http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/PTStress.html
excerpt:
To understand the development of PTSD, we need to realize that any trauma - the death or loss of a loved one, moving house, war experiences or financial crisis - will cause stress hormones to interfere with the normal production of our feel good neurotransmitters such as serotonin and others. These are environmental stresses that can result in environmental depression. Nature makes sure that we have the right neuro-chemicals to deal with the stress.
Normally, after the removal of the environmental stress people start to produce serotonin again and life resumes for most people. However, for some people this is not what is happening,. They continue to be depressed for some reason not quite understood by the person. He keeps on producing excess stress hormones, such as adrenaline, that prevents him from producing serotonin. And because he fails to produce serotonin, he will also be lacking in melatonin, our sleeping hormone. Thus the clinical picture is of a person depressed and unable to sleep, waking up with sweats during the night. He may have other symptoms such as anxiety attacks and unpredictable mood swings.
It is natural for a person with PTSD to link his depression with the trauma, because this was indeed the direct cause of his depression at the time of the trauma. In fact this indelible link with the traumatic event(s) will probably amount to an obsession, as the only possible logical explanation for his physical symptoms that are internally generated by a flaw in his metabolism.
Perhaps the difference between endogenous depression and PTSD is that the latter is usually associated with a specific traumatic event. A student who becomes depressed because of exposure to stresses due to a competitive educational, program is not generally seen to be a victim of PTSD, although the underlying mechanism is the same.
The fundamental question is, why is the person not producing serotonin?
December 6, 2008
November 8, 2008
Cymbalta for Pain
A friend told me today that she began taking Cymbalta for pain that was leading to depression. She says it helps relieve pain, which seems very interesting.
August 16, 2008
Iodine Deficiency and Patch Test
http://naturalhealthtechniques.com/HealingTechniques/iodine_patch_test.htm
This is this same as a test I am taking for iodine deficiency. To learn more about it: http://www.mbschachter.com/iodine.htm
I thought iodine deficiency was rare, but check this out: http://thyroid.about.com/cs/vitaminsupplement/a/iodine.htm
"While iodine deficiency was not common in the U.S., it is again on the rise here as well. The first National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES I), which took place between 1971 - 1974, found that just 2.6% of US citizens had iodine deficiency. The
followup NHANES III survey, conducted between 1988 - 1994, found that 11.7% are iodine deficient. The October, 1998 issue of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism reported that over the previous 20 years, the percentage of Americans with low intake of iodine has more than quadrupled. Of particular concern is the fact that the percentage of iodine-deficient pregnant women has increased from 1% in 1974 to 7% in 1994. Maternal iodine deficiency is particularly dangerous to a developing fetus. The researchers do not have a cause for the drop in levels, though it is suspected that reduced salt in the diet, plus a reduction in the use of iodine as a food ingredient, may be responsible. This trend, however, may necessitate concerted efforts to increase iodine levels in people at risk of deficiency even in the U.S."
July 21, 2008
Antihistamines with anti-depressant effects
Mary K., Benadryl seems to cause me to have depression after two or three days of taking a night time dose. However, I found on Wikipedia and some other sites that it is supposed to have an anti-depressant effect, because it is a serotonin re uptake inhibitor. I thought that was interesting. Sarah
...
In the 1960s it was found that diphenhydramine inhibits reuptake of the neurotransmitter serotonin. This discovery led to a search for viable antidepressants with similar structures and fewer side effects, culminating in the invention of fluoxetine (Prozac), a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). A similar search had previously led to the synthesis of the first SSRI zimelidine from chlorpheniramine, also an antihistamine.
...
In the 1960s it was found that diphenhydramine inhibits reuptake of the neurotransmitter serotonin. This discovery led to a search for viable antidepressants with similar structures and fewer side effects, culminating in the invention of fluoxetine (Prozac), a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). A similar search had previously led to the synthesis of the first SSRI zimelidine from chlorpheniramine, also an antihistamine.
Antihistamines with anti-depressant effects
http://www.medical-hypotheses.com/article/S0306-9877(05)00647-X/abstract
Einar Hellbom
Einar Hellbom
Received 2 December 2005; accepted 2 December 2005. published online 12 January 2006.
