Guest guest Posted November 18, 1998 Report Share Posted November 18, 1998 Some people have good results with St. 's Wort. (for depression). ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 18, 1998 Report Share Posted November 18, 1998 Dear Esther, Thank for replying. I forgot to specify that I've been on St. 's Wort--300 mg. 3X a day--for months. At first I thought it was helping, but now I'm not so sure. Joan ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 9, 1998 Report Share Posted December 9, 1998 Esther: Some St. Wort work better than others. I've found an oral spray that is obsorbed faster that a pill. The co. is called " Young Living " . It is a new product but you can check out their web site if you are interested . ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 23, 1999 Report Share Posted May 23, 1999 Joe, my depression was not causesd by interferon; I never took interferon and cannot and will not for fear of bringing on the depression again. Also, from what I hear and read, the interferon can cause medical problems that are worse than the hepatitis. For me, simply not worth the risk if I did have a choice. Arlene Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 24, 1999 Report Share Posted May 24, 1999 Dear Joe: Am so very sorry to here that you have had such a difficult and dangerous time with the interferon. I am one of the fortunate ones that have garnered positive results from it. Am in my sixth week of it. However my Dr is monitoring what is going on with me very closely. Blood at week 2, 4, 8, 12. So far it is all positive. But it did have it's depressing effects to begin with but my Dr. told me it would and he really stressed that. I am single, living alone, so for a while on shot night friends came and stayed with me and that was very comforting......Now the depression hits about 3/4 hours after the shot and i call someone and cry if i need to or what ever. Am glad for you and your children that you were able to hold on. The other thing I did was start a vitamin detox regimen at the same time I started the interferon and really believe that has helped a great deal. But it is a chemical and we all are not able to tolerate it. If you are no longer taking the interferon what kind of treatments are you using. HCV left untreated can be a worse nightmare than the treatments. And meditation has been my real ally in all of this. If for no reason that to give me focus on all that is good in my life and to keep that first and formost....... Hope you are okay and if i can be of help do not hesitate to write. Rowena Mrs Jane Sindoni wrote: > From: Mrs Jane Sindoni <JSINDONI@...> > > Arlene > Just wanted to share with you when you descibed how painful it was while > on interferon, that was excatlly the way I felt. If it wasn't for > having children that looked up to me, I really don't think I would be > here today. wanted to let other people who are currently on interferon, > to consider stopping (or insisting to see their doctor) interferon if > they have these side effects. Waking up out of a sound sleep with fast > shooting pains from one side of chest to the other, this is the pain > that i had about 3 months into the interferon, about 6 days after > stopping interferon arms and legs went numb with buring pain across > chest. This has left me with permenant nerve damage in both sides, > which I have to take med to control the pain. Just felt that I had a > duty to inform people of this. Also had eye pain, lost 30 pounds and my > body was depleted of many needed vitamins. Very depressed, also felt > much aniexity. I know that interferon is helping many people out there > but it also can have serious and permenant side effects. Goodbye for > now and God Bless Joe > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > With more than 17 million e-mails exchanged daily... > > ...ONElist is THE place where the world talks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 11, 1999 Report Share Posted September 11, 1999 Barbara, Thank you for the reply, I guess I'll just have to trust the doctors huh? (AIH) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 11, 1999 Report Share Posted September 11, 1999 I started with 60 mg of prednisone and within 4 weeks had a full blown depression. For me, prednisone was like pouring gasoline on a fire. I have a family history of mental illness and had been on depressants in the past, but I was not on anti-depressants at the time I started the prednisone. Unfortunately, I was not expecting a depression and it took me some time to recognize what was happening. Prednisone doesn't act as a depressant for everyone, so you may be lucky. Already being on anti-depressants might help. Also, since your doctor has been delaying starting the prednisone, he probably won't start with the maximum dosage as my doctor did. The big problem I had with the prednisone was not sleeping which tends to trigger depression for me. With 150 mg of trazadone (maximum dosage again), I slept fine. Two years later, I am still working with my psychiatrist to get the proper level of anti-depressant. Fortunately, he has been my psychiatrist