as a neuro lymie, I'm concerned about adding another med to the mix... or a new antidepressant (that does not have an established safety profile but just happens to be what drug reps. are pushing these days...)
Any suggestions on meds?
tons of thx...
Posts: 32 | From east coaster | Registered: Aug 2008
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posted
I am on Wellbutrin and ended up supplementing it with a little St. Johnswort. People said not to, but it was the only way I had real relief. I must add that when I stopped eating all gluten I saw improvement to my depression, too.
-------------------- Just because it' s not nice doesn' t mean it' s not miraculous. --Terry Pratchett Posts: 121 | From Nazareth, PA | Registered: May 2008
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I would be scared to know how I would feel without it.
I am also on Klonopin for anxiety-the anxiety is the worst for me.
My doctor for out a form for the pharmaceutical company where I get the Lexapro at no cost!
Posts: 303 | From Jekyll Island, GA | Registered: Sep 2008
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Angelica
Unregistered
posted
I added in vitamin D3 and noticed things went from grey to color again. It made a big difference for me.
If you have not already been tested for vitamin D3 levels ask your LLMD to do so.
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posted
I think depression is incredibly common in chronic illnesses in general, including lyme disease. Depression has a stigma. I don't know if anyone will relate to this, but in terms of my treatment...
For so long while searching for a diagnosis I would go to doctors who, after 15 minutes of reviewing my symptoms, would immediately suggest depression. I thought that was a cop out diagnosis. I knew I was sick. I knew that I had a some biological illness. It was not just "all in my head". I refused to even admit that I was depressed, and refused treatment.
Now, years later I have realized that I certainly was (and remain) depressed. To be very clear - depression has not caused my illness or my symptoms, but rather is a result of them. On medication I am more upbeat and more hopeful. It has not changed my physical symptoms (again validating my original belief that my symptoms were not due to depression) but has certainly treated my sadness at being ill for so long and given me a lot of courage (and a lot fewer nights crying in bed and cursing the world).
Posts: 99 | From Bucks County, PA | Registered: Aug 2008
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-by always thinking positively. -by reasoning that herxing is killing the lyme. -by persevering and not giving up. -by surrounding yourself with supportive people. -by tracking the good days and bad days and reminding yourself that you are getting better. -by relishing those few minutes, hrs, days, when you have no symptoms. It proves you can be healthy again. -by using prayer to speak to God and receive peace of mind knowing that God will never give you more then you can handle. -by finding the simple things in life that are so great and worth living for..puppies, thunderstorms, sunrises/sunsets, making love, pleasure foods, walks along the beach, etc. -by reminding yourself that mental strength will help with physical ailments. The more you believe, the greater the bodys immunes system will work hard. -by recognizing that you are not alone in the world of lyme. There are others like us who are right there with you. ...but it all starts with you. Start with a smile, and let it grow. If you want to cry, cry, but dont dwell on the tears, simply use them as a release to move onto something bigger and better in your life.
Posts: 514 | From . | Registered: Apr 2008
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merrygirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12041
posted
I have severe depression. The things that help me are
pain management
No one should have to deal with the pain that we have to deal with everyday. I think that proper pain control is an important part of keeping our mental health well. I know that th emore pain I am in the worse I feel mentally,
B12
This has really helped me. My LLMD said that when B12 levels are low (even low normal range) that psych issues can occur. I take 5000 mcg sublingually everyday. Definitely helps.
Medications
I take 200 mg zoloft and 30 mg Abilify per day. The meds have saved my life. It can take time finding the right med for you. It cn aslo take 2-4 weeks for the SSRI meds to start working.
Talk Therapy
I have been seeing a therapist who specializes in chronic illness and pain management. He is helping me cope with things. Finding the right therapist is key.
Chat
I find that the Lyme chat room really helps. This is a very lonely disease and I find a lot of comfort "talking" in real time to people who really understand everything Lyme. When you are feeling down the other people help by listening to you and offering their support. I actually have met and have spent time with chat room and Lymenet members. They have become great friends! The chats are at 1pm and 8pm eastern and can be found here
I think that helping other people helps me feel useful. I started a support group for LYme 1 year ago. It helps to know that I am not just always sitting here feeling sorry for myself.
