Herbal Alternatives for Bi-Polar/ Siezure disorder - Cyber Recovery Social Network Forums

07-15-2006, 01:09 AM

I have manic depression that is complicated by a seizure disorder. I am successfully managing mine through medication. I have a friend, however, who is new to recovery and has been on the medication rollercoaster for approx. 20 years now. She has taken herself off all meds and wants to try herbal alternatives. I have advised her that it is unwise to stop her meds without notifying her doctor, but she is tired of trying different meds again and again, just to find that they don't help and she still wants to die.
I have read a lot about St. John's wart and fatty acids. Do those help, and more importantly, are they 'seizure friendly'.
I know just how she feels, I was about to give up on the 'meds russian ruellette' when we hit the one that has been working for me for a year and a half now.
Are there herbs that can help? I know all about losing 'the faith' when trying one medication after another. Besides, she is encountering people in her AA group who are telling her that if she is on meds, she is not sober.

*janbear* · 07-15-2006, 05:05 PM

Hi Kai, first Welcome to CyberRecovery, i dont have any personal experience of herbs helping with bipolar disorder, but that is not to say that there are not some that may be helpful. All i know is what works for me, i have been on different meds. since the early 1990's. I know about that roller coaster, but i just had to hang in until they found the right combo of meds. for me. And though, i have not been told personally that because i am on meds. i am not sober, i have encountered those who have and that is so sad. I knew of one guy who listened to an AA'er and got off his meds. because of being told that and a week later he committed suicide. So i know the dangers of taking advice from people in AA about taking meds. and i share that story often of that gentleman. I take my meds. as prescribed by only my Dr. I am grateful i can say i do not take any narcotics for my disorder and i never just stop my meds. without my drs. permission, that would not be good for me and want what is best for me today. I listen to people in AA and NA about how to live free from my addiction working the 12 steps. They know all about that. But my Dr. knows more about my disorder and He will decide if i need meds. or not. He knows all about that. So i let AA and NA be what it is and let the Dr. be who he is suppose to be. I pray your friend came come to that same understanding.I know i wasnt able to help with answering your question about the herbs, but feel free to pass on my story about the gentlemen who killed himself from listening to an AAer.
Good to see another Okie here, i am from Okla too.

*admin* · 07-16-2006, 04:41 AM

Welcome Kai, I feel you gave your friend some great advice about not stopping her meds at least not without her doctor's knowledge. Withdrawal from some meds can be terrible and I know from personal experience. If we are to stop meds we should consult our doctor first and they will usually wean you off of them. As for what other people have to say about others taking meds and whether they are sober or not - what others think, say or do is none of my business. What others think or say about me is none of my business. I know this isn't the AA forum but I like what it says in the Big Book:

But this does not mean that we disregard human health measures. God has abundantly supplied this world with fine doctors, psychologists, and practitioners of various kinds. Do not hesitate to take your health problems to such persons. Most of them give freely of themselves, that their fellows may enjoy sound minds and bodies. Try to remember that though God has wrought miracles among us, we should never belittle a good doctor or psychiatrist.
p. 133

I would suggest if you are not happy with the results of your meds then consult with your doctor about an alternative including herbs.

Keep coming back and sharing with us.

07-15-2006, 01:09 AM	#1
Kai Stevens Guest Posts: n/a	Herbal Alternatives for Bi-Polar/ Siezure disorder I have manic depression that is complicated by a seizure disorder. I am successfully managing mine through medication. I have a friend, however, who is new to recovery and has been on the medication rollercoaster for approx. 20 years now. She has taken herself off all meds and wants to try herbal alternatives. I have advised her that it is unwise to stop her meds without notifying her doctor, but she is tired of trying different meds again and again, just to find that they don't help and she still wants to die. I have read a lot about St. John's wart and fatty acids. Do those help, and more importantly, are they 'seizure friendly'. I know just how she feels, I was about to give up on the 'meds russian ruellette' when we hit the one that has been working for me for a year and a half now. Are there herbs that can help? I know all about losing 'the faith' when trying one medication after another. Besides, she is encountering people in her AA group who are telling her that if she is on meds, she is not sober.

07-15-2006, 05:05 PM	#2
janbear willing servant Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 14,175	Hi Kai, first Welcome to CyberRecovery, i dont have any personal experience of herbs helping with bipolar disorder, but that is not to say that there are not some that may be helpful. All i know is what works for me, i have been on different meds. since the early 1990's. I know about that roller coaster, but i just had to hang in until they found the right combo of meds. for me. And though, i have not been told personally that because i am on meds. i am not sober, i have encountered those who have and that is so sad. I knew of one guy who listened to an AA'er and got off his meds. because of being told that and a week later he committed suicide. So i know the dangers of taking advice from people in AA about taking meds. and i share that story often of that gentleman. I take my meds. as prescribed by only my Dr. I am grateful i can say i do not take any narcotics for my disorder and i never just stop my meds. without my drs. permission, that would not be good for me and want what is best for me today. I listen to people in AA and NA about how to live free from my addiction working the 12 steps. They know all about that. But my Dr. knows more about my disorder and He will decide if i need meds. or not. He knows all about that. So i let AA and NA be what it is and let the Dr. be who he is suppose to be. I pray your friend came come to that same understanding.I know i wasnt able to help with answering your question about the herbs, but feel free to pass on my story about the gentlemen who killed himself from listening to an AAer. Good to see another Okie here, i am from Okla too. __________________ And this above all, to thine own self be true. And it must follow as night the day, thou canst not be false to any man. -Shakespeare For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. Proverbs 23:7

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07-16-2006, 04:41 AM	#3
admin Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 28,249	Welcome Kai, I feel you gave your friend some great advice about not stopping her meds at least not without her doctor's knowledge. Withdrawal from some meds can be terrible and I know from personal experience. If we are to stop meds we should consult our doctor first and they will usually wean you off of them. As for what other people have to say about others taking meds and whether they are sober or not - what others think, say or do is none of my business. What others think or say about me is none of my business. I know this isn't the AA forum but I like what it says in the Big Book: But this does not mean that we disregard human health measures. God has abundantly supplied this world with fine doctors, psychologists, and practitioners of various kinds. Do not hesitate to take your health problems to such persons. Most of them give freely of themselves, that their fellows may enjoy sound minds and bodies. Try to remember that though God has wrought miracles among us, we should never belittle a good doctor or psychiatrist. p. 133 I would suggest if you are not happy with the results of your meds then consult with your doctor about an alternative including herbs. Keep coming back and sharing with us.