DEPRESSION & ANXIETY, any one try these...

[canarm1949]

The neuro-psychiatrist says son's seizures are 90% psychogenic due to stressors, anxiety and depression. He prescribed EFFEXOR & ABILIFY, drugs that many call "the drug they wish they never took". In one study Effexor was found to be 8.3 times more likely to cause violence or cause serious self injury.

Has anyone here tried some of the natural alternatives with minimal side effects and are very often prescribed in Germany, Italy, and other European countries ?
These are, INOSITOL, SAMe, 5THP, MELATONIN, RESVERATROL, OMEGA 3 FISH OILS.

If so what can you tell me?
Thank you friends.

 

[hdufort]

I took Abilify for 1 month after a depression. This is the worst drug I’ve ever taken. All my joints went very stiff and uncomfortable. My sleep patterns were disrupted, I would wake up at 4am and couldn’t get back to sleep. My hands were shaking. I was dizzy and nauseous. And I felt no positive effect. My doctor says we’ll try Wellbutrin next.

These drugs are known to increase the risk of self-injury or suicide, so any depression must be well under control prior to taking these. Medication such as lithium, as well as psychotherapy, are indicated.

Melatonin will help you get to sleep faster. Slow-release melatonin will enhance your sleep over the whole night. It all depends if you have sleep quality issues. Otherwise it’s useless.

I’ve tried 5-HTP. It will give you headaches if your brain doesn’t need it. And I’m not sure it’s efficient at all. The literature about 5-HTP is ambiguous. Some authors say it doesn’t even reach the brain.

OMEGA 3 are known to have beneficial effects in brain development, concentration and general cognitive performance. I don’t know about its effets on depression. We’re talking about long term effets, over the course of months or years. Don’t expect instant results.

I don’t know much about the other drugs and supplements you’ve named.

 

[canarm1949]

Thank you hdufort for your input.
I have read a lot about Effexor, Abilify and Paxil. You are right these are very dangerous drugs.
You can get a general idea of psychotropic drug by viewing some of the videos on Youtube . One is called, Making a Killing the untold story of psychotropic drugging. There are quite a few of them there.

I will tell you that Scientology put these on Youtube.
But, having been involved in the drug industry years ago in sales,
I can tell you that the drug industry is pretty much the way they describe it.

My son's neurologist told me to make sure we don't get a prescription for Wellbutrin from the psychiatrist as it is terrible.
He also indirectly told me, just like in the video , that psychiatrists are fighting with neurologists for prescribing territory!!!

I have read many writeups by pharmacists, naturopaths, and medical writers with lots of recommendations for the supplements I mentioned.

Thank you for your input.

 

[JaneC]

Thank you hdufort for your input.
I have read a lot about Effexor, Abilify and Paxil. You are right these are very dangerous drugs.

These drugs are dangerous in your opinion. Please do not state it as fact or overgeneralise. I have been a member of a mental health forum for some years and every so often someone will come along and terrify the life out of other posters with scare stories about medication.

What I wonder is why these people have to be so evangelistic. Of course they are entitled to their opinion but why do they always feel the need to ram it down the throats of others?

I have taken antidepressants for years but, taking it from the other angle, I would never, ever go on a forum and say, "Oh Prozac. Just fabulous, you really must try it". Can't you just leave people to make up their own minds? As far as I can tell, a small minority have (admittedly serious) problems with antidepressants etc. The vast majority get along with them just fine.

I've tried inositol, by the way. Did nothing for me at all.

 

[canarm1949]

JaneC,
I'm sorry for stating my educated opinion! Really, there is no need to cut me and hdufort, up like that. I'm not trying to push anything down anyone's throat.
I do know what these drugs have done to my 2 sisters in law, and some friends. My brother in law died from these drugs. It's right on the autopsy report ! Now his wife is on the very same course. Am I supposed to say these drugs worked well for them???

Why do you think the American Food & Drug Administration has ordered that these drugs carry a BLACK BOX WARNING ?

A black box warning, also known as a “black label warning” or “boxed warning,” is named for the black border surrounding the text of the warning that appears on the package insert, label, and other literature describing the medication (e.g., magazine advertising). It is the most serious medication warning required by the FDA.

