posted
Specifically for depression, I am wondering maybe if there is a trend for certain types of antidepressants to be better for Lyme patients than other antidepressants. For example, there are serotonin antidepressants (Prozac, Lexapro, Celexa); mixed antidepressants such as Effexor, Cymbalta, Wellbutrin; and then off-label things such as Risperdal, Zyprexa, Abilify; or other off label things such as Xanax, Ritalin, Lamictal.
I don't respond well to any, though I find sometimes helpful Ritalin for a quick energy and mood boost, or the foreign antidepressant Milnacipran (3 parts norepinephrine to 1 part norepinephrine) for a modest floor underneath me. These things would tend to point to a catecholamine malfunction involving primarily norepinephrine, with secondary involvement of serotonin and dopamine.
I am just curious to maybe whether there is a trend for Lyme to mess with one particular neurotransmitter system more than another, and possibly Lyme patients in general respond better to one kind of medication than another.
I doubt there is a trend but wanted to look at it closer and see. I could be wrong.
Posts: 5 | From Maine | Registered: Dec 2008
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adamm
Unregistered
posted
I don't know, but I sure wouldn't use an antipsychotic unless I had a psychosis so severe it put me or someone else in immediate danger. Those things cause brain damage, in many cases more severe than what one can suffer with a bad case of Lyme.
SSRIs and tricyclics may also cause damage (as well as unfavorable immunological effects)--there's much more conflicting evidence with regards to this, but it certainly makes sense to be cautious. http://www.naturalnews.com/024679.html I personally wouldn't use one without the blessing of an LL-psychiatrist.
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shazdancer
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1436
posted
Here is one resource, with suggestions of meds for treatment of depression:
and look for other articles by this author, who is respected in the field of Lyme and psychiatry.
He understands that depression can be a physical manifestation of Lyme, as well as a reaction to being so ill. He knows that some psychiatric medications may target other Lyme symptoms as well, so he uses different meds depending on whether the patient needs better sleep, less pain, etc.
Hope that helps,
Sharon
Posts: 1558 | From the Berkshires | Registered: Jul 2001
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Hoosiers51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15759
posted
I have tried a lot of them.....Prozac was the first thing I tried and it helped my OCD and depression somewhat.
Then I took a break from meds, but when the time came where I needed more, I tried a lot of things that I didn't like, but one thing that I did like was Lamictal.
Another thing you may want to try is beta blockers. The beta blocker Pindolol has antidepressant effects in me.
Some lymies have issues with POTS (post orthostatic tachycardia syndrome) or dysautonomia, and beta blockers seem to help dysautonomic issues for some people......and thus, maybe that is why it had antidepressant affects in someone like me, with lyme.....maybe it helped correct autonomic issues I have due to lyme, which can cause depression (dysautnomia can). I am really tired, so i am not explaining this well.....but hope that helps.
Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
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posted
Paxil works for me. It is an SSRI like Prozac, but with a mild sedating effect. I've been on it about 12 years. It was a miracle drug for me. For the first time in my life, I felt "normal". No panic, no depression, no anxiety, I sailed through all the problems of life, and it also made my sense of humor really come alive. I had a fairly stressful job as a university administrator, and it really allowed me to cope, even excel.
With the onset of Lyme symptoms, I experienced a return of some depression, which is a normal reaction to bizarre symptoms that lead you to believe you are dying. But it still kept me together so I could function.
IMHO, SSRI's are the way to go. Almost no side effects for me, I just felt NORMAL and CALM and TOGETHER. I endured the deaths of both my parents as well as a dear friend. I grieved appropriately, but did not fall apart.
-------------------- 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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glm1111
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 16556
posted
I am not taking it anymore, but ADDERRALL worked really well for me,
Gael
-------------------- PARASITES/WORMS ARE NOW RECOGNIZED AS THE NUMBER 1 CO-INFECTION IN LYME DISEASE BY ILADS* Posts: 6418 | From philadelphia pa | Registered: Jul 2008
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Cass A
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11134
posted
I'm with Adamm on this one!
Psychiatric drugs have a terrible adverse event profile. Now, the most "respected" psychiatrists are being exposed as having tremendous financial conflicts of interest with BigPharma, and the FDA approval process for drugs is staffed to a large degree by Pharma insiders.
These are very, very risky drugs!
