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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by pixiemagic on December 16, 2011, at 21:55:19
i've tried quite a few anti-depressants/anti-anxiety meds throughout the years & the only ones that gave me some relief were wellbutrin & celexa. i'm not even sure if this is right combo for what i experience, so i'm open to suggestions. i'd like to try natural alternatives. i'm thinking 5htp for the celexa? what should i take for the wellbutrin? or something else altogether?
My main issues:
-irritability
-anger
-can't control emotions/extremely sensitive
-lack of energy, but mind is always racing w/ thoughts
-no motivation
-phobias/fear
i know it's all out of whack & many of my symptoms seem contradicting, like bipolar. i've never been diagnosed as bipolar, but i don't really "cycle", or at least i haven't been able to figure mine out if i do. i usually just have "spells" where i freak out & break down. i get triggered by something & then i get super angry & then super depressed (immediately after). the rest of the time i alternate day to day or week to week from having energy, being productive & happy (but not manic) to feeling low, lack of energy & irritable/angry.
Posted by bleauberry on December 28, 2011, at 17:17:26
In reply to Alternatives for Wellbutrin + Celexa?, posted by pixiemagic on December 16, 2011, at 21:55:19
Rhodiola Rosea.
Posted by torrid2 on December 29, 2011, at 18:31:41
In reply to Alternatives for Wellbutrin + Celexa?, posted by pixiemagic on December 16, 2011, at 21:55:19
Wellbutrin was good for me but the side effects are very bad and I switched to cymbalta and have had very good luck with it.
SAMe works great for me but it's very expensice and poops out after 6-8 weeks. If you do try it make sure you take it with B6 or it is of no use. SAMe works on dopamine as well as seritonin. Wellbutrin is a dopamine reuptake inhibitor so if wellbutrin is good for you SAMe may be also.
Most people don't have the great responce that I do to SAMe, for me it's as good as any perscription med until it poops out. It's over 100$ a month too for the 1,600mg/day I take.
Posted by Christ_empowered on January 1, 2012, at 22:53:51
In reply to Alternatives for Wellbutrin + Celexa?, posted by pixiemagic on December 16, 2011, at 21:55:19
I can only speak from my personal experience, so please don't run out and buy anything. Fact check me!
Anyway, I'd say lots (I mean, like 3 grams daily) of niacinamide, divided into 2-4 doses. At least as much vitamin C--if not more--as niacinamide. There's time release C available, which I've found to be quite helpful. B-100 (again, I use time release) with food 1-2x daily. Later on, maybe some additional B-6 a couple times daily for energy and what not.
In terms of botanicals, I've found green tea extract to be helpful, at least for me and in combination with everything else I take. I take 1 gram daily of a 70% standardized extract.
That's a lot of stuff, but they're very basic vitamins, so it'll probably be cheap to put together an orthomolecular program that works for you. The cool thing about orthomolecular treatment of mental issues is that there's a lot of overlap--the treatment for schizophrenia is similar to treatment of anxiety, which isn't too different from what you'd use for depression. I think its because a) there are only so many vitamins floating around our bodies and b) you're working at the very basic level to improve overall health, and in so doing also improve mood, reduce psychosis, whatever.
Anyway, try this website: www.doctoryourself.com if you're at all interested in this way of handling things. Its free, the information is solid, and they have links to other sites for more information.
Posted by linkadge on January 2, 2012, at 21:05:46
In reply to Re: Alternatives for Wellbutrin + Celexa?, posted by Christ_empowered on January 1, 2012, at 22:53:51
have you tried SJW? It is a triple reuptake inhibitor like celexa + wellbutrin would be.
Linkadge
Posted by torrid2 on January 3, 2012, at 12:11:23
In reply to Re: Alternatives for Wellbutrin + Celexa?, posted by linkadge on January 2, 2012, at 21:05:46
I'm interested in what SJW is, is it on the market in the US? I'm always switching do to poopout and I started doubling my cymbalta due to poopout. I don't know if my doc will keep me at the 120mg/day I've been taking. Anyway I need to switch meds about twice a yaer and maybe this SJW will be my next jump.