for several years and we have a good relationship. I sleep a lot and am still trying to determine if this is a result of the liver disease or the anti-depressant. Right now I think it is the liver problem in spite of having good lab test results. La7de@... wrote: > > From: La7de@... > > Hi all, > > I'm seeing a new psyciatrist (another one, say your prayers) on Monday > morning. My GI wanted me to see him before I start on prednisone, since I am > already on anti-depressants (zoloft & trazodone). The GI wants to make sure > I am stable (LOL) since the prednisone can also cause depression. My > question is this: How badly did the prednisone hit you all who were already > being treated for depression? I need to know what to expect, and if there is > anything that can help. Please e-mail me directly if the answer shouldn't be > posted for newcomers. Thanks alot... > > (AIH) > La7de@... > > --------------------------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 11, 1999 Report Share Posted September 11, 1999 I noticed no difference when I started taking prednisone. I already had problems with depression. I had no ill affects from the prednisone. Lynn La7de@... wrote: > From: La7de@... > > Hi all, > > I'm seeing a new psyciatrist (another one, say your prayers) on Monday > morning. My GI wanted me to see him before I start on prednisone, since I am > already on anti-depressants (zoloft & trazodone). The GI wants to make sure > I am stable (LOL) since the prednisone can also cause depression. My > question is this: How badly did the prednisone hit you all who were already > being treated for depression? I need to know what to expect, and if there is > anything that can help. Please e-mail me directly if the answer shouldn't be > posted for newcomers. Thanks alot... > > (AIH) > La7de@... > > --------------------------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 12, 1999 Report Share Posted September 12, 1999 Hi I was on prozac and trazadone at the time I first started taking prednisone (1991). I don't think I notice increased depression. But a few years later the prozac wasn't working any more. So I have been on Zoloft and trazadone for several years now. My shrink also added Remeron several months ago cuz the zoloft wasn't doing much either (I'm on 150 mg. of zoloft/day and 30 mg of Remeron/day, plus 50 of trazadone.) I certainly can't rule out the prednisone having an effect but I think it's more to do with perhaps my body's tolerance to the psych meds. Take Care, Dianne A. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 12, 1999 Report Share Posted September 12, 1999 Lynn, Thanks for that bit of hope! (AIH) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 12, 1999 Report Share Posted September 12, 1999 , I'm so glad to here of yet another person on anti-depressants who didn't seem too bother by prednisone initially. My Zoloft hasn't done too well the last year either, so maybe I'll ask my psyc about Remeron too. Thanks a million. (AIH) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 12, 1999 Report Share Posted September 12, 1999 Hi diane, I am not yet on prednisone and have been treated for clinical depression with prozac and paxil. The prozac worked better for me than the paxil, but then not as well, doc increased prozac from 20 to 30 and now 40 mg a day. Wondering why antidepressants do that. J >From: Dpa1228@... >Reply- onelist > onelist >Subject: Re: [ ] Depression >Date: Sun, 12 Sep 1999 07:20:45 EDT >MIME-Version: 1.0 >From errors-165537-6437-shireen42 Sun Sep 12 04:20:57 1999 >Received: from [209.207.164.205] by hotmail.com (2.1) with ESMTP id >MHotMailB9A4D79900F4D82197C2D1CFA4CD18DB0; Sun Sep 12 04:20:57 1999 >Received: (qmail 815 invoked by alias); 12 Sep 1999 11:20:42 -0000 >Received: (qmail 748 invoked from network); 12 Sep 1999 11:20:37 -0000 >Received: from unknown (HELO imo-d10.mx) (205.188.157.42) by >pop.onelist.com with SMTP; 12 Sep 1999 11:20:37 -0000 >Received: from Dpa1228@... by imo-d10.mx.aol.com (mail_out_v22.4.) id >hHTBR7bbL_ (4590) for < onelist>; Sun, 12 Sep 1999 >07:20:45 -0400 (EDT) >Message-ID: <2e366cc6.250ce68d@...> >X-Mailer: AOL 4.0 for Windows 95 sub 21 >Mailing-List: list onelist; contact > -owneronelist >Delivered-mailing list onelist >Precedence: bulk >List-Unsubscribe: <mailto: -unsubscribeONElist> > >From: Dpa1228@... > >Hi > >I was on prozac and trazadone at the time I first started taking prednisone >(1991). I don't think I notice increased depression. But a few years >later >the prozac wasn't working any more. So I have been on Zoloft and trazadone >for several years now. My shrink also added Remeron several months ago cuz >the zoloft wasn't doing much either (I'm on 150 mg. of zoloft/day and 30 mg >of Remeron/day, plus 50 of trazadone.) I certainly can't rule out the >prednisone having an effect but I think it's more to do with perhaps my >body's tolerance to the psych meds. > >Take Care, > Dianne A. > >--------------------------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 12, 1999 Report Share Posted September 12, 1999 Is Remoran similar to prozac or paxil, or has differnt way of working? J >From: La7de@... >Reply- onelist > onelist >Subject: Re: [ ] Depression >Date: Sun, 12 Sep 1999 09:55:29 EDT >MIME-Version: 1.0 >From errors-165537-6449-shireen42 Sun Sep 12 06:55:59 1999 >Received: from [209.207.164.205] by hotmail.com (2.1) with ESMTP id >MHotMailB9A4FBEF0112D820F3B7D1CFA4CD1BF70; Sun Sep 12 06:55:59 1999 >Received: (qmail 31896 invoked by alias); 12 Sep 1999 13:55:39 -0000 >Received: (qmail 31823 invoked from network); 12 Sep 1999 13:55:37 -0000 >Received: from unknown (HELO imo14.mx.aol.com) (198.81.17.4) by >pop.onelist.com with SMTP; 12 Sep 1999 13:55:37 -0000 >Received: from La7de@... by imo14.mx.aol.com (mail_out_v22.4.) id >hPOAa24004 (4322) for < onelist>; Sun, 12 Sep 1999 >09:55:30 -0400 (EDT) >Message-ID: <660cecf5.250d0ad1@...