randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
you know lately i find myself sitting on the sofa, (mike is usually gone), and i'll just feel like crying...imagine that, watching fox news, cooking shows, no matter, i just well up and almost get teary...
i do it reading a sad book, marley and me broke me up. i'll start crying and just sob..
heck, i know i'm fat and not very attractive...but i look in the mirror and wonder "who is this person, where did i go? what's happening to me? i'm getting old and i don't have anybody. i miss my dog horribly and still grieve even tho it's been 3 years."
this is my first holiday season without my mom and i ain't looking forward to anything. my sister told me they were exchanging gifts just among the "three" of them and i wasn't included. nice, huh?
w asked me the last time if i was taking anything for depression and i said no, but now i'm thinking maybe i should.
uncontrollable sadness is a sign right?
so do you take anything? is this part of lyme, bet it is....
i don't really know what depression meds are. cymbalta is one right? but how do you know what works for you?
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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posted
I think we all go through times like that. I feel worst after a setback. I tell myself two steps forward, one back still adds up to one ahead.
Ever had your serotonin level checked? Mine was WAY low, something like just 25% of the bottom of the normal range. Since then I've been trying OTC serotonin boosters like l-tryptophan and 5-HTP and getting interesting reactions. Might be worth considering.
Posts: 727 | From USA | Registered: Mar 2006
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seekhelp
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 15067
posted
How do you test serotonin? I thought it was impossible.
Posts: 7545 | From The 5th Dimension - The Twilight Zone | Registered: Mar 2008
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posted
there's a urine test... I don't know its level of accuracy, but in my case the results have been revealing, that is, the treatment suggested by those results has been having significant impact
Posts: 727 | From USA | Registered: Mar 2006
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merrygirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12041
posted
Randi,
I have severe depression and I take Zoloft and Abilify
Some info:
The two most significant symptoms of depression are:
Sadness or hopelessness
Loss of interest in or pleasure from most daily activities.
Other symptoms include:
Losing or gaining weight because of changes in appetite.
Sleeping too much or not enough.
Feeling restless and unable to sit still, or feeling that moving takes a great effort.
Feeling tired all the time.
Feeling unworthy or guilty without an obvious reason.
Having problems concentrating, remembering, or making decisions.
Melissa
Posts: 3905 | From USA | Registered: May 2007
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seekhelp
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 15067
posted
Oh yes, I underwent that test through Neuroscience at an alternative clinic. I showed the results to my PCP and other specialists and of course was told it has zero validity.
The holistic practice stated otherwise. They did IgG food testing, which every regular doc said is a crock of ####. Basically anything the place did was considered irrelevant by mainstream medicine.
That's what irks me so much about all this. The huge barrier line between the two areas. It shouldn't be there.
That's interesting you're getting good results. I had low serotonin and GABA on the test. I was a bit afraid to zupplement with them, but perhaps I should. My regular docs said the supplements aren't helpful for them and they don't cross the BBB. Obviously, you've proven otherwise.
quote:Originally posted by dguy: there's a urine test... I don't know its level of accuracy, but in my case the results have been revealing, that is, the treatment suggested by those results has been having significant impact
Posts: 7545 | From The 5th Dimension - The Twilight Zone | Registered: Mar 2008
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posted
Hi Randi, Sorry you are having such a hard,painful time. I think a lot of us here can relate. My MD has me taking 400 mg Double strength Sam-e by Source Natural. It really helps me other brands have not. Healing Blessings to you and a BIG hug Joyce
Posts: 905 | From Santa Cruz,Calif | Registered: Aug 2005
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I don't want to "diagnose" you as depressed, but you surely sound like it. Seems like depression sneaks up on you...pretty soon you are crying all the time and not looking forward to anything. Nip it in the bud! The deeper you get into depression, the harder it's going to be to get out again, so do what you can to get help!
I think some degree of depression is a given with lyme. Chronic illness, pain, big life-changes ---you have been sick, probably for a long time.. between the worries of lyme the barrage of drugs the physical pain the exhaustion, it's natural to respond with some degree of depression.
Besides, I wouldn't be surprised if some of the drugs and the Bb do bad things to the brain on top of all that!
I'm not on antidepressants yet, but the next time I start feeling that way (and I have had some serious bouts of depression since getting sick), I am going to give it a shot! Since I'm not that depressed now, I notice how much more wonderful and manageable life is!
I would recommend:
*be very forgiving and loving of yourself! *see a therapist regularly - this can help separate out your distorted thoughts from the rest *antidepressants *learn to meditate and do so every day (I don't have the self-discipline to do this, but I have no doubt that it would be very helpful.) *detox *eat right!! *find some way to reach out to other people *get regular 8-10 hours of sleep (I know insomnia can prevent this) *exercise regularly - even if it's just stretching several times a week *find something to laugh about every day
You need to retrain your brain to remember how to experience joy.
I put a post about finding joy while sick on the GENERAL Support forum. It may be inspiring.
Posts: 227 | From Northern CA (bitten in Illinois) | Registered: Jan 2008
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posted
Whatever else you take, be sure to take vitamin B6. A good amount of B6 (on top of a B complex) is critical in depression, at least it was for mine, before and after treatment. I'm on a good antidepressant, but even so without B6 it doesn't work as well.
-------------------- 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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Cass A
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11134
posted
I would definitely get some B Complex with additional B 1 for this before even thinking about psychiatric drugs.
Infections and medicines both eat up the body's supply of B vitamins, which can cause severe mood problems.
A good source of B vitamins is Brewer's Yeast, which is also very high in protein.
B 1 is especially good for emotional "downs" as well as any continuous figure-figure about one's condition or continuous thinking about anything (especially if you can't get to sleep because of it). B 1 should be taken with calcium and Vit. C.
There are sooooo many hazards to psychotropic drugs--suicidal thoughts, heart problems, physiological addiction, brain shrinking, permanent brain damage, severe weight gain, diabetes, etc.--that I would sincerely recommend you try out alternatives first.
Best,
Cass A
Posts: 1245 | From Thousand Oaks, CA | Registered: Feb 2007
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posted
I am a great believer in the SSRI's (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). Paxil is what did it for me. Changed my life, with almost no side effects. I would consult with a psychiatrist rather than a PCP for psych meds.
-------------------- 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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lyme in Putnam
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11561
posted
I've been to that place and it's no picnic. I take anafranil, which has been a life saver for me. I see my psychiatrist yearly and it got me back on track. I'm sorry about your mom. I lost mine 11 years ago and nothing can replace that. I hate to say time, but it took me about 7 years just not to cry when thinking of her. Do what you have to feel better. Be well
-------------------- He took u to it, He'll you through Posts: 2837 | From NE. | Registered: Apr 2007
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