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716688 tn?1230310219

Natural Meds for Kidney Transplant with supposid Bi-Polar disorder and Major Anxiety Disorder

I have had Anxiety Disorder for as long as I can remember. I've just been given Xanax for when I have a panic attack, they last me a very long time. I dont "abuse" them.

But my Anxiety Disorder got a lot worse after my Kidney Transpant, and I am also a VERY manic person, and now its gone from being called Manic Depressent to Bi-Polar.

I'm on Lamictal and Time release Seroquil for my "Manic-ness" and Anxiety. I also take Xanax XR in the morning to last throughout the day. Then Xanax when I have a panic attack. I'm OCD, so I can get thrown into a panic attack if the picture on the wall isnt straight, or if there is something that has an odd number of items on it. I cant focus on anything, which is probably just how I've always been

I'm tired of the long term drugs I'm on, I never used to be on anything except for Xanax when I would have a panic attack, because since I have Lupus, and a Kidney Transplant and R.A [which is now in remission] I want to get off all the Psych meds and do that naturally, I know I HAVE to stay on the stuff for my Kidney. Which is fine by me.

But sometimes I think the Psych meds make me worse and flip out more.

I take Stress B vitamins, and I also take Pre-Natal Vitamins. Any suggestions on other Vitamins or Natural things I can do and take so I can get off all of those medications? I feel that I dont really need them, but in some areas, like my mood swings, I still need something natural to help me.

I was wondering if there any herbal supliments that you can use instead of all of the freaking medications.

Xanax XR-4mg in the morning
Xanax-3mg as needed
Lamictal-200mg
Seroquil-600mg XR

I use everything else that is all Natural, aka: Makeup, Toothpaste, Body Wash, Etc.

I want to see what would be okay to take that is Natural with me having a Kidney Transplant, my meds there are:
Prograf
Labatalol {sp}
Predizone 5mg
Myfortic

Thanks
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607502 tn?1288247540
Omega3 was one I did miss but I avoid it in these dicsusions because its not really a natural MS as such from what I have read - there are varying results with it and it seems to reccomended as an adjunct or supplement not a replacement therapy - it only helps manage severity not control it from what I have read, though I could be wrong.

Omega3 is reccomended for bipolars by most doctors, I need to start taking it and you have just reminded me !
Helpful - 0
585414 tn?1288941302
  Yes welcome. And let me make a suggestion. Remember any FDA approved medications goes through a tremendous amount of controlled studies until it is deemed "safe and effective". So if a medication could cause kidney toxicity you couldn't take it. But they would know. But a natural remedy is an unknown quantity and with the severity of your disability who knows what could happen. And I won't mention it here but if you read through my posts and find I'm on an experimental antipsychotic, don't even consider that. In the controlled studies it changed creatine levels. Its not approved yet so its still an unknown quantity.
  Now let's go back to approved medications. As for anxiety Xanax was not meant for long term use. All benzodiazepenes have a potential for a person to build up a tolerance to them but its very strong with Xanax. Klonopin is much safer for long term use. I have been on it for ten years without a problem. Ask about that. As for mood stabilizers, in some cases at higher doses Lamictal can worsen mania. That's why my psychopharmocologist took me off it and that's not uncommon according to him. Obviously, because of the kidney disease you have Lithium would not be for you. But there are others. Look up "Depression Central" and for a list of approved medications used off label for mood stabilizers here's a list:
http://www.psycheducation.org/depression/meds/moodstabilizers.htm
Everyone of these is an approved medication. So its a known quantity as regards safety but the effect on treating bipolar has not been officially approved but they are in usage for this purpose. Don't change anything on your own. But speak to your psychiatrist and if you've been on all commonly used mood stabilizers you could seek a consult to a mood disorders specialist or psychopharmocologist.
   But I'll tell you one thing. The most commonly used natural mood stabilizer, fish oil has been researched and made into an approved anti-cholesterol medication called Lovaza used experimentally for bipolar. You could ask about that medication. And if there are any effects on the kidneys your psychiatrist could easily check the company information. I'm not reccomending this specific mood stabilizer. I'm making a point. An FDA approved medication is a known quantity and with the severity of your disability the only ones you should consider. And definitely don't go off them as your symptoms will worsen but there are more options that are approved medications than you think.
Helpful - 0
607502 tn?1288247540
Excuse typing, hypomanic myself and brain and fingers not communicating spelling.  Also forgot to say merry christmas and welcome to our community !
Helpful - 0
607502 tn?1288247540
Sure.  A lot of people thing like this, sometimes we hate meds and we want off them, its human to blame doctors for making us worse etc.

The simple answer is that no there is no such thing as a natural or hebal medication for mental illness that works and can replace the medications you take safely.

There are people who will tell you there are, sell you any number of magic cures, claim that X Y or Z worked for their aunty, granny or friend of a friend but the reality is there is nothing and some of the herbal remedies can be very dangerous, especially to someone with a compromised immune system.

First things firts.  Manic depression and Bipolar Disorder are the same thing - Manic depression is an older cterm for Bipolar which replaced it as a disgnostic criteria in DSM-IV and consits of three classifications, BP1, BP2 and Cyclothymia.

Bipolar does not go away, it cannot be cured, it will not listen to reason and it wont be fought with denial.  The meds you are on btw are not a server cocktail, pretty much the safest around in many ways, why do you want to go off the meds?

What I would suggest is sitting down and speaking to your psychiatrist and listening - what you need to tell him is EXACTLY how you feel right now because with al the other drugs in your system and a kidney transplant your BP drugs are most likely NOT working effectively and thats why you are manic more and more.

I really urge you t do this, this illness can be so dangerous if you do not educate yourself and pay attention to the signs its giving you you can get in real trouble.

BTW Lupus can make bipolar worse and present additonal symptoms - my mother had SLE  - you need to also speak to your endocrinlogist about this.
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