> >X-Mailer: AOL 4.0 for Windows 95 sub 22 >Mailing-List: list onelist; contact > -owneronelist >Delivered-mailing list onelist >Precedence: bulk >List-Unsubscribe: <mailto: -unsubscribeONElist> > >From: La7de@... > >, > >I'm so glad to here of yet another person on anti-depressants who didn't >seem >too bother by prednisone initially. My Zoloft hasn't done too well the >last >year either, so maybe I'll ask my psyc about Remeron too. Thanks a >million. > > (AIH) > >--------------------------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 12, 1999 Report Share Posted September 12, 1999 I was on predisone for 18 months before I crashed and realized how hard I had been fighting depression. No one had warned me that it could be a result of either the meds or the disease or both. I was only on 10mgs of the steroids at the time and had been at that level for a long time. Any time the doctor has changed my steroids too rapidly even if only a few mgs. I would have another crash. Right now I am on 50 mgs of Zoloft and 150 mgs of Wellbutrin. For a while I was on 100mgs of just the Zoloft. I also tend to twice a cycle have a bit of a dip so have just added 50 mgs of Zoloft just for that day or two and it helps balance things out. So all of that to say, for me the predisone affects me. Warmly, S. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 12, 1999 Report Share Posted September 12, 1999 , Were you on the anti-depressants prior to going on prednisone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 12, 1999 Report Share Posted September 12, 1999 Hi , Yes, depression is documented to be a possible side effect of the prednisone. Actually, manic depression runs in our family, so when they started me on it, they were particularly interested to see if I was developing any depression, and they've monitored that each visit. I've found that on my " bad " days, I've been depressed for the entire day, and there's no way out of it. It's different than I've ever felt before (and not fun)! As the pred has decreased, so have the bad days. Usually I'm due for one a couple of days after I change the dose. Also good new, now that I'm down to 15mg, it no longer lasts a whole day! This is my personal experience so far. I hope it helps! >From: Dpa1228@... >Reply- onelist > onelist >Subject: Re: [ ] Depression >Date: Sun, 12 Sep 1999 07:20:45 EDT > >From: Dpa1228@... > >Hi > >I was on prozac and trazadone at the time I first started taking prednisone >(1991). I don't think I notice increased depression. But a few years >later >the prozac wasn't working any more. So I have been on Zoloft and trazadone >for several years now. My shrink also added Remeron several months ago cuz >the zoloft wasn't doing much either (I'm on 150 mg. of zoloft/day and 30 mg >of Remeron/day, plus 50 of trazadone.) I certainly can't rule out the >prednisone having an effect but I think it's more to do with perhaps my >body's tolerance to the psych meds. > >Take Care, > Dianne A. > >--------------------------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 12, 1999 Report Share Posted September 12, 1999 My daughter was on Zoloft. They took her off when it wasn't helping any more. The Dr. said that Zoloft can do that. It hits a certain point and then will quit being effective. Lynn aih Apparently that is for some people, not all. La7de@... wrote: > From: La7de@... > > , > > I'm so glad to here of yet another person on anti-depressants who didn't seem > too bother by prednisone initially. My Zoloft hasn't done too well the last > year either, so maybe I'll ask my psyc about Remeron too. Thanks a million. > > (AIH) > > --------------------------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 15, 1999 Report Share Posted September 15, 1999 no !! diana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 5, 1999 Report Share Posted October 5, 1999 I saw the doc tonight that orders my prozac. She said it does not cause liver damage,but not recommended for those who have cirrhosis. susan j >From: La7de@... >Reply- onelist > onelist >Subject: Re: [ ] Joint pain >Date: Sun, 3 Oct 1999 12:41:52 EDT >MIME-Version: 1.0 >From errors-165537-7172-shireen42=hotmail.comonelist Sun Oct 3 >09:42:03 1999 >Received: (qmail 1227 invoked by alias); 3 Oct 1999 16:42:00 -0000 >Received: (qmail 1221 invoked from network); 3 Oct 1999 16:41:57 -0000 >Received: from unknown (209.207.164.239) by pop4.onelist.com with QMQP; 3 >Oct 1999 16:41:57 -0000 >Received: from unknown (HELO imo14.mx.aol.com) (198.81.17.4) by >mta1.onelist.com with SMTP; 3 Oct 1999 16:41:58 -0000 >Received: from La7de@... by imo14.mx.aol.com (mail_out_v22.4.) id >hLFOa12678 (4235) for < onelist>; Sun, 3 Oct 1999 >12:41:52 -0400 (EDT) >Message-ID: <20ff474f.2528e150@...