I am proud that people are getting help they need because of the resources and info I (and my group partner)provide. It can be a lot of work and when you feel crappy its even harder, but worth it.
Do something for your self
Get a massage, take a hot bath, read a good book, get a haircut, buy a new shirt, take a long nap etc.
You deserve it.
Pick one goal per day
I try to pick one thing to accomplish per day. It makes me happy to know I was able to do that one thing and it is one less thing I need to do!!
Some examples are:
take a shower fill the dishwasher go to a doctors appointment wash a load of clothes sweep the floor go to the grocery store go to the pharmacy spend time with my pets spend time with my kids sort through a pile of old papers
I always feel better when I can get my one thing done. I dont feel so useless.
Hope this helps and that you feel better soon, Melissa
posted
I take Celexa and Welbutrin for depression and anxiety and to help me focus. My psychiatrist said this combo will help my ADD problem. I am feeling better.
My daughter (age 17) takes Prozac and Remeron.
We both do talk therapy and our family sees a therapist who helps us deal with a chronic illness. This has helped all of us (all of us have chronic Lyme)understand the needs of each other.
And we do acupuncture.
Posts: 79 | From Rhode Island | Registered: Jun 2008
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posted
The thoughts by Wimenin are lovely, but if you have serious depression the main symptom is that you cannot control your thoughts and trying to think positive is often futile.
When I was at my worst, none of my helpful practices, from prayer to journaling to exercise did much to help.
I felt guilty for many years because people kept telling me I could fix it with positive thinking.
People with mild depression may be able to do that, but serious depression is a physical disease with mental and emotional symptoms, and the physical problems of brain chemistry must be addressed somehow.
That said, of course, prayer and positive thinking are great when you're well enough to benefit from them.
Just know that if you try them and you feel nothing, that's not your fault. It's the disease that causes that.
Now that I'm much better, exercise is as important as meds for staving off the darkness.
-------------------- Just because it' s not nice doesn' t mean it' s not miraculous. --Terry Pratchett Posts: 121 | From Nazareth, PA | Registered: May 2008
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as a neuro lymie, i was told that many of the neuro drugs (ie antideps) etc would make things worse or cause crazy sx...
seems like there is no true consensus but to give them a shot to keep me going on... i have to be a mother to my 10 mo old; i HAVE to!!!!! I cannot let an illness take away everything as it has!!!!!!!! I REFUSE... Sorry - had to get it out...
seems like 'older' antideps are used more (perhaps b/c not just out on market and SE well established)
if any neuro lymies have had BAD SEs (side effects) from any particular antidepressant, would you mind letting me know?
also, anyone start with less of a dose than recommended and titrate up if ok...?
thx a million all...
Posts: 32 | From east coaster | Registered: Aug 2008
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posted
I am on Lexapro, also. It has really helped me. 100% anxiety gone. 90% depression gone.
Posts: 3 | From redding, ct | Registered: Oct 2008
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eeee gads... didn't mean to step on any toes of pharma sales reps -- so sorry if i did!
(i used to - will again - run clinical trials - so didn't mean to infer anything with my comment in last post!)
Posts: 32 | From east coaster | Registered: Aug 2008
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Cass A
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11134
posted
Anti-depressants have a terrible safety profile--see the black box warnings on each of them.
I would try B complex and B 1, with calcium/magnesium to help with sleep. Brewer's Yeast also helps--high B vitamins and lots of protein.
Taking a walk and looking at things also helps, instead of figuring on what's wrong.
Many anti-depressants cause physiological dependence and are very hard to get off safely. There's an entire website devoted to people who have committed murder and/or suicide while on or getting off SSRIs. http://www.ssristories.com/index.html
Remember, these do nothing to treat the disease you actually have.
