The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
5-HTP
Posted by Misty (Indiana, US) on 07/18/2014
5-HTP gives me terrible nightmares. It seems as if every night I am waking up screaming or crying, which has never happened to me even as a child. Every night for 2 weeks, I have dreamt that horrible things happened to family members, friends, and me. I also get these weird hallucinations when I am about to drift off to sleep where suddenly I see a giant spider or something on my pillow, then I'll scream and wake up. It is all but impossible to get up in the morning, even when I am done sleeping.
I started out taking 100mg before bed, then gave it a week and tried 100 in morning and 100 before bed, gave it another week and tried 100 in morning and 200 before bed, then tried 100 in morning, 100 in afternoon, 200 before bed, which I've been doing for the past 2 weeks. It does not seem to be helping my depression at all; in fact, it seems as if it has gotten worse.
Medication Side Effects
Posted by Casey (Montebello, Ca) on 07/04/2014
Please, Joy from Battleground, Wash. tell us what is your normal dose. Since double dose may cause heart palpitations, we would like to know the amount. Thank you.
Medication Side Effects
Posted by Jenifer (San Francisco) on 07/03/2014
Seems to me being suicidal is worse than just being depressed! I had a friend who was on an antidepressant and she did take her life this past year. Sigh...glad you are doing well now.
Magnesium
Posted by Suzy (Fort Wayne, In ) on 05/23/2014
Serach from Jerusalem, I want to suggest a website for help with your anger. It is
orthomolecular.org. On the home page hit Library and then click on the article Nutritional influences on Aggressive Behavior. Please read the complete article as it has much information. The site has helped a lot with our bipolar son. I wish you the best.
Magnesium
Posted by Nanowriter (Hotspot, Texas) on 05/22/2014
Hi Serach, I'm not sure, but I think that Gabapentin is a drug that works by enhancing the effects of the GABA that you do have. The problem I see with this is that it doesn't give you more GABA so what happens when the GABA deficiency becomes so bad that it can't be "pushed" anymore? Suicidal tendency is also a side effect of this drug.(! ) I took Xanax for a short time for anxiety and felt that it did make the anxiety worse, kind of like a rebound effect.
There is a good book called The Mood Cure that discusses neurotransmitters and depression, anxiety, etc. The author gives detailed instructions as to what not to take for what condition. I found that my anxiety and insomnia went away as I supplemented with large dose vitamins and minerals. Interestingly, vitamin C seemed to add to my problems of anxiety.
At night, I take zinc, magnesium, copper, and niacin, as well as tart cherry juice and sauerkraut and have minor sleep issues, if any.
Magnesium
Posted by Nanowriter (Hotspot, Texas) on 05/22/2014
Hi Serach, I'm not sure, but I think that Gabapentin is a drug that works by enhancing the effects of the GABA that you do have. The problem I see with this is that it doesn't give you more GABA so what happens when the GABA deficiency becomes so bad that it can't be "pushed" anymore? Suicidal tendency is also a side effect of this drug.(! )
I took Xanax for a short time for anxiety and felt that it did make the anxiety worse, kind of like a rebound effect.
There is a good book called The Mood Cure that discusses neurotransmitters and depression, anxiety, etc. The author gives detailed instructions as to what nt to take for what condition.
I found that my anxiety and insomnia went away as I supplemented with large dose vitamins and minerals. Interestingly, vitamin C seemed to add to my problems of anxiety.
At night, I take zinc, magnesium, copper, and niacin, as well as tart cherry juice and sauerkraut and have minor sleep issues, if any.
Magnesium
Posted by Serach (Jerusalem) on 05/21/2014
I will try the magnesium I tried liquid mag, no luck yet tastes horrible. My chiro put me on homeopathic lithium, and also a combo of bacopa, for brain fog and a few other herbs. I am unbelievabley moody, rage attacks, deep frustration often cannot stop crying and terrible depression. I was on 300 mg of gabapentin for moods, about 3+ weeks ago went down to 250 with drs ok, and feel nuts. Am also on 100mg trazodone for sleep.
I will not go up again, but wonder why I feel so much worse on such a small dose change. My holistic md friend says they make it so that when you withdraw you feel awful and want to go back on it for relief.
I am alos on high doses of valerian, cal poppy, but sleep is awful.
