phyl6648
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 28522
posted
Those of you who have neuro-lyme with anxiety/depression do you take any rx drugs?
After being on antibiotics does that help with the anxiety/depression etc?
For now I am taking a small dose of xanax for anxiety. helps with depression also. I have been on the same dose for years but thinking of asking to increase it by 1/2 mg to take at night. I am now taking 1/4 mg 3 to 4 times a day and thankful for them.. I have tries the OTC meds but no real sucess. I am hoping when I get back on the 8 essential amino acids they will help.
I am trying to get my esoph. problems solved and slowly adding supplements not sure when I will be ready for the abx.. So for now I at a loss.
MichaelTampa
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 24868
posted
Prozac turned me bipolar, and never really tried an anxiety meds. I've found a mild amount of help from 5HTP and SAMe. But really, lyme treatment has helped a lot.
Posts: 1927 | From se usa | Registered: Mar 2010
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mojo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9309
posted
I use 20 mg Paxil for anxiety/depression and 1mg Ativan (a Benzo similar to Xanax) at night.
I also use Xanax (.5) if I need it during the day.
Your dose of .25 is a very low dose so taking.5 at night may help you quite a bit.
Also - make sure you are taking your B vitamins.
If you start to feel lethargic it may be the time when you can cut back. And if you go to an SSRI like Paxil you may be able to cut back, as well.
Posts: 1761 | From USA | Registered: May 2006
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posted
Klonopin, an anticonvulsant which is used to treat 'anxiety', is the only medication that ever helped any of my symptoms, and a few years ago (2005?) I cold-turkeyed the medication on my own. I was tired of being accused of 'doctor-hopping' (presumably for more Klonopin)...tired of being treated like a self-created 'drug addict'...all of these things were found written in my medical records.
I've been having strange 'episodes' ever since discontinuing this medication, and as it turns out, I had two seizures back in December 2010, one while driving my car. They were definitely seizures, too, because both my neighbor and paramedics witnessed them and the memory loss and confusion I experienced for hours afterwards. So basically I've been having seizures, but doctors were treating me for 'anxiety'.
So my advice is: If you've ever been diagnosed with anxiety and found benzodiazepines to be helpful, press your doctor for more seizure testing before you and your car end up in a ditch, too...
Seroquel was also helpful, but the side effects...increase in blood sugar, decrease in white blood cells, etc...are pretty scary. I often wonder if this psych med is what caused me to crash with Lyme.
-------------------- Urge Congress on EMF Safety, FCC Must Change Exposure Guidelines for Microwave Radiation Exposure: http://tinyurl.com/2cjq54y Halt Universal Broadband, A Public Health Hazard: http://tinyurl.com/3x7xrmq Posts: 495 | From USA | Registered: Mar 2010
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bcb1200
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 25745
posted
I did 20 mg of Prozac. Worked well for me. Been off it now for 3 months.
-------------------- Bite date ? 2/10 symptoms began 5/10 dx'd, after 3 months numerous test and doctors
IgM Igenex +/CDC + + 23/25, 30, 31, 34, 41, 83/93
Currently on:
Currently at around 95% +/- most days. Posts: 3139 | From Massachusetts | Registered: May 2010
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posted
Paxil was and is a wonder drug for me. Makes me feel NORMAL without obvious sedation.
-------------------- Sick since at least age 6, now 67. Decades of misdiagnosis. Numerous arthritic, neuro, psych, vision, cardiac symptoms. Been treating for 7 years, incl 8 mos on IV. Bart was missed so now treating that. Posts: 765 | From nw ct | Registered: Sep 2008
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posted
Some of the anti-depressants have better anti-anxiety effect than others. I do know Paxil, zoloft, celexa treat both. There may be more.
As for supplements - these have helped me with anxiety - 5htp, L-Theanine, Kava, ashwagandha, B6, adrenal herbs, Cal/Mag, rescue remedy, trace minerals....I'm sure there's others.
With the help of above supps, I have been able to take less Ativan and feel more in control of my situation.
Posts: 140 | From Phoenix AZ | Registered: Jan 2011
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posted
I use klonopin and remeron, xanac=x worked for awhile until I got to used to it and was taking close to 4 mg per day. My neuro lyme is also probably some other things could be bart or some other protozoan for now I take the anti-anxiety meds at night, load up on supps int he morning and add in wellbutrin in the am.
posted
My wife's LLMD told her to take some prescription medicine for Depression, but I don't remember the name. She took may be a day or 2 and then stopped.
She told me that if she takes fish oil, vit-d and b-complex without fail then she doesn't feel depressed. Sorry not being much help.
-------------------- LC 7.09 IGG66,41,39 +ve IGM 41,23 +ve 9.09 Fry's and Igenex were -ve 6 mo ABX LC 4.10 IGG66,39,18 +ve IGM -ve Posts: 73 | From Usa | Registered: Aug 2010
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sutherngrl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16270
posted
I take Xanax for anxiety and Risperdal for mood swings. Since starting Risperdal, I have been able to cut back on the Xanax. Both have been a life saver for me. I still have some mild depression, but who wouldn't after being ill for so long?! The anxiety is better so thats a plus and my moods are totally controlled.
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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posted
I have taken xanax 1mg for many years for severe vertigo. I weaned myself down to only 2 a day but my new LLMD wanted me to go back to 4 a day (4mgs!!!) for a few weeks to see if it eased the dizzies and brain shocks. I did not agree and stayed at my 2 a day to function. I have depression now only since staying home for 7 months and missing my job and coworkers so much.
Suthern..never heard of risperdal? Is it also a benzo? I would prefer no medication that is addicting..even with the doctor telling me it is used for medical purposes and I should use it?
-------------------- Diagnosed with chronic neuro lyme 12/10 after 30 years of vertigo.2 tick bites in 3 yrs from upstate NY. Was on omincef for nine mths..zith and rifampin stopped.Remission~ All the pain and symptoms are back and I am not treating now with biaxin. Posts: 788 | From New york..queens | Registered: Nov 2010
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posted
I use an old herbal remedy. Been used forever. All natural. Just not that great on your lungs if you catch my drift.
Works wonders for me. I use just a little bit in the evening about an hour or two before bed.
Posts: 699 | From confusion | Registered: Jan 2011
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sutherngrl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16270
posted
annier, Risperdal is an anti-psychotic medication. For me it has been a life saver as I had pretty bad mood swings.
I too prefer not to take addictive medications but this is what my life has come to. Gotta do what cha gotta do!
I never took much meds before getting LD. Not even antibiotics much. I look forward to the day I can get off all these medications. But for now they help me function.
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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