Summary
Some old antihistamines were selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and the SSRI effect was discovered by Nobel Laureate Professor Arvid Carlsson as early as 1969. Chlorpheniramine was the most active of the tested drugs, and it compares favourably with amitriptyline and imipramine with respect to actions on both serotonergic and noradrenergic neurons. Chlorpheniramine can be called a SSRI, since the blocking of 5HT is stronger than the effect on noradrenaline neurons; however it might also be called a selective serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (SSNRI) and be compared with new drugs, such as venlafaxine. Carlsson suggested the potential value of clinical studies of the antidepressant properties of this and related antihistamine drugs. But, in the event, no such trials were ever performed at the time. However, later clinical observations of the benefits of dex-chlorpheniramine treatment in panic disorder have been published. Clinical experience suggests that patients using chlorpheniramine, and having also a concomitant depression or panic disorder, may experience a return of symptoms when their old drug is changed to a new antihistamine lacking SSRI effects. Yet this phenomenon is not known to many doctors, and even less known to the large number of patients buying chlorpheniramine under various trade names over-the-counter (OTC) at a low price for self-treatment of hay fewer or as a cold remedy. Chlorpheniramine was introduced in USA under the name Chlor-Trimeton as long ago as July 1950, and is still on the market. Therefore, this SSRI is now over 50 years old. If chlorpheniramine had been tested in depression in the nineteen seventies, it is probable that a safe, inexpensive SSRI drug could have been used some 15 years earlier than fluoxetine – which became available in 1987. Chlorpheniramine might have been the first safe, non-cardiotoxic and well-tolerated antidepressant. Billions of dollars in the development and marketing costs would have been saved, and the suffering of millions of patients alleviated.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlorpheniramine
Serotonergic and Norepinephrinergic Hypothesis
In addition to being an H-1 histamine receptor antagonist, chlorpheniramine has been hypothesized to work as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor or SSRI [1], although extensive clinical trials of its psychiatric properties in humans have not been conducted. Limited evidence suggests that it is comparable to several antidepressant medications in its ability to inhibit the reuptake of serotonin and possibly also norepinephrine (noradrenaline).
[edit]
June 17, 2008
May 31, 2008
Kava for Daymares
I often get very anxious over things I have no control over, like animal over-population, the destruction of habitat, war, and over things that might happen, but not likely, like someone is going to hurt my pets. Last night, I was in a dither over taking some feral cats to be spayed at a feral cat clinic. I made up a terrible scenario in my head about how it was going to be a bloodbath. I knew that this was silly, that this clinic was going to be fine, and I would meet other people there who felt like I did about animals, but I still felt terrible.
So I took a Kava. This is a bottle from before the big furor over it, so it is 850 mgs of Kava kava root.
It worked like a charm. Before long, I was writing my story and not obsessing over unlikely events. It felt like having a stranglehold taken away, I could breathe, I felt happy.
The new Kava I got comes in 200 mg doses, which appears to be as much as you can get per pill. I did try two of the 850s a month ago or so and I thought that felt like too much. I can remember why--it just seemed like I had a light-headed feeling when I took that much.
So I took a Kava. This is a bottle from before the big furor over it, so it is 850 mgs of Kava kava root.
It worked like a charm. Before long, I was writing my story and not obsessing over unlikely events. It felt like having a stranglehold taken away, I could breathe, I felt happy.
The new Kava I got comes in 200 mg doses, which appears to be as much as you can get per pill. I did try two of the 850s a month ago or so and I thought that felt like too much. I can remember why--it just seemed like I had a light-headed feeling when I took that much.
Good Effect from St Johns Wort
I have now been taking SJW for a little over two weeks, and I think it's really helping. I'm taking a "twice a day" formula from Solaray (have to verify that). I have been able to write in the last few days, I went for a bike ride with D, and I am interested in my garden projects again, or perhaps I should say, more interested. I just feel lighter and happier.
May 21, 2008
Off the Medication
Right now, I am taking St Johns Wort and some Kava. I can tell when I take the Kava, it makes me more alert and less anxious and obsessive, but so far (only a week in) I can't tell if the STW makes a difference.
My perceived mind is: obsessive, anxious, circular, sad, convinced that all the bad things are about to happen right now. I am constantly aware of all the bad things about the world. I don't think I am writing or imagining as effectively as when I was on Wellbutrin. My dreams are colorful, but I can't remember them very well.
