I'm pretty sure that I'm not the only one who is plagued by challenges with depression/mood changes/Lyme.
I'm often confused about the relationship between depression and Lyme.
It seems that fatigue/depression can be one of the first symptoms to surface for me, and it's difficult for me to tell them apart. Which comes first the chicken or the egg?
My low moods can come on fairly suddenly-- though I know some of the triggers-- Also, once I'm in a state of depression, I feel like it's never ending and I'm constantly battling my otherwise "sunny disposition". Normally, when I'm not feeling awful-- nice thoughts just come to me, and I'm sort of spontaneous and happy go lucky. Then my mood will change and I can't enjoy a single song on the radio, I become radically disappointed in myself and most things around me. I struggle because I want to "do the right thing", (aka- attend a dr.'s appt., brush my teeth, clean my room, eat well, and of course do my schoolwork) and I struggle. I feel lazy and frustrated that I'm depressed and I'm not making myself get up and do something to improve the situation.
I'm frustrated because I haven't found a Lyme treatment that works despite 9 years of searching, and I've had so much trouble finding a psychiatrist/counselor that I can afford that my GP prescribes my anti-depressant.
I'd love to be in better control of my moods, and I'd like to find ways of accepting the solitude that my life offers. The truth of the matter is that I feels best when I'm constantly busy, around people, and in a warm climate-- but that's not a lifestyle that I can live right now and so I need to find some other ways to cope. I become frustrated and down because a.) I don't feel well b.) When I'm feeling pretty lousy, I lack the motivation that I need to drive into the city and begin meeting people by going out alone c.) I'm insecure that I don't have the work/hobbies/significant other/children that others have that keeps them so busy. Sometimes in our society our "busy-ness" is how we measure our importance.
I'd like to find a way to help myself, but I feel as though I've tried all the tricks I know. Some include: Netflicks Social Networking Sites I'm taking an arthritis exercise class at the Y I bought a car so that I can drive to town I try to keep posted on the local events I cook and bake Go to the dog park Sleep Go outside or sit in the sun Make to-do lists and list small and large tasks to feel better about the small things I can do Try to plan things to look forward to Paint Photography Magazines Clean/organize my living space Do things for others
I'd like to be able to read and do my schoolwork, but I've found that my concentration /reading comprehension is a problem.
I welcome any thoughts and I'm happy to share ideas on tx that haven't worked for me, but may help others.
Thanks,
Kado
Posts: 60 | From Barrington, RI | Registered: Oct 2003
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Cobweb
Unregistered
posted
I am often challeneged by mood swings.
I have been able to tell myself-This too Shall pass. That comes from months of sliding in and out of depressive moods. It's the I over E attitude-Intellect over Emotions.
Still, when I am feeling good I think-ah how nice, thankgoodness the depression is gone ,hoping it is gone forever.
Then I get seemingly blindsided by dark thoughts again and it's like DANG. So I tell myself, this too shall pass-and take a nap-sleep does help me.
Sometimes I also force myself to be with people-it's usually when I am by myself that I am at my lowest.
there are mood stabalizing medications-but I have never taken them-although I wonder sometimes if I should. Still I don't want to mess my system up too much.
So I basically just try to accept that it is what it is. If I don't fight it, or tell myself that it's my fault, as if I'm just not trying hard enough, then I look to a list similiar to the one you have.
I think you are on the right track and doing the best you can to deal with it.
How frustrating these TBI's are. You are doing everything right from what you stated in the above post.
Do you have a trusted friend you can share this with?
I gotta agree the sadness/ depression is one that causes myself such grief! I could care less about anything when that happens. It's actually painful isn't it?
Especially when you are a naturally happy person, it's as though you feel you are a shell of yourself. I know you pain well.
If I can't get involed in something usually because I can't stand to be around other humans except for my husband (lucky him) I watch old movies. For myself they take my mind off of it for a while.
You are doing everything right w/ all the distracting activities you are doing.
1- Could yeast be problem? I know this has caused me to be in a funk at times. When I used the anti-fungals it helped me.
2- Is there an abx or other med that is causing this depression? Again for myself flagy or tindamax has made me an emitional fruitcake When I stopped the drug, I became my old happy go lucky self.
