No more SSRI's, advice on natural treatment?

On HealingWell we strive to seek a balance between alternative and traditional approaches. I feel strongly, both approaches have value for anyone seeking healing. If you feel you want to try an alternative method then you certainly have the free choice to do so.

I wish you luck.

I'm also a big supporter of alternative medicine. But in the end I believe you have to find what works for you. It might be a different SSRI like the Zoloft. It might be something non-western based. But there are several types of alternative therapies and you still may have to spend some time trying to find what works best for YOU as an individual. In the end it may be some combination of things (like herbs, reflexology, and acupuncture as an example). I tried Magnesium early on which is highly promoted as a natural relaxation aid, but in my case it made my heart race and I had to stop.

As far as the vitamin thing, I have heard that Vitamin B can help with relaxation. But it won't be nearly as strong as a psychotropic. Even if you find a holistic doctor as opposed to a traditional psychiatrist, I still think you should let him or her know what you're taking as far as supplements. St. John's Wort for example affects serotonin levels and so if you're on an SSRI then you're getting more serotonin than is being prescribed. Kava kava, gingko biloba, resveratrol, and yerba mate are some other commonly used supplements that are often contraindicated with traditional psychotropic meds.

So by all means do some exploring - but be careful and be patient. Oh and if you're interested I also tried an herbal mix called Serenagen. It did help make me feel less anxious and calmer overall, but it wasn't strong enough for the intensity of my symptoms.

Hi all,

Thanks for the replies! To clarify, I used to take Prozac years ago, as a teen, and it did wonders for me. It helped get rid of my severe agoraphobia. Then I took it off and on for years and it helped. Last year I took it and I ended up in the ER. Then I took Celexa and it made me really lethargic. I was going to stay on it, but my doctor put me on Lexapro instead, which made my heart race and race to where she didn't want my to take it. Now I'm at Zoloft and don't want to take it because of all of the horrible side effects that have happened the last year. I didn't have a fear of meds until I ended up in the ER with severe side effects.

I used to take St. John's Wort - years ago. I think maybe psychologically it helped.

And yes, I was referring to vitamins. I take Klonopin, which was why I was asking my doctor about a vitamin regime. "They" always warn you to talk to your doctor before starting several vitamins at once, which was why I was asking him. But he shot that idea down - a vitamin regime. The guy is new and didn't even look at my chart (he was new to me, too). The appointment was $150, so I was hoping he'd be a bit more understanding.

Melodee, I cut out all caffeine last year. I never drink it. And I also stopped drinking to self medicate. I wasn't a lush, but before I started meds, I'd self medicate for the anxiety. And that makes it worse!!!! I also get low blood sugar and eat a well balanced diet. I'm 110 pounds and 5'4" and don't even eat aspartame, if I can help it. That seems to make my heart race. I'm also walking on the treadmill to strengthen my heart (since I have a fast heart beat).

I feel like I am doing all of the right things, except my anxiety will not go away.

My previous doctor thinks that I psychologically create anxiety when I take SSRI's, since I have had so many bad experiences, which is why she gave me Klonopin. But the Klonopin does NOT curve the side effects of the SSRI's, which is why she removed me from the Lexapro.

I'm just at the end of my rope and I have to start a new job next week (and I can NOT afford to quit this job due to anxiety), so I feel like I'm under a lot of pressure, as we all are. I really don't want to take any SSRI's and I told my doctor that, but he told me that I will not get better. That's encouraging.

Kitt,

Did you ever have a racing heart beat with your new meds? I can deal with all of the other side effects, but I feel like I'm having a heart attack. I feel like the meds are going to kill me! Normally I can take a Klonopin and get rid of the racing heart beat, but when I take SSRI's, the Klonopin doesn't help, which is why they took me off!

Thanks so much,

you could try the amino acid GABA [gama-aminobutyric-acid]. the gabanergic system is where klonopin and meds like gabitri-baclofen work.

hey chirpchirp, you can get GABA at any heath food store or the vitamin shoppe. L-tryptophan or 5-HTP can be calming for some people.

ChirpChirp,

Hello, I am Serenitee, I thought I would introduce myself. I can really relate to everything you were saying. I have extreme anxiety and panic disorder. My Psych Dr. said last week my anxiety is one of the worse she has seen. I was on effexor for a long time but weaned off of it several months ago. Then tried prozac which I thought was working but my psychiatrist thinks that anti-depressants make me have manic episodes (i disagree...lol). So I am currently not on any anti-depressants right now. I am on Vistaril, Buspar, Gabapentin (which I stopped taking July 1, to see if that is what was causing me extreme weight gain). My Doctor won't put me on any Benzo's (xanax, etc) since they are addicting, and I am a recovering addict/alcoholic.

I have attacks at least 5-days out of a week...they are running my life. I am constantly in fear of having an episode and not being able to stop it. They even wake me out of a dead sleep in the middle of one. They terrify me actually. I don't know what triggers them, if I did maybe I could reduce having them.

I agree with what the others posted and know that it can take like 6 weeks before you get the full affects of anti-depressants. I pray that you can find something that works for you. Try to give the meds a chance to work since its more than a couple days. I know how frustrating it can be. I am sorry you are struggling with this, I know I wouldn't wish this on anyone.

I am currently journaling daily so my Psych Dr. can see how many and how bad they really are. She tells me when I am in one to do something that distracts me, however, I am so frozen and panicked with them I can't do anything to sidetrack my mind. In a week I am starting DBT Program which is 6-12 months long. I complete a 5-month program in January that was more on the Ccognitive Behavioral side.

If you want to email me my address is on my profile, so just click on my name. Good luck, and hang in there.
Your Healingwell Friend,
Serenitee

Good Morning,
I have not heard of the product Tranquilene but most of what I found online were sites that are selling this product or promoting it. The cost is $34.95 for 30 day supply.

Checking at a GNC store or another store that specializes in natural products may be the way to go to learn more about this product.

Kindly,

Kitt