Acupuncture to Treat Post-Prozac Side Effects

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

 

My name's Glenn. I took Prozac and BuSpar (an antianxiety agent)

for 6 years, but stopped them 2 years ago b/c of their side effects

(difficulty in eliminating water, severe memory loss). I've been

off them completely for the last 2 years, but these side effects

remain. I'm unemployed with just a temp job but no benefits in a

lousy economy, and I've been in this pickle for the last year.

 

I saw 2 urologists who said I don't have an enlarged prostate or

cancer, and ea. recommended a cystoscopy (where they thread a tube

up you). I'd have to be awake for this procedure, for a variety of

reasons...so, I've been seeing an acupuncturist.

 

I've had 5 treatments, and could eliminate fluids easily after the

first treatment! It really was immediate. My foggy memory has

begun to clear, but I'm not back to my pre-Prozac self. I've

adhered to my no dairy, no sugar or coffee (etc.) diet religiously,

but want results overnight. Has anyone experienced a similar problem

like this, known someone who has, or could you let me know about how

long it will take for acupuncture to " cure " me completely? My

visits are $60 ea., and money is a bit tight, so you can imagine how

quickly I'd like to see results! :-)

 

The acupuncturist (a lady, if it matters) doesn't seem to specialize

in selling herbs, but said I have an imbalance in my Liver and Heart

functions, and recommended I eat fennel,nutmeg, or cloves with ea.

meal to help stimulate these organs.

 

Maybe I'm neglecting some other form of therapy that could work

together with the acupuncture or alone? Any suggestions?

 

(For the record, I tried St. John's Wort, Luvox, and Serzone, but

the Prozac was the best for me. SJW does work, but it wasn't an

mind-altering as the Prozac. I think that Dr. Glenmullen's

book " Prozac Backlash " said it all: That Prozac does stimulate the

serotonin system, but it throws off the other neurotransmitters to

give facial tics, sexual side effects, etc. The drug companies

don't seem concerned by this, and go out of their way to cover it

up, believe it or not.)

 

Any suggestions or words of wisdom you could impart? Any

information you can provide would be great. Many thanks.

 

 

 

Glenn

[Guest guest]

<> I saw 2 urologists who said I don't have an enlarged prostate or

> cancer, and ea. recommended a cystoscopy (where they thread a tube

> up you). I'd have to be awake for this procedure, for a variety

of

> reasons...so, I've been seeing an acupuncturist.>

 

Ouch! I don't blame you for avoiding this one!!

 

<> (For the record, I tried St. John's Wort, Luvox, and Serzone, but

> the Prozac was the best for me. SJW does work, but it wasn't an

> mind-altering as the Prozac. I think that Dr. Glenmullen's

> book " Prozac Backlash " said it all: That Prozac does stimulate

the

> serotonin system, but it throws off the other neurotransmitters to

> give facial tics, sexual side effects, etc. The drug companies

> don't seem concerned by this, and go out of their way to cover it

> up, believe it or not.)

>

> Any suggestions or words of wisdom you could impart? Any

> information you can provide would be great. Many thanks.>

 

I have had some success using an herbal called Bucco by Nestman. It

is a liquid herbal extract, which I have only been able to find

through naturopaths and dentists. (If anybody has a source for

this, please let me know!!) Anyway, it helps clear the kidney of

toxins. In my case, I am using it to help remove mercury as part of

a chelation effort. Marshmallow Root tea is also supposed to help

with uncooperative bladders (amongst other things) if you think that

is an issue.

 

As far as the depression thing, have you had your homocysteine

levels checked? (Blood test.) The reason I'm asking is that many

people have elevated homocysteine, which can lead to a whole mess of

problems in its own right (heart disease, stroke, etc.) and is also

an indicator of problems in your SAMe cycle (a very central

biochemical cycle in the body.) SAMe is an available supplement,

and is actually a very popular antidepressant in Europe. And it's

something your body needs anyway, so fixing the underlying problem

will help on a lot of health fronts, including mental health!

 

If your homocysteine is high, then you can raise your SAMe levels as

well as lower your homocysteine by taking folic acid, B6, B12, TMG

and choline. There are various mixes on the market aimed at

Homocysteine- it should have those basic ingredients in it if it is

going to do a good job. Kyolic has just come out with- that's

probably the one I'd recommend if you can get it or order it via

your local HFS.

