Going Raw While On Antidepressants Zoloft

[mberam]

Hello All,

I take 100 MG of Zoloft a day for OCD and Anxiety. I have been taking antidepressants for about 7 years. I hate having to take this. It numbs me out. Every time I have tried to get off these drug, I get really messed up...sometimes to the point where I feel like I need to check myself into a hospital. I have tried so many other things. At one point I thought I was ready after finding a metaphysical church and practicing spirituality. My sprituatlity is good and I am growing in that respect--learning to be more mindful and conscious. Eckhart Tolle is my favorite spiritual teacher. And I am able to get into profound states of peace sometimes even on the Zoloft. After reaching this point in my spirituality I thought I was ready to get off the meds, but I got really messed up when I tried. The sprituality was out the window and I was miserable and terrified. I know in my gut that raw is the way to go, I just don't know how to do it, or how to transition--when would I start weaning off the meds, etc. I tried finding a doctor in Los Angeles that promoted a raw food lifestyle and was somewhat "enlightened" sprituality, because I thought they might be able to coach me, but I couldn't find one. I also smoke 2 packs a day and take Lipitor for high cholesterol (my cholesterol was 405, and the bad cholesterol was 305).

I keep reading green smoothies can help...how do I make a green smoothie?

Where do I start??? I am going to see an acupuncturist on Monday to quit smoking. Then I was thinking of doing the master cleanse, then going raw...is this a good plan?? Confused!!!:confused:

Any input is greatly appreciated. Thank you

[Jerseygirl]

Congratulations on wanting to take the step to living a healthier life!

Question for you, what is your current dietary routine like?

I would suggest in setting small goals along a period of time...you don't want to detox too hard and be miserable and/or become discouraged.

[StarFire]

Aloha and Welcome to RFT!! First of all I want to say it's AWESOME that you are taking the steps towards reclaiming your health! That is so wonderful.

and second... I would say ... the easiest and wisest thing for you to do is to begin by simply eating as much raw foods as you can. Salads, fresh fruits, try a few simple recipes...

it will be so beneficial for you if you can get Alissas book and DVD... these two tools will help you IMMENSELY. Alissa has a way of explaining HOW to LIVE on live foods... to make it simple, DO'able for your life... and how you can really make it work FOR you... AND with you.

Once you get the book you can follow the 30 day menu plan in her book. The recipes are delicious - very easy to fix and filling.

In those live foods you body will begin to find healing and life...
Continue to take your medication... and continue to incorporate more and more LIVE foods into your daily LIFEstyle...

slowly and naturally your body will begin to change... You will begin to find balance and perhaps then you can taper off slowly from the medication. See... there is no real RUSH to jump off those meds... take it slowly ... let your body rebuild it'self... find it's strength thru the whole LIVE and natural foods...

now -- as far as making a green smoothie --- there are so many recipes... but basically its greens (baby spinach, kale any kind of deep green leafy veggies) along with some fruit if you like for flavor, apples, bananas, strawberries are all good.... and add a bit of sweetness... throw it all into a blender and blend away!! wa~laaa... green smoothie! They can be quite delicious... they are VERY Nutritious and your body will love them....

it will also help you to quit smoking...

but mostly -- be patient with yourself... you are trying to change a lifetime of eating habits and patterns -- and that will take time... so don't stress... or put pressure on yourself...

this is a WONDERFUL thing you are doing... you should enjoy this journey of self discovery ... it's a very exciting adventure!!

get Alissa's book.. it will seriously be the best tool you could have right now!

Blessings on your journey... I am so glad you have joined us!

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/welcome.gif

[spicyfull]

I wish you everything you need to Stay RAW............Welcome to MY World.

[Zaphirah]

Yes yes yes to what Miss Starfire said. Just take baby steps my friend. It it better to make slow and steady progress and stick with it, then feel like you are on a roller coaster. Don't worry about the meds right now, just start nourishing your body. Set a small goal, like 1 quart of green smoothie a day, and change nothing else. do this for 2 or 3 weeks, then add in 1 more change, like your green smoothie (which will already be a HABIT ;) ) and an extra large salad for dinner.

Even if it takes a year to get to where you want to be, that will be a year of PROGRESS that set you on the right track to health.

Just don't bite off more than you can chew (pun intended-I'm a cornball I know!).

My dc are currently on meds for something, but I have been slowly introducing raw foods since Sept. and the goal is to have them go 100% for the summer and possibly become med free. If they can't, they can't, but that is hope. We'll play it by ear and make whatever decision is best for their health (mental and physical) and their happiness.