B vitamins, especially B 1, help a lot with mood problems. Taking a walk and looking at things is also helpful.
Best,
Cass A
Posts: 1245 | From Thousand Oaks, CA | Registered: Feb 2007
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luvs2ride
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8090
posted
Psychosis = inflammation in the brain.
Bacteria is one cause of inflammation. Diet is another really big contributor to brain inflammation.
Read up on excitotoxins and eliminate them from your diet. This will help. Also, study other ways to reduce inflammation.
Every brain cell has a Vit D3 receptor. This is very important to know. Vit D3 is anti-inflammatory.
I am quoting Dr. Russell Blaylock, a neurosurgeon.
quote:Vit D3 plays a major role in a number of mechanisms that protect the brain: -It increases neuron glutathione level. -It is a powerful antioxidant -It reduces harmful levels of nitric oxide, which can form a brain-destroying free radical called peroxiynitrite.
This free radical is found in high concentrations in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease as well as a number of other neurodegenerative diseases of aging.
Instead of thinking of dangerous drugs to make you feel better, think of ways to reduce inflammation and support your brain in a healthy way. This will bring healing to your brain and to your body.
Luvs
-------------------- When the Power of Love overcomes the Love of Power, there will be Peace. Posts: 3038 | From america | Registered: Oct 2005
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I have taken many mood-altering drugs. I have taken prozac for one month, zoloft for eight years, celexa for ten years, lithium for one year, lamictal for one month, neurontin for one month, depakote for a few weeks, wellbutrin for two years, and several tranquilizers, each for a few months.
Two years ago, I went to a doctor called a "functional medicine specialist" who primarily focussed on helping children with autism.
Functional Medicine is about how all medical issues are related to nutritional problems.
She performed many blood, urine, saliva, and stool tests on me, to assess what was going on in my body nutritionally.
I learned exactly what vitamins, minerals, and amino acids I was deficient in.
She then tailored a nutritional regimen, specifically based on the deficiencies which showed up in the tests.
She gave me many supplements to take.
She then re-tested me, to make sure the supplements were working.
She also tested me for heavy metals, and gave me even more supplements to help to detox those as well.
I was able to get off my dose of celexa and wellbutrin, and replace those pharmaceuticals with the things my body was craving, yet, not getting simply from my diet.
I felt better not on the pharmaceuticals.
She also encouraged me to go on a gluten-free, casein-free diet--which is something which is always encouraged for autistic kids. (there is a theory that autism is caused by Lyme Disease--see "lymeinducedautism.com")
There are many support-groups for gluten-free, casein-free living/eating/cooking--my small side of town has a support group which meets at a health food store, and exchanges foods and recipes.
I notice a difference with the change of diet.
Have you heard of "biofeedback" or meditation? There are also support groups for these things. There is a brand-new tiny hand-held instrument for biofeedback, which I saw advertised in a news magazine last year.
If you would like to know the name of the functional medicine nutritional-statis tests, and labs, and if you are curious to see what supplements, and what quantities I am taking, just private message me, and I'll show you.
If you would like to talk to me on the phone, just private message me, and I'll give you my phone number.
I would encourage you to take supplements and change your diet, and do biofeedback, and meditation, and support groups, before trying pharmaceuticals.
But I also understand, that when you don't have a lot of extra money, sometimes having the insurance company paying for some kind of pharmaceutical is the only thing one can do in the short term--I've been there, and, no guilt or shame for that either.
I encourage you to contact me.
Be peaceful--oh, and also music is very healing, they recently did a study on music and found a result that they could proove that some music relaxed the artery walls of people.
Take good care of yourself, Zeitgeist
Posts: 44 | From Indianapolis | Registered: Sep 2008
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posted
I had and still have left over, many of these classic effects. I've always been careful about drugs, though, especially those affecting my brain. Being a musician, there's a certain part of my brain that I really don't want to take any chances messing with. So it's quite a balance.
That being said, I do often try things suggested, watching for adverse effects, or, when there's no choice, like with antibiotics. With depressive tendencies, though, I've always managed to get by with herbal and meditation-types of "treatments", though, if you "go for it with doubt-free faith".
St. Johns Wort is good for lightening emotional heaviness. But like doxycycline, it causes sun-sensitivity, so be careful of that.
Gingko, and herbal combinations containing gingko, were often, but not always, effective in battling brain-fog. They may alao increase effectivenes of antibiotics.
