posted
We talked on another thread a bit but I thought this was important enough for its own. Are antidepressants a good or bad thing for Lyme - specificially dealing with brain fog and anxiety?
For me, brain fog creates tremendous anxiety. I'd rather have any physical ailment over brain fog - the confusion creates unreal stress and leads to insomnia for me. Six years into this, I need something to help for sure!
I've taken GABA, l-theanine, 5-HTP...little if any help.
Posts: 81 | From Southern Ontario | Registered: Jul 2016
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posted
I take an anti depressant and it has helped tremendously with lyme and co anxiety.
When I first treated years ago, I went on it. I didn't want to but it was the best thing I did for me. As treatment progressed, I weaned off.
I'm now in a relapse and back on anti-depressants. It really helps me to control anxiety when I herx.
Like you, I had tried all of the supplements and they just didn't work enough for me
Posts: 88 | From new england | Registered: Oct 2016
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posted
I also take an antidepressant. I found out pretty quickly that seratonin based antidepressants made things worse. I'm on wellbutrin--low dose.
I had to take care of myself mentally so I could go through this process. Everyone has a different opinion.
Do what you feel is best for you.
Posts: 798 | From Cincinnati, OH | Registered: Jul 2016
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sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
Early in my Lyme treatment I took an antidepressant that also helped with pain and sleep. It helped me to be able to think more clearly. Also helped to relieve and reduce the severity of some of my cognitive symptoms.
More recently, I've taken Buspar. It is a mild antidepressant with primary anti-anxiety action. It also helped with my brain fog and such like the one previously.
Both meds were prescribed by my LLMD. They were both helpful when I needed them. When symptoms changed and they were no longer needed, my doctor helped me to gradually stop them without difficulty.
If symptoms and my life situation changed again, I would readily take one of these medications again.
Life is hard enough without the extra stress of brain chemistry imbalances from Lyme.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
Here is a quote from "The Lyme Disease Solution" :
"The short-term use of prescription medications and/or natural therapies can be very helpful in treating depression and should not be overlooked as part of a comprehensive treatment approach for lyme and other TBD patients. Additionally, depression is a major suppressor of the immune system and, as I explained in chapter 4, unless immune function is fully restored, healing lyme/TBD patients is extremely difficult, if not impossible." (p. 366)
So, this tells you WHY you must treat the anxiety/depression in order to help you get rid of the lyme and TBDs.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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posted
Because Ontario doesn't recognize the existence of Chronic Lyme, I can't get an antidepressant prescription. Wow, nothing like living in a place that refuses to recognize your condition. Time to move....
Posts: 81 | From Southern Ontario | Registered: Jul 2016
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beaches
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 38251
posted
I think you need to do what helps. Antidepressants and anti-anxiety meds certainly have their place and there should be no shame in taking them.
Lymeandceliac, go to a psychiatrist. Your need for an antodepressant doesn't depend on a Lyme dx.
Posts: 1885 | From here | Registered: Jul 2012
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