alternatives to prescription meds

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-09-2004
alternatives to prescription meds
5
Tue, 03-09-2004 - 5:05pm
hi everyone, i am new to the board. i was wondering if anyone has tried 5htp or SAM-e to deal w/their depression & anxiety? i have been on meds before and can't stand the fact that you gain unhealthy weight. the only med that didn't put on the weight was celexa, but i was on it for only 1 yr. i am now 3 months pregnant and am just concerned about what i should do should the depression creep back. is there any known meds that DON'T put the weight on. thanks in advance!!
Avatar for luv5monkeys
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-29-2003
Tue, 03-09-2004 - 6:33pm
I started using 5htp last month & so far, so good. I additionally started taking multivitamins, extra B-complex, extra C & flaxseed oil tablets. I read that this combination works quit well in combination of cutting out processed foods & going as organic as possible in your diet.

More importantly for me is daily Yoga. It works like no other exercise for circulation and depression. Here is a link Yoga pregnancy videos that you may want to check out.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005Q405/ref=pd_sxp_elt_l1/104-3488104-8415901

God bless your pregnancy & your health

Linda

Avatar for legs2001
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Tue, 03-09-2004 - 6:43pm
Always check with your doc before taking anything. But I am sure you know that. I have had very little luck with meds. But I had no luck with the over the counter self help meds either.

I would be very wary to try anything. You need your health for certain, but your baby is way important as well.

Welcome to the board.

Sending hugs and good thoughts your way.

Take care,

Lisa-)

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Tue, 03-09-2004 - 6:49pm
Hi, I haven't been around the board much (my apologies to everyone), but I wanted to welcome you here and also tell you that I take 5-HTP (100 mg nightly). My doctor originally recommended it as a natural help for depression...and although I have had my ups and downs lately, I was amazed that a supplement could take away the inexplicably "empty," dejected feeling I had been experiencing.

I've also gone through essentially all the prescription anti-depressants (and I still take a low dose of two for fibromyalgia), but they either were not effective or had debilitating side effects. So the 5-HTP has been great for me...I'm not sure of the safety of taking it during pregnancy (I would imagine it is safe, but I would ask my doctor first just in case). And another huge reason I keep taking it is that it has almost totally gotten rid of my migraines...which I used to have daily. Apparently migraines have been linked to low serotonin, as depression has been, so I guess this is another indication that the supplement is working to raise my serotonin levels.

Sorry to go on about myself...I hope you do find the help that you are seeking. I have also tried SAM-E...but I only tried it for a short while...and didn't notice much of a change...but I have heard from others that it can be effective as well.

In terms of weight gain, 5-HTP is sometimes advertised as a supplement useful in managing weight...which at first bothered my mom when she read that because she didn't want me to lose weight. As far as I know, it is not a diet aid, though...I think that by raising serotonin, it can help with some psychological issues like overeating in response to stress...but I am not sure. I'm pretty sure that it doesn't cause you to gain weight, though.

Hope this has been somewhat helpful, and I look forward to getting to know you on the board,

Rose

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-09-2004
Wed, 03-10-2004 - 8:12pm
hi, just wanted to say thanks for the info. if you can keep me posted on the 5htp and how you feel that would be great, glad to hear it's working for you! terrific. did your dr agree? mine isn't keen on alternatives ia can tell so i would be trying it w/out her support. take care
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-09-2004
Wed, 03-10-2004 - 8:19pm
just wanted to say thanks, it's nice to know that people are getting some help from something other than presc meds. i don't knock them at all, mine worked fine until i stopped due to wanting to have my 2nd bambino. glad that you have a open minded dr who is aware that your are tring 5htp. mine isn't to keen on alternatives i can tell, so that makes me nervous. do you still have bad times or have they gradually faded? keep me posted, thanks so much again, appreciate it so much! i just feel so confused about which way to go should this come back, and i have a feeling it more than likely will!!!