The more I think about it, the more I think I must need something like Adderall, like Sarah and I were talking about. Something to help my sluggish frontal lobe make the connections it needs to (or whatever that Shadow Syndromes book said for ADD, or was it autism?) I think that's how the Wellbutrin worked for me. I think that may be what Kava does, too.
I went for an hour's walk, and at first I was obsessive and couldn't stop thinking about my weight, my age, my lack of ability, how I need to exercise but I don't want to. I observed that my brain wouldn't let me enjoy the walk. Half way in, I felt more hopeful, happier, I thought more about David and how he and I could exercise together. I felt more positive. At the end of the walk, I felt fairly happy, and I could put aside my obsessions about weight, animal cruelty, the loss of open land, and my own concerns, a little, anyway.
I think that exercise may be critical to my mental health, but I think being unable to exercise is a common symptom of depression. I would like to find exercise that is as interesting to me as writing my novel is, as intriguing as reading a novel. Boring old repetitive exercise will never do it.
My perceived mind is: obsessive, anxious, circular, sad, convinced that all the bad things are about to happen right now. I am constantly aware of all the bad things about the world. I don't think I am writing or imagining as effectively as when I was on Wellbutrin. My dreams are colorful, but I can't remember them very well.
The more I think about it, the more I think I must need something like Adderall, like Sarah and I were talking about. Something to help my sluggish frontal lobe make the connections it needs to (or whatever that Shadow Syndromes book said for ADD, or was it autism?) I think that's how the Wellbutrin worked for me. I think that may be what Kava does, too.
I went for an hour's walk, and at first I was obsessive and couldn't stop thinking about my weight, my age, my lack of ability, how I need to exercise but I don't want to. I observed that my brain wouldn't let me enjoy the walk. Half way in, I felt more hopeful, happier, I thought more about David and how he and I could exercise together. I felt more positive. At the end of the walk, I felt fairly happy, and I could put aside my obsessions about weight, animal cruelty, the loss of open land, and my own concerns, a little, anyway.
I think that exercise may be critical to my mental health, but I think being unable to exercise is a common symptom of depression. I would like to find exercise that is as interesting to me as writing my novel is, as intriguing as reading a novel. Boring old repetitive exercise will never do it.
Generic Drugs
Mary K., I just got back from my appointment with Dr. G. He told me an interesting fact about the requirements for generics. He said that at the doctor's conferences he'd been to, they were told that generics are only required to be 70% as effective as the original name brand only 70% of the time. hmm.... That's pretty ineffective! Love, Sarah
May 14, 2008
Going off Anti-depression medication
Sarah gave me great advice for going off anti-depression medicine; if you experience nausea, which is pretty common, take Dramamine or ginger root.
Celexa side effects
I started to take Celexa in 2001. I only took one pill, and despite having very strong hope that the medicine would help (because Effexor had worked so well), I spent the whole night insomniac, walking the streets of my complex, completely paranoid and fearful. It seemed like a hallucinatory experience, rather than a panic attack.
Effexor side effects
I took Effexor in 1999, I think. It really worked for my depression, but I stopped using it after about 8 months because it had a very unpleasant side effect: at night, I sweat so much that I had to changed the sheets, sometimes twice a night. I don't remember any other severe or memorable side effects.
SAM-e side effects
I can't say whether SAM-e works or not, but it does initially have an unpleasant side effect: for the first few days I took it, it gave me uncomfortable, though not debilitating, stomach cramps. You are supposed to take it on an empty stomach, and that may make it worse. After taking it a few times, the cramps seemed to subside, but I don't feel sure enough of the desired effects to keep taking it right now. I'm going back to St Johns Wort, which I haven't used in many years, and which I hope will have the same good effect it used to have.
SJW was initially really helpful, but after about a year or so, I began feeling worse again and went back on something prescribed, I think. Effexor?
SJW was initially really helpful, but after about a year or so, I began feeling worse again and went back on something prescribed, I think. Effexor?
May 11, 2008
Talk Therapy
I started in talk therapy in 1995, I think. I don't know why I didn't go before; my sister had been diagnosed with depression, and I had taken many self-help tests that indicated that I had a moderate to severe depression myself. I believe the excuse was, "I don't have enough money." I also felt afraid that help wouldn't help, and then I would really feel bad. But I think that ultimately, it was because I thought that I was not that different from everyone else, and if they could be happy, so should I be.