3- Have you been detoxing or doing a parasite cleanse? The parasite cleanse made me very sad and depressed, go figure. Detoxing helps remove all the die off from the cooties.
4- Is your wellness protocol adressing all possible issues, viruses & co-infections.
5- Just maybe the anti-depressant you are now taking isn't the right one for you, talk to the doc.
I too understand the frustration of holy crapola I'm still not well after all this time!
You are never alone.
Since you metioned painting these are just for you.
Marc Chagall ~ Fleurs-Sur-Fond-Rouge
Gustav Klimt ~ The Kiss
-------------------- Stella Marie Posts: 694 | From US | Registered: Apr 2005
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I'm glad to hear that the depression is likely part of the Lyme and that it's just one of those things that I need to wait out.
I live with my parents, and often feel guilty that they are in their 60's and can do more than me. I have (or used to have) a lot of determination and I'm beginning to wonder if this can set me back.
Kado
Posts: 60 | From Barrington, RI | Registered: Oct 2003
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
kado, you ARE doing many thing to help yourself out as listed above.
1 thing you stated was about your insecurity; have you read the book, I'M OK; YOU'RE OK! it really helped my self-esteem issues!! got me on the right track to where i am today; confident and witty! hehe
what state do you live? i noticed your profile doesn't show this, and others from your state might be able to guide you to the better psychologists in your state!
otherwise, try this to find this person this way ok!
welcome to the board; glad you found us.
As of MIDNIGHT last night, our PRIVATE MESSAGES WERE DISABLED due to ongoing problems, and the administrator took this action.
So at this time, we are in a quandry since we use PMs, private messages, to send this info since it can NOT BE POSTED ONLINE HERE.
Bear with us as we work out the difficulties, but we do have names for that area! Bettyg
For the time being, you could try this!
Please go to SUPPORT GROUPS, left-hand side column by state. CALL the nearest group leader for advise. Do NOT email; many are too sick to reply; thanks!
People seeking doctors in certain states might be able to get help from their state online information and support group. Over 1500 people belong to these state groups. Many of the groups are small but quite a few have 20 or more people on them.
Type your state name and lyme as one word, e.g. newyorklyme
For SC, SD, ND and WY, put a hyphen between the statename and lyme, e.g. northdakota-lyme
The groups are moderated so you have to apply, and we don't allow doctor names, but once on the group, you can ask for doctors in a certain area and ask people to email you privately.
For Online Doctor Referrals, click on the following URL for the Lyme Disease Association Doctor Referral page:
Thanks for your reply-- I'm in RI, but there are no support groups listed-- I've searched the internet in the past and tried to make contacts, but I haven't found my area to be a very warm community despite my efforts:( Unfortunately, I'm not in a good position to start a support group right now.
Posts: 60 | From Barrington, RI | Registered: Oct 2003
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So sorry to hear about all the difficulties you are going through. I personally don't suffer from depression with my lyme, but I do find my self often times getting teary and frustrated.
I'm also in RI--and while I aldo don't have it in me to start a support group (which I think RI desperately needs!) I'd be happy to share pm's with you once they are enabled again.
Until then, I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Niere
Posts: 237 | From Rhode Island | Registered: Jan 2008
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just don
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1129
posted
When treatment fails over a LONG period of time,,,time to look to co-infections treatment first. tsts are mostly worthless,,,just have to put the sx together.
problem is the disease makes us forget too many of the sx to put them all together.
ANY chance bart is a player here?? it used to be Babs was the major player,,,NOW I have read where bart is the number one co and MOST people have it!!
Of course the yeast is a major player also,,,even possibly mold and heavy metals!!! Check them out and learn about there similiar probs!!
Mycoplams Pneumonia is also a contributor as well as Epstein Barr Virus!!keep trying--just don--
-------------------- just don Posts: 4548 | From Middle of midwest | Registered: May 2001
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
kado,
just went to directory at top and did a location search; 25 RI members listed! just wanted to share that with you.
if nothing else, phyllis mervine set up a RI yahoo group for you all; why not start using it! then you can share your home emails...
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When I stopped the drug, I became my old happy go lucky self.
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