posted
For background info, I have three severe physical illnesses (lyme disease, dysautonomia, and a Chiari malformation), which in combination often incapacite me. Today, however, I'm on Percocet, so I'm not physically suffering right now. However, for the past three days I've been incapcitated with emotional pain. My doctor says it's from the Lyme. If it matters, I personally think that this black hole was triggered by hearing from the man I love that he doesn't love me anymore.
Reguardless of the cause, I CAN'T be emotionally incapacitated, as I MUST work to provide for my kids, and I MUST continue to take care of them. I'm a single mom. No, I'm not suicidal, but the pain is still crippling. Yes, I do have something to help with the depression, namely Celexa, but I refuse to take the drug, as all any SSRI does for me is take me from depression straight into a panic attack, which for me is even worse. I've been bedridden for three days now. The trazodone I'm on for sleep zaps the last bit of energy I have right out of me, but I just can't get myself through the withdrawal to discontinue it. My physical illness is extremely challenging, but for the moment, it's not what's keeping me in bed; it's the emotional pain.
I'm not looking for a way to avoid my feelings, but rather for a way to function despite them. Over the past year I've often been crippled with either depression or anxiety to the point that I could not MOVE; however, I've had enough savings to get by on that I didn't have to work. Now my savings have dried up, and I HAVE TO start back to work tomorrow in order to provide for my kids. Furthermore, I HAVE TO go pick up my kids from their after school care every day no matter how deep this black hole is. I have no family in state to pick them up for me, and I'm much too sick to go out and make friends (who could help in times of need). I MUST work, and I MUST take care of my children, but right now I CAN'T do either.
HELP! I'm sure there are others on this board who have learned to function through the depths of despair and anxiety that I so often experience. Lyme attacks not just our physical health, but our emotional health too. Please share with me how!!! I need your help right away. Thank you for reading this book, and thank you for any feedback. God bless you!
-------------------- Ellen _ _ ___________ _ _ lyme disease dysautonomia Chiari malformation anxiety Posts: 72 | From Birmingham, AL | Registered: Dec 2013
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payne
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 26248
posted
we need a venting thread here... Yes, Ellen with understanding and compassion we enjoy your share.. keep up the good fight and may The Lord asign a special Angel to be near you this Holiday.. The Angel of BRIGHTNESS upon you !
-------------------- TULAREMIA/rabbit fever ? Posts: 1931 | From mid-michigan | Registered: Jun 2010
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posted
Thank you, payne. That was so very kind. You by chance a Christian? I am, and I couldn't live without my faith. I don't know how anyone can.
-------------------- Ellen _ _ ___________ _ _ lyme disease dysautonomia Chiari malformation anxiety Posts: 72 | From Birmingham, AL | Registered: Dec 2013
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desertwind
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posted
Hello Ellen; I too have Chiari Malformation and have undergone 3 separate neurological surgeries over the past 3 years to help correct this condition. Each surgery required steroids and sent me further into the depths of lyme.
I feel fortunate that for the most part I am functioning close to 95%.
As far as the depression that follows any chronic /long term illness. Having these conditions is an everyday challenge and I think we need to find what works for us as individuals.
There certainly are times that we NEED medications for pain and other evils of lyme. Those meds in and of themselves have a wide range of side effects which can directly effect our mood. It is a catch 22....Rebound anxiety and depression is very common with certain medications.
What has helped me is to find a way to stay connected into my "healthy self". For instance after my surgeries the only thing I could do was get up, get dressed and put my running shoes on. But just having my normal clothes on and my running shoes helped to remind me that I was/am more then a Chiari patient or someone with Lyme. I tried my best to at least sit outside everyday and breath in fresh air. Simple little things that reminded me of who I am and that would make my soul smile.
I needed to re-frame the way I thought about my situation. A certain degree of acceptance without giving up hope. I have come to realize that I will always have chiari and probably always have lyme to some degree. I don't get overly excited about the good days and I don't get overly sad about the bad days because things do tend to change....From good to bad and from bad to good. I have given up on the ideal of a finish line and try to keep the mind set of a journey instead.