I guess hdufort and I should just make positive comments about these drugs even if we believe and experience the opposite.
We should not post anything that might degrade a drug, right JaneC?

This comes from your country, Scotland;


1 Oct 2012

One in seven people in Scotland take anti-depressants, according to a report published last week.

Figures published by the NHS Information Services Division showed that 718,330 people were prescribed antidepressants in 2011/2012. It also showed that 67 per cent of those were female and 33 per cent were men.

Anti-depressant prescriptions rose across all age groups with 24 children aged between 0 and four years old being prescribed antidepressants in 2011-2012 in comparison to 10 children in 2009-2010.

Look at the incredible increase (great drug marketing) of prescriptions for children aged 0 to 4 years old. Let's start them young !!!

 

[cazzy]

i would be careful of anything scientologist say

 

[hdufort]

I had a bad experience with Concerta and Abilify. But I am still willing to try Wellbutrin.

I also need to have my thyroid checked because my TSH was high last time.

But none of this is related to the topic of epilepsy.

 

[canarm1949]

cazzy,
I certainly do not endorse Scientology by any stretch!!
However, having worked in the pharmaceutical industry years ago , I know the things that do go on. And, the video is accurate on the way drug reps push drugs and wine and dine doctors. You would be stunned to learn how much major gifting goes on just to get those prescriptions written up. it's in the doctor's interest. Of course there are doctors that actually care about the patient first.

 

[Cint]

i would be careful of anything scientologist say

:agree: However, I do say anyone suffering with E and taking AED needs to be very careful in mixing any meds- prescriptions or over the counter.

I have suffered severe depression and was told by one of the best neuropsychiatrists who treats E patients with depression that the best thing for most patients is a tricyclic anti-depressant along with an SSRI. We tried many meds in those categories and nothing was working, so finally, reluctantly, I was put on a low dosage of an anti-psychotic. And low and behold, I ended up with Type 1 diabetes! :bigmouth: The drug was Zyprexa. Abilify can cause/worsen diabetes, also.

http://www.drugs.com/abilify.html

Abilify may cause you to have high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). Talk to your doctor if you have any signs of hyperglycemia such as increased thirst or urination, excessive hunger, or weakness. If you are diabetic, check your blood sugar levels on a regular basis while you are taking Abilify.

And Wellbutrin shouldn't be used for those with E, either.

http://www.drugs.com/wellbutrin.html

Do not take Wellbutrin if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. You should not take Wellbutrin if you have seizures, an eating disorder, if you are using a second form of bupropion, or if you have suddenly stopped using alcohol or sedatives.

Wellbutrin may cause seizures, especially in people with certain medical conditions or when using certain drugs. Tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions and the drugs you use.

 

[JaneC]

But none of this is related to the topic of epilepsy.

I suppose you could argue it is in a way, given that people who have epilepsy are more likely to suffer from depression than the general poulation but you're right hdufort - I joined this forum as part of my efforts to understand what is happening with my daughter and to help and support her as much as possible, not to read the same stuff about a not very related subject that I have read dozens of time elsewhere.

The majority of posts Canarm has made since appearing here are on the same theme, many involving the same film, and I'd argue that there are better places to discuss them than here.

Canarm, any of us can go on the internet, and read books and scientific papers to educate ourselves about things - I do it often - but we have to remember that not everything we read is necessarily true. I am quite familiar with the term "black box warning". In fact my daughter's epilepsy medication carries one, although fior different reasons.

I am sorry that you lost your brother. Having had that experience has understandly affected the way you view ADs. My perspective is they have literally saved my life.

You're right, some people do react badly to these drugs, but many DON'T. I'm not saying you can't criticise them but there is a difference between fact and opinion. I've said before that I don't agree with giving antidepressants to children. It would be interesting to know the reason for those 24 toddlers receiving them, though. As far as I am aware, there is only one AD that can be used in the UK for under-18s - and that may be one too many but again, one doesn't know the circumstances. Out of interest, could you please tell me the source of the information you posted? I'm not disputing it, I'd just like to know.