> >X-Mailer: AOL 4.0 for Windows 95 sub 27 >Mailing-List: list onelist; contact > -owneronelist >Delivered-mailing list onelist >Precedence: bulk >List-Unsubscribe: <mailto: -unsubscribeONElist> > >Geri, > >I don't think you would be able to see joint swelling, I think that would >be >internal. Of course that is only my guess. I can certainly relate to the >pain you are having in your legs and wrists, even though mine is not nearly >as bad as yours. The wrist weakness/pain kind of comes and goes, but the >legs are constant. > >I'm so happy for you that your family is coming and will help you with the >house... Mine is looking pretty neglected, but I just can't seem to find >the >heart to care. I go from fatigue to depression to feeling pretty good, and >at that point I just want to get out of the house and do things, and see my >family. I too wonder just what the future holds, but that is mostly on my > " down " days. I have alot of " stuff " going on in my head, and am looking >forward to seeing my new psyciatrist on Tuesday. I need to get some of >this >out... > >My appointment with the U of M is not until Nov. 5th. I also made an appt. >with a rheumatologist for later this month, but today is a " down " day and >I'm >wondering why bother. You know it's funny, cause on good days I feel like >I >can lick the world. > >Tomorrow will surely be a better day, and that is what I hold onto. > >Love you, > (AIH) >P.S. Thanks for being there.... > >------------------------------------------------------------------------ >Please support the American Liver Foundation! > >1.) To subscribe send e-mail to -subscribeonelist >2.) To UNsubscribe send to -unsubscribeonelist >3.) Digest e-mail format send to -digestonelist >4.) Normal e-mail format send to -normalonelist ><< text3.html >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 10, 2000 Report Share Posted January 10, 2000 Dear a, I suffer from severe recurrent depression amongst other problems from past trauma. My parent's ND never mentioned anything about this stuff to me. Does it really work? Also, I'm wondering if you are anyone on this list knows what 's Syndrome is, because my mom was just recently diagnosed with it. Mona P.S. Does anyone know of anything that can help me to be able to fall asleep at night? Right now I can't seem to sleep, I've been trying for the last 1 1/2 hours to try to sleep, but nothing. --- a Perza <chestnutt@...> wrote: > Hi guys, > I wanted to comment on the depression that alot of > you are mentioning. I > too have experienced this and man was it horrible. > Anxiety and panick > attacks as well as severe depression and inability > to function. Rather > than the doctors meds such as Xanax or Paxil, my > homeopath who is my > godsend recommended BACH flowers. For all you you > that have been on this > list for a while you have no doubt heard me mention > this before. There > are 38 differnt homeopathic flower remedies that > work wonders without > the other side effects of doctor perscribed meds > that can reak havok > with our internal organs. If you do a search under > BACH flowers you will > find some information on the remedies and perhaps > identify some that > would work for you. They are all natural and within > 2 doses I was back > to my old self again. I use them now only when I am > stressed out, have > to drive at night, am in situations that might be > nerve racking for me. > They really do work! > > If anyone wants more info or has trouble finding a > good informative > site, feel free to contact me personally and I will > locate a good site > for you. > BE WELL, > a > __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 10, 2000 Report Share Posted January 10, 2000 I have never heard of 's syndrome so on that topic I am useless. As far as the BACH flowers go... yes.. they work. They are amazing. They also have a concoction of flowers in combination that is called RESCUE REMEDY. This is a very common homeopathic remedy. Ask your homeopath. They also have tinctures at the heath food store for sleep. The last time I was there I saw a woman purchase one called SLEEPEZE. It too was a homeopathic remedy. Can be taken directly under tounge or dropped into water. This one I have not used but I swear by the BACH flowers. The point of the whole thing is that if we change our thinking, our phycology, we will be better able to heal our body. This is too true. Can you imagine when telling the doctors that you feel unwell they all stated that since I look so great I was mentally ill rather than unwell. When 5 so called professionals can't figure it out, and you have to tell them, it feels like a losing battle and the head space goes. (consequently with candida I had a mono type of virus) I had to INSIST on blood work. The only person who offered me any confort, help or support during the worst days of my life was the ND that I went to. ANYHOW>. if you need anymore info, dont hesitate to find me. BE WELL. a Ramona Bates wrote: > > From: Ramona Bates <monique_el@...