what are the alternatives

amanda · Experienced Member

what are the alternatives

Sue · Veteran Member

Hi Amanda,

I have been on and off antidepresants a long time ago. You have to discuss it with your doctor and not get off it suddenly but gradually. I am on (Paroxtin) which increase the serotonin. It helps and have less side efects with me. I take a have in the morning and another around 3 P.M. and for my nightmares and insomnia I take (Olanzapin) with it I sleep at least 5 hours continuous which is great. I feel rested in the morning. I put an alarm to not to forget because it is important to take the medications regularly. Discuss it with your doctor and good luck.

Sue

segelov · Experienced Member

Hi Amanda

As Sue says you should not come of antidepressents and do cold turkey, you need to ween yourself off them gradually with the help of your prescriber. And then if you are looking for alternatives you do need to see some one that you can trust, and do some reading around the subject about what helps others.

I would be reluctant to say what I take because even though they are a herbal remedy they do interact with all sorts of other medications including the pill, and even herbals should be used under supervision or at least with informed knowledge. I would hate to see any one worsen their condition because of something that I have said.

While you are being weened off your current meds you may find times when you will have to increase the does again, but do not be discouraged, it just takes time.

Take care and be brave.

claudine · Moderator

Hey Amanda,

I've been on anti-depressants for years, it took a while to get it working though! I was a real guinea pig. I hated it. Some people have the ability to take a leave from work, I couldn't so every time they tried something new, I was a bit of a mess. You just have to learn to drop and roll! (NOT kidding, I fell on my face regularly!) Finally got a combo that seems to work okay for me. There are so many! I truly hated it when I was doing it at first but I feel like it helps me now.

c

ouchzone · Experienced Member

Two things help me but I don't know whether they would help you. One is excercise. I like walking best. The other is listening to music (classical). Which I can do even in the middle of the night. I've done that sometimes when I'm desperate. I plug the personal CD player into the wall and put the headphones on then I can't go far so I can't do anything stupid.

My current GP never mentioned anti-depressants. I know I couldn't cope with them. They made me very ill when I was a teenager and put me off tablets for life. For years I wouldn't even take aspirin. If my GP mentioned them now I would say 'no way' and be afraid he would get mad at me for not cooperating which is something I have huge problems with. I'd be scared stiff he'd strike me off his list if I didn't cooperate. As things got really ugly with the doctor where I lived before. Think this one weighs patients up real fast. I wouldn't take them when the children were little as I didn't think it was responsible to fall asleep, pass out and be unable to walk when I was doing school trips. I'm still trying to come to terms with taking BP tablets. I was very upset when I couldn't be a blood donor anymore.

jem · Veteran Member

Hi Jane,

I have been on anti depressants on and off for years.

I have been on seroxat (paroxetine) for 2 and a half years. The worse thing about this is sweating and as a male there is also a problem down below. That is tough when there is problems anyway. But I feel the tablets have done me good, I came off them once about 18 months agao and within a couple of weeks felt lousy.

After my post the other day I went to the doctors yesterday. She spoke to the Psychiatrist and I have been put on a medication called Carbemazepine, its used to treat epilepsy, but is also used to treat "Bi polar disorders" commonly known as Manic depression. Well I am so glad to finally have a diagnosis!

I think the main thing is that what works for one will not neccesarily work for another and its a case of switching round.

What you mustnt do is to come off anti depressants abruptly. I did that with my seroxat and I was dreadful.

Hope this helps.