Natural remedies?

[megirl]

Just wondering if anyone with bipolar 2 has tried dealing with their symptoms with natural therapies and what their experiences were?
I decided to go off my meds nine days ago I was on risperidone, quetiapine, metazipine and eplilim. I am still taking the anti-depressant venlafaxine.
Currently I am out of severe depression to getting a bit manic which I am enjoying. I have just started on a B-vitamin stress formula and a calcium/magnesium supplement which I am hoping helps. I could no longer live like a zombie I was having constant suicidal thoughts which my psych Doc wasnt interested in hearing about. I have not told the psych team about my current regime as I dont think they would agree (funny that?) I felt that they had given up on me but now I have taken control and have given up on them and 'experimenting' so wondering what others have tried and if it has helped (or not?)

 

[lulubelle]

Hi megirl!

I was I extremely reluctant to try any sort of medication and only agreed to a very low dose of seroquel- 100mgs an evening. I have always strongly disagreed with meds- I think they are much to quick to dish them out and my pdoc said that I must try some to get myself "stable".

They do seem to have brought me out of the deep depression that I was in. I did look instantly after dianoses at the "natural" ways I could maybe try. I take Omega supplements, b vitamins, zinc, vit c. I struggle to eat properly but what I do eat is healthy, whole grains, fish and chicken, fresh veg and fruit mainly, I also juice fruit and veg. I struggle to leave the house somedays but make sure that an important part of my routine is a half hour walk. Not everything always goes to plan tho, but its early days.

Its only been a fortnight, i'm a bit manic but also enjoying it, even tho I know I shouldn't be. i'm making big decisions and just have to pray that it's good choices i'm making and not just my stupid mind telling me to do it!- i dread having any increase to my meds as I feel so rough from the small dose I am on. Its all a bit confusing, the pills have obvioulsy had a positive affect on me the past few weeks but the side effects can be awful.

Wishing you luck! xx

 

[Sandy]

Natural Remedies do help. I take an extra high strength of Cod liver Oil (High Omega) A multi-vitamin supplement and B12. Selenium tablets helps really well too. It reduces anxiety and lifts moods. Also Ecinachea...hepls build the immune system which boosts overall health.

 

[rasselas]

...

Here's a very good rundown of complementary therapies, as they call it. I don't take medication - in some ways that makes me a stoic or maybe sadist - so I've been taking all the supplements off the shelf near enough.

I think you'd find it an interesting read though.

http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mentalhealthinfoforall/treatments/complementarytherapy.aspx#dep

 

[rasselas]

...

The Mind info is good too.

http://www.mind.org.uk/foodandmood/

 

[warriorprincess]

i have just wondered myself if maybe acupuncture may be something worth trying... I have had it in the past for physical ailments and it's worked a treat and I remember seeing they can help with the mind too. worth looking into maybe? let me know what you think...

 

[megirl]

Thanks rasselas good sites. I am starting on some herbal meds now after going cold turkey off my psych meds its day 11 now. I am doing well although not sleeping at all however hoping that will sort itself.
I havnt told the psych team about what I have done I am out to prove myself that I can do it my way!!!
Warriorprincess I agree anything is worth a try and acupuncture can do some marvellous things it definitely would be worth looking in to, I may have a ring around tomorrow and see what people have to offer