> > > Dear a, > > I suffer from severe recurrent depression amongst > other problems from past trauma. My parent's ND never > mentioned anything about this stuff to me. Does it > really work? > > Also, I'm wondering if you are anyone on this list > knows what 's Syndrome is, because my mom was > just recently diagnosed with it. > > Mona > > P.S. Does anyone know of anything that can help me to > be able to fall asleep at night? Right now I can't > seem to sleep, I've been trying for the last 1 1/2 > hours to try to sleep, but nothing. > > --- a Perza <chestnutt@...> wrote: > > Hi guys, > > I wanted to comment on the depression that alot of > > you are mentioning. I > > too have experienced this and man was it horrible. > > Anxiety and panick > > attacks as well as severe depression and inability > > to function. Rather > > than the doctors meds such as Xanax or Paxil, my > > homeopath who is my > > godsend recommended BACH flowers. For all you you > > that have been on this > > list for a while you have no doubt heard me mention > > this before. There > > are 38 differnt homeopathic flower remedies that > > work wonders without > > the other side effects of doctor perscribed meds > > that can reak havok > > with our internal organs. If you do a search under > > BACH flowers you will > > find some information on the remedies and perhaps > > identify some that > > would work for you. They are all natural and within > > 2 doses I was back > > to my old self again. I use them now only when I am > > stressed out, have > > to drive at night, am in situations that might be > > nerve racking for me. > > They really do work! > > > > If anyone wants more info or has trouble finding a > > good informative > > site, feel free to contact me personally and I will > > locate a good site > > for you. > > BE WELL, > > a > > > > __________________________________________________ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 30, 2000 Report Share Posted March 30, 2000 Hi , You all will probably be getting sick of me today..LOL But with a minor in Psychology and many many research papers on people with limitations, I will tell you that depression isn't like a light switch it isn't here and then gone. It run in cycles, we all have good days physically and that reflects in our mood, and then on those rainy days when we hurt a little more, we get a little grumpy. Facts are facts, I do motivational speaking and even *I* have those bad days when I snap at my husband and just want to lay in bed with the heating pad <yesterday was one of them for me> What I do <and may help some of you> is on those days I put on a positive sounding song <my kids sing " High Hopes " to me> and I LOOK for something ANYTHING that I can accomplish that day, sometimes it is something as simple as pulling up a chair and cleaning out a junk drawer or sitting on the bed and directing my daughter as she cleans out the bottom of her closet. Just something to focus on instead of the depression. As far as seeing a professional, in general they just sit there and let you talk, ask you why you think you feel the way you feel etc.. Any good friend can do that for you and to an extent this group can do that, the problem with JUST using this group is that via internet you can write anything and since we don't really know you we don't know if you are being completely honest so our replies are limited to our perceptions from what you have told us. Does that make scense? Hugs, Deb The Schuh Family Dan, Debbie, Dottie, Kody and Wyatt From: brandy_erin@... i can see from your replies, that some of you think i suffer from depression. i had suffered from depression about a year a go, went through meds and have been depression free since. i have just been letting things go because i know that you people understand what i say and hopefully what i feel. i have never had the oppurtunity to speak like this before so i think its fairly natural to say it all, good and bad. i didn't intend to worry anyone, i am not depressed. i actually am quite a happy person, but who could be happy about jra? do you see what i mean? there is a difference. and i am talking to you guys, that is a help. i am also glad to know that the others like myself that have already grown uo with jra fear the same things, rational or not. the fear of what could happen is almost worse than the actual happening. please don't worry, i like myself and my life, i think my worries are pretty normal for the circumstances. even so, i have at times thought os seeing a professional. what could they say though? i don't think i am irrational, so what could they help with except for being someone to talk to that knows nothing about jra and gets paid big bucks to listen? i am not trying to be difficult, i just don't see a problem to take to a counselor. do you see or read something i am missing? i'd like to know, really. is my attitude bad or something? i