This is topic Why Do Antibiotics Cause Depression? in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.


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Posted by phyl6648 (Member # 28522) on :
 
Is it just me, every time I take antibiotics I get so depressed. I have tried to hang in there but have to back off because of the depression.. Then I will be ok and start again and within a couple of days I am in bed crying my heart out..

When I was on a higher dose the depression was horrible so have cut back the dose and trying to go low and slow but still the depression finds me.

This is off topic but I am afraid to travel not that I am able but the thought of going out of town scares me.

Tks.
 
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
 
Some abx in and of themselves cause depression... "they just DO"

But very often the depression is from a Lyme herx.

Just keep plugging away at that bacteria!

[group hug]
 
Posted by climber (Member # 26330) on :
 
I too suffer from depression and I can not differentiate if it's the disease or the meds. I am leaning more towards the disease and how I have let it control my body and mind. I plan on taking a med. holiday for a couple of weeks and hopefully that will provide some type of insight. Please hang in there.
climber
 
Posted by map1131 (Member # 2022) on :
 
It's the toxins in the brain that cause the depression. Toxins being dead or alive bacteria. Parasites or anything else that is living in that territory that doesn't belong. Heavy metals, toxins from life of breathing, eating, and living in a toxic world.

It's also depressing to be ill. It's sad and lonely and frustrating and slow. Toxins cause inflammation and pressure where you're not suppose to have that stuff.

Take things and try to do things that makes some headway towards detoxing the body. Of course the brain going to be a lot slower at detoxing than maybe the kidneys etc.

Find healthy brain foods. Fresh food loaded with antioxidins etc. Do brain exercises. I do crossword puzzles and read books.

Fresh air and 15 minutes of sunshine a day for D3 helps too.

I know something else to add to your list of things to do. It's never ending. It changes often what helps and what doesn't.

Give everything 30 days to see a difference. There's not a magic pill. Yet!

Pam
 
Posted by 2young2dieMom (Member # 25434) on :
 
Mepron was intolerable. I planned my death and only when someone on Lymenet told me depression was a side effect did I come out of it.
 
Posted by phyl6648 (Member # 28522) on :
 
Tks everyone..Carol I take omega 3, magnesium,vit. D3, B12, probiotics, grape seed extract, multi-vit/mineral supplement,Co Q-10, and Quercetin sometimes MSM..

Climer, like you is the meds causing the depression or is it a herx.. When I take a break then in a couple days the depression lifts, only to return when I start back on abx. Now the doc has me on a low dose only once a day but is that doing any good? The depression is back but not as bad so that leaves me to believe it is the abx. Doxy and Biaxin were the worst. Now I am taking clindamycin its bad but not as bad.

Map, all my test a couple months ago from Igenex showed no toxins nor co- infections.

2young, glad you are feeling better?

Honestly, I had rather have lyme than the horrible depression .. It is so bad not like I feel sad depression, one that puts me to bed with the crying and I can't live like this. The longer I am on abx the worse it gets, no let up.. My LLMD is understanding as she has lyme herself but this is one symptom she can't figure out.

Tks.
 
Posted by map1131 (Member # 2022) on :
 
Wow, phyl! Even Igenex misses stuff in the blood. Or it's no longer traveling in the blood?

Did they do any brain tests? LLMD can't figure out your depression?

I must be missing the rest of your story. You would rather have lyme than depression?

Lyme is depression!!!! You really need to do some reading on how to detox dead stuff or not dead stuff.

There is not a miracle pill phyl. I wish there was.

Trust me you are full of toxins. Micro-neuro-toxic matter. I can't name the toxin. I just know the animal.

Take care, Pam
 
Posted by nefferdun (Member # 20157) on :
 
Depression is like opening the damn. Look at it as purging the pathogens out of you. At first it hurts.

When I treated bartonella, within hours I was collapsed on the floor in hysteria. I had to crawl up the stairs to my bed. But in five weeks I experienced a sense of joy over the birds singing. I was walking into the house and had this moment of feeling happy to be alive - everything was beautiful. The depression was gone. I does come and go though. There is no line you cross.

A year later I was hit with babesia and the same thing happened. Mepron hit me like a train. I could hardly move and was exhausted from the depression. I am ok now. You will get through it and come out the other side.
 
Posted by CherylSue (Member # 13077) on :
 
Yes, the meds can cause depression (azithromycin for me) and the diseases themselves. Cryihg jags every day. Any med can cause depression as you are herxing, too.

It gets better as you get better. I can always tell when I'm coming down with something because I get depressed first. The secret is to stay healthy.
 
