Using better nutrition to help with depression & mental health - need advice! please?

[toodamntired]

I suffer from severe depression, anxiety and ongoing 24 hour migraines. To try to combat this I take 375mg Effexor-XR , 60mg Oxycontin twice a day and 200 mg of Topamax twice a day.

There is an alternate to Epilim called Topamax that I currently take. I was given the option of either Epilim or Topamax.

The side effects of Epilim include weight gain (in most takers) headaches, nausea, tiredness and hair loss. Side effects of Topamax include weight loss.
To be bald and fat was definatelty not going to help my depression,so I chose the Topomax. The only effect I have found is slight tiredness with each increase of dose.
For me the Topamax has a twofold effect, it is also used as a migaraine preventitive.
Hope this helps. Don't let them bully you into the Epilim. Especially if they are old Doctors. Just because its been round for 100 years (as an anti epileptic) does not mean it is the best for this job.

[amy_o]

Although I didn't get in to the MIMS site I did have a bit of a quick read and from what I can gather topamax is NOT used in Australia yet for Bipolar/mood stabliser. As far as I know there are only the 3 drugs, Epilim, Lithium and Seroquel (even this needs authority for the high doses needed). I did read that in the states they have had limited success and the FDA are still pending approval as a mood stabliser.
I think what you are using it for toodamntired and what conundrum would be using it for are too different things. JMO though.

[luna moth]

I think that you can't go wrong with a high fibre, low-fat wholefoods diet.

And, as Tish says, exercise absolutely helps, particularly outdoor exercise. Find something you enjoy, and do it daily, even if it's only for 10 minutes, and try to add three weekly half-hour sessions. It really does make a huge difference. Walking with your partner is particularly good for your relationship.

A homeopath might be someone you want to see - they are qualified medical doctors, so have that sort of scientific backing, and generally are able to help you. I don't think you'd get a meal plan from one though. A naturopath might. My naturopath here in Brissy is also a qualified nutritionist, and would definitely do one - it would be worth scouting around for someone who does both. As a kid, I went to a homeopath, and based on physical symptoms, he could predict food cravings that I might have, and was right.

I was like you too, very uncertain about who to trust with this sort of thing, it can seem a bit airy-fairy, but there are natural medicine practitioners out there who are also qualified and not just quacking.

Check out your local library for some Rosemary Stanton cookbooks - most have a lot of great, simple information on nutrition.

[barley]

there is a lab in england which you may find helpful biolab.co.uk.

[littlelara]

I realise I'm coming in to this really late, but I discovered a vitamin called wellwoman from the uk that has been awsome from me, and the gla's really help with my mood swings. Worth a look
Good luck, I hope you're ok