really do put a lot of effort into being a good person. please reply, brandy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 15, 2000 Report Share Posted April 15, 2000 Depression is very normal to the disease and the therapy. It would be abnormal if you never were feeling down. With having a chronic, and potentially lethal disease, the costs-physical and mental, of daily meds, putting most of your life on hold while you try to beat this dragon, are issues that have been well documented for any long term therapy. Some of my patients have had increased depression during the latter parts of therapy. So long as your labs are measured, there is no reason you can not take any of the SSRI antidepression/anxiety medications. The SSRI class includes Prozac, Wellbutrin, Zoloft, Celexa, etc. Reasonable doses should not interfere with your therapy. There are also a few other options you can try. My wife found that taking the shot first thing in the morning, towards the last few months, and going to work, was a better time, then in the evening. It makes some sense, because if you have gotten a good night's rest, and you can function at your job, taking the medication early, allows less time to focus on the virus and may help to reduce the psychological affects of the medications. You are busy, and have less time to focus on what is coming from the drugs. Some other patients have tried it, and it has worked well for some, and not as well for others. It is not a great idea to go off the medications for a week, just because of the type of depression you are having. If it turns to thoughts of suicide, or serious other psychiatric problems, then it can be a possibility. Taking off one week will probably not hurt you, but, there is no way to tell what is in the future. Besides, just to be pessimistic for a moment, if you just take off a week, and after finishing therapy your viral load goes back up, you will probably be more depressed, and drive yourself " nuts " , playing the " what if " game, ie: what if I did not stop that wee?; what if I took another antidepressant?, etc. If you can refocus on something positive, it may help the depression, although probably not stop it altogether. I do not think I have ever seen or heard first hand, a person placed on combo therapy who does not experience varying degrees of depression/anxiety/panic. It is VERY normal. If the SSRIs are helping stay with them and your medications. If the depression becomes worse, you may benefit stopping for a week. But, this is usually done for blood results that are really out of whack, and to give the body a short rest. If your providers have really stated you can not take the combo therapy and any of the SSRIs at the same time, this is their opinion, and not based on the research. But, you have to play the " politics " of the treatment, and, if your providers really would drop you, then this may be one of the times, if it were me, that I would not tell them. I went through the same things with two groups in my area for my wife. When she refused the biopsy, one GI said he would not treat without this, although he could not explain why. The other, after finding out she was started on the combo therapy without the biopsy, and his prescribing the medications, refused to see her back. To me, if these providers are so rigid, and will only follow the " cook book " approach, they probably are not specialists keeping up with HCV, or, are so strict, they will only do exactly what the protocols state. They forget that people are different, and need to be treated as a person, and not just a disease. I will also mention that, they may be concerned about malpractice, because if the treatment does not hold, and you took another medication, you might be able to find some scum attorney who would sue for malpractice for treating you for something besides the virus itself. The fact that the depression might make your therapy less effective, would not be the argument. It stinks, but it is all too true. It is also possible they have been previously burnt when they combined medications, and they refuse to take another chance. But, who knows exactly why, so, see if you can stick it out, and continue on the medications as long as everything else is within acceptable levels. Although I never suggest hiding something from your provider, it sounds like, you may be in a situation that is worse then keeping this information from them. The final decision must be yours, under any circumstance. Hope this helps. Marty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 16, 2000 Report Share Posted April 16, 2000 Excellent advice, Marty. byteme wrote: > > Depression is very normal to the disease and the therapy. It would be > abnormal if you never were feeling down. With having a chronic, and > potentially lethal disease, the costs-physical and mental, of daily > meds, putting most of your life on hold while you try to beat this > dragon, are issues that have been well documented for any long term > therapy. > > Some of my patients have had increased depression during the latter > parts of therapy. So long as your labs are measured, there is no