posted
Hi all I am thinking about asking llnd about an anti-depressant. Wondering if anyone has tried these and would love to hear some positive outcomes. Thanks!
Posts: 238 | From new england | Registered: Feb 2013
| IP: Logged |
posted
i can't function without it...and i'm on a very low dose..i didn't start taking them until 2 years into my illness...they do help but you hav to manage them....what i mean is they all work differently....you don't want it to subdue your motivation to keep fighting...i had one that did that and i fell into osme bad habits ...took me a while to realize it
then we switched and i am functioing better....that said hoping to kick babesia soon and get off them.
Dave
-------------------- On my journey to wellness - One day at a time. Posts: 989 | From NJ | Registered: Sep 2008
| IP: Logged |
lax mom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 38743
posted
My anti-depressant is like a life jacket.
The first 5 days, you will only feel the side effects. After that, you should start to feel better. Then it usually takes a good month, at least, to feel the full benefit.
I'm VERY sensitive to meds, so I had to wean up very, very slowly.
posted
Thanks so much Dave and Lax mom! I am about a year and a half into treatment and realizing this is going to be a long haul. Love the life jacket analogy!
Thanks again
Posts: 238 | From new england | Registered: Feb 2013
| IP: Logged |
posted
I can hardly function without them, they have been a lifesaver for me. It did take at least a month for them to work though, so don't lose patience if they don't seem to be working at first.
-------------------- "Sometimes you're the windshield; sometimes you're the bug." Mark Knopfler Posts: 111 | From East of Eden | Registered: Mar 2012
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- They nearly killed me. I tried several over a few years - years ago. I became suicidal from the side-effects of nearly each I tried.
Later, I found out that I have porphyria and this all made sense then. Those with this particular liver dysfunction can have the opposite reaction as to what would be intended.
It also turns out that gluten was a big part of the problem. Since I've been gluten free, depresion is gone, even though my life has major stressors.
I just have to include that as not everyone does well with them.
Some do fine and they do help. But these can have powerful side-effects, too. So, first, try to figure out if there may be a nutritional component to the mood issues. Often, correcting a magnesium deficiency or adding fish oil can turn it around.
MAGNESIUM & FISH OIL are the top two helpers, along with a gluten-free diet. If you notice change within a few days to a few weeks, that can tell you a lot.
Sometimes, it's some particular B-vitamins or more protein needed - or other diet changes.
I also needed more carbohydrates than I was getting. I had gone totally grain free and that was a huge mistake for me. Still, avoiding all refined grains, including WHOLE grains, seeds, etc. helped along with with lots of veggies and protein as each meal and snack.
Adding Wild Rice, Black Rice, Quinoa, and other non-gluten WHOLE foods helped my mood stay stable - as it helped my blood sugar not drop to the floor as it did with just veggies & protein.
If blood sugar drops, so will mood.
Adrenal issues can also cause depression, big time.
Often, the depression is directly caused from liver toxicity, the inability of the liver to metabolize toxins (and if so, some drugs can make depression much worse).
Often, inflammation is the root of depression. Colorful antioxidants can be a wonderful mood support, indeed.
If you could, it would be great to see a LL ND (naturoapathic doctor) who could assess YOUR case and offer the safest approach for YOUR body, at this point in time.
Find the cause before adding chemicals that could throw off the balance.
There are many other things I've not included here. Just a few: exposure to chemicals in household or personal care products; mold exposure, etc.
A VINYL shower curtain once caused severe depression for me for weeks before I made a connection. Once I got rid of that and aired out the place, my mood recovered within a day or two.
If diet, light therapy, change in habits, etc. are all being addressed and still a doctor who would know about all this & lyme, too (a LL ND) thinks a Rx may help, they would be the best to know which one and also what support is needed to keep your liver safe if the Rx is one that is hard on the liver (as many are). -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- A LL ND is best to consult. Still, for a start to the most common influences of mood and what can help:
THE REQUIREMENTS OF PROTEIN & AMINO ACID DURING ACUTE & CHRONIC INFECTIONS
Indian J Med Res 124, August 2006, pp 129-148
- by Anura V. Kurpad
Fifteen pages of text.
