A lot of time feeling blah and feeling sad like I could cry at any moment

My LLMD ask me about depression and I said "not me" but as  I look at my daily life and illness for the past 5 years, my symptoms make me very depressed. I have a gut/colon Lyme problem (I'm going to get more clarification from my LLMD doc in a couple of weeks, all I remember him saying is "yes you've come in contact with Lyme's bacteria" that was from my Ignex testing)

Does anyone take any medication for the "low periods" I can feel so helpless a lot and cry at any second sometimes. When it's worse is when I can hold back my bm and I have a accident (always when I'm driving) and I panic, then for days it sticks in my head that I pooped my pants and how awful of not being in controll of my urgency makes me feel so depressed. I focus too much on "poor me" but really I'm a very postive person and GOD is #1 in my life, so spiritually I'm good.

I'm totally afraid of antidepressants, b/c I heard bad things about them (suicide) but I need something to pick up my mood. I have such highs and lows. Any suggestions friends?

Thanks,

Linda

Hi Linda,

I have heard SAM-e recommended as well, but I used 5-HTP. I used it for the past 3.5 months, and I didn't realize how much it helped until just recently, when I ran short of money had to cut down on my supplements. I have (unfortunately) experienced the same things as you. The 5-HTP just really helped even things out so I didn't have swings. I stopped crying all the time, and going through those really low periods. I still had times when I was sad, because this is difficult to deal with, but it was in a way I could live with. I don't know if I had depressions this year exactly, or just mood problems from Lyme, but this helped. I know for sure that a year ago I suffered from sever depression, but I was too afraid of anti-depressants to try anything. That is why I went the more natural route this year.But if it hadn't worked, I think I would have gone on anti-depressants, because it's just not worth going through that.

I hope you find something that helps. I'll keep you in my prayers.

Nicole

I used an antidepressant. I was just too depressed not to, although I was very afraid of the side effects. I tried a few different ones that did not help and then found the right one. It helped immediately. I am currently weaning off after being on it for just about three months. I feel so much better and able to handle life again.

BTW, I tried all the naturals and supplements but for this particular problem, nothing worked. As my doc once said, "Better living through chemistry," and she was right. Remember, if you decide to take one for a while, it doesn't have to be forever.

I am undergoing treatment now.  I am on recephrin (sp?), zithromax and getting ready to start flagyl.  All are IV and after a few weeks into treatment, I had my first mental breakdown- crying for no apparent reason.  Since then, I get depressed and am feeling that way right now- the urge to cry but can't pinpoint the cause.  These episodes usually last for a day or two and then I'm fine.  To get me through, I take a xanax if I'm feeling really bad (though I am out because he gave me 15 about 3 months ago).  So now I'm just depressed but tell myself that I can deal with it and try to look at the things that make me happy.  My doctor also put me on Lamectal, which is to treat bipolar disorder.  I have noticed the my mood swings have disappeared.  I was like you and didn't want to be dependent on anti-depressants, but sometimes we need a little help.  I hope it's not a forever thing, but it makes me feel better so I am happy to have it.