I'm on Mepron and an antibiotic. It's been a few weeks.
I've been finding myself increasingly depressed. Today is horrible. I can barely stand to be in my own skin. I'm depressed, discouraged, feel absolutely hopeless about getting better, and tearful.
Is this normal? What can I do to stop it?
Posted by lea (Member # 15593) on :
I also just started treating babs. My doctor warned me to watch for depression, especially since it has been a problem for me in the past.
I would call your doctor and see what he/she says.
Posted by AliG (Member # 9734) on :
Yes Babs Tx can cause it.
Maybe you can take some Holy Basil(Tulsi)?
Drink plenty of water with lemon and get plenty of rest.
If it's been a few weeks though, you may be getting close to some relief from the depression.
A call to the LLMD couldn't hurt.
Posted by Hoosiers51 (Member # 15759) on :
Yes, it can.
I just rode through it, unfortunately. Just try to do anything you can to make yourself happy (within reason).....whatever it is. If that means buying 20 gossip magazines and sitting on your butt all day but you're happy, just do whatever will get you through it. Try to get out some though, even if it's just to do a lap around Walmart. (obviously these are the things "I" choose to do when I'm depressed).
That may not work for you though, so you could maybe think about an SSRI, but honestly, hopefully this will pass.....I would think going on another drug isn't worth it.
If you live with anyone, just informing your family,etc that you are going through unhappiness and they need to be "extra nice" to you sometimes helps. I hope others are understanding.
It is tough, but it will pass as the Mepron begins to work. It may take awhile though.
I also notice my depression gets much worse the week before my period, or during my period. "I'll be like, 'why do I wish I was dead? ohhhh....I'm only a few days away.'"
(If you are suicidal, however, that is a different issue and should be dealt with immediately by professionals.)
Good luck!
Posted by iluvcarpinteria (Member # 17104) on :
I tried calling my LLMD but he's out of the office til Monday.
Thank you for your replies. I have felt depression before but this is pretty bad.
hoosiers51-thank you. I actually would like to read the gossip magazines.
I'm going to try to motivate myself to get out the door.
Hubby is away for the weekend but I have good neighbors.
I also feel like I weigh a ton. My brain fog is bad.
I thought I was going to escape the herx. I had a hysterectomy years ago but I think it would normally be around my cycle.
Given how badly I feel I would consider going on an SSRI but I would rather not add another pill especially if this is going to ease up.
I can tolerate a lot but this is rough.
How long does this last?
I think I'm really needing to know I'm not alone, on the right path, and will get better.
Posted by Hoosiers51 (Member # 15759) on :
How long have you been on the Mepron?
For me it starts hitting hard in the third week, and then it will last a few days. After that, it will just sort of fluctuate, and varies person to person with how often it comes and goes. I will sometimes have 2 week gaps in between with depression.
I would guess some people's depression also just peaks, then slowly gets better.
The first time I treated with Mepron, I did 3 months. When I went off, my symptoms improved.
I relapsed a year and a half later and we weren't sure what infection it was, so I'm back on it now. The depression isn't as bad this time around, so I think the Mepron took care of a lot of it.
I believe Mepron does work, but it can be the pits for a few months, if not longer (I have heard some people said they were on it 8 months until the symptoms broke!) But for me I usually see improvement by month 3. I would stay on it for at least 4 months though.
For those who feel crummy on it, it can be hard to "go through" but worth it in the end!!!! So keep on going....we are here for you!
My husband was recently out of town for 3 weeks! My mom came and visited for a week, but it was hard. I basically just went out at night and walked around grocery stores just for a change of scenery. I got addicted to certain TV shows, like stuff on Bravo and Food Network. You will get through it!
When you are done you will be a stronger person.....it is all just temporary.
Good luck!
Posted by iluvcarpinteria (Member # 17104) on :
hoosier51-I've been on Mepron just over 3 weeks. What you wrote has really helped.
It's such a weird feeling. This depression feels like it will never end. I also feel very thickheaded and kind of dizzy or off balance.
I need to get some milk at the store. While I'm there I could pick up some good magazines.
This babesia has left me without a life. I've been stripped bare of everything.
If I know this will pass and that I can have my life back it will be worth it.
How did you manage 3 weeks without your husband?
I'm lucky in that mine is very supportive though I think at times gets a little frustrated with all of this. Especially since he has to do all the grocery shopping (I can do small shopping) for the past year.
I felt like I was making a little bit of progress until today-then wham!
I'm just praying that this depression will ease up in a couple days.
Posted by AliG (Member # 9734) on :
If I remember correctly, I don't think I was able to even stay out of bed my first round (21 days) on Mepron.
I was actually on the "antidepressant from hell" when I Txd Babs with Mepron and I don't know if that had anything to do with it. Effexor-XR gave me the most horrible side effects & WDR Sx if I was even slightly late with a dose.
When the Babs load came down, I felt better. I think it's common to go through periods where you feel that way during Tx.
When you have die-off & the toxins build up in your system it can wreak havoc on your head.
Take a nice big glass of lemon-water into a nice warm Epsom Salt bath with your magazines. You should hopefully emerge feeling a bit better.
This too shall pass.
Ali
Posted by kelmo (Member # 8797) on :
Yes...especially with mepron. My daughter didn't smile for almost 8 months.
Posted by tickbattler (Member # 14873) on :
kelmo - how is your daughter doing now? How old is she? What babs symptoms did she have? My 4 year old son just tested positive for babs and started treatment 3 days ago.
My son is visibily worse now after only 3 days and his headaches are really bad.
All- Do most of you have bad headaches from the babs? What are your worst symptoms besides the depression?
iluvcarpteria - hope you feel better soon. Definitely get the gossip mags...especially the ones showing the cellulite on all of the movie stars...that always helps me!
