I need something for depression and anxiety but do not tolerate anti-depressants very well. I have been taking sertraline 25mg every other day because that is all I can tolerate. I can't tell if the burning pain in my legs and arms are from the sertraline or from the lyme disease itself.
I have dealt with depression & anxiety years before being infected with lyme.
Is there anything I can get over-the-counter that will help me? I tried SAMe in the past, but it doesn't work. I take fish oil and have tried flax oil, but that doesn't help either.
Thanks, Jen
[ 12-17-2009, 06:10 PM: Message edited by: jennie46 ]
Posted by wendihk (Member # 20554) on :
Injectable B12 can help with depression. My doctor gave me a script and I give myself a weekly im injection in the thigh. It is painless and gives you energy plus I have heard it helps with depression.
Posted by massman (Member # 18116) on :
Access www.mercola.com + MTT - Meridian Tapping Technique.
Posted by djf2005 (Member # 11449) on :
do some searches on LN for neuro-transmitter testing.
I am about to go through it. It determines what is causing the issues, rather than medicating blindly.
Good luck.
Derek
Posted by massman (Member # 18116) on :
Emotions are only chemical based ?
Posted by julielynne4 (Member # 20336) on :
Did someone say emotions are only chemical based? I missed that one.
Posted by jennie46 (Member # 20953) on :
quote:Originally posted by massman: Access www.mercola.com + MTT - Meridian Tapping Technique.
Very interesting. Have you tried this with success?
Posted by massman (Member # 18116) on :
jennie - yes, have had some training in it + have used it a good amount.
You may also want to access www.emofree.org as the MTT is based on this.
They have a biweekly newsletter that can be vert helpful as it has been for me.
julielynne - over the counter, injections and neurotransmitters as mentioned in the posts above are ALL chemicals, aren't they ?
Posted by knobs (Member # 21928) on :
quote:Originally posted by djf2005: do some searches on LN for neuro-transmitter testing.
I am about to go through it. It determines what is causing the issues, rather than medicating blindly.
Good luck.
Derek
This is nonsense!
Posted by djf2005 (Member # 11449) on :
Proven science is nonsense?
Was this also a drug induced epiphany?
What do you know of these subjects?
Posted by kday (Member # 22234) on :
quote:Originally posted by djf2005: Proven science is nonsense?
Was this also a drug induced epiphany?
What do you know of these subjects?
Why don't you do your own research before criticizing? People here at LN seem to jump to conclusions because somebody else mentioned how great neurotransmitter testing is. Much of the information on this site is inaccurate, and you need to research things yourself. However, I am not stating that it should be accurate, because it's a forum where anyone can discuss their experiences and ask questions.
I have researched neurotransmitter testing, and while my memory serves me poor, I remember that urine neurotransmitter testing is very inaccurate especially for things like GABA and serotonin in the brain.
Now, if I remember correctly measuring neurotransmitters (such as serotonin) from CSF or blood platelet testing yields much more accurate results, and more accurately represents the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain.
You can measure catecholamines or cortisol with accuracy, but as far as I know, there are no tests on the market that accurately determine neurotransmitters such as the ones I mentioned. However, like I said, it can be done in a research setting.
I don't feel like finding all the sources again, but do your research. Maybe there is somebody here that has done some research and can back up or disprove my statements.
Posted by seekhelp (Member # 15067) on :
Kday, this explains to the tee what you're stating. FYI, written by the Townsend Letter.
"It determines what causes the issues, rather than medicating blindly" ????????????
What exactly will you 'medicate' with after your tests? Vitamin B for depression? Fish Oil, magnesium? Natural methods for treating it? What could you possibly learn about your neuro-transmitters? ...That your depressed? That you're sick?
What will they tell you that you don't already know?
Posted by julielynne4 (Member # 20336) on :
quote:
julielynne - over the counter, injections and neurotransmitters as mentioned in the posts above are ALL chemicals, aren't they ? [/QB]
Massman- yes, as far as I know, those are all chemicals...that's not what I meant. I seriously did not understand why you said "emotions are all chemical based?" as if someone had stated that...
I guess I am just missing something - and I am not being sarcastic. I don't understand what you meant by that question...which is why I posted. Did you mean that people were placing a limit on ways to treat depression?
Posted by massman (Member # 18116) on :
Seems to me that many jump to "something to take" instead of exploring what real causes may be.
IMO good detective work is essential to get good results.
Posted by julielynne4 (Member # 20336) on :
Gotcha. I agree. I know so many people (and I don't mean people with Lyme) who take something prescription and they have no idea why they even have the problem in the first place.
I am curious about how to go about figuring out what specifically is causing someone's anxiety or depression, though. I mean, specifically.
For me, I have assumed that my depression/anxiety/panic attacks have all been generally related to the Lyme and coinfections...I just didn't know I had this disease for so many years.
