Has anyone been on antidepressants while treating Lyme. Mine is getting quite bad and I'm not sure I can make it through treatment with flares so often. I was wondering if anyone had experience with dealing with depression while treating lyme.
Thanks, H
Posted by foxy loxy (Member # 47053) on :
Nothing wrong with an antidepressant if you need it. I had a friend who took it for a year till she got better.
It may be a nice Band-Aid till you get the infection under control, but this is only my opinion of course.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- If you have any kinds of fluorescent lights, you might switch those out to a warm LED.
First, consider nutrient deficiencies that are so common with depression:
LIVER & KIDNEY SUPPORT & and several HERXHEIMER support links, too.
Consider the fact that GLUTEN can be a root cause of depression, too. When I went gluten free my mood was so much better than with any of the antidepressants that had made me much worse (my body can't handle such chemicals).
Excitotoxins; MSG; Aspartame; & "Natural" Flavors (that are not likely natural at all). -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Do you have enough good lipids on board? Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Hemp seed oil, Fish Oil (from good source, be sure of source) . . .
Your good fats are key to a decent mood. And enough good protein and lots of complex carbs from veggies of all colors. The colors in veggies can help so much with our mental health.
Avoiding bad / old / overly heated fats is also key. Even with nuts, be sure they are raw, not "roasted" - unless you do that yourself right before enjoying them at home. Once heated, the oils become rancid and clog the blood vessels. Depression is just one possible result.
If you consume any processed foods, look at the labels and be sure they are ZERO in trans fats. -
Posted by HW88 (Member # 48309) on :
WOW, Thank you everyone. Unfortunately eat is very hard for me. The lyme attacked the vagus nerve that tells my stomach to pump and so I deal with gastroparesis as well.
I eat a lot of coconut oil to try and get my good fats as well as fish oil supplement. I'm taking probiotics and eating sauerkraut.
My LLMD gave me a good multivitamin with SOOO much in it, but I wonder how much my body absorbs.
The depression flares mostly around my period, but my period is every 21 days, so if feels like it's a lot.
I've only been on antibiotics for a little over a month. I've seen some improvement in some areas, but still suffer so much in many ways.
Hoping each month gets better. I just know I won't make it if I have to keep dealing with debilitating depression every 2 weeks.
Thank you for all the suggestions. Thank you for responding. I really appreciate the suggestions and help.
I'm going to try to up my fruits and veggies and see if that helps. THANK YOU!
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Dong Quai is an excellent herb for the kinds of menstrual difficulties you describe. Liver support is also essential to good menstrual health. If the liver is taxed, menstruation is usually much harsher in many ways, including mood.
I can't read the rest of your post, just managed to see that part.
Many here can't read solid test. If you want more replies, you can use the edit icon (tiny paper and pencil) and add in some breathing room for the eyes and brain. You will get more replies if your audience can read your questions.
Three or four lines as the max for a finished paragraph is best. That's about 5-6 lines in the compose mode. You can use the edit icon to go back and forth as you like.
And, for each new thought, question or issue, a new paragraph. That way, stuff won't get lost or buried. -
Posted by HW88 (Member # 48309) on :
Keebler, how long were you off gluten before you could tell a difference?
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Some basics, although it would be best to consult a naturopathic doctor or herbalist and one who is lyme literate as lyme does complicate all this.
Humans have long been using herbs to regulate mentruation, relieve cramps and ease birth. Find out what herbs could help you with your own menstrual complaints.
By Steven Foster - Mother Earth Living - June / July 1997 -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Q: " how long were you off gluten before you could tell a difference?"
Regarding brain fog / mood, probably a week or two. Regarding overall body pain, it took a little longer but I could tell I was on the right track. -
Posted by HW88 (Member # 48309) on :
Thank you so much!
Posted by HW88 (Member # 48309) on :
foxy loxy, do you know which antidepressant? I've heard some are better than others when it comes to lyme and how it responds.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Consider as you explore any Rx -
A post by LymeToo a couple weeks ago, led to all this:
Partial list of Fluorinated Antidepressants -
Posted by HW88 (Member # 48309) on :
Thank you! I will definitely weigh everything out.
Posted by bluelyme (Member # 47170) on :
You may want to try st johns and l dopa ,inositol and lithium orate before resorting to ssri...but i could use some trazadones or alazoprams ...
also kava ,ashgwanda ,holy basil and hops ,passion flower ..there is a supp called happy camper ..just ideas
Posted by SLH516 (Member # 48060) on :
Which antidepressant works is very individual and sometimes takes some trial and error.
Maybe someone can comment on which coinfection(s) have a 2-week cycle? Perhaps that's the/a reason for HW88's cyclical every-two-weeks depression?
Posted by high brix (Member # 23676) on :
My crushing, cyclical episodes of anxiety and depression had little connection to the external events in my life. I was fine one minute and the next I was in despair. There were no situational triggers that I could see. It was like someone kept secretly flipping a switch. I would have bouts of crying during these episodes. The anxiety/depression sometimes lasted hours and at other times days. This went on for several years. For me, there were underlying biochemical reasons. Supporting the methylation cycle was key. Sub-lingual methylcobalamin B12 was a life saver for me. For more information about the Active B12 Protocol: www.howirecovered.com/active-b12-therapy-faq Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- high brix, thanks for that very important detail about B12 deficiency. Along that line:
Some other considerations regarding nutritional avenues, too. -
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I would stay away from SSRI's.
Posted by foxy loxy (Member # 47053) on :
HW88, She took Lexapro and said it helped her so much. She then went off it and has been fine.
I wouldn't make an SSRI my first choice, but it lyme treatment isn't helping it then I bet I would.
Posted by HW88 (Member # 48309) on :
WOW, thank you everyone. I'm trying to weigh my options. Right now the depression/anxiety/insomnia are more than I can handle and continue with treatment.
I started Mino first and it threw me into a VERY bad place.
I was switched to Ceftin, which I've had good days on, but continue to cycle to bad places.
I'm afraid if I don't treat the depression/anxiety/insomnia, I won't make it through treatment at all.
Lots of options. Thank you so much for responding. It's nice to know others understand how hard this is.
Posted by me (Member # 45475) on :
I get the feeling based on your last post that you are in a lot of pain (emotionally), and I'm so terribly sorry.
It certainly doesn't hurt to go to a psychiatrist and get an opinion. Some people do need meds for depression, anxiety, etc. to get through this, and that's okay.
Posted by HW88 (Member # 48309) on :
Me, thank you for your sympathy. I'm glad I found this site. It's nice to know others understand.