How much do you exercise? I find that to be the best thing for me to do. Go out for a walk, do some curls with a dumb bell, get on the pedal exerciser, anything to get the blood moving. I'm on 800mg of Sam-E a day and I too have SAD. I find I'm a lot worse without exercise. Good luck and feel better.

hi, i was sruuggling with depression, too - the herxing would bring it on a lot - and the SAD, too. i found that my thyroid levels were a bit low wiihh blood tests - seems like taking t-3 for boosting thyroid is helping - i think when the thyroid heals from chetes, i won't need the supplement. How is your thyroid? Also, vit.d can help if you are too low. healing hug, CJ

I too think my thyroid is low on t-3 but my LLMD swears it is not. I know because when I was seeing a dcotor from the Fibro Clinic in PA. I was being treated for it and it started to help but them I went to my LLMD and when he saw my blood work he told me that the fibro doc was hurting my tyroid.
I think it is time to see my regular physician and talk to him about my thyroid. I just know this is treatable and do not know why my LLMD is just spinning his wheels not doing anything about it. Kinda makes you doubt if he is missing this is he really treating my (our) Lyme correctly. This is the first LLMD that all 3 of us can afford to go to . So far as the Lyme treatment he is right on the money with other doctors protocol so I don't know if he is just not good in the other areas. Thanks for your posts.

If you want a definitive answer on the thyroid, go to an endocrinologist. He will know tons more about your thyroid than a regular MD.
Have you thought about a sunlamp or one of those lamps that gives off the artificial sunlight? Seems like it would be worth the investment, but I don't know how expensive they are.

slrow after I had acute thryoiditis in 2001 I did alot of studying on the whole "low thyroid" thing. Alot of people test normal, yet are greatly helped by supplementing their thyroid. I was one of them. Thankfully my dr agreed to try it even though I tested normal. I asked for armour thyroid because it is normal. When I was put on 60 mg, I started becoming hyPER thyroid. But when I cut back to 30, it tested in the normal range and has stayed there. If you cant' get anyone to prescribe it to you, I have also read that natural thyroid gland from the natural food store is almost as good. Natural Sources makes a good one, I think it is. It just costs a whole lot more than a prescriptoin with a co pay. But you can get it at this place for half price: http://www.herbspro.com/27821/RawThyroid.htm

Thanks for the info guy's. The one good thing about my gereal MD is that he knows of all the battles I had with low energy and the thyroid meds the Fibro docotr had me on. Last time I went to see him he said that if my LLMD wouldn't do anything for me that he would put me on Armour. He is really good. He does things the natural way if at all possible. My whole family on my hubbies side actually all have switched to him and love him.
I have read about the lamps that you can buy, I will probably try to check into it also. I am willing to do just about anything to stop feeling like this. It was rainy here today and I had to go to my Uncles Funeral and I did not want to get out off the couch this morning to get ready, but I did and as soon as I came home I curled right back up and slept till 5p.m. Rainy weather is a double whammy for me.
Thanks again for the suggestions :>)

Unfortunately, there is now a good deal of proof that Lyme, in affecting brain chemistry, can have a profound effect on our personality and mental health. If you google "neuropsychiatric chronic Lyme disease" you will find a wealth of information that supports the connection between the two. You will also discover that depression is one of the most common and debilitating results of Lyme.

It's obvious from your message that you are very much opposed to any form of medication. The problem is that the hit or miss use of homeopathic medications may never come close to addressing the underlying problems with your brain chemistry caused by Lyme and the resulting impact on your mental health. Why--because those changes can be so profound that it takes powerful agents to overcome them.

In my case, I went to one of the top LLMDs in the country, who happens to be neuropsychiatrist. Thus he is an expert in the overall illness, its neurological affects, and the mental health issues it can create. Having had no history of mental illness prior to Lyme, I went to him because I was totally overwhelmed by depression, crippling anxiety attacks, and other frightening effects that had changed my personality so much that I no longer recognized myself.