But I don't know how to really look into this more - I do not feel that my "issues" are related to any vented up anger or resentment, and I am not stressed about much other than my disease...
So how do I figure it out? And once I do, how does this help the symptoms to decrease?
Thanks again. JL
Posted by kday (Member # 22234) on :
quote:Originally posted by knobs: "It determines what causes the issues, rather than medicating blindly" ????????????
What exactly will you 'medicate' with after your tests? Vitamin B for depression? Fish Oil, magnesium? Natural methods for treating it? What could you possibly learn about your neuro-transmitters? ...That your depressed? That you're sick?
What will they tell you that you don't already know?
I personally believe that a good, commercial, neurotransmitter test that is widely available, affordable and/or covered by insurance would be a medical breakthrough. I see that Vitamin Diagnostics already offers a blood platelet test for $595. If that test turns out to be reliable, it looks like this breakthrough will happen real soon. You would be able to figure out how much of a substance you need to balance the neurotransmitters, and use routine lab work to verify the efficacy rather than playing guess and check.
I wouldn't count on big pharma finding a cure, but it could lead to better, more effective, and safer drugs (or at least I hope).
Posted by nefferdun (Member # 20157) on :
St John's Wort helps me a lot. I saw a terrible accident the night before last which sent me over the edge as i had already been depressed and anxious and dealing with a lot of issues to make things worse. I took 4 SJW capsules and it helped so much. I could go to sleep and the next day could let it go.
Things that help your brain and nerves will also help like magnesium (1000mg) and fish oil for the omega 3 fatty acids, co enzyme Q10, and detoxing supplements to reduce inflammation like Alpha Lipoic Acid.
Posted by knobs (Member # 21928) on :
quote:Originally posted by kday:
quote:Originally posted by knobs: "It determines what causes the issues, rather than medicating blindly" ????????????
What exactly will you 'medicate' with after your tests? Vitamin B for depression? Fish Oil, magnesium? Natural methods for treating it? What could you possibly learn about your neuro-transmitters? ...That your depressed? That you're sick?
What will they tell you that you don't already know?
I personally believe that a good, commercial, neurotransmitter test that is widely available, affordable and/or covered by insurance would be a medical breakthrough. I see that Vitamin Diagnostics already offers a blood platelet test for $595. If that test turns out to be reliable, it looks like this breakthrough will happen real soon. You would be able to figure out how much of a substance you need to balance the neurotransmitters, and use routine lab work to verify the efficacy rather than playing guess and check.
I wouldn't count on big pharma finding a cure, but it could lead to better, more effective, and safer drugs (or at least I hope).
Stop hoping for someone else to give you the miracle drug. Figure out your own problems! It is possible! Believe me! Listen to massman!
Posted by djf2005 (Member # 11449) on :
Hopefully they will tell me a lot I dont know such as exactly where all my levels are and how best to attempt to re-balance them. It goes beyond B vitamins, fish oil, and magnesium.
If you are curious about what substances are tested for via urine, it can be seen here.
They then try to correct these imbalances and make recommendations according to what is off.
Just to clarify for Knobs mainly, and others, they don't then try to put you on SSRIs and other physc meds. They use natural substances such as SAM-E, 5HTP, Tyrosin, L-Dopa, and other compounds and combinations that are new to me that I don't yet fully understand. Basically amino acids, which are the neurotransmitter building blocks.
The blood platelet test can be seen here which may be more accurate, I am unsure:
I am new to all this as well, it is simply an attempt I am making at bettering my quality of life.
Perhaps looking into it rather than knocking it may prove to be more useful.
It's rather new technology and just because mainstream medicine has not accepted it or a given Dr. does not mean it will or will not work.
Best
Derek
Posted by knobs (Member # 21928) on :
^^^ I'm all for doing something to better yourself. If you truly think that is what's going to do it for you then I give you my best.
Posted by massman (Member # 18116) on :
JL posted "I am curious about how to go about figuring out what specifically is causing someone's anxiety or depression, though. I mean, specifically."
This is where MTT / EFT really shines, IMO.
There are phrases that are used for YOUR specific case + when you compose + say them I feel the closer they are to the source the more they will "ring true".
Sometimes I have begun to say phrases as I tap + realize the phrases are not quite true or just don't feel right.
I might say "Even though I feel like holding my ex-wifes' head under water" and realize as I say that its not exactly right for me.
So I will change the wording to perhaps "Even though I feel like holding my ex-wifes head in a meat grinder" and proceed from there.
IME other feelings + insights may come up as thoughts / feelings are verbalized. This can lead to fine tuning.
Like changing to "a LARGE commercial meat grinder."
Some do EFT to clients over the phone. You may want to try finding a well known practitioner, try a session or two, then do it on your own if it feels right. Posted by knobs (Member # 21928) on :
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
and proceed from there.![[Wink]](wink.gif)
![[woohoo]](graemlins/woohoo.gif)