 

I know that the SAMe cycle has a close relationship with

acetylcholine. I don't know if that would help with the fluid

problem or not.

 

G

[Guest guest]

, marianne2406@a...

wrote:

> Hi Glenn, sorry to hear that you are having so many problems

getting your health back. You have made the biggest step, taking

your health into your own hands and going 'natural'.

> If you have had such good results with acupuncturist for the

urinating problem but not with the memory, then perhaps acupuncture

is not going to work in

> that area at all. I have known a couple of people who had the

procedure that you were recommended and they both had permanent post

op problems that they said

> were far worse than the original problem so I know that you have

done the

> right thing there.

>

> I would recommend that you take ginkgo biloba for the memory,

anything that

> stimulates blood flow to the brain is going to help you. <A

HREF= " http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/31393/31474/31241

8.html?d=dmtICNNews " >

>

http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/31393/31474/312418.html

?d=dmtICNNews</A>

>

> If you still feel that you need something to replace the Prozac

but find that

> St J W is no good for you, have you tried Melissa? (Lemon Balm).

<A HREF= " http://www.algy.com/anxiety/ " >

> http://www.algy.com/anxiety/</A>

>

> I do hope that this helps a little and I am sure that others will

be sending

> pretty good info your way.

>

> marianne

>

>

> > Hi All,

> >

> > My name's Glenn. I took Prozac and BuSpar (an antianxiety

agent)

> > for 6 years, but stopped them 2 years ago b/c of their side

effects

> > (difficulty in eliminating water, severe memory loss). I've

been off them completely for the last 2 years, but these side

effects remain. I'm unemployed with just a temp job but no benefits

in a lousy economy, and I've been in this pickle for the last year.

I saw 2 urologists who said I don't have an enlarged prostate or

cancer, and ea. recommended a cystoscopy (where they thread a tube

up you). I'd have to be awake for this procedure, for a variety of

reasons...so, I've been seeing an acupuncturist.

> > I've had 5 treatments, and could eliminate fluids easily after

the first treatment! It really was immediate. My foggy memory has

> > begun to clear, but I'm not back to my pre-Prozac self. I've

> > adhered to my no dairy, no sugar or coffee (etc.) diet

religiously, but want results overnight. Has anyone experienced a

similar problem like this, known someone who has, or could you let

me know about how long it will take for acupuncture to " cure " me

completely? My

> > visits are $60 ea., and money is a bit tight, so you can imagine

how quickly I'd like to see results! :-)

> > The acupuncturist (a lady, if it matters) doesn't seem to

specialize in selling herbs, but said I have an imbalance in my

Liver and Heart functions, and recommended I eat fennel,nutmeg, or

cloves with ea. meal to help stimulate these organs

> > Maybe I'm neglecting some other form of therapy that could work

> > together with the acupuncture or alone? Any suggestions?

> > (For the record, I tried St. John's Wort, Luvox, and Serzone,

but the Prozac was the best for me. SJW does work, but it wasn't an

> > mind-altering as the Prozac. I think that Dr. Glenmullen's

> > book " Prozac Backlash " said it all: That Prozac does stimulate

the serotonin system, but it throws off the other neurotransmitters

to give facial tics, sexual side effects, etc. The drug companies

> > don't seem concerned by this, and go out of their way to cover

it up, believe it or not.) Any suggestions or words of wisdom you

could impart? Any information you can provide would be great. Many

thanks.

Glenn

 

Have you considered using 5-HTP? This supplement is has proven to be

effective for many who can not tolerate St. John's wort and will not

tend to aggraavate the maniac factor as SAMe frequently does.

Gingko Biloba and Melissa (lemon balm) are the best for regaining

memory, also fresh ginger root grated in a morning smoothie or on a

salad aids in circulation and in that way aids in rejuvenating our

memory loss. Switching to organically grown fresh fruits and veggies

also may prove helpful. Residues may prove to be problematic in many

ways (i.e. free radicals,etc).

Take a good antioxidant complete with selenium and other minerals

to flush out the free radicals your body has retained. Drugs are

high in free radicals.

Magnesium deficiency is common in memory loss. It is an essential

cofactor for many enzymes. 1,000 to 14,000 magnesium oxide may be

helpful.

 

JoAnn