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Originally posted by Stellaraye

Greetings, Ladies ~
It is nice to see posts in this forum! And very interesting to see how each one deals with the Fibro.

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ROSEMARY: I am really intrigued by your experience with depression and pain. I can certainly see how Zoloft can work to alleviate the former, but the latter? It is quite a mystery as to the connection there. Do you know what it is?

The physician I consulted in about 1993 at the Washington Clinic in Chevy Chase, MD, was/is(?) an expert on fibromyalgia. He had produced a paper that year linking fibromyalgia to depression -- not so much a matter of depression causing the fobromyalgia as something else causing both, I believe. In my case, as in that of many other of his patients, I responded quickly to Zoloft and took myself off it as soon as I could, because I don't like to take drugs if I don't have to.

If you understand how Zoloft works, it may be easier to understand my it helped me. Rather than being an "upper" -- or a "happy pill" of some sort -- Zoloft is one of those antianxiety medications, called "selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors" (SSRIs) that act on the chemical functions of the brain to correct imbalances that can cause a variety of problems, including Attention Deficit Disorder, from which -- not surprisingly -- a form of which I recently discovered I've been fighting for all my life. Zoloft and other similar drugs, such as Strattera (a "norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor"), which I take regularly now by the way, are prescribed for many adults afflicted (or blessed!) with ADD, to help them focus and think more clearly, approach responsibilities with more confidence, help tone down external distractions (the annoying conversation at the next table that you wish you could ignore), that can be so stressful to ADD sufferers, and avoid some of the emotional upheavals associated with the condition.


I am in constant pain myself, especially since starting a job in a plant nursery where I lift heavy trays and trolleys full of potted plants.


Stellaraye, could it be that you are lifting things too fast, or incorrectly, thus putting undue stress on your muscles and joints? It could be that this new job requires you to use your body in new ways, waking up parts of yourself that have never operated that way before, and setting off a chain reaction of "owies"? Maybe you could consult the wrestling coach at your local high school, or some other fitness guru, who could give you some helpful tips about strength and leverage issues.


My desperate measure was to go see a doctor, too, but to ask for a potent, though least harmful, pain-killer. He gave me "Diclofenac Sodium" and it works well, even now that I've cut down the dosage from 3 to 2 pills a day. I also take, in much lower dosage, my own herbal tincture of Willow Bark and Feverfew, to stop my chronic migraine and to help me at night, when the Diclofenac has worn off. I too am very loyal to my herbal remedies, but I certainly can understand why you had to rely on a prescribed remedy. But Zoloft stopping the pain? I don't get it. Can you enlighten me on how it can do that? For my depression, I take Evening Primrose Oil capsules, 3,000 mg a day, Brahmi (Bacopa monieri), Siberian Ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus)and Catnip (Nepeta cataria). Both Brahmi and Siberian Ginseng also give me energy and mental clarity, which I seriously need. I am slowly organising myself and my surroundings with written down routines so I won't have to rely on my faulty memory so much. But the Brahmi helps there, too!

I have never heard of using Evening Primrose Oil as a primary defense against depression. It is generally indicated for treatment of many kinds of chronic inflammatory disease, including multiple sclerosis and even fibrocystic breasts. In any case, I think you are taking way too much of it. Two 500mg capsules daily is more than enough, especially if you also cook regularly with extra virgin olive oil, or eat salmon, and so on, as additional sources of essential fatty acids. Please remember that herbs are drugs. You can OD on them, even the ones with pretty names!

For those who can grow their own, or in some other way monitor its potency, St. John's Wort is more commonly prescribed by Herbalists for chronic depression, but as with any condition evidenced in the emotions, even if it's caused by something physical, it's always wise to look first at environmental causes for depression: unhappy relationships, unfulfilling work, poor diet, too little healthful exercise, not enough private time to relax, meditate, regroup, and so on. Only after these practical matters are examined and addressed should we be looking to medicate.

I'll bet you know that no one herbal medicine should be used to treat any one condition, and certainly not without expert advice. I'm bringing this up more for the benefit of others who might read this. Don't just take somebody's word for how "expert" they are (including me!) Ask to see (not just hear about) their credentials. Ask who they studied with and check out THEIR credentials. Discuss their philosophy of healing with them in detail. Talk to others who have worked with or been treated by them.

Be smart about what you allow into or onto your body. It's the only one you'll ever have.


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Loving Bright Blessings to all! Let's keep up the communications!

Back at you, sister! Blessed be!

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