Posted by Bugg (Member # 8095) on :
 
HI there-

Have you tried at least 1,000 micrograms a day sublingually of B12 a day for your depression??? I can completely relate to the depression you are doing through....The antidepressant I was on was just not working...it was such a dark abyss no matter how hard I fought against it with my determination...

When I started the B12 it REALLY REALLY REALLY HELPED the severe depression...I was NOT low in B12 per a bloodtest but started it after reading that about doctors using B12 to treat depression and nerve pain...PLEASE take it sublingually and NOT orally....

Give it about a week to work....

Please hang in there...I promise you that you can get better...I was in horrible shape for years and though I would be wheelchair bound. I just went surfing on a cruise ship!!!! You can have a life again!!!!! Never Give Up!!!
 
Posted by map1131 (Member # 2022) on :
 
It really the meds attacking or making the bacteria run that causes many of the toxic symptoms we have.

From my experience and my years of feeling toxic....if my organs or glands were toxic all of my body was in pain or having weird sx.

A toxic liver is really misery. My toxic colon can completely ruin everything all the way to my brain. My toxic mouth full of teeth made for a miserable life too.

I did so many small things one by one, things that can help the body remove toxins from the body. Nightmare began in 98-99, I'm still dealing with colon and entire GI system but that is from a different embedded lone star tick in '05.

It's been 6 years and I still can't figure out who that bacteria that lives in GI tract is. I hope to find an answer soon in an Igenex complete blood test.

Depression is rough. I did find a anti-depressant that keeps me calmer and I do use xanax for high anxiety moments and situations.

I hate taking meds. I don't want to take any of them. I do so I can try to live life as much as I can. Life does hand you stress. This illness(es) is so stressful on the entire body from head to toe. Literally!!!!

Pam
 
Posted by phyl6648 (Member # 28522) on :
 
Tsk. everyone it helps to have you to vent to.

Bugg, yes I am on B12 5000 sub..

Going to try to stick with the abx.. I am taking xanax to help me cope. Takes the edge off a little.

Granddaughter and great grans coming next weekend I so hope to feel better for a few days.. but if not I will get to see them.
 
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by map1131:

Lyme is depression!!!!

-

I agree with that one!
 
Posted by map1131 (Member # 2022) on :
 
I do have a new suggestion from my holistic sister(nun) doing body work on me.

1 cup Kosher salt in bowl
add enough hot water to make a paste
let it sit for 10 minutes

Step into tub or shower and take this scrub and rub all over your body. Sit or stand(if you can) for as long as you can, 10 minutes.

Turn the shower on and wash away. I've never felt so silky in my life. I did it once but I keep forgetting about it.

Kosher salt is in the kitchen cabinet. No wonder I don't remember. I need to place it in the bathroom to remind me to do this every few days.

Another detox method using the skin, our largest body organ. I'll carry the kosher salt to the bathroom. Or I can do post it note all over the bathroom mirror? [lol]

Pam
 
Posted by Bugg (Member # 8095) on :
 
Phyl6648-Also, please make sure your folic acid levels are normal as well as some need to take folic acid along with the B12 to help their depression. Also, make sure your Vitamin D levels are in the normal range....Hope you feel better....
 
Posted by Mindy159 (Member # 31149) on :
 
I agree with Bugg. B-12 (under the tongue) really helps. Also exercise (yoga for me). Vit D (1000) helps me too (great for rainy days).
 
Posted by norcal (Member # 29829) on :
 
Phyll 6648.
Depression is the last step before wellness. You have suffered for along time, this is the grand finally. You have them on the run,finish them off. Fish oil is good ,detox, detox, detox.
 
Posted by CherylSue (Member # 13077) on :
 
Did azithromycin cause depression for anyone else? I'm having a hard time with this one.
 
Posted by sutherngrl (Member # 16270) on :
 
I believe what Norcal says, because I have been treating for 3 and 1/2 years and I am much improved; but just recently the depression has taken over and is horrible.

I think its a combination of toxins, probably dead stuff floating around and screwing with the brain chemsitry, plus just dealing with a horrible chronic illness for years and all the crap that comes along with that.
 
Posted by Leonardjio (Member # 32906) on :
 
Hello Phyl, antibiotix kill bacteria, the good the bad and the ugly, Some of those bacteria in the gut produce B-vitamins, B12 as well. When those get in trouble because of the antibiotix., it can make you depressed. B-vitamins are mental and mood vitamins.

