Are there any tests for depression? if not what are the symptoms. My wife started Mepron and added some others on last Friday and she is very irritable, angry, shortness of breath,spacy/feeling lost, not interested in anything, fatigue and anxiety. Does these symptoms go away at all?
Posted by seekhelp (Member # 15067) on :
That's not depression. Well it could be. I've waited 3+ years for those to go away. They don't. I have Babesia.
Posted by wifegotlyme (Member # 27578) on :
She is getting treatment for Babesia I think, because the new abx she started are "Mepron, BactrimDS, Ceftin and Probenecid". seekhelp, Did you see any improvment in your symptoms with Babesia treatment? So are these symptoms are Bab, but may be Depression? That's hard to undrstand.
Are there any tests for depression? Thanks, Sai.
Posted by sutherngrl (Member # 16270) on :
It could very well be depression, as lyme disease affects the brain.
Not sure if many doctors use test to test for depression. It is usually a clinical diagnosis.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
---NOT ANY TESTS that I know of... get her to her doctor
Posted by wifegotlyme (Member # 27578) on :
Lymetoo, Thanks for the reminder. I read that post before,yet I read it now and listed that applies to my wife.I am really not sure what this depression and out of body felling is.
Depression? Down Hopeless Helpless Dragging No motivation No emotions Out of body feeling: Not sure what it means. Can anyone clarify plz. Not in touch with self
Thank you, Sai.
Posted by 5vforest (Member # 29365) on :
I think neurotransmitter levels can be tested. I don't really see why anyone would want to.
If you're looking to try an antidepressant, doctors dole them out like candy. She can try taking it for a month and see if it helps.
Antidepressants were of no use to me personally, but there are others on the board with whom they've helped.
Posted by seekhelp (Member # 15067) on :
Wifegotlyme, I'm not sure if Babesia is the cause and honestly nothing I've done treatment wise has helped.
There absolutely is no test for depression from a medical perspective as SG stated. It's a clinical diagnosis.
Mepron certainly can cause these issues though and it can be deadly serious. If things get bad, she should call her doctor and maybe stop the meds for a week or whatever it takes.
Babesia causes brain issues so it's logical.
I can relate to these symptoms on your list:
Down Dragging No motivation No emotions
I hate it, but many here who seem to try anti-depressants don't seem to get in the state I'd want to be anyways. I don't know what to make of it.
I wish her the best. Yeah anyone can get an anti-depressant in 2 min. Just go into your PCP and talk about Lyme/coinfections. Posted by wifegotlyme (Member # 27578) on :
Thank you guys. My wife is not a big fan of antidepressnats, but her doctor gave her months back. She told him that she does not want to try it, because she want to address the cause/disease first.Her LLMD was fine with that.
Ok, if this depression is because of Mepron, does it stay as long as my wife uses Mepron?
Since starting Mepron, she increased her Fish oil intake, I guess. Can she do something to imrpove her mood with supplements or herbs. Thank you, Sai.
Posted by karenl (Member # 17753) on :
They can test the serotonin level in the blood. It is a test at Quest or Labcorp. My level was ok.
I think she is not feeling well because she is so sick, has nothing to do with depression.
Try to support her and create happy moments so she does not forget that life can also be great. Sometimes we even forget how happiness feels - after years of disease.
Never give up, I am doing better after many years.
Posted by seekhelp (Member # 15067) on :
Karenl, that blood serotonin level is useless in the depression aspect. it's measuring stomach serotonin, not brain levels. A brain biopsy would be the only way to get a true test and even then there are no 'normal ranges.' The blood serotonin test is basically a cancer marker (endocrine tumor) detection tool if elevated significantly.
Posted by Cass A (Member # 11134) on :
Give your wife support to stay off psychiatric drugs!! They have many, many more adverse effects than she is experiencing now!! Just read ONE of the package inserts of one of the drugs. Adverse reactions can include suicide, homicidal rages, etc. They USUALLY include brain shrinkage, heart problems, and higher risk of diabetes, just as examples.
There ARE no tests for "depression," as it is not an actual medical disease, but a list of symptoms with a label put on it to increase drug sales and income to the psychiatric industry.
The advice from karenl is much better.
I was on Mepron/Zith for about 10 months. Spotting that mood shifts are from the drug can help, in itself. A dosage change might help--talking with her LLMD about that would be the most appropriate.
For me, B vitamins, including B-Complex and B-1, seemed to help ease the "down" feelings off a bit.
Best,
Cass A
Posted by 365SunnyDays (Member # 29969) on :
Apparently there is a blood test for Serotonin levels, which can cause depression if too low. Learned that from a new doctor yesterday.
Posted by BoxerMom (Member # 25251) on :
I was like this on Mepron. It is far, far beyond depression.
Please do as suggested in the Mepron Blues thread. Stop the med for a few days, and when these symptoms resolve, start it up again.
Many patients report that this takes care of the major symptoms.
If not, detox!!!! Epsom salt baths, lemon water, binders, lymphatic drainage.
And please tell your wife to consider the antidepressants. It's not just about managing the symptoms. The body needs appropriate levels of neurotransmitters, just like all other biochemical molecules.
Posted by 365SunnyDays (Member # 29969) on :
Sorry, should have read more above. If the serotonin blood test does not show what's going on in the brain, what's the point of the test?
Posted by seekhelp (Member # 15067) on :
I'm sorry, but I don't agree with this comment at all. No such thing as depression? C'mon. Not everyone who gets mentally down has Lyme, TBIs, or any other illness. Sometimes life just gets damn difficult and knocks you out.
This is a thin line Cass. For some here, these drugs saved their life. I don't take them personally and I know there's risks, but there are two sides to the story - not just the evil, evil drug manufacturers.
quote:Originally posted by Cass A:
There ARE no tests for "depression," as it is not an actual medical disease, but a list of symptoms with a label put on it to increase drug sales and income to the psychiatric industry.
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I have Babesia.
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