posted
I can deal with most of the other lyme symptoms until treatment makes progress. But, the anxiety and maybe depression is getting to me.
When do you turn to an antidepressant? I've tried the fish oil, magnesium, b vitamins, theanie, 5htp, same, etc.
I'm not as tired this week as I have been, but I'm not interested in doing anything. I just want to get through the day. I've always been a self motivated person, but I don't feel like doing anything.
Is it time to ask for an antidepressant? Will it help with the anxiety too.
Please share your opinions and experiences.
Thank You,
B4
[ 11-20-2009, 10:21 AM: Message edited by: B4LYME ]
Posts: 144 | From PA | Registered: Nov 2009
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posted
When you can't take the depression and anxiety anymore.
Which sounds like about now.
It should help the anxiety as well. BUT there are different types and brands of antidepressants out there. They may have a different effect on you than other people.
Lyme and cos mess with brain chemistry. Most of us have to turn to antidepressants.
I hope that helps.
James
Posts: 872 | From New York City | Registered: Jun 2008
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posted
I do recommend against SSRI inhibitors . They do not help long term and in 6-9 months you will actually much much worse (due to deleterious effects on neurotransmitters). Anti depressant do cause suicides - I didnt believe it , till I was on celexa for about 6 month and experienced complete blackness -depression like you never could suspect before
Posts: 856 | From MA | Registered: Jul 2009
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- It's a tough call as many drugs for depression can be hard on the liver and most lyme patients are very sensitive to drugs. and the more stressed the liver, the more likely depression and pain. A stressed liver also interferes with the ability to sleep.
Also be aware that if you use Tylenol, that can damage the liver and create a cascade of problems.
You've got a good start with the supplements but I wonder if you are getting enough protein as that can help with energy.
Also, regarding expectations, it is very hard to deal with an illness that zaps energy when our spirit, our character is one of strong energy. Your body may not be able to do more right now and that is okay.
We have to let our bodies heal. A broken leg cannot be pushed, nether can an entire body network that has been hit with one of the most toxic infections in the world.
Some here do take antidepressants and if they work, great. But start with tiny, tiny doses if you go this route.
I've had horrible experiences with each and nearly lost my life several times because of them and am MUCH better without.
A gluten-free diet helps tremendously. Non-gluten whole grains that can help with energy include: Quinoa ("keen-wa"); Millet; Buckwheat (really a legume); Wild Rice (really a grass); and many varieties of brown, red and black rice.
Adrenal support is also key to reducing anxiety and having stable energy (within reason considering all our bodies have to deal with.)
For anxiety, you might consider: Holy Basil, (regular) Cat's Claw; Schizandra (helps the liver, adrenals and the brain).
Avoid all artificial sweeteners and all forms of MSG (google for all the names).
While these articles are not at all about lyme, you might find other suggestions here:
THE REQUIREMENTS OF PROTEIN & AMINO ACID DURING ACUTE & CHRONIC INFECTION . . .
Anura V. Kurpad - Institute of Population Health & Clinical Research, Bangalore, India 129. Indian J Med Res 124, August 2006, pp 129-148.
Excerpt:
" . . . 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. . . ."
- Full article at link (or google the title if it does not go through).
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Tai Chi or Chi Gong or Yoga can also help tremendously with mood and endurance.
Regular professional massage is fantastic help to calm the nervous system(s) and help the body eliminate toxins.
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And, I almost forgot: Cocoa Bean.
Green & Black's Organic 85% DARK chocolate, one ounce a day after lunch or with nuts is my anti-depressant. Nuts really help stretch it but also give you a wider range of fats and protein to stay in a good glycemic balance.
One or two ounces a day (not in evening) should be the max as more than that can stress the adrenals and make sleep harder. Cocoa should NEVER be used to boost energy though, as tempting as that is. That will stress the adrenals, for sure.
Going no lower than 85% DARK, there is very little sugar but if candida is an issue, you can put cocoa powder in whatever milk you drink and add a touch of STEVIA (sweetener from plants, it's not artificial).
