posted
post from 7/15, just editing and replying 7/23
Hi again everyone, it's me with another question (some things never change)
My llmd has been suggesting for me to see a psychiatrist or a pyschologist, she didn't specify any preference for one over the other, because she said that even if the depression is secondary to lyme (or coinfection(s)) it might still be helped somewhat by counseling or the "right" antidepressants and that would give me more time to just do the things I need to for my daily life (and not get depressed over that too!).
I know that part of my symptoms is depression, and that it often seems unconnected to the other symptoms, the other symptoms can be bad without the depression being bad to a similar degree and the depression can be bad when the symptoms are (relatively) "better."
It seems to come on after I've experienced some kind of setback or adversity, even if that is relatively minor.
Also I'm not sure if it is primarily/in large part due to psychological problems (being sick all the time, the sense of isolation and losing all of my friends, basically being all but reduced to a nonentity in my own thinking about myself) or just a biological aspect of the brain screwed up by disease (in which case it would be wasteful to spend effort trying to think my way out of it).
I'm sure all those experiences would be enough to bring about a depression in most anybody, however since I get the depressions (cognitive symptoms) and despairing thoughts at the same time I'm not which is the cause of which?
So just wanted to know people's experiences with treating depression? What's been used and did it help, or not at all?
-sincerely john
[ 23. July 2006, 11:35 PM: Message edited by: sunnyslumber ]
Posts: 122 | From San Diego, CA, California, United States | Registered: Mar 2005
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Carol B
Unregistered
posted
I, for one, will be greatly interested in the responses you get with this. Every time I go in for an appointment( 3 months so far) I say depression is the number one hardest thing for me to deal with.
I told someone I think I could handle physical pain better than this mental pain. It's like my head becomes encapsulated (speaking of medication) in this unbearable depression.
Finally the other night I just told myself to stop fighting it, accept it, and remember "this too shall pass"
I am in individual therapy, but I can't seem to budge out of these depressive moods. My LLMD finally prescribed Zoloft-but my insurance wouldn't cover it. I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing.
tabbytamer
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3159
posted
I've been on Rx's for Depression since the beginning. They help in my case.
I've also noticed that Abx treatment made a positive difference in that area.
Tried several months of psychotherapy recently. Therapist didn't ever take the time to read up on Lyme. She felt it was no different than any other nagging health problem many people have.
She also suggested I move out (without my hubby and sons).
Years ago I had a great psychologist. Extremely helpful. Unfortunately he is no longer in the area.
I guess I'm saying that in my opinion, I think therapy can be a great help if you find a therapist that makes sense and that you're comfortable with.
As far as the meds for Depression, I'm better with them than without them (I've tried several times without them-go days and weeks constantly crying). But no anti-depressant has ever helped me feel whole like I felt before Lyme.
Anti-depressants seem to work better after several months on and while staying on antibiotics.
kelmo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8797
posted
My daughter couldn't live without both. She needs to the meds to help with the brain chemistry change this all causes, and she needs to talk to someone other than her mother who is with her 24/7.
It's hard to find a good therapist, though.
Posts: 2903 | From AZ | Registered: Feb 2006
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posted
It has helped me with depression and I suffer from chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia symtoms, which seems to have improved with the antidepressants.My biggest challenge is the effects that lyme has had with my eyesight and all of the subsequent problems.
Posts: 719 | From Delaware | Registered: Jan 2006
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I continue to have nerve-related pain and it definitely causes me to be depressed.
It seems that it becomes a cycle. You get lyme...you have symptoms that are difficult to deal with...you get depressed...you still have symptoms...you stay depressed...etc...
I keep thinking that once I start to feel better the depression will lift.
So here's a question for anyone. Has anyone who recovered greatly from lyme actually gotten rid of their depression because they were feeling better physically?
Thanks.
-David
-------------------- Same nightmare, different day! Posts: 401 | From East Coast | Registered: Nov 2005
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OptiMisTick
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 399
posted
[ 24. February 2008, 11:57 PM: Message edited by: OptiMisTick ]
Posts: 1338 | From Above the Clouds | Registered: Nov 2000
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OptiMisTick
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 399
posted
[ 24. February 2008, 11:58 PM: Message edited by: OptiMisTick ]
Posts: 1338 | From Above the Clouds | Registered: Nov 2000
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OptiMisTick
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 399
posted
[ 24. February 2008, 11:59 PM: Message edited by: OptiMisTick ]
Posts: 1338 | From Above the Clouds | Registered: Nov 2000
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posted
My gratitude to Carol B, Tabby, Kelmo, SayYesh, Iceskater, Davidx, & OptiMisTick
Have really crashed since starting IV Rocephin or possibly Transfer Factor (which I recently stopped) so please forgive me for not being able to make a semi-coherent reply in a more timely manner.