Excerpt from abstract on page one:
. . . In general, the amount of extra protein that would appear to be needed is of the order of 20-25 per cent of the recommended intake, for most infections. . . . -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
| IP: Logged |
I do want to make a point that they all work in different ways on everyone, so please use caution start with their low dose recommendation.
I found I had to try a few different ones. SSRI's in the past, this time I am on Pristiq 50 mg extended. I have been trying an add on "advertised drug", lowest dose and I am not sold on it. beside some minor side affects it caused weight gain....ugh!
the twenty I lost found me again. but I tried so many natural products and some helped a bit.
the most important discovery for me through this lyme journey we are own, is that I have an MTHFR genetic problem, my husband has both the 677 and 1289, and my nine year old has the 1289.
since we have been busy learning and reading what the heck it was in the first place, I have to say that Big Pharma will not be happy if my methyl-12, folate, BH4, cucurmin, and a great glutathione support supplement.
the major symptoms of theses MTHFR deficiencies, are depression, anxiety, insomnia, heart, stroke, and the list goes on.
I try to encourage everyone to find out if they have a problem with their MTHFR. my husband use to be such a syndic, but now he sees how he is beginning to feel better and how remarkable the behavioral changes in our sons are.
anyone is welcomed to pm me if you have any questions. www.mthfr.net is a good starting spot and then on md junction (I think) they had a great thread that was so easy to read.
Posts: 168 | From Southeast Tennessee/Chattanooga/Atlanta | Registered: Oct 2012
| IP: Logged |
posted
I tried Lexapro but unfortunately it did not help. it worsened my memory significantly. I believe it affects our libido as well.
but I had to stop due to how terribly it affected my memory and speech, and that side effect happened a week to two weeks into it.
I have terrible insomnia as well. I am sorry you are going through that because we need our sleep. I have tried and taken many kinds of sleep aids. 5-Htp has helped me on some nights when taken with another natural sleep aid.
I'll try to find what my Osteopath said would knock me out. something from Neuro Science...I think. I'll look for it after I try to sleep. it is almost 6 am....we'll get there. we just have to keep trying and moving along.
I do remember that when I am due to take my compounded Progesterone 150 mg capsules 7 - 10 days before my menstrual cycle, I sleep much better and a deeper sleep. then after my cycle ends or lightens up I am suppose to stop taking it. my LLMD said it is not good for our bodies to take all of the time.
Posts: 168 | From Southeast Tennessee/Chattanooga/Atlanta | Registered: Oct 2012
| IP: Logged |
posted
but I want to add that it has helped many others.
Posts: 168 | From Southeast Tennessee/Chattanooga/Atlanta | Registered: Oct 2012
| IP: Logged |
sutherngrl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16270
posted
I take Celexa and Xanax. Couldn't live without them. I have a wonderful psychiatrist and therapist. Therapy has helped me a lot.
Most of my problems started toward the end of Lyme Disease. Kind of like an after effect I guess. I had a DVT which was the staw that broke the camels back for me. I guess it was like.....whats going to happen next.
posted
Everyone reacts differently to any drug as you have seen from all the people who responded to this post.
I couldn't take any of them as they made me feel worse and suicidal. I prefer supplements that help the body do what it is supposed to do in reaction to stress and sickness.
For some, it is a life jacket, for others, it can be very scarey. Tread lightly.
-------------------- Faithful
Just sharing my experience, I am not a doctor. Posts: 2682 | From Colorado | Registered: Oct 2009
| IP: Logged |
Andie333
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7370
posted
While I did take an anti-depressant in early treatment, as I got better, I had to wean off.
As others have said, the non-SSRI I was taking actually made me feel crazy and more depressed than ever.
Posts: 2549 | From never never land | Registered: May 2005
| IP: Logged |
linky123
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19974
posted
I have taken Prozac off and on for years. It has been a huge help, is not addictive and have been able to stop it without problems.
Benzos (klonopin, valium, xanax etc.) are another story. They are highly addictive and are a nightmare to come off of.
I got done tapering klonopin over a year ago and my sleep cycle is still all messed up, worse than when I went on them.
-------------------- 'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.' Matthew 11:28 Posts: 2607 | From Hooterville | Registered: Apr 2009
| IP: Logged |
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
Printer-friendly view of this topic