 

[cazzy]

i was talking and thinking the thing john travolta and tom cruise were members of,i take it we talking samething

 

[cazzy]

i got it wrong then

 

[JaneC]

That's correct Cazzy. Scientology is against the use of antidepressants and psychiatry as well IIRC.

 

[Cint]

I had a bad experience with Concerta and Abilify. But I am still willing to try Wellbutrin.

I also need to have my thyroid checked because my TSH was high last time.

But none of this is related to the topic of epilepsy.

They are most certainly related. Epilepsy can bring on depression, leading folks to drugs or something to alleviate the darkness of the moods. And with the side effects of AED's or anti-depressants often times comes thyroid problems. Lots of folks on CWE also have thyroid problems, including myself.

 

[canarm1949]

Thank you Clint for proving my point about these drugs.
You are right, one must be careful with all OTC and supplements.
Unfortunately, I asked the neurologist, the neuro-psychiatrist and pharmacist about 5-HTP, Inositol, Resveratrol (a natural MAOI), and SAMe and they didn't have a clue!
But they sure were quick to recommend the drugs.

 

[canarm1949]

JaneC,
I'm not here to argue with you or to get beaten up. I'm here to post my opinions and experiences. I'm sorry you don't like it.
I'm glad for you that the drugs are working for you and for others.
But as you can see, I'm not the only one by far, with the same experiences re these drugs.

I just Googled "antidepressant drugs in Scotland" and picked one after a quick scan. So don't have the very same as I mentioned.
However, if you Google the very same words you will find this which seems more of an expanded version;
"One in seven Scots on anti-depressants, NHS figures show"
BBC NEWS SCOTLAND

 

[canarm1949]

JaneC,

in this article it reads;

The figures published by the NHS Information Services Division also revealed prescriptions for anti-psychotic drugs have almost doubled in the same period.

There were 817,937 prescriptions for psychoses-related drugs in 2011-12, up from 445,081 in 1993-94.

Do you honestly believe that twice as many people need psychoses-related drugs
in 2012 VS 1994? With a population of only 5 million+ people
to have just short of 1 million on AD drugs is either a case of a seriously depressed country , or , some excellent marketing by the drug companies.

 

[Cint]

I'm not here to argue with you or to get beaten up. I'm here to post my opinions and experiences. I'm sorry you don't like it.
I'm glad for you that the drugs are working for you and for others.
But as you can see, I'm not the only one by far, with the same experiences re these drugs.

IMO, Jane is not arguing, but stating her opinion, just as you're stating yours. Not all meds are killers, just the same as not all are life-savers, either. I've been on both sides of the fence myself.

I was also on several drug studies over the years for E, and one of the drugs they had me try nearly killed me. The headaches were horrific, along with the debilitating depression. And as I stated in my other post, an anti-psychotic drug caused Diabetes. And brain surgery didn't work for me, either.
So some of us are in that 20-25% of the majority and have to face the music that nothing will work 100%.

Unfortunately, I asked the neurologist, the neuro-psychiatrist and pharmacist about 5-HTP, Inositol, Resveratrol (a natural MAOI), and SAMe and they didn't have a clue!

I don't believe those in the neuro industry are trained about those OTC etc, but the pharmacist should have some knowledge.

 

[cazzy]

so you are talking about the tom cruise scientolgy not science.i not on the right thinking level tonight
i got some melatonin i bought in the states some years ago i bought pots of it,i have wondered if i harming myself cos desperation to get some sleep,imy friend give me zolpadin god knows if they bad but if i dont sleep that a trigger

 

[JaneC]

Canarm, I am not trying to "beat you up" and I don't have a problem with you posting your opinions or experiences. Please don't twist my words.

Interestingly, you missed the next par off your last quoted info. It properly reads "There were 817,937 prescriptions for psychoses-related drugs in 2011-12, up from 445,081 in 1993-94.

Again, female patients outstripped male patients in psychoses-related prescriptions, with 42,592 women and 35,879 men, totalling about 1.5% of the population."

Bit of a difference. But yes, I would say Scotland is largely a pretty depressed country, much of it ravaged by drugs and unemployment.

But of course, this has nothing to do with epilepsy.