Posted by pixiemagic on January 3, 2012, at 19:01:55
In reply to Re: Alternatives for Wellbutrin + Celexa? » linkadge, posted by torrid2 on January 3, 2012, at 12:11:23
Thanks for all the help guys. I'm still open to suggestions, but I have decided to go with Tyrosine, B Complex, Vitamin C, 5htp, & possibly Melatonin if needed. Today is my first day off of the Wellbutrin 150mg SR (once a day). I took my first dose of Tyrosine (250mg/half of a 500mg capsule), half a dropper of Liquid Vitamin B Complex & 500mg of Vitamin C. Feeling pretty normal so far! Here's the rest of my plan:
1-4-12: 250mg Tyrosine, 1ml B Complex
1-5-12: 500mg Tyrosine, 2ml B Complex
1-6-12: " "
1-7-12: " "
1-8-12: " "
1-9-12: " "
1-10-12: 500mg Tyrosine, 2ml B Complex, 25mg 5htp
1-11-12: " " "
1-12-12: 500mg Tyrosine, 2ml B Complex, 50mg 5htpWill also continue taking 500mg Vitamin C everyday. On nights I drink alcohol (usually 1-2 times a week), I will skip the 5htp (don't need a serotonin overload!) & take Milk Thistle for my liver. Will continue on with that schedule for another 2 weeks & then increase dosages of Tyrosine & 5htp slowly if necessary. May add 1mg of Melatonin for sleep starting on 1-17-12 & continuing on nights without alcohol. Once I've been on a steady dosage of Tyrosine & 5htp (probably around March), I'll start taking one week breaks once a month from the Tyrosine, 5htp, & Melatonin. I heard this is recommended so that you don't build up a tolerance & so you can give your body a rest. Also, I plan on adding moderate exercise 4 days a week. If this combo of alternative meds doesn't work after 6 months or so, I'll probably try the St. John's Wort (tried before, but not for very long) with the Vitamins or the Rhodiola Rosea with the Vitamins. Oh & by the way SJW=St. John's Wort.
Posted by Johnnybaklava on January 4, 2012, at 16:51:59
In reply to Re: Alternatives for Wellbutrin + Celexa?, posted by pixiemagic on January 3, 2012, at 19:01:55
Sounds like a great plan! If the Tyrosine doesn't work for you, I strongly suggest phenylalanine. Even though they are supposed to have similar effects, Tyrosine made me angry and irritable while phenylalanine works like a dream for me.
Posted by pixiemagic on January 6, 2012, at 13:49:03
In reply to Re: Alternatives for Wellbutrin + Celexa?, posted by Johnnybaklava on January 4, 2012, at 16:51:59
> Sounds like a great plan! If the Tyrosine doesn't work for you, I strongly suggest phenylalanine. Even though they are supposed to have similar effects, Tyrosine made me angry and irritable while phenylalanine works like a dream for me.
Johnny-
What dosage of Tyrosine were you taking? And what dosage of Phenylalanine are you taking since you switched over from the Tyrosine?
Posted by Johnnybaklava on January 9, 2012, at 11:18:23
In reply to Re: Alternatives for Wellbutrin + Celexa?, posted by pixiemagic on January 6, 2012, at 13:49:03
I believe I took the standard 500mg, then after feeling irritable, probably tried to cut it in half, which didn't help much so I just stopped taking it. For phenylalanine, I take a blend called Blast which is basicaly a multivitamin with caffeine and 600mg of phenylalanine. That seems to work really well for me. Again, I'm not sure why phenylalanine works so much better for me than tyrosine!
> Johnny-
> What dosage of Tyrosine were you taking? And what dosage of Phenylalanine are you taking since you switched over from the Tyrosine?
