Help!!! Medication trouble!?

Question

I feel like i have tried everything and nothing seems to help without some sort of side effect. I am on Toprol for POT's syndrome, and I switched to Wellbutrin for my depression/anxiety. I switched from Paxil because of the sexual side effects, but the wellbutrin is causing a lot more problems. So now to the real question, does anyone know anything natural that can help both of these issues without all the side effects of the medications. Please I am desperate, I just want to feel good.

POT's syndrome is a blood pressure pressure problem. My blood pressure does not adjust itself on its own, like it should. So when i stand in one spot for a while my bp will raise really high than bottom out which causes me too pass out. It's not fun

Answer 1

From someone who suffers from POTS syndrome as well, and I have taken a break from seeing a doctor for two years now due to not finding anything that truly worked and hoped that focusing less on my problems would lead to feeling better. Anyways, I can only offer simple things that you should add to your daily routine. Drink and eat plenty of salt if you get the okay from your cardiologist or neurologist, specifically Gatorade followed by water. It will help you retain fluid, and keep you hydrated for longer periods. My cardiologist always told me if you feel thirsty you are dehydrated. It's a simple phrase, but it means a lot when you have POTS. Also, when you feel dizzy try crossing one leg over the other. There are exercises specifically online for POTS, so you may want to do a search on them- they never worked for me. If you can work out at all, I would advise it, and any doctor I have ever seen specializing in POTS agrees. Everyday working out keeps your blood moving- yoga works the best for me, particularly floor moves, because I don't have to worry about getting up and down constantly. That isn't to say the standing movements don't help, it has taught me to learn my limits and how to fight my symptoms. Heat gets to me, so trying to stay cool has always been the best option. You really need to look at what triggeres your symptoms, and try to evaluate what you can do to improve your situation, learn your limits- trial and error. Good luck. Sorry I didn't go into the depression area, but I don't suffer from that problem, yet exercise is generally the best natural way of beating it.

Answer 2

Exercise, releases the same endorphins. But not as strongly as medicine. But only good side effects. However, you may have intolerance for exercise because of the POTs syndrome, but if you can exercise it is the best thing.
There are herbal supplements like sam-e, but those aren't proven to work or regulated by the FDA. You might want to get a second opinion from another doctor, maybe one who specializes in your condition.
Cognitive therapy can help to change your thought processes that can make you feel bad. It is 'talk' therapy. That might help.
Good luck.

Answer 3

You could try Saint Johns Wort. Use caution if you have any blood thinning/thickening issues or blood pressure issues. A friend of mine without these issues tried it and it helped out. Wellbutrin works well too, but I've seen it run it's course in a year and then no longer work. Also I've seen it cause recurrent hair loss, like you brush your hair and you get 5 x the normal loss.

Answer 4

Hi misses e. Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) can be caused by a variety of different underlying problems. Have your doctors identified your specific etiology (cause)?

I do not have much knowledge about this disorder, but I did a quick search of the medical literature on Medline (via Pubmed). There were several recent articles on the important role of Nitric Oxide in this disorder. Nitric Oxide (NO) is a very important molecule produced in the blood vessels and critical for regulation of vasodilation, blood flow, blood pressure and blood vessel health. Some patients with POTS have a genetic predisposition to inadequate production of NO.

Additionally, you are probably aware that POTS is associated with a problem with the functioning of the autonomic nervous system.

Medical studies also show this condition is associated with a problem in the response (poor response) of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in the kidneys.

Obviously, a lot of systems may be involved in POTS.

I am no expert in this condition, so take the following suggestions 'with a grain of salt'.

1) Certain nutritional supplements are well known for their ability to increase the synthesis of Nitric Oxide in the blood vessels. Supplemental doses of the amino acid Arginine can be very helpful (arginine is the precursor the body converts into NO). Supplementing with 3-6 grams per day is appropriate. Vitamin C supplements may also help the enzyme that produces NO work better.

2) A good Chiropractor may be able to positively impact the functioning of your autonomic nervous system. A 3-6 week trial period of SMT (spinal manipulative therapy) is very low risk, but may have potential for positive benefits.

3) This one is a 'long-shot', but my mind won't let go of the idea. Vitamin D deficiency is common today and low vitamin D levels have been shown in some preliminary research to affect the renin-angiotension-aldosterone system. A blood test to evaluate your vitamin D status, or a 6 to 12 month trial therapy with high doses of vitamin D may be worthwhile (and again is very low risk). 2000 IU of vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol) would be a reasonable dose to try. It can take up to a year at this dosage to normalize blood levels if they are low.

4) Lastly, since the nervous system, kidneys and vascular system are all likely to be involved, it raises the question: 'what common health problems/toxicities can affect all three of these systems?'. The answer is heavy metal toxicities. Lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic and other toxic heavy metals can damage all three of these systems. Toxicities in one or more of these metals is increasingly common. It may be very helpful to get tested for this possibility. You will need a knowledgable doctor because common blood tests for heavy metals may or may not find an existing problem. The best test for heavy metal toxicities is called a 'challenge test'. In this test, the patient is given a chelating agent to pull any metals into the blood and into the urine. A collection of the urine is then made and metals are measured in the urine.

I have given you a lot to think about. I do not know if anything I have suggested will help. However, I believe the ideas I have suggested have potential to help - especially if tests show these problems exist for you specifically.

I would also like to suggest two inexpensive books on blood pressure problems that may offer some additional insights and help for your problem.

Dr. Mark Houston, M.D. is a specialist in vascular biology and a clinical professor of medicine at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. His book: "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Hypertension" is full of the latest research on how to use diet and nutrition to correct problems of the vasculature. The book is available at Amazon.com.

Dr. Sherry Rogers, M.D. is a leading expert on environmental medicine, a medical researcher, author of numerous books and has 35 years of clinical experience. Her book is: "The High Blood Pressure Hoax". She explains the many common and unrecognized causes of problems with the heart, blood vessels, pressure, etc and how to properly treat causes rather than using drugs to mask symptoms. Her book is new and may not yet be available at Amazon. You can order it direct from the publisher at 1-800-846-6687.

Best wishes and good luck.

Answer 5

St. Johns wart
Sam e pronounce (sam eee)
Both are good but shouldn"t be taken together.
I prefer the sam e myself. it boosts my morale and makes me feel good.
follow direction on both products, which can be purchased at any health food store, under many brand names
Good luck
Hope

Answer 6

i dont really know what POT's syndrom is but sometimes you have to live with the side effects

Answer 7

ask you doctor about taking magnesium for the blood pressure- it may help relieve some depression/ anxiety if you can heal physically - good luck

Answer 8

what's POT's syndrome???

As for depression, you might want to try lexapro- it has the lowest incidence of side effects of the SSRIs.

Answer 9

st johns wort

Answer 10

saint john's wort