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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by bleauberry on February 22, 2009, at 10:29:52
I have noticed that traffic here on the Alternative Board is rather slow lately. Too bad. I wonder why? I think targeted treatments with natural things can enhance medication success, as Lau Tzu seems to have discovered.
Anyway, specifically, there is an herb that is a precription antidepressant in Germany, it comes out about equal with SSRIs and TCAs in numerous trials, but doesn't seem to get hardly any mention here ever. Maybe once or twice a year. I wonder why that is?
In my early days before things really got screwed up, St Johns Wort was actually the best antidepressant I ever took, by a long shot. It blew the pharmaceuticals in the weeds.
Different story these days. Other overlapping illnesses, complexities, and that mysterious longterm ssri syndrome thing.
For someone early in their psychiatric journey however, I truly feel a trial of a good brand should be tried before getting a prescription. By good brand, I mean the clinical study ones, which are Kira or Perika. New Chapter makes a good one too from what I've heard. Strange though, two that worked great for me, and I couldn't tell them apart, were the el cheapos from Rite Aid and the Walmart brand Spring Valley.
Anyway, just a passing thought, I found it weird there is not much discussion at this board, and even weirder that St Johns Wort is AWOL.
Posted by g_g_g_unit on February 22, 2009, at 18:24:07
In reply to Not Much Mention of St Johns Wort?, posted by bleauberry on February 22, 2009, at 10:29:52
i fully agree. when first prescribed anti-depressants i had no sense of the structure involved w/r/t to waiting out side-effects, and failed to pace myself, usually discontinuing too abruptly. the same applied to st john's wort when given by a naturopath who had complete faith in it's lack of side-effects; at first, it provided me with an emotional insularity and clear-headedness that was the exact opposite of the SSRI's deadening effect. unfortunately, i began to feel tired, and stopped using it after 2 weeks. i wish i'd waited it out. i may return for a proper trial if i give up on nardil.
Posted by garnet71 on February 23, 2009, at 1:24:28
In reply to Not Much Mention of St Johns Wort?, posted by bleauberry on February 22, 2009, at 10:29:52
Anyway, specifically, there is an herb that is a precription antidepressant in Germany, it comes out about equal with SSRIs and TCAs in numerous trials, but doesn't seem to get hardly any mention here ever. Maybe once or twice a year. I wonder why that is?
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I can really identify with your statement. MIght I add, though, that St. John's Wort is the #1 - yes NUMBER ONE - antidepressant prescribed in Germany?Don't even get me started as to the 'whys'. I have asked doctors if they were willing to work with me on herbal/alternative treatments, but was always brushed off. I can't blame them as its not included in their training perhaps, but thinking out of the box could help sooo many people--and those who cannot afford expensive meds. I'm actually saddened by the whole concept.
Posted by SLS on February 23, 2009, at 7:33:49
In reply to Re: Not Much Mention of St Johns Wort? » bleauberry, posted by garnet71 on February 23, 2009, at 1:24:28
My sister, whom exhibits soft bipolarity, would take SJW for a few months at a time when she noticed herself feeling mildly to moderately depressed. She described it as being very helpful. Now, when she asks me my opinion on what she should do for her current episode of mild depression, I suggest to her going back to the SJW as opposed to beginning her on Nardil (which works extremely well for her), or some SRI. She is resistant to taking anything right now, though.
- Scott
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