The first therapist I went to blamed everything on my father, because he sometimes used a belt to punish me. She had me so upset that I could have had an accident when leaving her place. I realized quickly that she was a nut-ball. If occasional corporal punishment gave a person a lifetime of deep depression, our distant ancestors would not have survived two generations. Silly.
The next person I went to was wonderful. She was a little centered
... to be continued...
The first therapist I went to blamed everything on my father, because he sometimes used a belt to punish me. She had me so upset that I could have had an accident when leaving her place. I realized quickly that she was a nut-ball. If occasional corporal punishment gave a person a lifetime of deep depression, our distant ancestors would not have survived two generations. Silly.
The next person I went to was wonderful. She was a little centered
... to be continued...
Herbal Supplements
On Tue, May 6, 2008 at 11:58 AM, Mary K wrote:
I did some more research, and considered my options as a potentially uninsured person and decided to try the herbal supplements again instead of going back on Wellbutrin.
But reading led to some interesting ideas--apparently, Wellbutrin has been studied as a treatment for ADD, though results are inconclusive. I think it does help with my anxiety/obsessive thing, that seems similar to your experience of ADD. I really think you're right, the Adderall could help me even more, without treating what doesn't need to be treated right now, as I don't feel depressed.
Knowing that going on another medication right now would make it hard for me to get insured, I researched some alternatives. There isn't anything that says "this is like Adderall" except for some combination medications that make me a little worried because they seem like snake oil and you wonder what in the world you are taking. However, SAM-e is touted in some locations as helpful for ADD, and it has both a calming and an energizing effect, which sounds like Kava and like Adderall.
So, in the interests of overkill, I ordered more Kava (yay! It's available again!), SAM-e, and St Johns Wort. Kava is recommended only as an occasional supplement, so I got that for those days when I am really stressed out; I used to use St Johns Wort and had a good experience with it, though it wasn't enough at the time; and I want to try the SAM-e because it is ok for long-term use.
These are the sites I found useful:
http://www.healingdaily.com/conditions/sam-e-3.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kava
I did some more research, and considered my options as a potentially uninsured person and decided to try the herbal supplements again instead of going back on Wellbutrin.
But reading led to some interesting ideas--apparently, Wellbutrin has been studied as a treatment for ADD, though results are inconclusive. I think it does help with my anxiety/obsessive thing, that seems similar to your experience of ADD. I really think you're right, the Adderall could help me even more, without treating what doesn't need to be treated right now, as I don't feel depressed.
Knowing that going on another medication right now would make it hard for me to get insured, I researched some alternatives. There isn't anything that says "this is like Adderall" except for some combination medications that make me a little worried because they seem like snake oil and you wonder what in the world you are taking. However, SAM-e is touted in some locations as helpful for ADD, and it has both a calming and an energizing effect, which sounds like Kava and like Adderall.
So, in the interests of overkill, I ordered more Kava (yay! It's available again!), SAM-e, and St Johns Wort. Kava is recommended only as an occasional supplement, so I got that for those days when I am really stressed out; I used to use St Johns Wort and had a good experience with it, though it wasn't enough at the time; and I want to try the SAM-e because it is ok for long-term use.
These are the sites I found useful:
http://www.healingdaily.com/conditions/sam-e-3.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kava
The Raven, Edgar Allan Poe
I think that Edgar Allen Poe wrote some lines in "The Raven" that are very descriptive of depression (even if that wasn't exactly what he meant to describe.) The quote is: "Take thy beak from out my heart, Take thy form from off my door." The Raven Is the black bird of depression.
Sarah
Sarah
Cutting Wellbutrin XL in Half
March 19, 2006 6:34:07 PM EST
I've had some problem with depression since I was sick, off and on. Enough to make me nervous. When I couldn't find my 150 wellbutrin XL, W. thought I should just half a 300. I didn't think you were supposed to, but did anyway for three or four days maybe. During that time I had more stomach disturbance and I also noticed I was pretty hyper, but I felt good. Now I'm back on 300XL with a 150XL added as I was supposed to. I feel a little low, not bad, but I hope my mood picks up. Last time Dr. G. said he didn't think I needed any added medication despite the depressed state during and after the flu. He says these things naturally affect a person's system and cause some problems. Maybe I didn't make it clear enough how depressed I was (which was kind of bad). It could be he thought I was only a little low like now. Dr. G. did say to call him if I became depressed when there seemed nothing extra to cause it.