Don't pooh-pooh meditation and prayer, either. Buddhism has served me very well here, but whatever you're into, will probably help you to a considerable extent!
Above all, never give up-- appreciate every little victory and keep fighting the Lyme, always strengthening the conviction that things will get better soon.
Wishing all unprecedented improvement this holiday season!
Posts: 4567 | From ithaca, NY, usa | Registered: Nov 2000
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djf2005
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11449
posted
IMO NONE.
with the drastic extent of brain and CNS involvement with lyme & co i would highly recommend not supplementing with an anti depressant.
if you need short acting happiness xanax is a good option which also doubles as a herx reliever.
if you must go on an anti depressant, wellbutrin XL is a good choice, but keep in mind it may boost your energy levels and may not be able to be allocated if you have have neurological symptoms.
good luck, surround yourself with family and friends and stay positive.
a positive outlook far surpasses any SSRI that i have come across.
if pain is your issue consider the short term use of narcotics.
while not a long term solution, they can provide immense relief while on aggressive lyme therapy.
cheers
derek
-------------------- "Experience is not what happens to you; it is what you do with what happens to you."
CD57
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11749
posted
I have had unbearable psych symptoms and am on low dose Lexapro, which really helps stabilize the anxiety and depression. I think it's literally saved my life.
No shame or guilt in going on these things, you can always get off when you're better.
Do what you need to do.
Posts: 3528 | From US | Registered: Apr 2007
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Cass A
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11134
posted
It's often not a case of "always get off when you're better."
Many people get terrifying and horrible symptoms when they try to get off these drugs, even slowly. Psychiatrists call these "rebound," implying it is the "mental illness" coming back, when in reality these are adverse drug effects.
Many people who took Paxil after the 9-11 catastrophy in New York City (based on smooth drug adds about feeling better) found that they could NOT discontinue the drugs. This is one example.
So, the possibility that you won't be able to get off them without a serious struggle should be part of your decision-making.
This is called informed consent. You can look up what it means on the internet, as it was settled by a case before the U.S. Supreme Court many years ago.
With the drug companies controlling most of the research and the FDA approval bodies, getting informed consent is difficult. Try MedWatch for adverse event reports on any drug you're considering.
Thanks for asking at Lymenet as part of finding the best path for you.
Best,
Cass A
Posts: 1245 | From Thousand Oaks, CA | Registered: Feb 2007
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luvs2ride
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8090
posted
Hoosier
Your point is correct and well taken. Sometimes we are so out of balance for whatever reason and need temporary help to get us back up and running.
While taking that much needed assistance, please also try to consider the cause behind the illness.
See my post above about inflammation in the brain. I personally do not have depression issues, but my husband does. And he does all the wrong things dietary one can imagine.
After he witnessed my dramatic improvement from dietary change, he did make attempts to eat better, and he continues to start a good diet, but never sticks with it for very long.
He has a lifetime habit of junking at nighttime and skipping breakfast and even lunch only to hit the junkfood again the next night. It is an addiction in and of itself. Whenever he jumps on a healthier eating plan, he feels so much better. He sleeps better, has more energy and is not bloated. But he can't stay there.
He tries to get off Paxil and can't. Even I am like "here honey. Take your paxil." Because, believe me, the man turns into a bear without it.
So, I'm trying to share with you guys valuable information I have learned through 3 yrs of researching my own disease.
Inflammation in your brain is the most likely source of your problem. Excitotoxins are a major cause and can easily be avoided.
You can change your diet while you continue on your meds. Hopefully, your body will respond well and soon you will be able to give up the meds.
Your addiction is not just to your meds, but also to your toxic foods.
Best of luck to all of you. I know firsthand how tough it is to be disciplined when you are depressed.
Luvs
-------------------- When the Power of Love overcomes the Love of Power, there will be Peace. Posts: 3038 | From america | Registered: Oct 2005
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Hoosiers51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15759
posted
Luvs,
I am glad you had the chance to read my post, but I am actually choosing to delete it.
It is just too controversial of an issue, and I feel that I don't really have the necessary experience to push the discussion one way or another.
I guess that is all I'm going to say about it...my opinions are still the same, but I just don't really feel like this forum is the place for me to get all fired up about a topic like this, especially since the decision on whether or not to treat, and the results, are highly specific to the person.
Hope you guys understand Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
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