reason > you can not take any of the SSRI antidepression/anxiety medications. The > SSRI class includes Prozac, Wellbutrin, Zoloft, Celexa, etc. Reasonable > doses should not interfere with your therapy. > > There are also a few other options you can try. My wife found that > taking the shot first thing in the morning, towards the last few months, > and going to work, was a better time, then in the evening. It makes some > sense, because if you have gotten a good night's rest, and you can > function at your job, taking the medication early, allows less time to > focus on the virus and may help to reduce the psychological affects of > the medications. You are busy, and have less time to focus on what is > coming from the drugs. Some other patients have tried it, and it has > worked well for some, and not as well for others. > > It is not a great idea to go off the medications for a week, just > because of the type of depression you are having. If it turns to > thoughts of suicide, or serious other psychiatric problems, then it can > be a possibility. > > Taking off one week will probably not hurt you, but, there is no way to > tell what is in the future. Besides, just to be pessimistic for a > moment, if you just take off a week, and after finishing therapy your > viral load goes back up, you will probably be more depressed, and drive > yourself " nuts " , playing the " what if " game, ie: what if I did not stop > that wee?; what if I took another antidepressant?, etc. > > If you can refocus on something positive, it may help the depression, > although probably not stop it altogether. I do not think I have ever > seen or heard first hand, a person placed on combo therapy who does not > experience varying degrees of depression/anxiety/panic. It is VERY > normal. > > If the SSRIs are helping stay with them and your medications. If the > depression becomes worse, you may benefit stopping for a week. But, this > is usually done for blood results that are really out of whack, and to > give the body a short rest. If your providers have really stated you can > not take the combo therapy and any of the SSRIs at the same time, this > is their opinion, and not based on the research. > > But, you have to play the " politics " of the treatment, and, if your > providers really would drop you, then this may be one of the times, if > it were me, that I would not tell them. I went through the same things > with two groups in my area for my wife. When she refused the biopsy, one > GI said he would not treat without this, although he could not explain > why. The other, after finding out she was started on the combo therapy > without the biopsy, and his prescribing the medications, refused to see > her back. > > To me, if these providers are so rigid, and will only follow the " cook > book " approach, they probably are not specialists keeping up with HCV, > or, are so strict, they will only do exactly what the protocols state. > They forget that people are different, and need to be treated as a > person, and not just a disease. > > I will also mention that, they may be concerned about malpractice, > because if the treatment does not hold, and you took another medication, > you might be able to find some scum attorney who would sue for > malpractice for treating you for something besides the virus itself. The > fact that the depression might make your therapy less effective, would > not be the argument. It stinks, but it is all too true. It is also > possible they have been previously burnt when they combined medications, > and they refuse to take another chance. > > But, who knows exactly why, so, see if you can stick it out, and > continue on the medications as long as everything else is within > acceptable levels. Although I never suggest hiding something from your > provider, it sounds like, you may be in a situation that is worse then > keeping this information from them. The final decision must be yours, > under any circumstance. > > Hope this helps. Marty > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > You can win $1000! > Time-limited offer. Enter today at: > 1/2864/0/_/619765/_/955863269/ > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 9, 2000 Report Share Posted May 9, 2000 In a message dated 5/9/00 4:52:18 PM Eastern Daylight Time, n.scott@... writes: << (altho sweet potato chips may be beneficial, eating an entire bag in one evening can't be good). >> Hi , That would be my guess as well. Where can I get sweet potato chips? :} Many things cause depression. Ceasing the eating of 'comfort' foods leaves hidden depression in the open. Exercise, plenty of water, good doses of sunshine help me. Also kelp, greens, bladderwrack are helpful if your low temps show a low thyroid function which gives a feeling of slowness, sadness, and fatique. Don't panic. Dont fight or fear the depression. Treat yourself well, instead. If you stay depressed you should get help. But it's not surprising to feel let down, with the changes you are making. You can do it. Bye, Ann Moss in Florida © Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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