Has Anyone Tried Alternatives To Anti-depressants?

[cherryblossom]

Hmm- just looked at the dose of mine, and I take 800 IU daily of D3, so perhaps it's not enough to show any increase in the blood test. Confused :confused: I guess I'll ask the Doctor next time I see him.

 

[piratelady]

I did some reading about vitamin D - and it is fat soluble, so it sounds like you need to have a meal or drink with some fat when you take the vitamin D so your body can make use of it. And of course it talks about how your body can make it from sun exposure....I have very little of that, lol

 

[amethist]

I read somewhere that you need a minimum of 20 mins per day of sunshine for it to help with depression, and it has to be through your eyes and not through sunglasses. Not looking at the sun directly, just out in sunlight.

In the UK for the last few weeks we have been lucky if we have had 2o mins spread out through any day.

 

[wallflower]

My Vitamin D was low even though I took 2000IU a day. Some of us just need more than others. In the wintertime, you may need even more. I'd also recommend having your thyroid function and iron level checked. This brings up an interesting discussion. I think I'll start a new thread.

 

[piratelady]

I had my thyroid checked last year when I was very tired and lethargic all the time. Thyroid was a-OK, turns out it was depression...

 

[Chondra]

I read somewhere that you need a minimum of 20 mins per day of sunshine for it to help with depression, and it has to be through your eyes and not through sunglasses. Not looking at the sun directly, just out in sunlight.

I am glad you mention this Amethist. I have Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) that results in seasonal depression. To counter it I use an SAD light for 40 minutes per day during late summer through early spring. These are very strong lights and the closer you are to them the better (One foot or less). I also swap out the (fluorescent) bulbs every three years to maintain the proper intensity.

 

[Chadderbox]

I use 5-HTP. its an amino acid that is the building blocks for you to make seretonin. I tried Sam-e and St-johns wart thats stuff had harsh effects. 5 htp is very tolerable at lose doses to start. It gives me a boost and relieves panic and depression within 15 minutes I feel relief. It's the only thing that keeps me off prescription medications. It has allowed me to sleep again, and get through the day as myself.

I believe that prescription medications side effects I've experienced are much worse. I tried paxil I gained so much weight, took me 2 years drug free to shed it off, I tried effexor and I ended up in the hospital with terrible rashes, and I hadn't slept for 3 days I was hallucinating.

5-htp and a good multivitamin is keeping me off the prescriptions as I venture into new forms of therapy. Also doesn't seem to have any sexual side effects.

 

[VDWngr1355]

I have been using 5-HTP for three months and it does work to help with anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and depression. Three weeks ago, I noticed it stopped working like it used. I did some research online and when you notice the symptoms coming back is when you need to stop taking it because your body has enough serotonin. So, I lowered the dose to 100mg per day and now I don't take it all and the symptoms although aren't gone- are manageable though.

Also, before taking 5-HTP and still now I take a bunch of vitamins and exercise 5 days a week and eat a clean diet.

 

[piratelady]

Thanks Chadderbox and VDWngr1355. I will have to look into that. I just ordered a book, Food & Mood and am trying to make some changes to my diet and exercise and see if that will help also.

 

[Chadderbox]

Your Welcome. I notice its effectiveness changes at times too. I hear also because natural supplements are unregulated you can sometimes get weak doses. But when I am in a major funk, or under extreme stress I can take one, and get back on track.

One of my biggest things too is food. In my current condition I've discovered gluten causes lots of anxiety, and so does lots of sugar. I stick to healthy wholesome food, although not as convenient as fast food it helps. There are foods that are higher in certain vitamins and nutrients we may be lacking that help, and they aren't gonna come from a fast food joint.

Also VDwngr1355 I like your post about exercise. It's so hard to do and I salute you for doing it so regularly. No matter what your age its important, and some say that daily exercise can be very effective for anxiety and depression. We should note that for certain it will help get rid of toxins, and stimulate endorphins and make us feel like we accomplished something.

 

[rothmoser]

Hi all,

New here and really like the site. Thyroid conditions run in my family but nobody ever said I should get it checked out so I'm definately making an appointment to see the doctor about it and also going to get my levels of Vit D checked just in case it helps.

Really trying to go down the natural route as I'm sick of feeling drowsy and losing days. I've changed my environment, diet and exercise routine. It's helps for the good days but they don't last long and then I'm completely out of sync. I lose all interest in exercise and healthy eating and it takes 2-3 weeks to get back on track. I've tried music and massage therapy. Again only works for the good days.

I've controlled the anxiety with True Calm tablets a blend of amino acids but nothing works for the depression. I recently began taking 500mg L-tyrosine 1-2 capsules per day but found it makes me very angry and think alot more negatively about things.

My doctor recommended St John's Wort and I had also read up on L-tryptophan and 5-HTP. Was wondering if anyone had tried all 3 and what their views were? Still unsure which one to use after research. I'm looking for the one that controls the mood best over sleep as I've finally started getting 4-5 hours sleep a night and can live with that. Just need to control my mood long enough to work on things properly and try move on.

 

[Hashi]

Regarding Thyroid testing, I'd recommend anyone in the UK to look at Thyroid UK's site - www.thyroiduk.org.uk. You can ask your GP for a test, but as explained on the site the NHS test is a cheap one and not very good. It only looks at part of picture and assumes everything else is average - a bit like assessing someone's weight without knowing their height. After my GP's testing and thyroxine prescription, I paid £40 for a private test and took the results to my GP, who had to admit I needed a higher dose of thyroxine. Also, if you're prescribed thyroxine your GP should give you an application form for exemption from having to pay for prescriptions.

I was also going to suggest looking at Bach Flower Remedies. Like all alternative treatments, there are things that work for some people and not for others. Flower remedies are relatively cheap, though, so it might be worth giving it a try . There's one already blended called Rescue Remedy which does absolutely nothing for me but seems to help quite a lot of other people. The one that works well for me is Mimulus, for fear of known things (like forthcoming appointments, or just dreading having to get through work).