First off....I'm not a newbie. I have been a member on Lymenet before. I had a hard time finding any of my old posts, so I had to rejoin the forum. Same name daybyday. I've seen llmd Dr. C and was orally treated in 2001-2003. I pleateaued and dealt with symptoms since then. I believe the flare up of my symptoms now are due to stress. My hubby had a TBI after ATV accident Halloween last year. It has been a very emotional journey for me during his recovery (which is slow but steady). I try to stay strong but I'm breaking down and my Lyme symptoms are flaring up, expecially the neuro symptoms. My M.D. wants to start me on antidepressants. I agree I may need something to help me pull through the tough times. Is it a bad idea?
Posted by coltman (Member # 21272) on :
Antidepressants have a lot of unresesearched effects, some of them could be positive ,some of them not so much. Imho it is basically a gamble - nobody can explain how they really work for mood and their effects on other systems could be signifcant. You can try to see if they make you better
Posted by gwb (Member # 7273) on :
A friend of mine who has Lyme was prescribed Wellbutrin by his LLMD. He took it for one year and did very well with it. He's off of it and he had no problems getting off of it like some people do on other antidepressants.
His LLMD told him that his philosophy is that it helps people to heal their lyme better when they are feeling better mentally and emotionally. For my friend it really did seem to help him.
I'm not saying whether or not it's a good thing for you or not--I don't know. But if your LLMD suggests it then I think it should be OK. I would check with your LLMD first before doing it. Just my opinion.
Gary
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Are you taking adrenal support (Cordyceps, B-5, etc)? Magnesium? Fish oil? SAMe? Vitamin D3?
I'd try all those first. Here are some articles about natural suggestions to support and feed/nourish your central nervous system - as well as some that highlight research on antidepressants:
Dark Chocolate keeps me alive. One once of 73% - 84% a day is all I need to keep my mood stable. -
[ 09-23-2009, 04:04 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posted by sutherngrl (Member # 16270) on :
I have horrible reactions to antidepressants. Have tried many different ones. They make me more depressed for some reason.
I do best taking Xanax, which relaxes me and helps fend off depression. Note that I do not promote either of these types of medications; but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.
We are all different, and many ppl do well with antidepressants. I would say that if you feel very depressed you might at least try one and see; but if you can get away without one, that would be my suggestion.
If any way around it, I would prefer not messing around with the brain chemicals.
Posted by cherilou57 (Member # 20855) on :
I take lexapro and have no problems with it, in fact I don't know what I would do without it. It has been a lifesaver.
Posted by pab (Member # 904) on :
You could do a trial of the antidepressants.
Posted by Cass A (Member # 11134) on :
Since Dr. K recently found that 80% of his Lyme patients have KPU, and KPU CAUSES psychiatric problems, I would definitely look into taking those supplements (and possibly some B Complex) before going onto antidepressants!
Do a search for KPU here, and you'll get plenty of data, including the exact supplements in a slide presentation from Dr. K that Scott has posted here at Lymenet.
Hope this helps!
Best,
Cass A
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
day by day,
if you edit your long post into short paragraphs, we neuro lyme folks will be able to comprehend and read; then we'll try to help you. Posted by MY3BOYS (Member # 17830) on :
ok, the flag this triggers for me is what you are going through sounds like may be situational?? situational vs. chronic depression
for antideppressants to be used, generally they are best for chronic depression..
now, some antidepressant have other uses such as for neuropathy, smoking cessation, etc.
so, what you are going through is a "this is hard now but, ok- i am coping through it and just stressed" or is more like:
affecting you in a daily, dont want to get up, dont engage with family or friends, flat affect, etc....then rx antideppresants may be what you need.
they can be hard to come off of.
what about trying at least few alternatives first?? like, prayer time, meditation, yoga is very good for stress (be amazed at how much that really can help), acupuncture is also great alternative....
having pharmocology knowlege- i would recommend alternative things regularly for at least 3 wk of using those steadily then re-eval your situtation...keep little journal, jot down emotions/symptoms and be able to compare.
best of luck !!
Posted by Cindy Ss (Member # 20797) on :
ARe you going to go back to Dr. C? Do you think you may need to be in treatment again?
I am beginning to agree with Gary and my local PC also told me that I may need to just take something to take the worries away so my body can heal.
I tried all the natural stuff and couldn't get the dosage right due to not knowing what is off in my chemistry from this disease.
I too am on Xanax but take 3 times aday .50mg but sometimes it doesn't work. My local PC added Buspar to my day, it seems to be working well for anxiety but have developed some kidney area pain and liver pain. LLMD thought it was from my Zithromax dosage adjustment. (I was trying to take higher dose).
I think my mind would be healtheir if I took something to take my mind off the worries of this disease due to the mind being a big part of things.
Mental healing is important from what I have read in Lyme books. If you can't heal on your own maybe prescription help (short term) would help. I am considering it soon also.
HOpe you get better...
CIndy
Posted by daybyday (Member # 22503) on :
situational vs. chronic?
This is hard to determine. Every year I go through a winter depression and I cope, when warm days come I snap right out of it.
I've never been this bad. I'm snappy, crying, my body hurts, my palsy's back.
I've spent the past 20 years with my hubby, I feel like I mourn every day. He is alive thank GOD but he's not the same man he was before...
I've spent the past 11 months without a day's rest caring for him and helping him try to regain his abilities.
I've also had to help my son cope through losing the father he had and learning to accept the way he is now.
There has been no time for me to think about myself. Now I feel that if I don't get some help I won't be able to care for my family.
So determining if it's situational or chronic is a hard judgement to make.
As for another trip to see DR. C. I wish I lived closer and I would be at his office right now. Im in northern Il. and he's in southern Mo.
depression causing Lyme flare up, or Lyme causing depression? Very confusing.
I'm starting a 7 day detox today, hoping it'll help me feel better.
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