>
>
Posted by pixiemagic on February 16, 2012, at 23:32:17
In reply to Re: Alternatives for Wellbutrin + Celexa?, posted by Johnnybaklava on January 9, 2012, at 11:18:23
Well, I've been taking the Tyrosine (along with Liquid B Complex, all on an empty stomach) for a while now & it doesn't seem to do anything, even at 1500mg. I don't feel any different at all. For the past few days, I tried taking 315mg of Green Tea Extract, 650mg Siberian Ginseng, Vitamin B Complex & 500mg of Tyrosine (sublingually) because I was desperate for some energy & motivation, and still nothing. Maybe I need 1500mg of Tyrosine AND the Green Tea AND the Siberian Ginseng AND the Vitamin B Complex? I read online that if you take Tyrosine & feel a boost from it, then your problem is probably noradrenaline issue. However, I haven't felt a boost from Tyrosine, but did from the Wellbutrin which is supposed to help with noradrenaline issues, so I don't get it. Note: The Wellbutrin effects were still nothing substantial, but it did get me out of bed & doing my daily chores. Maybe I need MORE Tyrosine? This is frustrating. I just want to take natural stuff! Also, I'm under the impression that I should be able to feel the effects of Tyrosine, Ginseng, & Green Tea Extract within a few minutes to an hour of taking them. Is this correct? Most people online said they felt the effects of Tyrosine within 40 minutes. They only took doses of around 250mg-1000mg. Maybe it's time to try the Phenylalanine?
As for the 5htp, 50mg at night & I wake up happy, more often than not. I can't say it's worked wonders, but I can see a difference. I think I probably need to boost it to 100mg, possibly divided into two 50mg doses, once in the early afternoon & once at night. It doesn't really make me drowsy anymore, so it shouldn't really be a problem taking it during the day.
Any feedback, especially on the low energy, motivation thing, would be helpful.
Posted by Cinn65 on May 10, 2012, at 9:39:04
In reply to Low energy + motivation...Tyrosine questions, posted by pixiemagic on February 16, 2012, at 23:32:17
Hi Pixie. Just wondering how you are doing now. I am considering the same sort of plan and was interested to see how it is going for you. I take Wellbutrin 300 mg right now and want to gradually stop. Thanks for any info you can share.
Posted by AlexCanada on August 21, 2012, at 16:19:15
In reply to Low energy + motivation...Tyrosine questions, posted by pixiemagic on February 16, 2012, at 23:32:17
Try Rhodiola Rosea for energy, motivation, + bonus to cognition, and even some mood lift. Out of over 20 suppliments I have tried this has been one of the absolute best. Unfortunately for me it does not mix well with my Parnate (maoi).
Rhodiola for many people works after the first dose and within around 30 minutes. And for others within days. For some people it may cause increased aggression. For me all of the benefits outweighed the aggression. It was easier to be upset about things that perhaps I should be upset about over anyway such as people treating me unkindly for instance. Thus it may increase your confidence. Not all brands are equal btw.
I have treatment resistent melancholic depression and this increased my productivity immensely. Low doses can be activating, high doses can be sedating.
> Well, I've been taking the Tyrosine (along with Liquid B Complex, all on an empty stomach) for a while now & it doesn't seem to do anything, even at 1500mg. I don't feel any different at all. For the past few days, I tried taking 315mg of Green Tea Extract, 650mg Siberian Ginseng, Vitamin B Complex & 500mg of Tyrosine (sublingually) because I was desperate for some energy & motivation, and still nothing. Maybe I need 1500mg of Tyrosine AND the Green Tea AND the Siberian Ginseng AND the Vitamin B Complex? I read online that if you take Tyrosine & feel a boost from it, then your problem is probably noradrenaline issue. However, I haven't felt a boost from Tyrosine, but did from the Wellbutrin which is supposed to help with noradrenaline issues, so I don't get it. Note: The Wellbutrin effects were still nothing substantial, but it did get me out of bed & doing my daily chores. Maybe I need MORE Tyrosine? This is frustrating. I just want to take natural stuff! Also, I'm under the impression that I should be able to feel the effects of Tyrosine, Ginseng, & Green Tea Extract within a few minutes to an hour of taking them. Is this correct? Most people online said they felt the effects of Tyrosine within 40 minutes. They only took doses of around 250mg-1000mg. Maybe it's time to try the Phenylalanine?
>
> As for the 5htp, 50mg at night & I wake up happy, more often than not. I can't say it's worked wonders, but I can see a difference. I think I probably need to boost it to 100mg, possibly divided into two 50mg doses, once in the early afternoon & once at night. It doesn't really make me drowsy anymore, so it shouldn't really be a problem taking it during the day.
>
> Any feedback, especially on the low energy, motivation thing, would be helpful.
This is the end of the thread.
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