Any ideas? Serach
Weaning Off Medications
Posted by Mary (Arcadia, Ca) on 04/27/2014 51 posts
★★★★★
I got off all my psychiatric meds for Anxiety and depression. Not by what my doctor said to do but what I thought was a better idea by my brother. If you are taking tablets it is a lot easier. I used my finger nail and took off a tiny bit that would not make much difference to me. I did this for about a month and then took of a little more until I was done with them. This worked so well that I did not go through any withdrawls. Mean time I drank tea Passion Fruit tea. It really calmed me down. I hope this helps you.
Blessings, Mary
Sam-e
Posted by Timh (Ky, Usa) on 04/07/2014 2048 posts
Mary: I think Tosylate disulfate is the generic name for SAM-e, which is a derivative of the sulfur amino acid Methionine.
As for the reaction, it is ether a problem of Molybdenum deficiency or genetic defect. It's what called a dysfunctional Sulfoxidation mechanism. You should try 500mcg MolyB daily w/ B complex or B-50-100. After 1 wk of this try the SAM-e again as you should have no more reaction and maybe start feeling up and better.
Also for depression, try 500mg Tyrosine in the AM and 100mg 5HTP before retiring.
Sam-e
Posted by Mary (Arcadia, Ca) on 04/07/2014 51 posts
★☆☆☆☆WARNING!
I bought Sam-e for the depression I have had for so 30 years. I got a little headache from it and then I became dizzy. I thought because it was working on my brain already. I read the ingredients and was surprised to see it had Tosylate disulfate. Which is connected to sulpha or sulphur.
I am very allergic to Sulpha drugs and about a half hour later I started to itch. I called the pharmacist where I live and explained to her what it had. She said it would only have a minute amount in it but to get benadryl if I had any side effects. I started to feel needle like picks all over my body and took care of it with the benadryl. Maybe it won't happen to you but be careful.
Weaning Off Medications
Posted by Tony (Tn, Usa) on 03/08/2014
Blue from Cape Cod
Let me tell you my own personal story in getting off anti-depressant meds. I started taking both an anxiety and depression medications last year. They were doing me basically no good. I decided I was going to take this into my own hands. I came up with a plan along with the kind help of Bill here on the boards.
This plan involved mainly magnesium & niacin. I added a couple of other things myself. Those things have been 5-HTP and GABA. Let me say straight up that this isn't a quick fix like any medication is supposed to provide. It takes a while for this protocol to start working. Especially if you've suffered from long-term depression.
I will also say that NIACIN(B3) has probably been the biggest help. I take 500mg of niacin 3X daily w/meals. I take magnesium 250mg 3X daily w/meals. I take the GABA at 750mg(one dose) daily on an empty stomach normally first thing in the morning.
I take the 5-THP(100mg) once during the day and once at night(also 100mg) about one hour before bed. 5-HTP can be taken with or without food. I take it most of the time with food. The brand names to use are not really that critical. However, try to avoid any supplement with magnesium stearate added as a filler or any other fillers for that matter.
I personally use Doctor's Best and NOW Foods for most of these recommended supplements. It took me over 1 month before I started seeing any major changes. Now, it's been almost 5 months now and NO MORE ANTI-DEDRESSANTS! I had to wean off them slowly. I just cut back gradually. I cut back about every 2 weeks in dosage. I'm no longer depressed but I do still have some anxiety at times.
I'm allowing zapping & parasite cleansing to help with all the other leftover health issues I have going on. Hope this helps you out! Depression is tough! However, adding prescription meds only makes it worse in most cases. I'm thankful to God that I'm now no longer taking them! God Bless!
Weaning Off Medications
Posted by KT (Usa) on 03/08/2014
Lou from Falmouth--Ginger contains an antidepressant ingredient. I sprinkle that and turmeric on just about all vegetables I eat. Sometimes I put a little in warm water to drink. I put it on my eggs (it kills salmonella). I add it to my oatmeal. At this time it is just too cold to sit here and provide all benefits of this wonderful spice.
Weaning Off Medications
Posted by Prioris (Fl, Usa) on 03/07/2014
Have you tried natural remedies to replace the Topomax. Topomax has a lot of side effects associated with it.
Weaning Off Medications
Posted by Blue (Cape Cod) on 03/07/2014
I take several anti-depressants, but because of the weight gaining side effect of these drugs, I take Topamax. It is a thyroid medication which is also used off label as an antidepressant. The benefit of this drug is that it has good anti-depressant qualities and is definately weight neutral and seems to counter the side-effect of any other drugs which may cause weight gain. Doctors should understand that unwanted weight gain is a depressant in itself.
