Topic Title: New user
| |  "New user"
, Wed 2 Jul 05:14
Hi, I just thought I would share what I have been feeling with SJW. I have flip flopped quite a bit in the beginning of this depressive episode. I stared out about a month ago and tried SJW for maybe 4 days and then decided that I would get a quicker response with SAM-e and only gave that about 12 days before I decided that all the herbs where my real problem (Yeah right). So I stopped the sam-e and gave myself about 5 days with nothing and then realized I HAVE A PROBLEM. So now that all of that is out of the way and I make a call to my docotor to explain what is going on she tells me to give the SJW a try but to stay on it for 4-6 weeks. WOW just telling that story wore me out. So I am currently on day 7 and not much to tell yet. This depression has been different then past ones in that all the scary feelings are new. Just when you think you have control over something. In the past my first clue was "NO SLEEP ALLOWED" I was on Doxipin for about 6 months, 10 years ago and had good results. Started running to keep it at bay, Did my first marathon last fall :) Anyway this time I am sleeping like a baby but during the day I kind of feel like i am always in a haze, behind a smoke screen, hard to describe. I have been trying to just go with the flow, but you know how you just kind of start to wear down and then everything gets worse!!! Anyway I really wanted to give the natural way a chance first before I go back on the harder stuff. Not sure why it always feels like I have failed when this illness attacks, perhaps that is all part of the illness, or why it is so hard to make a call to the dr's office and say "I am having depressive symptoms", I mean its not hard to call and say I have a cold or I think I broke my arm. Sorry to be so long, guess this turned into a journal page for me. Oh one more thing, this time I am having a terrible time with memory and confusion which is making me crazy. Yesterday I locked myself out of my house and had to break in. (I am usually very organized) My husband sent me to pick up certain size lumber and by the time I got to the store I forgot everything he said to buy and bought the wrong kind!!!!
Well I certainly hope that I can tell you soon that the SJW is working for me. I hope that the "Brain Fog" goes away and the sun comes out again!!
Posts: 3 | | Registered: Mon 30 Jun 2003 18:3 |
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| | "Re(1):New user" , Fri 11 Jul 08:14
milo4014, I face exactly the same problems. The 'small' differences are: I used to take amitriptylin instead of doxipin and I did it for three years instead of six months as the reason was severe insomnia. Recently I was finally able to sleep without medications, but everything else is as you describe it.
I posted first in the 5-HTP forum, you can check my short experience with 5-HTP there. I'll be happy to know what progress you are making with SJW and SAM-e.
All the best!
Posts: 2 | | Registered: Sat 5 Jul 2003 19:32 |
| | "Re(1):New user" , Tue 8 Jul 15:31
Stick with it, this **** works. Try to stay away from the chemistry set, thats whats frying your brain. I have a near identical condition (brain fog, lethargy, social phobia, etc.) but after I started taking this, that all went away and I was able to do things that would seem impossible before. I ran out about two months ago and it all came back.
This is going to sound redundant, but exercise and diet are crucial components, without them the results will be only marginal. Get a nutrition book, start eating healthy, join a gym, go three times a week, cancel the cable TV, and the internet, pick up a ****ing book, and QUIT SMOKING! It goes without saying that you have to stop using the street drugs and cut back on the booze. You do all this and you'll be set. In 3 months you'll feel results. In six months you'll feel like a new person.
Feel free to email me for support. [email protected]
Posts: 0 | | Registered: Tue 8 Jul 2003 15:15 |
| | "Re(1):New user" , Wed 2 Jul 08:05
I can relate to some aspect of most posts here, but I can relate to a lot of yours. I am reading a book called "Finding Serenty in the Age of Anxiety" by Robert Gerzon. It's more than just a feel good books; it talks about the different types of anxiety and how they require different approaches, so it's practical. But it also suggests that anxiety is our body's way of pointing to something in our life that is trying to get our attention to transform it from destructive to life enriching. Duh! I know this, but am now ready to embrace it. Or maybe I am just finding ways to climb out of this hole.
Long story short-- I now see that I have ANXIETY as well as depression. True, I've been through recent life events that explain my downturn, but that's not the whole story, is it? Now... how can I help myself the best way?
