I want to recommend an alternative: I take L-Tyrosine and I really think it's the best natural antidepressant.
Posts: 929 | From Massachusetts | Registered: Oct 2007
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lymeloco
Unregistered
posted
I had the brain lesions before I went on antidepressants.
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posted
For me, omega-3 are a great alternative to antidepressants.
I take 2 gelcaps/day--each contains 400mg EPA and 200mg DHA.
Posts: 209 | From Montreal, QC, CAN | Registered: Jan 2008
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Cass A
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11134
posted
Wow! How scary!
As for alternatives, the most recommended (with research back-up to show it works) is exercize. I know Lymies are going to roll their eyes on that one!!!
Maybe a walk around the block? To the end of the block and back?
B complex and B 1 (in particular) help me when my moods are down.
Best,
Cass A
ps--I have white matter lesions in my brain from Lyme--sure wouldn't want to make them worse by taking any SSRIs!
Posts: 1245 | From Thousand Oaks, CA | Registered: Feb 2007
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Shosty
Unregistered
posted
Taking a very low dose of an SSRI has saved my daughter's life. I read all kinds of scary information about these meds online, and I am glad my daughter (who is over 18) persisted w/her own decisions.
Withdrawal from these meds if a real problem, however, so people should take the lowest dose possible, and taper very slowly when they try to go off.
I don't know what the future holds, but our daughter is able to go to college and is thriving on 1/8 of a normal low dose. There always needs to be some balance on these issues, and we all make "cost/benefit" decisions on our health.
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seekhelp
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 15067
posted
Yeah, I will roll my eyes a little. Can you walk when your legs clamp up every time you do anything? Exercise is such an easy recommendation when one is not physically limited from doing it.
QUOTE]Originally posted by Cass A: Wow! How scary!
As for alternatives, the most recommended (with research back-up to show it works) is exercize. I know Lymies are going to roll their eyes on that one!!!
Maybe a walk around the block? To the end of the block and back?
B complex and B 1 (in particular) help me when my moods are down.
Best,
Cass A
ps--I have white matter lesions in my brain from Lyme--sure wouldn't want to make them worse by taking any SSRIs! [/QUOTE]
Posts: 7545 | From The 5th Dimension - The Twilight Zone | Registered: Mar 2008
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feelfit
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12770
posted
me.
I don't take them anymore, but before for several years at a time.
SPECT is clear.
Posts: 3975 | From usa | Registered: Aug 2007
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feelfit
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12770
posted
I took SSRI's though, not tri-cyclics
Posts: 3975 | From usa | Registered: Aug 2007
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posted
Please note that it says it's possible that the lesions are caused by whatever is causing the depression, which I think is very likely.
I know people love to diss those who take antidepressants, but the fact is that for many of us they have been lifesavers and we will never know how many unnecessary suicides there have been because people were afraid or ashamed to take the medications that could help.
My depression did not get well from exercise (which I had always gotten plenty of.
It did not get well from prayer, meditation, yoga, vitamins, supplements like omega 3s. I wish it had! I still do all of those things, by the way.
Wellbutrin, for me, was the one thing that made it possible to take care of myself and my family.
Discouraging people who need them from taking antidepressants is like playing Russian roulette with the gun at someone else's head. My opinion, and I have nothing to do with any pharmaceutical compnay.
-------------------- Just because it' s not nice doesn' t mean it' s not miraculous. --Terry Pratchett Posts: 121 | From Nazareth, PA | Registered: May 2008
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adamm
Unregistered
posted
My apologies--it was inappropriate for me to recommend that those on them simply stop taking them (I never meant to pass judgement on those who use them, BTW.) I'll let those who see the study react to it they choose to.
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kelmo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8797
posted
Thanks, Adamm. I was just about to post something along the lines of what nwisser posted.
I think studies are sometimes just a way for someone to get a paper published.
For me, I have white lesions on my brain. The neurologist I went to said it looked like I had strokes, but he bet it was due to an infection. My daughter had white spots. They have healed during two years of treatment.
Bingo! I have lots going on in my body, and this explained my depressive episodes.
I have read some studies that antidepressants are actually helpful in combating this disease.
All I know from personal experience is that my daughter and I would be dead without them. I was hours away from doing myself in, had asked for help, and it came in my eleventh hour.
I had to sit with my daughter 24/7 until she could get in to see a doctor who would help her.
SSRIs saved us. She hopes to be off of them. But, I never want to go back there, so I'm staying on.
I also believe that the bacteria will infect the weakest areas of our body. My family is predisposed to mental health issues. So, that's one place we were hit.
Thank you for always doing research to help us. Everyone is on a very specific journey with regard to their disease and treatment. This article may help someone. I just wanted to be an advocate to those who really need the meds.
posted
Maybe my tone was excessively strident. I'm sorry--it's probably in reaction to seeing stuff against antidepressants on many forums, and I shouldn't have taken it all out on you.
Information is good. We just have to be careful when we're deciding what it means.
-------------------- Just because it' s not nice doesn' t mean it' s not miraculous. --Terry Pratchett Posts: 121 | From Nazareth, PA | Registered: May 2008
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