Niacin
Posted by Jo (New York) on 02/13/2014
★★★★★
My daughter suffered from depression and I found a doctor who advocated niacin we tried it, she was 20 and found that the flushing was painful and then she switched to non flushing Niacin. Now still on Niacin at 21, we have come to realize she must not go a day with out it and we have even increased the dose, she is vitamin B dependant! We have also noticed a remarkable difference when she adds Omega 3's it helps her even more and she notice a loss in weight. She might be bi polar, it runs in the family, but NIACIN has been a MIRACLE and EVERYONE should try it!!!!!!
Cold Showers
Posted by Sam (Tampa Fl) on 11/23/2013
No one is going to die from a cold shower or quick dip in icy water. You can die from anything you believe in. Watch this on you tube. It is traditional to dip into an ice hole in january in Russia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQB2QBSmFW0.
Magnesium
Posted by Leah (Israel) on 09/01/2013
★★★★★
I have a relative who was so depressed, he tried to hurt himself badly. I had read that magnesium is amazing for depression and works rather quickly. I convinced him to try it. One tablet each day of the daily recommended dosage and he was unbelievably back to his old happy self in two days! However, when he forgets to take this, he sinks back into depression very quickly.
I truly truly believe that depression is a chemical imbalance and not necessarily a psychological problem. I really hope this helps others out there who are suffering with this!
Bach Flower Remedies, Acetyl-L-Carnitine
Posted by Mary H (St Petersburg, Florida) on 08/11/2013
★★★★★
I have been using the Bach Flower Remedies (BFR) to help me with a bad, bad bout of depression and it didn't seem to be working for me. In desperation I read about Acetyl-L-carnitine (ACL) and it being an amino acid (a building block for proteins) that is naturally produced in the body. It helps the body produce "energy. " BFR works on energy so, I started taking the ACL and later that 1st night when I took the BFR it started to work almost immediately. That horrible knot in my stomach started to come on done. This morning when I awoke the knot was back and felt like I was at the end of the world again. I put the BFR drops in my coffee and sipping my coffee I could feel the knot being undone again. You just have to get past getting out of bed and I know how hard that can be.
Rhodiola
Posted by Mary (Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada) on 07/15/2013
How much did you take and how often. Great to hear you feel so good and so soon!
Rhodiola
Posted by Mary (Sussex Corner, Nb Canada) on 07/14/2013
★★★★★
Third day of using Rhodiola, cannot believe the changes in me. So much more relaxed and slept like a baby for the past two nights. Wish I had seen this post five years ago. Anxiety attacks all but gone. I feel like a new person. Thank you and god bless. I have emailed all my friends and have advise this of this site.
Exercise
Posted by Glen (Rocky Point, Ct) on 07/04/2013
★★★★★
I agree, I always feel great when I exercise. Article in today's New York Times about researchers at Princeton recently discovering that exercise creates new neuropathways in the brain. See - http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/07/03/how-exercise-can-calm-anxiety/
Exercise
Posted by Annie (Chicago, Il, USA) on 07/01/2013
★★★★★
The way I beat depression? Not medication, but Exercise, exercise, exercise. I had a bad bout of depression after my husband and I separated. Leading up to the separation, I went to the office every day and worked until 8pm every night. I had no energy to exercise or take care of myself. After we separated and I spent many a weekend laying around on the couch, I realized that my long hours with little energy left at the end of the day hurt my marriage. I returned to the gym and spent at least an hour a day exercising 4 times a week, either before or after the office. My depression diminished, my spirits rose, and I was able to handle the end to my marriage with grace.
Niacin
Posted by Paul (St Louis, Mo) on 05/19/2013
★★★★★
In regards to Niacin, it has absolutely changed my life. I take 500mg of it twice a day. The depression seems to just melt away after taking it. I like the niacin flush I get. Be careful when you first start taking it, I recommend starting by cutting the pill into 50mg increments.
Acetyl L-Carnitine
Posted by Paul (Saint Louis, Mo) on 05/19/2013
★★★★★
Acetyl L-Carnitine has changed my life as well. I have suffered from depression since I was a child, have tried every medication out there and nothing seemed to work. Also, I found out I had candida, and everything I have done to bring my GI tract back into balance has helped the depression, OCD, worry, and ADHD. I take probiotics before bed, which has made a huge difference. L-tyrosine has helped me a lot. My biggest help was finding out that I was low in stomach acid. Treating that with Betaine HCL has changed my life and enabled me to actually "absorb" vitamins and nutrients from food that I couldn't before, this has changed my life.