I try to find a balance between embracing my condition /symptoms and not over-identifying with the fact that I have lyme and chiari. It is a delicate balance but find that once I find that balance I feel much better.
Also getting back to work was a brilliant distraction for me. Ironically, I work as a Clinical Psychologist so when my focus was on others sufferings I was less aware of my own.
I wish I had more ideas for you but hope that you can find peace in your faith and those things that connect you to that healthy part of you.
Posts: 1671 | From Tick Infested New Jersey | Registered: Apr 2010
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steve1906
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posted
Ellen, I'm so sorry you're going through all this.
Depression/anxiety was always the worst for me too.
What really help me was exercise/walking etc. Try keeping busy - go to bed early - try not to stay in bed when you're feeling at your worst.
You're a good Mom, I know how hard it must be to do ALL this along, keep doing it for YOU and your KIDS!!!
Read this below....
Healing Depression in Lyme Disease
Throughout my healing journey from Lyme disease, I have found depression to be one of the most disabling and challenging symptoms to treat. Living in isolation and suffering from a myriad of symptoms, as many people with Lyme do, would depress anyone, but when you add that to the biochemical problems that Lyme causes in the brain, depression can become overwhelming.
Over the years, I have found that the usual solutions for treating depression have helped to mitigate my symptoms, but by themselves, have been insufficient.
Anti-depressants helped me through the roughest of patches while healing from Lyme, but they only partially compensated for a biochemistry that had gone madly awry. Addressing the lifestyle factors which contributed to the condition was also helpful, and strategies such as prayer, getting enough sunshine, exercise, and having supportive friends all had positive effects upon my mood. Yet because I had a million pathogens making holes in my brain and depleting my body of serotonin and other happiness-inducing neurotransmitters, even these strategies only took me so far.
About a year ago, while I was still taking antibiotics for Lyme disease (my doctor believes that my infections went into remission in November, 2010) my serotonin levels once again fell into the proverbial toilet. If 125-250 ng/ml is a normal range for serotonin on a blood test, my body was operating with levels that hovered around 30 ng/ml. My doctor thought it was a miracle that I was functional.
Ironically, I had taken about 150 mg of 5-HTP, a serotonin precursor, for about a year prior to having my neurotransmitter levels tested, so I had expected my serotonin levels to be higher. Even worse, when I began taking antibiotics, I started to react negatively to 5-HTP and other amino acids.
My doctor was perplexed. Because the antibiotics caused herxheimer reactions that made it difficult for me to sleep, I reluctantly began taking a low dose of amitryptilene, an anti-depressant drug, even though, five years into Lyme disease treatments, I was finally getting along fine without anti-depressant medication. In hindsight, I would never have started amitryptilene, because I have found it to be one of the most addictive drugs I have ever taken (even more so than benzodiazepenes).
I attempted to stop taking it last November, after I finished my antibiotic course, and my body fell apart in every which way possible, even though I took a full month to wean off a supposed low dose of the medication.
Further research has led me to conclude that anyone on amitryptilene and perhaps other anti-depressant drugs should wean off of them extremely slowly, or the body may crash into an even worse state than it was in previously. Contrary to what doctors may tell you, it can take six to nine months to successfully get off an even low dose of some anti-depressant medications.
Anti-depressants change the chemistry of the brain, so when you remove them, the brain must remember how to function without them, and it takes time for it to restructure its processes.
I don't think it's a good idea to take anti-depressants unless absolutely necessary, because of this factor, but I think they can be useful for people with Lyme, until their infections are treated and the brain has had a chance to heal. Because sometimes, the brain doesn't have enough neurotransmitter precursors or can't effectively synthesize them, until Lyme disease infections and other problems caused by Lyme are addressed.
For this reason, amino acids such as L-tryptophan or 5-HTP may be inadequate for treating depression in Lyme disease. Not to mention that depression in Lyme disease is caused in part by neurotoxins, such as heavy metals, which must be removed from the brain if it is to fully heal.