I have tried all the dark chocolates over 73% but find the brand listed above at 85% to be the best of all. Better taste than most other 85% ones. If you can work up to the 90% ones, that is good, too. I intersperse but have not yet identified the best in that category.
posted
I would add that if you do want to try anti-depressants, find a GOOD psychiatrist who will work with you to find the right drug and dose for you. Don't rely on your PCP or even your LLMD, unless your LLMD is also a psych.
I love my LLMD, but I still turn to my psych for all psych-related medications (SSRI, clonazapam, gabapentin). She's very patient and explains exactly how various medications work, what the benefits might be, what the risks might be, etc. She started me on a very low dose of Zoloft and we worked from there.
This was actually before Lyme and co; I was treated for OCD--which was probably excerbated by the underlying, hidden bartonella.
She also reviews all of my Lyme meds and explains how they will affect the expression of my psych meds (depending on how things metabolize, various abx can increase or decrease the potency of psych meds).
That's the kind of doc you want--not just someone who sees you for 10 minutes and gives you an Rx for a psychoactive drug.
-AnnaL
Posts: 398 | From By the Salish Sea | Registered: Dec 2008
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posted
Thank you for your replies. I'm going to try a small dose of cymbalta today and see how it goes. This is a relapse for me after being off antibiotics for 4 years.
I had a stressful year last year and didn't take care of myself very well.
Last time it was about a year of antibiotic treatment before I didn't need the nortityline and xanax. I'm hoping the same will be true this time around.
I'm not looking for the golden ticket here just a little support to help along the journey.
posted
maybe look into neruoscience website and see if you may be interesed in that.
is use of amino acid supplements to balance out neruotransmitters. they test urine/ saliva and send resutls to the practitioner. then supps based on ur results.
using this for our son wiht adhd and is already sleeping better.
wish i would have known about this myself before starting cymbalta... it makes HUGE diff. with the neruopathy and if i miss a dose the "electric shock" feeling every time i move my neck at all comes back. i dont like the idea of being on this forever. agree with keebler... LT use will alter ur body production of seritonin BC OF the SSRI being used... so really just keeps things out of whack.
below is the website address. there is place u can look up practitioner. we were very suprised at our sons results...
personally, would explore this option before getting ur body "used" too SSRI... best wishes !!
-------------------- i am not a Dr. any info is only for education, suggestion or to think/research. please do not mis-intuprest as diagnostic or prescriptive, only trying to help. **
dx in 08:lyme, rmsf, bart, babs, and m.pneumonia. Posts: 422 | From TX | Registered: Oct 2008
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posted
Cymbalta is an snri I think. I was nervous about the ssri because I believe that what my body really needs is balance.
The tricyclic I took before worked on both serotonin and norepinephine I think. I don't want to take anyhing longterm and hope that this will take the edge off while I'm treating for lyme and company.
Thanks. I may still look into this. We have a great natural pharmacy nearby. I'd rather use something like food or that is natural to my body, but so far it's been 5 months and it hasn't made the dent I need to function as I'd like too.
Not looking to be an overachiever just less restless and more interested in doing things when I feel up to it.
posted
SSRIs work and work for long term too. I have no idea why coltman says they don't. Maybe not for him, but they do for the vast majority of people. They very rarely cause suicidal thoughts.
Good that you're trying something. They take a while to work, give it time.
Good Luck.
James
Posts: 872 | From New York City | Registered: Jun 2008
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quote:Originally posted by JamesNYC: SSRIs work and work for long term too. I have no idea why coltman says they don't. Maybe not for him, but they do for the vast majority of people. They very rarely cause suicidal thoughts.
Good that you're trying something. They take a while to work, give it time.
SSRIs are bad - another psych drug whose long term detrimental effects was not studied in clinical trials.They do cause suicides among many other bad things
Posts: 856 | From MA | Registered: Jul 2009
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