meds or herbal?

[Pickle165]

i currently take prozac but am thinking of going herbal. what have you tried and what are the side effects?

[Hidden]

Hi Sam I have diazapam for an emergency try not to take it unless Im in a terrible state.I take 1000mg omega 3 fish oils ,pyridoxine (herbal) and lots of chamomile tea.Was on citalopram when I was first diagnosed but it made me 10x worse with the side effects.It made me more anxious changed my whole personality couldnt sleep ,dry mouth sweating terrible and just generally felt terrible.

[paula50]

I have just stated taking citalopram this morning it made me sick all day plus had bad headache the shakes fuzzy head that was only after taking one 10mg been in bed all because of it .. do i take one tomorrow or not ..after today i think not ..

[Hidden]

Hi everyone

I ve been on medines different ones for the last 15 years.still got my anxiety.I think in emergency is always good to have a tranquilliser.but the cbt is maybe the best idea.if u suffer of prolonged depression I would suggest medicines not herbal.

[MrBlobby]

I have had Citalopram in the past and just been prescribed it again. Apart from dry mouth I have had no other side effects.

It does take a good week before any effects are seen. My GP gave me some Diazapam to take if I needed to until the Citalopram kicked in. I took one and the sudden feelings of being enveloped and losing control were horrible. I have since thrown those away.

I do believe that your frame of mind when taking these meds is very significant. I was on edge before taking the Diazapam due to its "reputation" and I feel this is why I reacted badly to it. Where as Citalopram is much gentler so I tolerate it better.

[Hidden]

Hi there

I'm on 10mg escitalopram, I take it in the mornings, but no side effects. However I have been prescribed this for OCD, and started off on 5mg before titrating up to 10. It is effective in reducing my obsessions, but there is still underlying anxiety/mood swings. Everyone reacts differently to SSRIs so es/citalopram is not for everyone.

I was once prescribed Xanax, reacted extremely badly to it, with a dramatic increase in anxiety and OCD 4 hours after taking it (only a .25mg dose and all!).

If you're considering reducing your Prozac, titrate down slowly with assistance from GP. Introduce supplements in parallel with this, don't just switch from one to the other.

In terms of alternative/lifestyle things I do:

WARNING LONG LIST BELOW

avoid caffeine

take valerian at night

take vitamin B complex

magnesium

starflower oil

fish twice a week

no processed sugars during the week

vigorous exercise twice a week

low gi foods - using brown instead of white rice, sweet potato instead of standard potatoes etc.

That's kind of it apart from

....red wine... but I'm not recommending that as I'd like to reduce my own intake

[Hidden]

For me citalopram has been helpful. Paula the initial symptoms don't last more than about 48hrs so I would encourage you to persevere. I tried herbal: valerian, St John's wort, camomile and gave up on them - didn't do anything for my symptoms. I agree with train80s comment that CBT is definitely helpful and whatever drugs you take you can still have some residual symptoms i.e. not a 100% cure. Hope that helps.