[LilaG]

I am currently on anti depressants (Effexor) and have not been feeling that great for a while now. I am constantly tired, unmotivated, have gained around 10 kilos since starting them in Feb 09 (and not matter what I do cannot lose any of it), and headaches.

I've just had blood tests done through my doctor to see if there is anything else cause this, but the results came back normal.

My doctor thinks perhaps we should try changing meds (to Lovan) to see if there is any improvement in my mood, and weight (which is really getting me down). Apparently Lovan is known for possible weight loss, which is why he has suggested trying that.

After having a think, and research on the internet, I'm tempted to just wean off the Effexor and not go on the Lovan. I'm thinking about going to a naturopath instead, and seeing if they can help me.

I do not believe I suffer from major depression anymore, and feel the reason I have been down lately is actually because of the side effects of the medication (as I've mentioned above). I'd much rather not have to take medication at all.

What do you think? Anyone tried a Naturopath? I'd love to hear your comments. Thanks in advance .

[Guest_**KM**_*]

Hi Lila,

Good on your for researching your options and not just following what your Dr has advised . I also suffered from severe clinical depression many years ago and was on AD's (Prozac, Effexor and Zoloft) for around 2 years. In the end we found that nothing was changing and even though the medication was 'managing' my depression, the side effects were too high a cost and we weren't getting to the cause of the depression.

My husband and I made a decision that I would go off my medication and seek counselling and help through natural means. I ended up seeing a homeopath who was also a psychotherapist and also saw a Christian counsellor as we wanted that imput as well with our faith. Anyway it did take around 3 years of intense work but my depression was cured (or healed I like to say). For me though my depression was connected to some childhood abuse that occurred and also to a traumatic birth, so it was working through some of those things as well as the natural medicine through the homeopathy. Homeopathy is good as it works with the whole person and not just on a physical level. I also have a naturopath (most naturopath's also practice homeopathy but not many are fully trained in it so don't practice in the same way a homeopath does so it's less effective) so he has helped me with some physical aspects of my journey of healing as well.

So I guess my advice is to definitely try it, medication is good to help get through acute periods (especially if someone is suicidal) but it doesn't get to the cause of the depression and therefore for many people it can become a lifetime of depending on medication to 'manage' a condition that might actually be cured/healed if the person looked at the causes.

I know a good homeopath in Melbourne if you are in that area!

Good luck with it!

[LilaG]

Thanks so much for your reply KM. It was what I wanted to hear. I think I will definatley give the natural remedy a go, I am sick of being on the medication also because of the side effects. That's great it worked for you. Can I ask how hard it was for you to get off the Effexor? I've heard horrible things about it being very difficult so I'm a bit worried .

[Guest_**KM**_*]

Effexor was actually my inbetween medication between the Prozac and Zoloft. It didn't work well for me and gave me panic attacks so I was only on it for around 2 months and then had to come off it and go onto the Zoloft which again didn't work that great as I think my body has started to work up some immunity to AD's which is what forced us to looked outside the box for other alternatives. For me anything I came off pushed me back into a deep depression and even when I came off my meds altogether I spent the next year in bed whilst working with a homeopath and counsellor to start my healing journey (but that was my experience as my depression was still very severe).

Hope it's smooth for you

[gemmy]

hi LilG

I'm a big advocate for the naturopath. I have been seeing one for years now! I had mild depression a few years ago, and my GP just chucked me straight on lexapro. I was on it about 8 months, gained heaps of weight, was lethargic and had head-fog all the time, and while i wasn't down any more i was always melancholy. A naturopath really helped me. As well as vitamins and herbs, she was really big on diet as a key part of the healing process. And I still find, to this day, if I don't eat properly then I can get lethargic and cranky or down. It was a bit pricey at first, but once i was feeling better and things were under control, I was put on a maintenance regime which wasn't too expensive at all.

It took me about 3 or so months to fully get off the anti-dep's, but it is worth doing it slowly and properly - I had a friend that did it cold turkey and it really messed him around, he ended up back on them for another couple of months before he could wean himself off properly.

best of luck to you

[LilaG]

Hi bubba-g and KM, thanks for your replies. Sorry, I haven't been on here for a couple of days. I have made an appointment to see a naturopath, can't wait for my appointment. Bubba-g, what you described how you felt and the weight gain whilst on anti-depressants sounds exactly what I'm going through. Hope the naturopath works for me also!

[pegasus77]

Early last year I too decided to go off my ADs and take a natural approach.
I basically started a healthy lifestyle change with the main focus of improving mental health. The main changes were taking fish oil, B vitamins and a multi vitamin, eating a more balanced diet, drinking more water, excercising regularly (probably the most important one) and getting out in the sunshine every day. All things that are believed to help with depression.
I made the changes gradually, starting by focusing on one change for a week before adding the next one. By doing it this way it was much easier to stick to everything and make it routine and it also helped that I was focusing on mental health rather than weight loss.
It has been almost a year and I feel 100% better mentally and emotionally and while there are still stresses in my life I find I cope with them much better. I have also lost 16 kg so far as a bonus.

[rightmost]

Hi LilaG,

I just stumbled across this post as I too am thinking about seeing a Naturopath as a natural alternative to treating my depression.

I was curious to hear whether you did end up seeing a naturopath and if it helped you

[jazzyluvshorses]

I was on anti-depressants years ago and feel as though they did nothing for me. The side affects were horrible, and, like you I gained weight.
These days I take Vit B supplements. I haven't seen a Natropath but I often speak to the Natropaths at Blackmores 1800 803 760. They give you good, free, over-the-phone advice.
I ahve also tried acupuncture and I jog/walk everyday.
I also keep a diary and sometimes speak with a counseller if I feel my life is getting a bit overwhelming.
My faith also helps me get through.

If you feel as though you can go it alone now(and come off meds) then that is a good thing but it must be done slowly and with the help of your dr. Never go cold turkey. You must be weaned.
Speak with a natropath before going off meds to find what may help you.
best of luck!

[alchemy]

I had a serious issue with severe depression about 15 years ago, and tried a few different medications. After about a year of feeling "better" on effexor, but not feeling much at all and gaining lots of weight (and other nasty side-effects), I saw a naturopath and started taking St John's Wort under her recommendation.
If your depression isn't severe and you can still function ok, I highly recommend it. Combined with daily excercise and recognising when I'm overwhelmed and being kind to myself I find this natural alternative a much better meathod of managing depression when I feel it coming on.

And, as other's have said, make sure you come off your medication slowly if you decide to try alternatives. And also - don't feel like it's not worth trying again if it doesn't work now. I think it depends on how severe your depression is as to whether or not it will work for you.