Depression often affects creative, high energy people -- like me. So it's probably seems especially debilitating. And like you, I'm so reluctant to admit that I can't conquer my own will, my own body, my own attitude. So stooping to drugs, even herbs, is not what I want to do. However, I have recognized that I can analyze that all day or use the other approach which is to make the best decision I can at the time and be aware of other thoughts and moods, but not beat myself up too much about them. I am making an effort to be more watchful and less controlled by what I am going through. That's what the book is about. In other words, this is what is happening to me so how can I use it as growth instead of doing self destructive things in retaliation for the cosmic unfairness of it all.
As far as meds go, I took Paxil for 4 days and quit and went through withdrawal for 4 days. Maybe the right thing for some people, but not for me. I took the bad side effects as a sign that I did not want to cover over with drugs. Then I started the SAM-e 5 weeks ago, along with reading, exercise, the recommended B vitamins, fish oil, and DLPA.
Then I added some 5HTP and my sleep improved.
Then I ran out of SAM-e and started only 5HTP. Made me too jumpy and tired.
Then I started SJW. Made we way too jumpy, but did not want to stop it prematurely. So I added small amount of SAMe, still take 5HTP in afternoon and I am noticing some difference.
Bottom line, I am finally beginning to see why people say that you have to have PATIENCE and be willing to experiment and pay attention to what your body is saying. And listen closely to your mind, body, and spirit.
All of these herbs work differently for different pe!ople. I have been reading The Mood Cure by Julia Ross also which is like a pharmacy on herbs for moods. Wow!
I have learned the most from reading this web site, though, although I also read paxilprogress.org.
I have only recently begun to think I can climb out of this. It's really not easy and this web site, for me, has the best combination of reality and truth speaking as well as a "you can impact your life" attitude. I read all posts and there have been some particularly insightful ones the last few days.
Pie in the sky feel good sites don't help me and desperate "get me drugs" don't help me however desperate I might be feeling. And I have felt very desperate over the last 6 months.
Combining the right amount of self determination and support is such an art. It's a divine blend that requires some searching.
Please keep me updated. I am interested in how your blend of all it goes.
Posts: 19 | | Registered: Sat 24 May 2003 19:34 |
| | | "Re(2):New user" , Wed 2 Jul 08:30
Hi again,
Take a look at "It could be working!!!" post under General Discussion. Kind of thought provoking. Reminded me to be patient and pay attention.
Posts: 20 | | Registered: Sat 24 May 2003 19:34 |
| | | "Re(3):New user" , Wed 2 Jul 09:49
Thank you for your response. As much as I would not wish my feelings on anyone, I take some comfort knowing that I am not alone in all of this. I too agree with all that you said and can only hope that both of us will feel better soon!!!.
I did read the other post that you spoke of and it looks like "time" is the ultimate healer here!!! I just dont have a lot of patience as you can tell by my first post and always want to jump if I dont get IMMEDIATE results. I have been telling myself that it took much more than 48hours to feel this bad then it is going to take longer than that to feel better!!!
I just worry (way to much) (Okay Obsess) that I will get to the end of the Magical "6 Week" period and will still feel like I do right now. I think that that worry in itself is too part of the illness!!! YUCK
Anyway stay in touch and I will too and maybe we can vent to each other!!!
Posts: 4 | | Registered: Mon 30 Jun 2003 18:3 |
| | | "Re(4):New user" , Fri 8 Aug 21:53
Appreciated your comments on being patient and worrying about not feeling results. Do you have any suggestions while you are waiting to combat anxiety. Have been trying deep breathing and some meditation, however in super stressed moments cannot seem to focus, especially when around others. Any thoughts? Would greatly appreciate any advice anyone has.
Posts: 0 | | Registered: Fri 8 Aug 2003 21:49 |
| | | "Re(4):New user" , Sun 6 Jul 07:27
I undaerstand the not wanting to call the doctor also. Dont knwo why that is. Maybe because its all in your head and Im afraid thats what the doc would say to me but mean it in a "youre a woman all in your head" kind of way. Theres no physicalness to it.
I have been taking ginko biloba for brain fog and memory. Works well for me. When i stop taking it after a week or two I notice the fog head is back. Be aware that its a blood thinner
I have been using sjw for 6-7months now. I still get a few episodes of anxiety now and then but they get less and less. Even though I noticed a difference in my depression the first week I started sjw(what a relief to feel improvement) I have to say it was 4 MONTHS before I felt full effects. . What Im trying to say is herbs take longer to work but for me its been worth it. The side effects at this point are zip. I dont think it works on anxieties as well. That is something I have had to work on personally.
Posts: 96 | | Registered: Thu 10 Oct 2002 5:53 |
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