Guest Blogging - Med Free Solutions Forum

Introduction

Rose — Thu, 31 Jan 2019 00:46:41 +0000

I have been off antidepressants since September 2018 after being on various ones since 1998. In early 2018 I read an article on Mad in America website that changed everything for me. I too was caught up in the medical system that told me that my depression was similar to that of someone with high blood pressure who would need medication for the rest of their lives in order to keep it under control. It was never suggested that I change my diet. Instead I was repeatedly told I should stop trying to manage it on my own, so I was prescribed various doses of celexa, abilify, lamictal, lexapro, trazadone to stop the sadness and keep me numb. Needless to say I was on a never ending roller coaster ride. Fast forward to today, I have cut out processed foods and sugar. Just eliminating the sugar has helped tremendously. I think the antidepressants created cravings for sugar and/or the processed foods contained sugar and just set up the compulsion for more. So I continue to keep notes on foods that sustain me and ones that cause discomfort. I do have to be careful of trying to be perfect at this which might have been one of the issues that caused the depression in the first place. Looking forward to learning more tools for healthier eating and living!

Drawrad Introduction

drawrad — Sat, 26 Jan 2019 04:19:33 +0000

Seroquel is a strong anti-psychotic that isn't easily withdrawn from from my experience. I got severe akathisia from all the other drug choices, so seroquel was my only option. 600mg of seroquel was the dose usually given upon arriving to the hospital. Carbs were craved on seroquel, it felt compulsive to eat carbs. The constipation was also terrible that I used coffee to move my bowels. I now wish I had known about inulin or other natural ways to move the bowel.

I am now on Clozaril as the only other drug that doesn't cause akathisia, but is usually regarded as a last resort due to the fatal white blood cell problems that can occur. I am withdrawing 4% every 3 weeks now to try to get off the drug. Don't quit cold turkey on any drug, especially clozaril. Going cold turkey could be deadly. I am looking for an integrative doctor or someone who can sort out the hormonal changes when you take clozaril. It effects growth hormone, prolactin, insulin and leptin. These hormone reactions are complex to me and trying to loose weight is very hard.

I have been to integrative doctors in the past that have blood tests to look for nutritional deficienties or uncover other problems. The tests I have tried are "NurtiEval" and "SpectraCell" which I will get into in another post.

There are so many food paths to go down, it can be confusing. About 5 years ago I got into Dr. Wilson's ideas for what to eat. It involved cutting my hair close to the scalp to get a scientific reading of what was going on in my body called "hair analysis". He has a unique and strict take on what foods are beneficial and how to eat. Take or leave the controversial ideas.

http://www.drlwilson.com/ARTICLES/FOOD.DAILY.htm

I hope I can keep blogging about issues and learn from you also.

Drawrad

My blog and introducing myself

Ekaterina — Mon, 21 Jan 2019 22:06:09 +0000

Hello!

First a practical question! Can I provide links to my blog or I need to start blogging here for the certificate?

I am a researcher in 'mad studies' (just launched into this field) and I write about my personal experience on www.russianpatient.com

I am really looking forward to take part in this course and meet other people who have had an experience similar to mine!

Ekaterina

My blog and introducing myself

Ekaterina — Mon, 21 Jan 2019 22:06:07 +0000

Hello!

First a practical question! Can I provide links to my blog or I need to start blogging here for the certificate?

I am a researcher in 'mad studies' (just launched into this field) and I write about my personal experience on www.russianpatient.com

I am really looking forward to take part in this course and meet other people who have had an experience similar to mine!

Ekaterina

Tapering off anti-psychotics

donkarp — Sat, 22 Dec 2018 17:53:31 +0000

How do I safely taper off of an anti-psychotic? I've been told it needs professional supervision. Yet most professionals do not do this. Do you have a list of those that can help me taper?