Weaning Off Medications
Posted by Wishing (You, Well) on 05/09/2013
I googled and read that some people go off Effexor by bridging with Prosac. I believe Prosac has fluoride in it so be aware of that.
Wishing YOU well!
Weaning Off Medications
Posted by Liz (Boston, Massachusetts) on 05/08/2013
The good news is, since you're taking a low dose and haven't been on it all that long, tapering off should be relatively easy for you.
The best advice is to go slow. The slower the better. Since you're taking the extended release version, the only lower dose is the 37.5mg capsules. (The immediate release goes as low as 25mgs and since they're tablets, they can be split into lower doses for a slower taper. The XR cap's don't go lower than 37.5mg.)
It's typically recommended to take the 37.5's for a week to ten days, then take a 37.5mg capsule every other day for a week to ten days, then you go off entirely.
I think you'll do well since your dose is low and you've only taken them for six months. All best!
Weaning Off Medications
Posted by Joy (Battleground, Wash) on 05/08/2013
I took it for a year in the 90's. I would say get down slowly to the lowest dose and then take it every other day and then every third day untll you are off the stuff. Your neck and shoulders can start to tense as your emotions return.... Ice and heat and massage. Hand held vibration massager. Don't let them get damaged like mine did. I went off prozak too and my shoulder, neck , spine really got hit hard and I was on a low dose.... Walking is good and drink water to deal with detox. Don't try to diet at the same time, too much stress all at once. Love, JOY
Weaning Off Medications
Posted by Amanda (USA) on 05/08/2013
I have been on Effexor 75mg er for about 6 months for anxiety and depression. I have had bad side effects and weight gain. How do I get off this poison and what do you recommend to help in this process? All help will be appreciated.
Weaning Off Medications
Posted by Lou (Falmouth, Cornwall, England) on 04/22/2013
Hi, Having read your tips it states that it is useful for you to know the following:
Age: 33
Gender: female
Race/ethnicity: white, british
Blood type: unknown
General health/weight: Health is very good. The only issue is that I have been diagnosed with post traumatic stress syndrome about 10 years ago and depression since then. Have been on Citalopram 40mg for the last two years and am now slowly weaning myself off them (am currently at a dose of 20mg). Weight= 69kg which is slightly over what's considered normal for my height of 5'3".
At the moment I am feeling well but I want to do everthing in my power to make sure I stay well without the need for taking citalopram.
My question for you guys is- Will lithium orotate help me to come off citalopram and if so how much is a safe dose to take and what makes should I be looking at or avoid. I hope you can help.
Thank you! Lou
Medication Side Effects
Posted by Joy (Battleground, Wash) on 03/22/2013
I can't say I like prozac , but for some reason for three years I could eat normal food, sleep 12 hours a night and a four hour nap during the day and NOT ONE YEAST INFECTION WHILE EATING NORMAL: PIZZA , BURGERS, FISH AND CHIPS, CHINESE FOOD, STUFF I COULDN'T TOUCH MY WHOLE LIFE , once or twice a week, never had a yeast outbreak, and prozac makes constipation MUCH worse.
I suspect that cortisol from fight or flight emotions feeds the yeast. Three years on prozac, no emotions, no symptoms. I don't think it is good for people to take prozac, I felt suicidal the whole time I used it, but wasn't depressed anymore.
Having HAD been both most of my life, there is a difference, depression is hopeless dark tunnel and suicidal is like BEAM ME UP, I HAVE NO DESIRE TO LIVE! Your mind constantly thinks of ways to end it . Of course you have to resist.
I don't have those battles anymore! Whew!!!
L-Methylfolate
Posted by Tree (Green, Pa) on 03/18/2013
★★★★★
My daughter suffered from severe deppression with signs starting at the age of 3!!! For years helped her work thru the bad episodes until she was ready for therapy then she went on meds around the age of 11 they helped but the need to increase them or change them every 2-6 months was getting very scary! She was on pretty high doses by the time she was 16 we were thinking about trying natural remedies last summer while she was out of school. I started talking to my MD who believes in pharmicalogical and homopathic med and he suggested Methyl folate, which is available by rx only even though it is a vitamin. It is a type of folic acid that crosses the blood brain barrier it then reteaches the brain how to produce the right amounts seretonin neroephneprine ect.... needed.
