posted
Yea, for me the worst part about neuro herxing was the blues and the 1000 yard stare. It does get better, make sure you are getting lots of water to wash all that nasty stuff out of your head.
I could sit on the couch and stare at the wall all day, no problem. Its like the brain is locked. Although pretty wierd, its normal. I called it the stupids.
You will get your brain back, its just on a little vacation, right now.
I was never on Zoloft, so I cant help ya there. The depression on mepron and zith was worse for me.
Posts: 740 | From frederick,md,usa | Registered: Jun 2001
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liz28
Unregistered
posted
Personally, I think Zoloft and its ilk are some of mankind's creepiest inventions. I have never taken antidepressants, and stabilize my mood with the following:
All of these are sold in health food stores, and all of them are better for your self-esteem, your body, and ultimately your fight with Lyme, since you won't be too zoned out to tell whether the abx are working or not.
Antidepressants are marketed in this culture like candy, but they are very powerful drugs, with long-ranging effects. Take it from someone who has seen a lot of friends take them and change for the worse.
posted
I was put on ssri's after my misdiagnosis of MS. I have been on them for the 7 years since then. Adjusting meds is necessary. I started on zoloft, went to the max dose and changed to celexa, added depakote now take provigil as well. I used to have negative opinions on psych meds. If I weren't on the cocktail I am on now, I wouldn't be able to work and function well in life. The only one I don;t like being dependent on is provigil.
Posts: 607 | From (deer tick)Heaven! Angeles National Forest | Registered: Oct 2000
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posted
Hi Pippy. I have suffered from depression since I was small child (at times severe). I was finally diagnosed in my 20's and have been on some combination on SSRIs for about 10 years (I'm 35 now.) They have helped somewhat but since about 30 I was kind of getting worse. It hasn't stopped me from living a "normal" life (Married, MA degree etc,) but it's been hard. About a year ago - I "suddenly" came done with severe neurolyme and now have been on antibiotics for approx 9 months. Well, my depression (or lack of) has never been better! I feel great, I rarely feel depressed at all, and believe me, I could have plently to be depressed about if my mind wanted to play that game (chronic illness, loss of job etc) I still take an antidepressant, but it actually helps now, and maybe I'll be able to lower it or get off of it one day. The weird thing - the childhood depression and many other unusual ailments I've had all my life - it may have all been Lyme! I may have had Lyme 30 years to some degree and not known it at all. Weird, huh? It seems I may had exposure to borrelia several times over my life and finally, a year ago, I was incapacitated and it was in every system of my body. So, hopefully the depression r/t to your herx will lift soon - let the medication help you while you are going through this - a positive mind set if you can acheive one is so helpful for healing. Believe me - I know this is easier said than done but hang in there!
Posts: 921 | From PA | Registered: Jan 2004
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posted
If it helps I am also on Doxy, 300mg every other day protocol. I haven't ever really suffered with depression but since being on the Doxy (nearly one month) I have had definite days of feeling really low and depressed and not myself at all. Its been horrible and I have just withdrawn into myself which is just not like me at all. I haven't been pleasant to my husband at all.
However on those days I tell myself it must be a neuro herx and I make myself go out in the evening with my dog for a walk or I go to the local shops for a bit and this always cheers me up and reminds me that it will pass.
I feel sure that the Doxy is changing things and some of the herxes have been really horrible.
Hope you soon feel a lot better but although I think it is a really horrible symptom I am sure in time it will lift.
posted
I was glad to see this post cause I am also struggling with depression--which is very unusual for me. I hadn't made the connection between the depression and my latest drug.
I just started taking Minocycline with the Zith about two weeks ago and man--I find it hard to even get out of bed in the morning.
It sure makes me appreciate my usual good spirits.
kess
Posts: 59 | From California | Registered: Nov 2003
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TheCrimeOfLyme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4019
posted
Depression is a very common side effect of the tetracyclines family and may or may not have anything to do with herxing.
I used zoloft, 50 mg per day, until I could no longer take it due to not being able to take it with some medications.
For anyone interested- never combine Biaxin Xl and Zoloft, ever.
Posts: 3169 | From Greensburg, Pennsylvania | Registered: Jun 2003
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posted
thanks everyone! I don't feel so alone with this. Greg, I appreciate your description of the 1000 yard stare! That is exactly what it is like. The stupids (stupor-like state) is a great description for this symptom.
Larkspur, I relate to what you are saying. I am your age and have had depression for a long time...so glad to hear it lifted for you on Lyme treatment! I read somewhere that depression can be one of the first signs of infection. I probably was infected as a kid too. I remember as a kid, my older brother removing lots of imbedded ticks from me by putting a match to them (yikes!) He thought it was cool.
I would love to go natural but I think that depression can be life-threatening without meds for some people. Someday.... Thanks again everyone! I feel cared for! Pippy
Posts: 446 | From California | Registered: Jul 2004
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quote:Originally posted by greg: [B]I could sit on the couch and stare at the wall all day, no problem. Its like the brain is locked. Although pretty wierd, its normal. I called it the stupids.[/B
Greg, Only on Lymenet can we all relate to this. I do stare all day at the wall some days... literally with the TV off.
The depression and suicidal thoughts are maddening and are a day to day battle.
Larkspur, I have often thought I might have had Lyme since I was a child too, but I guess we will never know.
Posts: 151 | From Tennessee, USA | Registered: Feb 2004
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I have had my Lyme Disease (and associated periods of depression - whether on antibiotics or off-antibiotics, while Lyme was active) for the last 24 years. I never took anything at all until two years ago ( except tried one single tablet of my ex-husbands paxil and almost died). But 2 years ago my LLMD said why don't you try something for me. It was Lexapro. I took the smallest possible dose - 1/2 tablet per day, and wow, it was great. Absolutely no side effects at all!! And it just evens your mood and lifts your spirits. (I WOULD KILL FOR SOME RIGHT NOW)
I "too" believe natural is better, though I have never tried any of the natural stuff referenced in someone else's post.
I highly recommend the Lexapro!
Posts: 69 | From Highland Park, NJ USA | Registered: Jul 2004
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