posted
After a serious life stressor and my neuro sx blowing way up on me, I received a dx of ADD and was prescribed ritalin. It was very helpful for the fatigue.
While it helped with my focus, fatigue, and motivation, it still didn't do much for my cognitive symptoms. My P-doc was a researcher and had me on a bunch of other psych meds too. This was long before I got my lyme dx.
While I dealt with the fallout of ceasing other meds, discontinuing ritalin was rough and put me in a dark place. I think over time it affected my dopamine levels and functioning, especially in combo with the other stuff.
I had a very negative reaction to adderall. It made me feel fatigued, unsociable, miserable, and caused insomnia. If you have to go with a stimulant med for some temporary relief, you may need to try something different that works better with your brain chemistry.
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posted
Lyme and co's can really mess up nutrient levels, horomones, and neurotransmitters. Even those whose sx are mostly physical usually have a bunch of psych stuff to go along with it.
All the more reason to see a LL doc if you are able to. In order to get back to normal you have to treat the entire person.
Psych meds might be a little bit of a bandaid, but people whose psych sx are caused by lyme and co's will probably get little benefit over the long term of using them.
Consideration should be given to supporting how the body makes hormones and neurotransmitters, how psych meds can cause changes in brain chemistry that make it difficult to discontinue them, and treating the real cause of the problems - the infections.
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posted
When we were going through the classic what's going on with our kid before we figured out it was Lyme scenario, these meds were a disaster for him and made his symptoms worse. Low dose Zoloft and antibiotics were what worked best for him. His mental functions started to improve within weeks of starting on an appropriate treatment protocol.
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posted
Re my adderal experience, I meant that you should try something different from what you are currently using if it isn't working well. Sometimes it takes trying a few meds to get it right. Having the past experience of adderal working for you, it could be a good idea to revisit it.
I think that psych meds have a lot of potential to down regulate our own neurotransmitter production. Not trying to dissuade anyone from them, because they are a godsend for some and surely needed. It's something to be mindful of when making an informed decision.
Vitamin D3 levels, magnesium, and proper fats are essential for supporting neurotransmitter and hormone production.
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- First, really so sorry to hear of the muddle stuff that is going on. I know it can be torturous.
As for not conversing much, your body just can't now. Let it be still where you can. But I see you have a family and responsibilities, etc. so it's just not that easy.
From the horrible experiences / years where I chased after a way to get my brain back, comes all this -- combo of personal experience for the most part with reading AFTER THE FACT as to WHY I crashed so hard.
I want to spare you all that.
Stimulants whether for sheer energy / alertness or mood shifting can be a real disaster for many with lyme.
Especially potentially dangerous for the heart & the adrenal system for starters but also very risky for neurons of the brain and entire nervous system and for the immune system that is going to be revved when it's just about ready to blow due to the infections on board.
Many stimulants are also toxic to the inner ear system and to the liver.
Indeed, this route has made life so much worse for many with lyme. And it can take a long time to get out of the spin from these kinds of pharmaceuticals.
A body does not have a deficiency in a stimulant. It's forcing the body to perform above its capability.
By addressing infections & inflammation (from infections &/or other causes) that often cause the problems in the first place
by supporting the body in certain nutrients that can help the body manage treatment and
by nourishing the body with nutrients that may very likely be deficient
Variations in metabolism might also be considered for how the body is able to use certain nutrients (for some, just going gluten free cleared up brain fog)
along with good food, the right kind of movement for our particular body (and, for some who may be quite actually exercise intolerant, honoring limits but finding what movement at what speed can help),
and good rest (which is a major challenge with lyme / TBD) . . .
There is no instant energy answer but if the body is not forced with rocket fuel, and the issues are addressed, progress is highly likely.
I looked for instant energy, the right Rx to set my brain right. I tried various and they all were just hard lessons in the boomerang theory.
For me, going gluten free made a world of difference. While just one piece of the puzzle, it was a good place to begin. I can't believe doctors missed that for decade after decade.
Seeing your posting history in other threads this month . . . it seems you are in a relapse but not sure if you have reconnected with your previous LLMD or not. I've sorry to hear of the relapse but be sure that you get treatment so that it may be slowed down more quickly. Pushing it with stimulants can make things so much worse.
The psychiatrist does not sound very lyme literate to me. IMO, he was wrong to prescribe what he did for you.
You are his FIRST patient with lyme. You need someone who has real experience. He does not.
Oh, he may understand what the disease can do in effects of output but he does not understand all the other stressors that adding such a terribly harsh drugs as band-aids can do to a body that deals with lyme.
He seems to not understand the adrenal HPA-axis hit, the cardiac involvement, etc.
Liver load is a major concern with lyme. These kinds of drugs just add to that and when the liver is all messed up, so will anyone's mood & thinking.
He should have started with magnesium & a gluten free diet. Advised you to get all scents and chemicals out of your environment, etc.
Also be sure that other tick borne infections are assessed. Even in a relapse, many find that the symptoms you describe improve when the infection(s) are re-visited.
You might also want to consider a rife machine &/or a LL ND (naturopathic doctor) at this point after checking in with your previous LLMD.
Good luck. Take good care. -
[ 02-07-2015, 06:05 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
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Keebler
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Member # 12673
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