Best,
Cass A
Posts: 1245 | From Thousand Oaks, CA | Registered: Feb 2007
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posted
I agree with everything "nwisser" said. I can't get any relief, no matter what i seem to do or try. I have tried a dozen antidepressants, electric shock therapy, and all sorts of alternatives. I'm being treated for Lyme and mercury poisoning and still the depression is torture. I'm starting St Johns Wort soon for the first time, and am going to treat the possibility of having a condition called "pyroluria" which severely depletes your zinc and B6 levels.
Posts: 3 | From Ireland | Registered: Mar 2008
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posted
I'm sorry you are depressed. I didn't know what true depression was until I was sick, I think I had a depression herx while on IV Rocephin.
Anyway, here are some things that could help:
-lithium orotate
-5-HTP or L-Tryptophan (also sleep aids)
-fish oil (don't forget it should be mercury-free)
-combining B-Complex with E
-exercise/walking
Obviously, if you're interested in first two items I've mentioned, talk to your LLMD before taking my advice! :-)
Posts: 449 | From Vermont | Registered: Nov 2004
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posted
Hey, Im not saying that all you have to do is think of sunshine and puppies and you'll be cured of depression. The original question was, how do you deal with it.
Regarding treatment, obviously it means more then the mental aspect. You also have to deal with any chemical imbalances your brain and body is going through. If the question is how do you cure depression, then thats a whole big bag of stuff.
Theres proper diet, exercise, social interaction, cognitive positive outlook therapy, the possible use of anti depressants (although I personally dont believe in them unless in an emergency), natural supplements, serotonin meds, etc, etc..
You can google depression treatment and get a whole host of ideas.
I was mostly conveying the simple question...how do you deal with it, not how to cure it. I didnt mean to infer anything too simplistic regarding depression. I was just giving support and a positive pat on the back to anyone feeling down.
Posts: 514 | From . | Registered: Apr 2008
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merrygirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12041
posted
Could you also have a little post psrtum depression? I had this severely 2 times, its very hard.
the only med that I hated was Effexor. If I didn't take it I became very sick, like being dependant on it.
I liked Welbutrin a lot and may ask to add this on again.
Melissa
Posts: 3905 | From USA | Registered: May 2007
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lymetwister
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19590
posted
I'm a guy, so it can't be postpartum depression. I tried many psych meds in the past and they made me god awful sick and made my anxiety go through the roof.
Like I said, the crying seems to be a symptom of the disease rather than a true depression. Out of nowhere, I feel a sudden strong urge to cry in the front of my head. I'm not thinking about anything when this happens and it comes and goes several times during the day.
Just woke up and it's not there, but I feel SICK as can be. Still running low grade fevers daily 99.4 or so at midday.
WBC counts are up periodically with blood work.
Very lost,
Gary
Posts: 1227 | From District of Columbia | Registered: Mar 2009
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lightparfait
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 22022
posted
Besides pathogen treatment and abatement...Have you tried clearing you liver from toxic substances/chemicals...so depression can lift?
Especially after being on meds for a long time.
Removal of Heavy metals...ie mercury amalgams? Heavy metal cleanses?
Also parasite cleanses can help remove some of the burden.
Allergie Immune therapy can help as well. helps regulate hormonal pathways, endocrine system and other body disregulations...that lead to depression.
All these things can help lighten the toxic load...and depression/anxiety can get much lighter. Each person is different...but all can improve to some degree.
Posts: 1009 | From NJ | Registered: Aug 2009
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Bugg
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8095
posted
Hey Guys-
For some of you who wrote that even antidepressants don't help, you may want to look into Deplin, it's actually a vitamin (methyl-folate). Apparently some people who don't respond to SSRIs may not properly process folate (folic acid). Some may be homozygous for the MTHFR allele.
Anyway, my uncle who suffers with severe anxiety and some paranoia was just prescribed this as he has not responded to SSRIs. He felt better on this in a week. I've read about others responding quickly to Deplin when they've never responded to anything else.. And it's a vitamin!
Hope this might work for someone....
Posts: 1155 | From Southeast | Registered: Oct 2005
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