posted
Hi, I was wondering if anyone has had any help from taking antidepressants? If so, which ones have helped. I am very depressed and react to all the ones I've tried so far. Just curious. Thanks
Posts: 8 | From NJ | Registered: Dec 2014
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Welcome - of course, so sorry for why you are here yet I hope you will find hope and real nuggets of stuff that will help.
I see that you just posted in "Seeking a doctor" - good first start.
A LLMD will assess your THYROID & ADRENAL issues, too. Those are often connected to depression as are so many facets of lyme. There are some things you can do in the meantime, though.
If you react to all the ones you tried, I suggest stop trying to make a chemical that can be toxic to your body react in a way that it just is not likely able.
I reacted terribly many years ago - the worst years of my life and a long chain of one antidepressant trial after another nearly killed me. My body just was not made for this kind of Rx - but it was not really addressing the CAUSE in the right way, either.
Now, some do okay with an antidepressant and many do have to try several to find their best fit. But you've already done that and it's pretty clear this path is not working for your body.
It's also VERY common for someone with lyme to have the opposite - or bad - reactions to medicines that other folks seem to do just fine with. Lyme changes the liver & it often changes body chemistry.
But, mostly, these antidepressants are not addressing the cause in YOU, at this point in time.
There are OTHER ways to address depression and many are much easier and more successful for those in whom the Rx trials just did not fit. Listen to your body on this.
Depression is a sign that something is wrong, of course. With lyme, it's fairly common due to the stress on the body and brain -- and adrenals.
ADRENAL SUPPORT is key
MAGNESIUM is key -- often a magnesium deficiency is the cause.
LIVER SUPPORT is vital. Toxins can cause depression and lyme is loaded with toxins that stress the liver and also alter our brain chemistry. Better to support the liver than to add to the chemical mix with Rx that are not working for you. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- 1. Nutrients. Be sure you are getting enough good food in protein, complex carbohydrates & good fats. FISH OIL can be excellent for the brain - and that can help relieve mood symptoms.
2. Be sure lyme / other tick borne infections are being addressed. That often really helps improve mood.
LIVER & KIDNEY SUPPORT & and several HERXHEIMER support links, too.
Certain foods - especially gluten - can contribute to depression via INFLAMMATION. And some additives can cause the body to be too stimulated but only to drop later. A dangerous shift.
Excitotoxins; MSG; Aspartame; & "Natural" Flavors (that are not likely natural at all);
GMO foods that destroy the GI Tract; Gluten; Dairy. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Within a couple weeks of stopping gluten, depression lifted for me. A lot of pain, too.
As it will take a while to read the links above, be sure to put them in your own desktop study folder and you might go ahead and order
MAGNESIUM - in that thread are a couple top suggestions. That's a good place to begin.
And know that this can get better. Really. Take care of yourself and nourish / nurture with excellent nutrition and delicious real foods. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
Thank you Keebler. I am taking a couple psych meds but hate them. I have to wean off but will need the help of a Dr to do so. I'm going to be starting IV vitamin c by a integrative Dr who states she has good luck treating Lyme. I had lyme and erhlichiosis back in 2000 but was never tested for the other co infections. Did tons of iv antibiotic but never got well. I have a boat load of diagnosis so it's difficult to tell what symptoms are Lyme. The more I read the more I suspect chronic Lyme. I really appreciate you're help. Thanks again!!
Posts: 8 | From NJ | Registered: Dec 2014
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MannaMe
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 33330
posted
Our healthcare provider says most depression is caused by a lack of omega 3 fatty acids. (fish oil)
Its something we need and our bodies don't make it. We need to eat it in order to get it.
Posts: 2248 | From USA | Registered: Aug 2011
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posted
Also try highly absorbed magnesium .. all are good except perhaps mag oxide.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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WPinVA
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 33581
posted
I tried Lexapro and it gave me insomnia, so I didn't get too far with it. I wasn't so low that I HAD to have a med, so I went the natural route - yoga, sunlight, exercise, treating the infections. I think mine was/is due to bartonella, and I feel a lot better mentally now that I'm back on a treatment protocal again for that.
That said, I do know that there are times when meds are critical. I wish this wasn't all so hard.
Posts: 1737 | From Virginia | Registered: Aug 2011
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posted
Big thanks to all for replying. I'm going to try taking some mag and omega to start. Ant other suggestions are welcome. I've never been tested for bartonella. Is there a way to treat that naturally?