You start to take it while on your antidepresents then slowly decrease the amounts of the antidepresents until you are off of them then you continue the Methylfolate for 6 months then stop them. WOW, she is a different person! She has not taken anything since the begining of December 2012 she has 1 sometimes 2 bad days a month (around the time of menstruation) but so far is able to work thru those without meds!!! We all have bad days!!! Hers are just more intense.
This is not well known in the med field or the phyc Drs are somehow for some reason not going with natural cures. This is really sad so many people young and old can have a normal state of mind again!!! We were lucky my MD gave us samples for her. Rx policies will not cover vit's it is almost $400 over the counter but the company that makes it has a web site pharm were it is only $48 for a three month supply they have no patient asst program were it is free if you finacialy qualify. You still have to get an Rx from a DR if you have to go to your pcp for it just do it!!! THIS IS THE REAL DEAL!!! It comes in 7.5 and 14mg she took the 14mg. dose once a day. REMEMBER YOU HAVE TO GRADUALY DECRESE YOUR PHYC MEDS!!! YOU ALL KNOW THAT THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT IT CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS TO STOP THEM ALL AT ONCE!!! REPEAT DON'T DO THAT!!! GOD bless and be with you all!!!
St John's Wort
Posted by Oscar (Syracuse, New York) on 03/08/2013
Vitamin D
Posted by Tim (Cincinnati, Oh) on 03/07/2013
I assume that you mean 1000 I.U. of vitamin D instead of mg. Vitamin D is usually sold in I.U. and 1000mg of vitamin D is equivalant to 40,000,000 I.U.
Vitamin D
Posted by Heather (San Diego, Ca) on 03/07/2013
★★★★★
Yeah. This is a no brainer for depression. If you are depressed, and not getting sunshine (10 minutes a day) get at least 1,000 mg per day of Vitamin D. Double that in the winter. Some people may need more. Generally, if you live in an area known for sunshine (in the States that would be California, Hawaii, Florida, Texas, Arizona, etc.) 1000 mg per day might be enough, unless you live in a house with the windows closed and rarely go outside.
If you live in the north, where there is less sunshine, at least 2,000 mg supplement is needed; doubled in the winter.
This helps enormously with depression, much more successful than any anti depressant prescription medication.
Give it a few weeks to see how you feel.
Don't take it if you are a surfer, outdoorsy type, or don't wear sunblock.
I had good Vitamin D levels per the doctor before supplementing it because I drank milk with Vitamin D. That is not enough, however, to help with depression. San Diego is known for its sunshine, but that didn't help me because I was depressed, rarely left my house, and would apply sunblock to my face and wear a hat in the sun for wrinkle prevention. (The one year I didn't do this, hoping to get more vitamin D, I got lots of new wrinkles on my fair skin.)
Vitamin D is CHEAP, especially at Costco where you can get 250 USP pills for $9.
Walking
Posted by Heather (San Diego, Ca) on 03/07/2013
★★★★★
Yea. Even the shrinks know that walking is a better cure for depression than antidepressants. It's the first thing any shrink will tell you to do.
Trouble is, depressed people often don't feel like walking.
Force yourself to walk, but if the idea really sucks to you, and makes you miserable thinking about it, try to put a (fake if necessary) smile on face and start counting your blessings - finding things to be grateful about, instead of focusing on the fact that you don't want to take a walk.
I try to notice things while walking -- birds, what the road construction crews are working on, what is making a particular noise, children, trees. This gets me out of my head and away from my troubles, and also prevents me from getting too bored while walking.
Walking daily increases health and happiness, and helps a person to sleep better.
St John's Wort
Posted by Heather (San Diego) on 03/07/2013
★☆☆☆☆
Eagerly tried this years ago. No help with depression, caused acne breakouts which were worse than any I'd ever had. There are better supplements - Mag Citrate, SAM-e, taurine, Ted's alkalizing formula. I've never tried Rhodiola but maybe I will some day.
Cold Showers
Posted by Annie (Portland, Or) on 03/06/2013
Yikes! Tell your friend to lighten up on the jokes. A true friend will totally understand.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Ken (London, Uk) on 02/15/2013
Eliminating gluten and sugar might be a good place to start for your depression. I also recommend at least 45 minutes of cardio exercise 3-4 times a week. This will help immensely. Also check your magnesium levels.
B Complex
Posted by Anon (USA) on 02/15/2013
★★★★★
For severe depression, you might need b50 or 100 or at least b3. You could get a hair mineral test and see exactly what you are deficient in.