Complicating matters is the fact that 80% of people with Lyme disease also suffer from Kryptopyrolurria (KPU) (aka Hemopyrrollactamuria-HPU), a condition whereby the body doesn't effectively synthesize heme, and instead produces a mauve-like heme byproduct that binds to important minerals and carries them out of the body, resulting in severe mineral deficiencies.
Two of the depleted minerals in people with KPU are zinc and Vitamin B-6, both of which are necessary co-factors needed by the body to produce serotonin (one of the brain's key neurotransmitters responsible for mood and other functions) along with magnesium and Vitamin C. Without these, the body can't utilize 5-HTP or L-tryptophan, the amino acids from which serotonin is made.
Therefore, treating KPU with high doses of these minerals can enable the body to more effectively synthesize serotonin from 5-HTP and L-tryptophan. Furthermore, minerals liberate heavy metals from the brain, and when an effective heavy metal removal protocol is undertaken in conjunction with mineral supplementation, depression may be further alleviated as a result of removing these toxins from the brain.
Problems synthesizing serotonin and other neurotransmitters don't always end here, though. People who suffer from adrenal fatigue, which is many with Lyme disease, may not be able to effectively utilize Vitamin B-6 and produce serotonin from it.
Gerald Poesnecker, ND, in his book, "Chronic Fatigue Unmasked" discovered that when he gave his adrenally-fatigued patients Vitamin B-6 in the form of P-5-P, or pyridoxal phosphate, along with L-cystine (not L-cysteine), they were better able to synthesize serotonin. Therefore, taking 5-HTP, along with these two ingredients, may be helpful for some people.
The body may also fail to make serotonin and other happiness-inducing neurotransmitters when gut flora gets depleted by antibiotics. Since 80% of the body's serotonin is produced in the gut, an imbalance in its flora can cause problems with neurotransmitter synthesis; therefore, taking a probiotic containing multiple strains of baceteria may be another important step to healing depression.
Methylation problems also contribute to inefficient neurotransmitter synthesis. Doing a protocol for KPU may correct some problems of methylation, since methylation is dependent upon the presence of certain minerals, but supplementing with methyl donors may also be necessary. One of the principal methyl donors involved in neurotransmitter synthesis is SAMe.
SAMe can be taken as a supplement, although trimethylglycine also increases SAMe levels. Methionine is also an essential amino acid from which SAMe is made. Folic acid and cobalamin B-12 likewise support methylation, and N-acetyl-cysteine is amino acid that enhances the bioavailability of methionine.
Yet another remedy which may help to combat depression is St. John's Wort, an herb which contains hypericin, a substance that increases the concentration of serotonin in the central nervous system, and inhibits two enzymes responsible for its breakdown.
While taking nutrients is important for healing depression in Lyme disease, removing pathogens and toxins from the brain is just as important. Toxin removal may involve taking heavy metal chelators and binders such as cilantro, chlorella, alpha-lipoic acid, and DMSA, along with other binders such as apple pectin and activated charcoal. As heavy metals and Lyme neurotoxins get carried out of the brain, over time, the brain will heal.
Taking lithium orotate may also be helpful for treating depression in Lyme, as it protects the brain from the effects of Lyme neurotoxins, as may taking resveratrol, which increases microcirculation and therefore, brain function.
Other brain nutrients, such as omega-3 fish oils and phosphatidyl-choline, help to rebuild the brain after it has been damaged by Lyme disease, and over time, can help to improve mood and cognitive function. Maintaining an organic, gluten-free, dairy-free, and sugar-free diet high in complex carbohydrates and healthy fats, along with moderate amounts of animal protein, also helps provide the brain with the nutrients that it needs to function optimally.
The thyroid and adrenal glands also play a critical role in brain function and mood, so ensuring that these are functioning optimally (through strategies that I have mentioned in previous posts) is also important. Of course, as long as the body is fighting Lyme disease infections, the adrenal glands may be compromised, but supporting them is yet important.
As a side note, some people with Lyme disease produce antibodies to neurotransmitters and hormones. Where this is the case, homeopathic and bioenergetic remedies may reverse the problem. Deborah Metzger, MD, in Palo Alto, CA, develops remedies to reverse serotonin and other allergies, and will do phone consults for those interested in learning more about how to reverse auto-immune processes.