Posts: 8 | From NJ | Registered: Dec 2014
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posted
I was put on lexapro yeas ago. My depression got so bad with lyme I had to try different amounts and types.
I am now on cymbalta for my nerve pain and depression. Works great. I needed something, I was thinking of driving my car off the road every single day.
I'm working on supplements and a better duet, though pretty severe depression runs in my family so the whole "diet and exercise" treatment option likely won't work for me.
-------------------- Sick since 2000 Bulls eye 2005 Dx Babesia, Lyme 2014 Posts: 247 | From New Hampshire | Registered: Aug 2014
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Kudzuslipper
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 31915
posted
I 2nd cymbalta. I was on celexa before. But cymbalta not only helped my pain but also seemed to restore some energy I lost on celexa.
My advise...Take the lowest effective dose. And don't let a dr treat life's ups and downs as reason to up a dose.
I believe that we need help. Especially with Lyme. But I feel drs are too quick to say "must not be working anymore" when it could just be a short period. Especially with the flairs and herxes we with Lyme experience. Good luck.
I also have found more relief with fish oil and magnesium as well.
Posts: 1728 | From USA | Registered: May 2011
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posted
Thank you guys for replying. I did try cymbalta, and wish I could have taken that one as I'm in a lot of pain. Unfortunately, I reacted to it and I couldn't get a small enough dose because of it being a capsule. I'm so glad it's working for you both. Thanks!!
Posts: 8 | From NJ | Registered: Dec 2014
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Cass A
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11134
posted
Hi, Coffeenuts!
B vitamins, especially B1, can help with depression. About 300 mg of B 1 is the minimum useful dose.
These may help you to get off the medication. I KNOW about the side effects of these drugs!
Drugs of any kind "eat up" the B vitamins, which are so crucial to mental and emotional functioning. A more natural way to get these, except for the B 1 'cause that is needed in higher doses, is nutritional yeast. Some people react badly to this stuff (my son, as an example!), but if you can take it, it really can help with the emotional issues.
Magnesium PLUS calcium can help with the pain. I've found a good product in Peter Gilliam's CALM plus Calcium. It's usually available in health food stores. You may need to add in more magnesium than this contains, but it is a real good start, and mixes up with hot water very quickly. Taking calcium or magnesium tablets is like feeding rocks to your body---they just aren't digested!
Hope this helps.
Best,
Cass
Posts: 1245 | From Thousand Oaks, CA | Registered: Feb 2007
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posted
That's too bad, cymbolta has really helped with my nerve/ muscle issues. I plan to go off it eventually, but I was not doing well before it.
I sooped crying and my anxiety went away. If I miss a dose for 2 days, i get SEVERE anxiety and crying fits, so its been keeping my babesia and lyme symptoms in check. Without it, I had too many intrusions of bad thoughts.
Lexapro was ok, but I had been on it since college. Previously celexa, paxil, wellbutrin, all the way back to high school at age 15, Prozac.
I had social anxiety, and was under pretty intense bullying. The teachers at my school recommended therapy. The drugs worked, but such a young age, I wonder if I can't live without them now.
My current doctor said, we don't really know who YOU are, as you've been on these drugs your whole adult life. Its true. But every time I go off, I nosedive. this last one, with lyme, was unbearable. So I got on cymbalta before I off'd myself.
Ive tried folate, b-vitamins, high levels niacin (made me flush too much like hives). I might try again to go off once the babesia and lyme improves.
I really believe anti-depressants can help alleviate some pain/depression issues while suffering from Lyme. It helps me have a leg up while in treatment.
-------------------- Sick since 2000 Bulls eye 2005 Dx Babesia, Lyme 2014 Posts: 247 | From New Hampshire | Registered: Aug 2014
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posted
Hi Cass A, I will definitely try your suggestions. Thank you for replying. Hi Mala_Azure, it sounds like you were where I'm at now. I have tried alternative methods and react to them also. Everything I take increases my anxiety and depression. Are you on lyme treatment? I need to get my but to an llmd. They are all so far and I can't drive far cuz of brain fog. I'm going to try B1. I never tried that. I need help. Not functioning well at all these days. Thanks again!
Posts: 8 | From NJ | Registered: Dec 2014
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