(and FWIW-There is no *shame* in taking meds if you need them. It is better to feel sane and take meds than have such a high ideal and not take them and feel UNWELL. NO ONE has the right to judge your decisions. ONLY YOU know how YOU feel. Follow your heart. I wish you new abundant HEALTH. I am so glad you are HERE!)

[shashibala]

I weaned myself off Lexapro in January after going raw in December.
I would reiterate what the other posters said. Just go raw first. Let your mind and body get used to that. I think intense cleansing and fasting might not be the best while on the meds. It might change the amount you need and it might be just too intense. Just eating raw foods all or most of the time is incredibly healing. You will feel it when you are ready for another step. I made myself frantic for a few weeks thinking that I needed to know the schedule of how I would get off the meds and how I would feel and what I would do next....
I am learning that this journey is more of an unfolding, a blooming. You will not know what should be next until you feel it, and that uncertainty is okay!
Take your time. Be gentle with yourself. Best wishes to you!!

[shashibala]

Oh, and a green smoothie is usually a fruit based smoothie with greens added.
This morning I had a banana, some frozen blueberries, and a big handful of spinach all blended in the blender with some hemp seeds and a tiny bit of barley grass powder. The trick is to add greens until there are plenty in there, but the smoothie still tastes yummy to you! You can add optional extras like hemp seeds (my favorite), flax seeds or oil, coconut oil, powdered greens,.... Green smoothies are so good for you and they area way to add large amouts of leafy greens to your diet. Vary your greens as much as possible. If you search this site, you will find lots of good recipes.
Yum! Bottoms up!:D

[Zaphirah]

I weaned myself off Lexapro in January after going raw in December.
I would reiterate what the other posters said. Just go raw first. Let your mind and body get used to that. I think intense cleansing and fasting might not be the best while on the meds. It might change the amount you need and it might be just too intense. Just eating raw foods all or most of the time is incredibly healing. You will feel it when you are ready for another step. I made myself frantic for a few weeks thinking that I needed to know the schedule of how I would get off the meds and how I would feel and what I would do next....
I am learning that this journey is more of an unfolding, a blooming. You will not know what should be next until you feel it, and that uncertainty is okay!
Take your time. Be gentle with yourself. Best wishes to you!!

Sage advice! I like how you put it: "I made myself frantic...thinking that I needed to know the schedule"

This was very true when I first went raw and AGAIN when I wanted to get my boys of their med(s). I have decided to let our journey bloom, as you so eloquently put it. I am forever quoting rawkinlocs's motto "This is a marathon, not a sprint." :D

[jacsam]

The first thing you do is get Alissa's book and DVD. Watch the DVD and then read the book ...... then you'll know all you need to know to get started and what you might need to do before you get started. You'll also know about smoothies etc. Good Luck and welcome.

[mberam]

Hey Everyone...thanks for your responses. I bought Alissa's book and dvd today. Ill keep you posted! Thanks again...much appreciated.

[findingmyway]

Hello,

I can really feel your pain in regards to your medications. I was on Paxil for some time due to Panic Disorder (which causes depression) which I still have. I actually ended up tapering off my Paxil, because I was reading so many horror stories in regards to it and I wanted to try and live without a drug altering how I felt. Coming off of Paxil was horrible and it took a lot out of me emotionally and physically. You would have thought I was on a heavy street drug. Dizzy, sick, panic attacks, horrible thoughts and sleepless nights. But, I got through it. I have been off Paxil for about 4 months now but I still take Xanax when I feel like I am going to have a panic attack.

But I have to say this I think doing things naturally is the best way to go. I have been 70% raw for a month now and just started the 30 day Raw Challenge and I have never felt better. I feel happier, clean and a bit uplifted, I sound a bit like a hippie (no offense anyone) but my soul feels good. I'm not a doctor but I really think being Raw will help your emotional state. It has helped mine so much. I will never be "cured" of my Panic Disorder and I still deal with the effects of it, but not so much now. I am excited to see how I feel after being 100% Raw for 30 days.

I wish you all the best, I can understand the troubles you are dealing with.

Lots of love and best wishes!

[arawhcuk]

congratulations on attempting to taper off meds! i actually just finished a taper off (fingers crossed, hope no problems come up!) two things that helped me that weren't raw related were 5-htp (natural tryptophan), st. john's wort, and a multivitamin (especially for B's and D). i know a lot of people might not find taking those to be ideal but to me, if it helps the transition off i think it's well worth it. good luck!