Finally, bioidentical serotonin is a fairly new treatment that may help some people, but its long-term effects are unknown. I once tried a low dose of bioidentical serotonin and reacted badly to it, but others may have a more positive response. Some government-sponsored websites contend that bioidentical serotonin doesn't cross the blood-brain barrier, but some doctors, such as Kent Holtorf, MD, www.holtorfmed.com, have found it to be useful for their patients.
Many solutions exist for healing depression in Lyme disease, but finding the right one depends upon accurately discerning the principal causes for the depression (which, in my experience, are usually multiple). Acupuncture, for instance, may be a helpful alternative treatment for depression, but if the body is missing the raw materials that it needs to produce neurotransmitters, no amount of acupuncture or other energy-balancing treatments will fully resolve symptoms.
Studies have shown that prayer and meditation, and being consciously aware of one's thoughts, can positively alter brain chemistry. My experience has been that these practices are fundamental for healing, but by themselves, may be insufficient, if the brain is severely deficient in nutrients, is dealing with a multitude of toxins and/or pathogens, or cannot effectively synthesize and utilize the biochemicals it needs. Still, they are a vital component of recovery, and I highly advocate them, along with the other above-mentioned strategies.
Seven years ago, when I was first diagnosed with Lyme disease, I suffered from off-the-charts anxiety and depression. I cried daily for years, even while taking anti-depressants, until the root causes of my depression were addressed. Over the past seven years, I have experienced tremendous healing from this condition. I am still healing my brain from the effects of Lyme disease, toxins, past traumas, and KPU (kryptopyrolurria), but life is infinitely easier than it used to be.
Healing from depression is possible, with a little perseverance, attention to its causes, and when knowledgeable practitioners are available to assist with the healing process. Unfortunately, I have never found a doctor in my geographical region who has understood this condition well enough to adequately help me heal my own depression, but through my research, I have discovered solutions that have helped to restore me to a better state of health. I pray that the knowledge that I have acquired through my own healing journey would help you, too.
-------------------- Everything I say is just my opinion! Posts: 3529 | From Massachusetts Boston Area | Registered: Jul 2008
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desertwind
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posted
Steve1906; Just a side note - Interesting that you mentioned Dr. Posnecker. I use to work for/with him years ago at the Clymer Health Clinic in Bucks County Pa.. I still have his book on my shelf. He has since past on but was a great healer.
Posts: 1671 | From Tick Infested New Jersey | Registered: Apr 2010
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lax mom
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posted
I needed an anti-depressant. It has been my life jacket.
I am a Christian too and at times I truly felt like God didn't hear my prayers, I was suffering with trauma after trauma, health disaster after health disaster. I felt like a plague of locusts was on my life.
Thank God, I no longer feel that way and can see a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. But for a while, when my husband, myself and my son were all sick at once and all treating at once, I didn't know how I would gather the strength to keep breathing. That anti-depressant saved my life.
Here's a song by someone with Lyme that is very fitting:
posted
Wow! What a ton of useful information! Thank you. As I'm very limited financially, I'll need to talk with my doctor about which approach would be best for me, as I can't afford to do everything recommended above. Thank you so much for your input and compassion.
-------------------- Ellen _ _ ___________ _ _ lyme disease dysautonomia Chiari malformation anxiety Posts: 72 | From Birmingham, AL | Registered: Dec 2013
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steve1906
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posted
Hi Ellen, I just wanted to add one more note:
I'm sorry your spouse/boyfriend told you he doesn’t love you anymore. I'm sure you must know by now, this is also very commend when one has Lyme/co's and other diseases. If he walked out on you when you’re so sick, he wasn’t the man for you.
I noticed you said the man I love - You need to let go, ASAP, you'll never go forward till you do,,,,sorry to be so blunt.
If the one you love breaks your heart, remember there is that special person in the world that will come along and mend it!
If someone hurts you, just keep your head up high, and prove to them that you don't need them to be happy. (Be strong)!
