to add rhodiola rosea immediately to ongoing meds. A psychiatrist in NY city does that commonly. That was after his wife, also a psychiatrist, failed to get well on any meds, but did get well with rhodiola. They both use it in their practices and I wish more people knew about this plant.
Rhodiola has prevented 2 suicides, thus far, I was closely aware of in my own circles of people.
Eastern medicine and Western medicine blended together is a far better approach than either alone. We can see that trend starting to pick up all over the place, even in classically trained MD and DO offices.
Next question please.
> Hi BB.
>
> > First step, let's take a close detailed look at the vitamin and mineral supplements presenting being utilized.
>
> This person is seriously depressed and having thoughts of suicide. How long will your nutritional strategy take to work?
>
> > And let's take a look in the grocery cart.
>
> > Without a solid foundation, anything built on top of it becomes less reliable in achieving the desired outcome.
>
> Are you so confident in your nutritional approach that you would exclude medication as a first line treatment? I would feel more confident in your treatment strategy if you could determine through testing the need for supplements or other alternative treatments in the first place, and then provide scientific evidence that a particular finding is associated with a therapeutic response.
>
> What about working with medication and nutrition concurrently and perhaps optimize one's chances of feeling better and avoiding suicide?
>
> Time is of the essence.
>
>
> - Scott
>
Posted by Phillipa on December 21, 2013, at 20:26:06
In reply to Re: A way out?, posted by bleauberry on December 21, 2013, at 14:22:19
I've not seen this trend? There is an article today that even says Multi-vitamins are a waste of money. Phillipa
Posted by SLS on December 21, 2013, at 22:32:02
In reply to Re: A way out?, posted by bleauberry on December 21, 2013, at 14:22:19
> Hi Scott. I knew you were going to do this.
Why shouldn't I? I disagree with you.
I guess you know how interesting to me your beliefs are.
> To settle your question, if he is thinking suicide then I will first drive him to the hospital because I'm not taking any chances, and then I can take a look at the nutrients while he is safe.
So, let him suffer in the meantime?
How long would your nutrients take to make this person feel better?
> We are talking long term game plans. Disease takes a long time to settle in, and is not about to just get up and leave quickly.
I don't know if you have had the experience of responding well to an antidepressant in the third week, but many people do.
You provide your own version of logic, but no evidence.
> I never said I was confident of a nutritional strategy. I said it is a mandatory base upon which to build.
How do you know that this is true?
> With it, high confidence with other treatments. Without it, less confidence.
Good nutrition is a wonderful thing. I suppose an argument can be made that good nutrition will optimize anyone's health.
achieved.
> Time is of the essence. Ok, then why is he not in the hospital?That's a good point.
> From the natural world, the fastest strongest approach I know of, is to add rhodiola rosea immediately to ongoing meds.
Is this from personal experience? I've heard good things about rhodiola rosea. But you would still have this person on medication, so I don't understand your rejection of modern psychopharmacology.
> A psychiatrist in NY city does that commonly. That was after his wife, also a psychiatrist, failed to get well on any meds, but did get well with rhodiola. They both use it in their practices and I wish more people knew about this plant.
>
> Rhodiola has prevented 2 suicides, thus far, I was closely aware of in my own circles of people.
>
> Eastern medicine and Western medicine blended together is a far better approach than either alone. We can see that trend starting to pick up all over the place, even in classically trained MD and DO offices.
> Next question please.Okay. So far, I gather that you would hospitalize a severely depressed individual who is experiencing suicidal ideations.
Then what?
How would you handle a severely depressed person who is not experiencing suicidal ideation? Would you start them on rhodiola rosea before administering a standard antidepressant?
- Scott---------------------------------------------------------
> > Hi BB.
> >
> > > First step, let's take a close detailed look at the vitamin and mineral supplements presenting being utilized.
> >
> > This person is seriously depressed and having thoughts of suicide. How long will your nutritional strategy take to work?
> >
> > > And let's take a look in the grocery cart.
> >
> > > Without a solid foundation, anything built on top of it becomes less reliable in achieving the desired outcome.
> >
> > Are you so confident in your nutritional approach that you would exclude medication as a first line treatment? I would feel more confident in your treatment strategy if you could determine through testing the need for supplements or other alternative treatments in the first place, and then provide scientific evidence that a particular finding is associated with a therapeutic response.
> >
> > What about working with medication and nutrition concurrently and perhaps optimize one's chances of feeling better and avoiding suicide?
> >
> > Time is of the essence.
> >
> >
> > - Scott
> >
>
>
Posted by Cif on December 22, 2013, at 8:53:38
In reply to Re: A way out? » bleauberry, posted by SLS on December 21, 2013, at 6:06:38
Thanks for all the replies!
I know and have to believe that acceptance of my condition is the best line of treatment for me and my future!
It is just getting a better quality of life: not feeling so lethargic, losing weight, becoming more social and communicative and overcoming many 'extra-pyramidal'symptoms that I so crave for.
I am thankful for the cocktail of drugs the doc's have put me on but many times I feel like: "this is enough" or just escaping the reality of my condition...
I have been through psychosis for long durations in my life (maybe between 10-15 times)and I can be thankful for the quality of life I currently have - but it can always get better... Holistically...