Although my physical symptoms still leave me bedridden much of the time, the mental health effects are for most part eliminated. The key to my success -- I was willing to take the medications--one to deal with my depression and the other to address my panic attacks--necessary to give me my life back.

My point in this is it can be a major mistake to avoid considering these types of medications as an option. Granted, no one is really sure why some work for one person where someone else needs a different which often requires a trial and error approach to finding the right drug or drugs. However, in many instances only these types of medications can adequately address the extensive changes Lyme can cause in our brain chemistry.

If nothing else, I hope my comments give you some food for thought.

Dave J.

SL, I hope you really think about what Djossi says here. He makes some excellent points. I know you like to go the natural route, and sometimes that works, but sometimes it isn't enough. Being able to think clearly, not having to battle depression all the time, those things can help you in your fight against the Lyme. Mind and body go together, I know you know that. It isn't a weakness in you -- it's the disease. Just as you treat the source of the disease with abx, think about treating some of the symptoms of the disease with other drugs, like djossi suggests. Please think about it.

It is not me that doesn't want to take an antidepressant it is my LLMD that doesn't want me to go on any. I ask every time I go bak and he diverts from the subject. This is my 4 LLMD and I really thought he was doing good except this issue and my thyroid issue/. plus I have to have my husband and daughter in treatment and I can afford all of us going there.
They are not nowhere near me so I think they he is treating them good. I am going to go to my regular GP and see if he will help me in these issues because something has to be done. I am feeling a little better but I know it is a matter of time bfore it comes back full force.

I can say that taking the amour thyroid plus nutrition to support the adrenals has really helped my energy and lift the depression. I may not need the thyroid for long term - but for now, it's helping me heal.

I also tested at the low side of "normal" but the thyroid supp. helps,

hugs, CJ

Ask your DR why he is opposed to the meds for you. There may be a reason. If not, talk about the fact that Lyme is widely known to have emotional effects and that you feel you are not being heard while your symptoms get worse and worse. Tell him you are having difficulty getting through the day. It's better if one person does all your prescribing, if you can get that. Lyme meds are strong and you need someone to know how it is all fitting together. If he just won't do anything, you'll have to try someone else. But being depressed, you may not be able to tell how explicit or clear or forceful you are being. You might be too subtle for him. don't give up.

I don't think I am subtle. I am depressed but I am not by any means quite or shy about my symptoms. that ans my husband is there too so it just doesn't add up. I will make sure next visit he gives me a definate answer. Thanks to all of you for your answres and support.

I suspect he is trying to weigh pros and cons and doesn't want to add more stress on you liver, or more side effects to your list of lyme symptoms. All medicines carry an effect, so he may be being careful. That said, he is not a psychiatrist (is he?). I also think that you need to be very careful in getting this type of med from anyone besides a psychiatrist... you need a diagnosis ... it might not be clinical depression... it might be a mood disorder, which requires a different approach. Can you find someone who will evaluate you who is a mental health specialist? It's possible that they might have a lot of good suggestions for you in any regard, meds or not. Sometimes what we call depression is actually a very real and normal reaction to a journey through the muck of lyme disease. I mean, who wouldn't feel this way? But, who am I to say if you are experiencing clinical depression or not? I'm not meaning to imply that I know or even have a hunch. I just worry about people who are not mental health specialists/psychiatrists prescribing psychotropic drugs. They just don't know enough. PCPs think they can do it all. LLMDs can't do it all. As much as you probably hate adding another professional to your team, this might be very helpful to you.

There is a great website called at www.thehumansideoflyme.com and it deals specifially with the pyshchiatric effects of lyme. You might find some guidance there.

I'm sorry you are feeling so low. I remember when I thought I would NEVER come out of that long dark tunnel... but I did. I hope you will, too... very soon. The holidays can add to your stress and sadness... you are not alone.... xo D

Have you tried 5-HTP? My sister was on prescription anti-depressants for years but didn't like the side effects. She had to slowly weane herself off, but once she did, she started taking 5-HTP, and says it works as well for her as the prescriptions. Just an idea.