But definitely toxins can play an important role here. Also can it be you are highly reactive, like allergic for this medication and should figure a way of finding ABX that your immune system is more comfortable with.
Compatibility testing is recommended.

Also for detox: think of glutathion (indeed) and have selenium level checked.

Info on selenium
 
Posted by Lala (Member # 29864) on :
 
Cheryl, I too am depressed from azithromycine and even more from doxycycline. I was depressed by tinidazole as well, but interestingly this subsided as reactions subsided too. So I guess in the case of tinidazole the problem was bacteria itself and not drug, but in case of azi and doxy I do not know. I am physically dramaticaly better now, but depression is really bad. I was thinking about bacteria producing B vitamins, but I am supplementing with B's with no significant effect. I really wonder why it is!!
 
Posted by Lala (Member # 29864) on :
 
For those of you who are depressed from atb: do you have list of atb, that made you depressed and that did not?
 
Posted by pab (Member # 904) on :
 
Phyl,

From reading your posts, I think you may have anxiety issues as well as depression. Xanax is used more for anxiety.
 
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
 
clind and quine and art together-made me depressed

it is the first time it happened after 10 yrs of abx on and off...all oral but high dose

low dose doesn't do it

so i think it is probably when it gets thru BB barrier
 
Posted by Lala (Member # 29864) on :
 
what is quine? fluoroquinolones?
 
Posted by Lala (Member # 29864) on :
 
For those who feel depressed on doxy: do you see difference when you are on mino or not?
 
Posted by Leonardjio (Member # 32906) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Lala:
Cheryl, I too am depressed from azithromycine and even more from doxycycline. I was depressed by tinidazole as well, but interestingly this subsided as reactions subsided too. So I guess in the case of tinidazole the problem was bacteria itself and not drug, but in case of azi and doxy I do not know. I am physically dramaticaly better now, but depression is really bad. I was thinking about bacteria producing B vitamins, but I am supplementing with B's with no significant effect. I really wonder why it is!!

Ha Lala. So you stopped the tinidazole also? Or no abx anymore? Still depressed, I understood reactions subsided?

I guesss its toxins still troublin you. Need for more vit C in a day and have seleniumlevels checked. BOTH ARE ANTIOXIDANT. (Caps)  - They detox. Try some activated charcoal, it takes out many toxins by direct binding. It is also reported to remove some aberrant bacteria.

Next to supplementing with B-vitamins, try to have a good probioticum. Maybe Vital plex or another.

Good luck for you.
 
Posted by Lala (Member # 29864) on :
 
Hi Leo,

no I am still on medcs: doxy, azi, pulsed tini plus lots of supplements. I am heavy supplementing with vitamin C, I am taking large doses of charcoal and I have been on selenium for 5 years plus probiotics daily of course...
 
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
 
quine is quinine
 
Posted by Leonardjio (Member # 32906) on :
 
quote:
Lala:
Hi Leo,
no I am still on medcs: doxy, azi, pulsed tini plus lots of supplements. I am heavy supplementing with vitamin C, I am taking large doses of charcoal and I have been on selenium for 5 years plus probiotics daily of course...

Ha Lala, oh dear, you really are already doing the works here. I guess you also take tryptophan and B-6?
Probably it gets down to the good old serotonin-thing. Exercise seems to work well, but not an attractive option when you feel lousy. Maybe a hometrainer could help you here?
Studies have shown that execise can be as effective against depression as antidepressants.
It can have an immediate effect on mood after 40 minutes of regular exercise. Tough with Lyme though.....
Peace to you.

I got depressed and confused from antibiotix long before I ever had my encounter with Lyme disease. Especially after the course of ABX I was in a confused and depressed state for a long time. It had so much to do with yeast in the gut. It makes one allergic to antibiotics and that triggers serotonin drop, in my experience.
 
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
 
walking...even a few steps and then a few more but regularly is what gets me out of it. i cant take antidepressants except when i totally breakdown. that has happened 3 times
 
Posted by FYRECRACKER (Member # 28568) on :
 
Homeopathics given by a classical homeopath has helped me a LOT.

I am currently on Lycopodium. in the last 2 years I've been on a number of remedies. One remedy is used until you stop seeing improvement and then you move on to the next layer, usually given with a different remedy.

Everyone's remedies that will help with depression will vary.
 
Posted by Lala (Member # 29864) on :
 
Hi Leo,
I finally increased my charcoal intake and lithium orotate seems to be really helpful also. I am much better now. It really must be loads of toxins long time after bugs were killed...
I did not try tryptophan, but I tried 5-HTTP, but quickly stopped after reading some nasty info about it.
 


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