Topic Title: only a cap gun?
| |  "only a cap gun?"
, Thu 29 May 10:46
I've been on Prozac for almost 13 years now. I tried SJW for about 6 months, but my Dr. told me it was like fighting a battle with a cap gun.
Is there a recommned dosage?
Posts: 0 | | Registered: Thu 29 May 2003 10:38 |
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| | "Re(1):only a cap gun?" , Fri 30 May 16:45
There's two responses to the "cap gun" comment. It strikes me at once as a remarkably ignorant comment fostered by a typical negative attitude toward complementary medicine. SJW is well-proven as a therapeutic treatment in decades of clinical trials.
Now speaking amongst friends, I think SJW is a more subtle therapy than an SSRI. But that is a good thing. A more appropriate analogy would be to say that most SSRIs are a sledgehammer solution. They create some highly undesirable side effects (in some cases, suicidality) and many people find themselves habituated (addicted). I would find this an unacceptable risk, of an order of magnitude far greater than the hepatotoxic risks that removed kava from sale in the EU.
When I say SJW is subtle, I don't mean that it is weak. It is not a cap gun. But I think it runs that risk if you don't take the right dosage (e.g. 900mg of extract) and try to find the best quality product.
My own depression changed when I got it right. Looking back, I think SJW got me out of the huge hole I had fallen into. It wasn't the total answer some days, and that forced me to explore the other supportive therapies we sometimes talk about here (exercise, diet etc). The combination of these things got me on top again, and I think I changed my habits and thoughts because of this circumstance. As a result, I no longer fear depression because I know how to manage it. I couldn't say that 2 years ago.
Epyx
Posts: 574 | | Registered: Mon 3 Dec 2001 22:11 |
| | | "Re(2):only a cap gun?" , Fri 20 Jun 03:45
When SJW didn't work for me I just assumed it was crap, and all psychological. When SSRIs didn't really work for me either, I started to think that the problem might be with me ;)
Jo
Posts: 344 | | Registered: Tue 12 Mar 2002 5:43 |
| | | "Re(3):only a cap gun?" , Wed 6 Aug 05:06
I thank you for making your informed response to this post. I am personally disturbed at the research I have read about SSRIs, and at the "go along with the Pharmaceutical Companies" attitude displayed by many in the medical profession.
Posts: 0 | | Registered: Wed 6 Aug 2003 4:56 |
| | | "Re(3):only a cap gun?" , Fri 20 Jun 13:32
So how are you doing, Jo? I haven't caught up with you for ages.
Epyx
Posts: 592 | | Registered: Mon 3 Dec 2001 22:11 |
| | "Re(1):only a cap gun?" , Fri 30 May 15:05:
900 milligram/ 1 milligram is the recomended dosage.
Hypericum may or may not be a cap gun, try it for yourself and see. Most people who try it and find that it works for them find it more tolerable and helpful in the long run than prescription pharmaceutical antidepressants.
SJW is a drug too, but much gentler seeing as its chemical composition is near to your own body.
Pharmaceutical anti-depressants are still dirty/dumb drugs without the slective action of therapy which can actually lead to many depressed patients worsening or developing of new symptoms. Neither of them kick the depression, both mask it. But I think most people would take the gentler option while having therapy of some sort or sorting their problems if they feel like they can handle them, realisng they are not addicted to a chemical crutch. Of course, pharmaceutical drugs have their place and I DO NOT condone that severe depressives, manic-depressives or schizophrenics stop taking their medication. I took Paxil for just 4 weeks, and it lifted me out of my hell hole. Stopped because of side effects. Now just use Rhodiola Rosea for mood swings/anxiety.
This is my opinion, and one that I think would be better for everyone in the end. Its a very interesting debate, with lots of different perspectives.
Give it a go. Try it and see. Prozac (Fluoxetine Hydrochloride) is prescribed mainly for OCD and depressive states rather than specific phobia/anxiety, so maybe SJW which is only slightly sedative has the possibility to work for you.
Good luck in whichever decision you make. Remember to inform your doctor of your move. I suggest if you feel severely depressed to stick with the Prozac, but if you feel ok, and ready to come switch to the SJW after a week of taking nothing, to get the prozac out of your system. Expect a two week period of heightened anxiety and after 6-8 weeks of taking the SJW you should know if it works for you.
[this message was edited by sonic on Fri 30 May 15:08]
Posts: 32 | | Registered: Sun 19 Jan 2003 10:37 |
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