alternatives to prescription meds
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alternatives to prescription meds
| 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!!

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
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-)
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