Date:   1/18/2009 4:48:40 PM ( 15 y ago)
Hits:   9,182
URL:   https://www.curezone.org/forums/fm.asp?i=1338332

Okay, this may seem really stupid, but please let me explain.
I am BiPolar 2. For several years, I was improperly diagnosed as simply Clinically Depressed, and that was the basis for my treatment. I was on Zoloft for several years, prescribed by my PCP because he didn't want to send me to anyone with more training, despite complaining that it wasn't helping, it was turning me into a Zoloft Zombie, it destroyed my libido, it was putting a major strain on my marriage, and I was on a very high dose (don't remember what it was) that my insurance did not want to pay for.
Finally, I changed PCPs, got off the Zoloft, and got told by my new one that he thought I was out of his league on this one and he wanted me to be seen by a mental health specialist. I was referred to someone he knew, that I knew from my own work as a mental health nurse, and that I knew to be very experienced in the field. Following a 10 minute questionnaire that he had me fill out, totally subjective, he asked me several questions about things that I had experienced but never really thought about before. The final result was that he was able to diagnose me as BiPolar 2, something I had suspected for several years and never told ANYONE, not even him.
After months of medication adjustment and blood tests to get my levels right, I now take 1200mg of Lithium Carbonate daily, and my serum levels are just barely in the therapeutic range. Without the whole of my daily dose, I get manic.
However, as I'm sure many of you know, BiPolar 2s have a greater tendency to Depression than mania, so the lithium was doing nothing for that. And I was still left with the damage to my libido caused by the Zoloft. So my doctor prescribed 75mg of Wellbutrin.
The two drugs cancel out each other's side effects (lithium can cause depressive states, and Wellbutrin can cause manic states), and the Wellbutrin has given me back my ability to enjoy sexual intercourse, and my desire for sexual relations. And my husband and I once again enjoy a healthy sex life.
However, if I do not take my Wellbutrin,... I return to my previous state because that's the way the Zoloft left me.
My question now is this: Does anyone know of natural alternatives that I could utilize for the treatment of these two issues that would be just as effective and possibly cheaper? Not too mention not requiring a prescription. I've checked with all my doctors and the three of them agree that it would be okay for me to go all-natural, but none of them are certain what I could use instead.
I'm also currently taking Ativan when necessary to treat occassional anxiety attacks, and would prefer a natural alternative to that as well, if anyone knows of something.
Thanks for taking the time to read through all this. I appreciate any and all advice.
 

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