Thanks,
tickbattler
Posted by iluvcarpinteria (Member # 17104) on :
tickbattler and kelmo-my heart goes out to your kids. They shouldn't have to go through this. I'm sure it's heartbreaking for you.
tickbattler-I laughed at your note on the gossip magazines. It's so true! You wouldn't believe it. I made it to the store and felt pretty shaky in the store-dizzy. I bought the milk but forgot the magazines! lol!
I even stood there in line reading the titles!
Also, on my way to the store there was a sign (don't know why it was there at this time of day) saying DUI Check Ahead. I'm so glad there wasn't one. My gait is a little unsteady at times and I'm not sure I would have passed!
I hope your little one gets over this soon.
Posted by Vermont_Lymie (Member # 9780) on :
Yes, it is normal while treating babs. It got easier for me after the first two months.
Stopping the malarone (same ingredient as mepron) lifted it completely. It seems like a medication effect, perhaps more than or as much as a herx.
Posted by kelmo (Member # 8797) on :
I believe it did push my daughter ahead, but we didn't notice it while in the midst of it. She didn't get the lift some talk about. Her spine pain got too bad.
It can cause nausea, too. Make sure he takes it with a fat...opinions vary on how much.
We followed up mepron/zith with minocycline. VERY HARD at first, but she almost felt normal after a couple of months.
So sorry your little boy is going through this. give him a gentle hug.
Posted by D Bergy (Member # 9984) on :
Inflammation is a natural part of the immune system function. When it is fiercely fighting an illness it produces inflammation.
The inflammation in turn can cause anxiety and depression. Most any disease or procedure(vaccination)that produces inflammation is likely to produce this result.
This is why you often feel so bad mentally when you have the flu. It is not just the physical symptoms but the mental ones as well.
D Bergy
Posted by Dawn in VA (Member # 9693) on :
Mepron caused depression when I was on it. I did the 3 weeks on/1 week off business for 8 months and every time it would hit about the beginning of the second week "on".
Posted by djf2005 (Member # 11449) on :
look up the old "babs blues buddies" thread..
lots of depressed people on there
derek
Posted by abbyjo (Member # 16073) on :
Well I thought it was just me! I've been on it
four weeks and it feels like it's at it's peak,
hopefully! I have been indulging in gossip
mgazines as well!!! Thanks for all the support.
I pray all of you and your families have a
complete and swift recovery. I was daydreaming
today about winning the lottery and puting much
of it in research for cure. I think we will be
making some progress, let's keep invisioning
and believing because it CAN happen. Praying
doesn't hurt either! Much love to you all.
Posted by Cass A (Member # 11134) on :
My LLMD, WA in Santa Rosa, says that before he started using herbs first to treat Babs before putting people on Mepron he had a LOT of patients with serious emotional problems from Mepron.
Since he's started using herbs first, then Mepron, things have gone smoother.
This is what I did, and I had few serious moments of depression. I DID get cranky sometimes.....
Anywho, try taking more B vitamins, including B1. This can really help with emotional ups and downs while taking medications, as the medications really eat them up!!!!!!
Otherwise, you can PM me about the Dr. and the herbs.
Love,
Cass A
Posted by iluvcarpinteria (Member # 17104) on :
Though I'm sorry that others are suffering with this too, it's also a relief to know I'm on the right track.
I checked out the blues buddies thread. It was good to read.
The depression has eased considerably. Yesterday I had a pretty good day.
I'm so grateful for this board. It really helped me get through a frightening day on Friday.
Thank you all...
Posted by toby67 (Member # 17143) on :
isn't is awesome when someone else gets what's going on?
i almost committed suicide during the mepron - everything was a black hole
i didn't think i would ever laugh again, or dance, or even smile - any pleasure felt too far away from what i had become.
i always had depression and mood swings, been on low dose prozac for years, but what happened on mepron was new.
i had to back off the mep, but i've heard it stays in your system for a long time...
i still fear my safety during a herx, but i have a great hubby he understands and supports and he watches me pretty closely until it passes.
i also tested positive for barts and i hear that'll cause hostility and hopelessness too...
good luck
Posted by Kerryblue (Member # 4077) on :
Hi, Have not been on net for awhile. IMHO> Something with us & antidepressants. Some are able to take maybe because depressed prior. No Sure. Just noticed when able to work at pain clinic, including myself.Effexor NO Words How horrible 3 days were on 1 pill. Some swear on it.The yrs, ago Elavil Drs. said was cure trying to prove all we have is depression. RIGHT? For some reason even though most of suffer firm what called 2cd dairy depression do to illness, lives destroyed. Loneliness handling this alone with most Dr`s plus fam. friends work, loss many sports some do.+++ We had more neg. effects from anti-depressants appear not to work very well even when 1st work then 3 mo. later, of NO Value. From my experience there Found anti-depressant do not work. Especially if in chronic pain/ opioids seem to work better. Remember we do most everything totally diff. than normals. Take Care, pain meds if you have chronic pain appear to work better/ or even anxiety-meds. Especially if you suffer with ALS & Insomnia Kerry
Posted by Rianna (Member # 11038) on :
[QUOTE]Originally posted by iluvcarpinteria: I've been finding myself increasingly depressed. Today is horrible. I can barely stand to be in my own skin. I'm depressed, discouraged, feel absolutely hopeless about getting better, and tearful.
______________________________________________
I have just found this post and you would have though I had written it, I am so sorry you fell/felt like this but am so pleased you say this as Im on Malarone and the same is happening to me - 6th week and its terrible.
![[group hug]](graemlins/grouphug.gif)