I do not want to use this site to get free from my diagnosis or seek advice on how to taper the meds but I want to humble myself to go the conventional routes of improving my quality of life in an orthodox manner.
Do you know of other websites that could aid me in finding a path to a full and happy recovery?
Thanks,
Cif
Posted by SLS on December 22, 2013, at 9:06:20
In reply to Re: A way out?, posted by bleauberry on December 21, 2013, at 14:22:19
Hi.
I honestly don't know what would be a reasonable first step in treating a suicidal patient immediately upon his intake into a hospital. I don't have much experience in this setting.
I would want to relieve the patient of suicidal component of his depression within 48 hours if possible. Still, I wouldn't know where to start. I bet Ed_uk would have a better idea.
From what little I have been exposed to, I would consider starting Zyprexa, lithium, or Xanax as an emergency measure. Even d-amphetamine might help give immediate relief. I would then screen for bipolalr disorder and decide whether an antidepressant would be indicated or if a regime of mood stabilizers would be best.
What is the first intervention you would employ?
- Scott
Posted by Cif on December 22, 2013, at 9:24:16
In reply to Re: A way out? » bleauberry, posted by SLS on December 22, 2013, at 9:06:20
Even though I feel often times to throw myself off a bridge or in front of a truck; those thoughts quickly fade away because of my Christian conscience and a strong deep-rooted hope that somehow things can get better.
I just need motivation to 'live' and want to live and become the best person I can be - not only for myself but also for my fellows.
I do not have major side-effects from my meds but so much long for a better quality of life in every aspect.
That is going to take a lot of hard work but I would appreciate some tips as to how to overcome my sickness even though I need to take strong meds - even if it has to be for the rest of my life...
I believe that I will never be imprisoned or hospitalized again but it is a deep craving of mine to become 'happy' within the boundaries of my current lot.
Thanks,
Cif
Posted by SLS on December 22, 2013, at 10:05:01
In reply to Acceptance is the Best, posted by Cif on December 22, 2013, at 8:53:38
> Thanks for all the replies!
>
> I know and have to believe that acceptance of my condition is the best line of treatment for me and my future!Yes. For me, recognition, education, and acceptance were key to my continuing to pursue an effective treatment for my illness. Among other things, acceptance will help you to develop strategies to cope with the illness while you are in the midst of it. I became more positive, constructive, and resolved to find an answer, and in the meantime, live as best I could. At any moment in time, I try to use all of what little God gives me to work with.
> It is just getting a better quality of life: not feeling so lethargic, losing weight, becoming more social and communicative and overcoming many 'extra-pyramidal'symptoms that I so crave for.
If you can afford to invest the time to experiment with alternative treatments, I don't see the harm in it.
> I am thankful for the cocktail of drugs the doc's have put me on but many times I feel like: "this is enough" or just escaping the reality of my condition...
How are you functioning in your day-to-day activities (work, school, eating, sex)?
I think that in order to help you make your decision as to whether or not to continue with pharmaceuticals, it would be helpful to plot out your life chart with respect to when the illness first appeared, how long, number of recurrences, etc. It sounds like your medical condition is chronic. Under these circumstances, I think most doctors would encourage you to continue with treatment until a better alternative is made available.
Why don't you leave your treatment in place and begin to change your eating habits and perhaps play with a few vitamins and "supplements". Be careful of herbs that they do not interact with the drugs you are taking. Once you develop an alternative regime that you think might be helping, try to discontinue your medication if it is that important to you. However, if you are taking lithium, and it is helping, I would recommend that you continue taking it, as stopping it and restarting it upon relapse doesn't always work.
Rhodiola rosea is one herb that I think has the potential to help with depression. However, it might be more of an energizer than a mood brightener. I have never tried it. The U.S. NIH (National Institutes of Health) began an alternative medicine program in 1993. They have looked at things like St. John's Wort and Kava Kava. The NIH is by no means avoiding or repudiating such treatments.
For depression, you can review the following literature search:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=rhodiola+rosea+depression
Look into curcumin.
Get well and STAY well.
- Scott
Posted by SLS on December 22, 2013, at 10:06:18
In reply to Suicide is not an option, posted by Cif on December 22, 2013, at 9:24:16
I like the way you think!
- Scott
Posted by SLS on December 22, 2013, at 11:15:21
In reply to Re: A way out? » bleauberry, posted by SLS on December 22, 2013, at 9:06:20
> From what little I have been exposed to, I would consider starting Zyprexa, lithium, or Xanax as an emergency measure.
Actually, Klonopin would probably be a more appropriate choice than Xanax. These would be temporary measures.
- Scott
Posted by mogger on December 29, 2013, at 0:30:45
In reply to Re: A way out? » bleauberry, posted by Phillipa on December 19, 2013, at 18:16:44
I agree with you Phillipa.
Cif I would only say this. It can be overwhelming hearing everyone's opinions as he/she/we all come from different backgrounds, upbringings, social settings as children and upwards, education etc. That is encouraging that you have found a treatment plan that is helping you. Stick with it for now and gain strength and confidence in yourself. We are all different, there are 8 billion brains on this planet, and what works for one might not work another. Again, I am happy to hear that you have found a regime that works. That is huge. Happy New Year to you.
Joseph
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