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Herbal Wisdom:  depression?  |
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greyghost
True Blue Farmgirl
650 Posts
Lynn
Summerville
Georgia
USA
650 Posts |
 Posted - Mar 21 2006 : 12:43:25 PM
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DH has been off his meds for a while now, apparently, and the resulting black cloud is making life rather difficult around here. Anyway. Since he has been off the prescribed stuff for a while, I thought now would be a good time to try the herbal help for this stuff.
I know St. John's wort can help, but if I remember right, it is meant only for bouts of depression, not to be taken every day. Does anyone know of any other herbs that may help?
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celebrate2727
True Blue Farmgirl
989 Posts
Beth
MJF
Farmgirl
989 Posts |
Posted - Mar 21 2006 : 1:37:34 PM
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My DH takes ST Johns everyday and 5htp. It takes a day or so to see the results but it has been a life saver. He was taking Lithium and wellbutrin and he was goofy. It really messed with him emotionally and physically and was hard for him to stay on. Saw a talk show where this one celebrity, I think it was Margo Kidder on the View, and she said 5htp worked great. He's been using it for the last 4 years and what a change. Give it a try. We get it at Walmart. Will have to go home and check the dosage. Will try and post later.
blessings
beth
Dreaming of Friday Night Lights
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greyghost
True Blue Farmgirl
650 Posts
Lynn
Summerville
Georgia
USA
650 Posts |
Posted - Mar 21 2006 : 8:11:25 PM
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Thank you, Beth!
What is 5htp? I've never heard of it.
My DH was on Zoloft for YEARS. Didn't tell me it had run out - he has to ask his brother for a prescription (he's a doctor) rather than going to a shrink to get it.
Blessings! |
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celebrate2727
True Blue Farmgirl
989 Posts
Beth
MJF
Farmgirl
989 Posts |
Posted - Mar 22 2006 : 09:21:15 AM
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it is 5 hydroxytriptophan. It ias a natural alternative for low levels of seratonin, which usually is prescribed lithium. I think dh takes 2 in the am 2 at dinner and 2 at bedtime. Works great. ALso check into fish oils. It keeps the tissue in the brain lubed up, great for adhd which my son probably has but never was diagnosed. Unfortunaely I don't like Dr's a whole lot. Mostly just for injury or serious issues. Let me know if you have any questions.
blessings
beth
Dreaming of Friday Night Lights
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brightmeadow
True Blue Farmgirl
2045 Posts
Brenda
Lucas
Ohio
USA
2045 Posts |
Posted - Mar 22 2006 : 6:07:28 PM
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I am not a doctor and don't like to treat depression lightly, as I suffered myself and occasionally have a dip - best to get a doctor's advice and treatment since there can be serious consequences.... and when people are really depressed doctors maybe need to intervene - a chemical fix can be a short-term lifesaver, literally.
But can offer my own experience - I was clinically depressed, doctor advised Prozac or Zoloft, I took it for a while, starting having wild mood swings, then he diagnosed me as bipolar and put me on lithium too -- I didn't like the "sexual side effects" they talk about on TV ads. Working with my doctor, he told me to take EITHER St. John's wort or Zoloft but DEFINITELY NOT both. And to be sure to take the clinical amount of St. John's wort because lesser amounts would not be therapeutic and would have no effect. Seratonin uptake inhibitors, like the Zoloft, Prozac, and St. John's wort, build up over time so it is important to take them consistently every day, I question whoever told you to take St. John's wort for bouts of depression because that's not the way I understand that they work.
Anyway, I stopped taking the prescription drugs, started taking St. John's wort every day (still do) and also try to
-- make sure I get lots of sunlight or use full-spectrum fluorescent bulbs in my cube at work
-- get exercise and fresh air on a daily basis by walking in the park
-- take time with my family
-- make time for spiritual needs (meditation, prayer)
-- take time to play
and so far I have not had the symptoms of depression any more - 7 years now...
But to answer your question here is a web page http://www.holistic-online.com/remedies/Depression/dep_herbs_1.htm (no affiliation, and who knows if they know what they are talking about?)
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
Visit my web site store at http://www.watkinsonline.com/fish or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow |
Edited by - brightmeadow on Mar 22 2006 6:22:07 PM |
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theoanne
True Blue Farmgirl
282 Posts
teddie
CARROLLTON
GA
282 Posts |
Posted - Mar 22 2006 : 7:02:36 PM
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Hi,
Okay this is a little professional advice. I have been a psychiatric nurse for the last 11 yrs. If your dh is on zoloft for depression and can get it from his bro it would probably be better to consult with him before changing. Or atleast let him know if you are looking at other options. Even though the 5htp is recommended sounds like it works instead of lithium which is for bipolar disorder. Is he bipolar? If not this may not work. I also like brenda's advice on the 5 things she does everyday. These are good for all of us. Hope some of this helps and he feels better soon
Teddie |
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greyghost
True Blue Farmgirl
650 Posts
Lynn
Summerville
Georgia
USA
650 Posts |
Posted - Mar 24 2006 : 7:59:27 PM
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Thanks everyone!
We haven't tried anything yet, but my parents came up for a surprise visit and something my dad told him seems to have brightened DH up remarkably - it's like having my hubby back!
I wish I knew it would last - but I will talk to his brother about switching to St. John's. DH has apparently been out of Zoloft for 4 months now. Long time. |
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Herbal Wisdom: depression? |
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depression?