-------------------- Everything I say is just my opinion! Posts: 3529 | From Massachusetts Boston Area | Registered: Jul 2008
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posted
Ellen, there is a website called prettyill.com. The author of of the site is a doctor and also a patient who is doing some interesting things with chairi and your other symptoms.
She is awesome and supportive. Check out the sight. It might have some wonderful and hopefully affordable things for you.
Posts: 538 | From kentucky | Registered: Nov 2011
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Judie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 38323
posted
Other than meds, I find these helpful.
Support groups for lyme/chronic illness.
Gentle exercise like walking or a stationary bike, done consistently and daily can help if you're having trouble with meds. I started with walking to the end of the block and back, then built up, when I started having hip problems, I switched to the bike.
Taking a break from daily stress (I use to go to an animal hospital and pet/comfort the animals who were waiting to be adopted).
Getting in touch with needs and figuring out what can be fulfilled while also mourning losses. Marshall Rosenberg's book of non-violent/compassionate communication I found to be helpful.
Posts: 2839 | From California | Registered: Jul 2012
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posted
Thank you guys. Your support means a lot. Thank you Steve for reminding me that the sick often are left behind. He DID mention that as one of the reasons! I had forgotten. Yes, I need to get over him. He still wants to be "friends", but I can't do that now. It's way too late...
-------------------- Ellen _ _ ___________ _ _ lyme disease dysautonomia Chiari malformation anxiety Posts: 72 | From Birmingham, AL | Registered: Dec 2013
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steve1906
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Member # 16206
posted
I'm glad you're rejecting the idea of being friends with him, good for you.
You have too much on your plate “(YOU & YOUR KIDS)”; you don't have time to waste on him.
Maybe in time, months/years, friends might work. But remember, if he walked when you’re so sick, he's no friend of mine.
Things will get better, that's a Promise.
-------------------- Everything I say is just my opinion! Posts: 3529 | From Massachusetts Boston Area | Registered: Jul 2008
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GretaM
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 40917
posted
Hi Ellen.
I have been in your shoes before regarding the "friends" breakup. In my experience, and I've heard it quite a few times...fortunately.
At the times I was devastated but looking back I am relieved and grateful!
Friends is a term used by the person doing the breaking up, to relieve THEIR guilt. When a person breaks up with someone, and says they want to be friends still, is that person having an agenda for themselves, somehow. It is a 100% selfish statement made by the person doing the breaking up.
It basically means, "I won't be committed to you emotionally or physically anymore. I won't contribute anything emotionally to you anymore. But I do want you to believe it is possible to be friends, in order to
a)avoid conflict or emotional outbursts
b)to relieve my guilt about breaking up with you at this terribly inconvenient time for you
c)to be used as a booty call when I need it later in the future
The only time "being friends" works is when either party had zero emotional attachment or connection to each other and both people are relieved to be free.
This is not to make you feel sad, this is to help you get the "screw you, pal" attitude towards him for leaving you in the lurch when you're sick.
Any human being, would never and should never ever abandon someone when they are ill with the stupid line, "I still like you as a friend.", "It's not you it's me." and other similar lines of rubbish.
How about an honest dumping for once?!
If you need to vent about your ex, PM me!
We can bash our exes until you feel better!
The best thing about a boyfriend becoming an ex...
He's not going to be wasting your time anymore.
Posts: 4358 | From British Columbia, Canada | Registered: Jun 2013
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GretaM
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posted
Ellen-Good for you! I just read your last post and if I could high-five you I would!
Way to go girl! That's the right way to look at it!
awesome!
Also I forgot to add to the last post.
If you need a list of movies with hunky stars, that aren't in anyway going to make you feel sad or cry, PM me
And avoid romance or romantic comedies for the time being.
A good film full of testosterone and a hunky guy is the best way to go, in my opinion.
Posts: 4358 | From British Columbia, Canada | Registered: Jun 2013
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steve1906
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posted
Sorry, I couldn’t resist
-------------------- Everything I say is just my opinion! Posts: 3529 | From Massachusetts Boston Area | Registered: Jul 2008
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
Ellen let him walk...