I just wanted you all to know I had read your responses and really appreciate it. They are very helpful and I'm sure will be even more so when I can read this all a little more clear-headed.
I'll hope to give you all a more intelligent response than now (which wouldn't take much!) and tell you if I've found something(s) which works for me, for those who are interested.
john
Posts: 122 | From San Diego, CA, California, United States | Registered: Mar 2005
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posted
I think what works for me is I learn coping tools to help we when I get down. The Problem is the more my health goes dowh hill the harder it is to use coping tools (like going for a walk, taking photos, drawing, ect...) Now I find what helps me is venting weekly at my theapist. I may sound dumb but I feel better after venting an hour, I am able to cope with my health alittle better then. I wish you the best.
Posts: 51 | From Des Moines, Iowa | Registered: Jul 2006
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lymemomtooo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5396
posted
I have really hesitated to join this post but it has been a Hell of a week and maybe I can offer a different insight..
Miss Tick sort of indicates some of the problems with meds..
My daughter started on Prozac, over 7 years ago..The DO ended up handing it out like candy..Constantly upping the dose..She became a zombie..No depression, no life..Nothing..
I Believed in Ducks then so did not question his judgment since he was more out of the box than anyone within 30 miles..He also disagreed when my daughter questioned lyme disease..Well, his proof a negative ELISA..Bless his soul..
Someday I would like to try to educate him, now, I still would like to strangle him..
Then suicide thoughts crept in and we tried some psychiatrists..ONE wanted to know if she really wanted to be a boy instead of a girl since she always wore jeans and tee shirts and he could not figure out why she was not getting better..She left crying everytime..
We then found a psychologist that spent much time on assertiveness training to get our daughter to tell us off, (I think).. It always has to be the mom or dad's fault. My daughter started refusing to go to her but not until I beat her into understanding lyme and neurotoxins..Some day she will be a gift to others..I also think when the treatment center materializes that she would now be an asset.
The second psych. was a cross between Colonel Saunders and Captain Kangaroo..He spent 10 minutes of each visit playing with his handle bar mostache and his medical palm pilot..As he would say hum, and sigh..Once in a while he would ask if our daughter had tried this med.. Well by now she has had almost everything or some of most families.
My husband says there are reasons that some go into psychiatry..To try to understand themselves..
The third psych was very understanding of the diabetes. She had a pump..But as far as lyme disease or heaven forbid, a coinfection..She was very lost..
Then we were given the # of a llmd that offered some great help..He was not very aggressive but hundreds of times better than anything we had previously experienced. His nurse, a support group leader, gave me the phone # of a llpsych and with her help and then a new llmd..There was great progress..Thank you Drs. V.T.S and A.F.C.
But I am convinced that there has never been a good psych med..And if she was not suicidal, I would never again let her use one.. I see some advantage to valium for emergencies and she is taking a low dose of lexapro to assist but anything else, I do not know..
I have read most of two books about Prozac and ssri's. I am not Dr but it makes sense to me that they just add to the problem..They do not permit more usable serotonin.
I wish I had answers instead of :advise to be careful with all of the meds..But our daughter has attempted suicide on all of them..So what benefit were they?
I further feel that any drug becomes toxic in your system..I am not anti drugs, just that we must be careful.Further that exercise, rest, healthy food,good friends, some safe distractions, etc, may be way more helpful..
Also to parents, please try to get the kids well before they are 18..It is a whole different ball game when they are non compliant, OCD, self mutilating, suicidal, etc..And all you can do is to plead and beg and try to save them and get them better and they do not care..
Posts: 2360 | From SE PA | Registered: Mar 2004
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timaca
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6911
posted
A herb, rhodiola rosea helped a friend of mine with her depression. She has lyme.
Timaca
Posts: 2872 | From above 7,000 ft in a pine forest | Registered: Feb 2005
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Tracy9
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7521
posted
I have been taking Cymbalta, 90 mg a day for over a year now and it has helped immensely. Not only has it helped with depression (how the heck can you have Chronic Lyme Disease and NOT be depressed) but it is also FDA approved for neuropathic pain; and it helped a great deal in that area as well. I also take Adderall, and I swear without it I'd never be able to get out of bed; but that can help depression too. I definitely reccomend an antidepressant, and by the way, I am a therapist.
13 years Lyme & Co.; Small Fiber Neuropathy; Myasthenia Gravis, Adrenal Insufficiency. On chemo for 2 1/2 years as experimental treatment for MG. Posts: 4480 | From Northeastern Connecticut | Registered: Jun 2005
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