My first husband left me when he got another mans wife preggie. She was his secretary. One of those everyone knew but me deals.
It wS five years before I even started to get straightened out. Very very bad times.
I am here for you if you need me.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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GretaM
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posted
Perfect Steve!
Posts: 4358 | From British Columbia, Canada | Registered: Jun 2013
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GretaM
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posted
Ellen-I am sorry.
I had no right to be so opinionated, especially when you're hurting so much and need support.
It is OK to feel sad.
It is OK to feel how you feel, whether happy sad angry peaceful etc.
Just wanted to know I wish I could give you a hug and take you and your kids for a hot chocolate and we'd talk about anything you wanted to, to take your mind off your hurt.
I know you will do so good at your job-you seem very aware and very well written.
All the best to you at your work this week,
Greta
Posts: 4358 | From British Columbia, Canada | Registered: Jun 2013
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Judie
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posted
Ellen - I sent you a PM.
Posts: 2839 | From California | Registered: Jul 2012
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posted
Thank you all for your kind words, recommendations, and support. Have to get back to work. Work takes my mind off him, which is a good thing! Just struggling to make it through 8 hours without passing out. I normally pass out withing four hours of being out of bed, so I just laid down for an hour over lunch. Blessings!
-------------------- Ellen _ _ ___________ _ _ lyme disease dysautonomia Chiari malformation anxiety Posts: 72 | From Birmingham, AL | Registered: Dec 2013
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GretaM
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posted
Glad to hear from you Ellen! Glad you're hanging in there at work!
Posts: 4358 | From British Columbia, Canada | Registered: Jun 2013
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posted
Thank you so much, guys. So nice to see MORE support as soon as I get home from work. OptiMisTic- have you read Why Can't I Get Better? My doctor "prescribed" this for me Monday. Haven't bought or read it yet.
I'm dreading my next conversation with my ex-fiance. The last we left it was simply that he doesn't love me anymore. Now I have to be the one to break up with HIM. How fair is that? We normally saw each other on Friday evenings, so I'll have to make this conversation tonight or tomorrow. Wish I didn't have to talk to him again.
-------------------- Ellen _ _ ___________ _ _ lyme disease dysautonomia Chiari malformation anxiety Posts: 72 | From Birmingham, AL | Registered: Dec 2013
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GretaM
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Member # 40917
posted
You can do it, Ellen!
Beware he may change his tune when the tables turn and you do the rejecting.
You deserve to be with someone who loves you and your kids more than anything else on this planet.
Period.
You know how before boxing matches, the fighter walks out to the ring in his robe, followed by his entourage?
Well I'm part of your entourage Ellen! Backing you all the way.
Posts: 4358 | From British Columbia, Canada | Registered: Jun 2013
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Judie
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Member # 38323
posted
Just remember to love yourself! Keep reminding yourself of that! Only love those who love you!
You are so worthy of love. This soon-to-be, ex-fiance is just wrong for you. It's giving both of you a gift to let each other go.
"I'm not looking for a way to avoid my feelings, but rather for a way to function despite them."
Nonviolent/compassionate communication books by Marshall Rosenberg helped me with that one. It's all about identifying your feelings and getting your needs met in a way that's respectful to yourself and others.
Posts: 2839 | From California | Registered: Jul 2012
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posted
Thank you Greta and Judie. I did break up with him last night, and HE started crying. I'm the one in pain here. I should be the one crying. Bizarre that he would act that way, given the fact that he doesn't even love me. Trying to make it through today without crying in front of my kids. I don't want to try to explain everything to them. They just need to be loved. I'll let myself cry once I get them to bed at 8pm tonight. Now it's 1pm and I'm still not out of bed. Emotional pain seems to make my symptoms get worse. Thank you so much for your support!
-------------------- Ellen _ _ ___________ _ _ lyme disease dysautonomia Chiari malformation anxiety Posts: 72 | From Birmingham, AL | Registered: Dec 2013
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posted
Ellen, you are amazing. That must have taken so much courage. Keep letting us know how you're feeling. Thinking of you. Posts: 431 | From New England | Registered: Dec 2011
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GretaM
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 40917
posted
Ellen-Anthro is right-you are amazing!
If there's one thing that God gave us that he didn't give any other creature on earth, is the ability to love and to be loved.
There's someone out there for you Ellen that will love you unconditionally.
Many hugs for you to give you support on this tough but courageous day.
Posts: 4358 | From British Columbia, Canada | Registered: Jun 2013
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posted
I love this site. I'm on multiple discussion boards, as I have multiple illnesses, but on some of the others there's an "expert moderator" who often shoots you down rather than building you up. Not so here! what an encouraging group of people you are! Thank you. It's so nice to get support rather than being shot down for having a hard time!
-------------------- Ellen _ _ ___________ _ _ lyme disease dysautonomia Chiari malformation anxiety Posts: 72 | From Birmingham, AL | Registered: Dec 2013
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Rivendell
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19922
posted
Hi Ellen,
everyone has given such good advice in dealing with the rejection.
I just wanted to say that I don't do well with antidepressants - my body doesn't like them - even the ones that supposedly don't cause side-effects.
I have had good luck with reducing inflammation in my brain and nervous system and using some herbs that raise blood pressure and are also natural anti-depressants. i have dysautonomia too!
I know you are working, so it is not easy to experiment.
Basically, I take lots of green tea sweetened with licorice root (licorice root raises blood pressure), japanese knotweed combined with eleuthero, ashwagandha, and rodiola.
The japanese knotweed can lower blood pressure, but the licorice root and eleuthero will raise it.
Combining those helps the blood pressure problem. The eleuthero helps so much with depression and energy, the rodiola helps with energy and ashwangandha helps with sleep.
If you want to know more, send me an email.
I know this all sounds confusing.
But maybe your depression is more situational, because you are going through heartbreak for sure.
Good luck, you are strong and deserve to be loved by someone with lots of compassion.
posted
And now I'm having to taper off trazodone too- an old antidepressant that is now used primarily just for sleep. It did help me sleep, but I don't need it anymore, and it has been zapping the last ounce of strength out of me and making me brain dead. I can't be too fatigued to move or brain dead at work, so I have to taper off it. The withdrawal is giving me migraines and making me irritable and anxious. Not fun when I'm still mourning the loss of a close relationship. Only down to 75mg from 100mg this month, but it's tough nonetheless. If you're a Christian, please pray that I'll recover from both the heartache and the withdrawal quickly. Thank you!
-------------------- Ellen _ _ ___________ _ _ lyme disease dysautonomia Chiari malformation anxiety Posts: 72 | From Birmingham, AL | Registered: Dec 2013
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GretaM
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Member # 40917
posted
Praying for you Ellen!
Posts: 4358 | From British Columbia, Canada | Registered: Jun 2013
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steve1906
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posted
Never give up believing that there is hope for better days to come.
Bad things happen for a reason and sometimes it is to bring us to those better days.
You should always talk to your doctor when tapering off these type of antidepressants, he may be able to help with any type of withdrawal.
I hope you feel better!
-------------------- Everything I say is just my opinion! Posts: 3529 | From Massachusetts Boston Area | Registered: Jul 2008
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posted
Today is better than yesterday. I haven't cried over my ex, and I'm getting a bit less withdrawal from the reduced trazodone. Yes, my doctor is the one who recommended 75mg for now. Then he wants me to drop to 50mg for a month then to 25 mg for a month, then stop if I can. We'll see how it goes. I just miss my ex so much. I have to keep resisting the urge to call him. No, I haven't and I won't. It's just hard in the meantime. Wish I were healthy enough to date again, but since I'm working again I haven't the time or ENERGY to. I'm sure the reduced trazodone isn't helping me emotionally, but it is helping me physically. I have a bit more energy and mental clarity while tapering, and the WD symptoms will go away with time. I feel so alone. Anyone else live only with kids or completely alone? How do you combat the loneliness?
-------------------- Ellen _ _ ___________ _ _ lyme disease dysautonomia Chiari malformation anxiety Posts: 72 | From Birmingham, AL | Registered: Dec 2013
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