I've had some problem with depression since I was sick, off and on. Enough to make me nervous. When I couldn't find my 150 wellbutrin XL, W. thought I should just half a 300. I didn't think you were supposed to, but did anyway for three or four days maybe. During that time I had more stomach disturbance and I also noticed I was pretty hyper, but I felt good. Now I'm back on 300XL with a 150XL added as I was supposed to. I feel a little low, not bad, but I hope my mood picks up. Last time Dr. G. said he didn't think I needed any added medication despite the depressed state during and after the flu. He says these things naturally affect a person's system and cause some problems. Maybe I didn't make it clear enough how depressed I was (which was kind of bad). It could be he thought I was only a little low like now. Dr. G. did say to call him if I became depressed when there seemed nothing extra to cause it.
Side Effects of Paxil
Sent: Saturday, February 28, 2004 1:15 PM
I'm feeling a whole lot less sleepy since I'm working my way off paxil. I don't know what it could be replaced with, but really don't need to be so sleepy all the time. The actual reason I'm getting off it is that suddenly the side effects got much worse (not sleepiness). I always had scritchy feeling in my teeth and jaw clenching, and unsteady stomach, but I could put up with it, but it got worse. I woke up having the fingernails on the chalkboard feeling in stomach and chest. I felt very unsteady and nervous. I also felt downright throwupy. The medication I was on before the paxil was Lexipro. I had tried it earlier and it promptly made me feel ill, but then I thought maybe I didn't give it a long enough try. So, I was trying it again. Well, it started to give me very weird disturbing dreams every time I slept and since every med. but wellbutrin seems to make me sleepy slipping into sleep or semi-sleep happens quite a bit. I felt like I was in a strange disturbing world all the time. So I quit taking it. Anyway you're familiar with the the joys of side effects. Wheee!
I'm feeling a whole lot less sleepy since I'm working my way off paxil. I don't know what it could be replaced with, but really don't need to be so sleepy all the time. The actual reason I'm getting off it is that suddenly the side effects got much worse (not sleepiness). I always had scritchy feeling in my teeth and jaw clenching, and unsteady stomach, but I could put up with it, but it got worse. I woke up having the fingernails on the chalkboard feeling in stomach and chest. I felt very unsteady and nervous. I also felt downright throwupy. The medication I was on before the paxil was Lexipro. I had tried it earlier and it promptly made me feel ill, but then I thought maybe I didn't give it a long enough try. So, I was trying it again. Well, it started to give me very weird disturbing dreams every time I slept and since every med. but wellbutrin seems to make me sleepy slipping into sleep or semi-sleep happens quite a bit. I felt like I was in a strange disturbing world all the time. So I quit taking it. Anyway you're familiar with the the joys of side effects. Wheee!
Fighting the Dragon, by Sue Ridout
From Sarah
Sent: Saturday, February 28, 2004 1:15 PM
I just watched a video I got from the Library about depression. It was very good, and up to date. It's called "Fighting the Dragon", appropriately enough. Its by Sue Ridout. It talks about various treatments, some of them very new and experimental. It tells about the depressions of several people and the course of their treatment. Hearing other peoples problems with it help me feel not so isolated. It mentions that talk therapy has really been shown to change brain chemistry, which is very encouraging to me. You feel like you're not totally dependent on drugs. Not that I mind drugs of course. I just like to know that maybe I could help myself. Actually, I think it would be good to get some of the other people in our family to see that video. It might help them understand us better (me, you, and Mike).
Sent: Saturday, February 28, 2004 1:15 PM
I just watched a video I got from the Library about depression. It was very good, and up to date. It's called "Fighting the Dragon", appropriately enough. Its by Sue Ridout. It talks about various treatments, some of them very new and experimental. It tells about the depressions of several people and the course of their treatment. Hearing other peoples problems with it help me feel not so isolated. It mentions that talk therapy has really been shown to change brain chemistry, which is very encouraging to me. You feel like you're not totally dependent on drugs. Not that I mind drugs of course. I just like to know that maybe I could help myself. Actually, I think it would be good to get some of the other people in our family to see that video. It might help them understand us better (me, you, and Mike).
George Gordon, Lord Byron
George Gordon, Lord Byron: 'I should, many a good day, have blown my brains out, but for the recollection that it would have given pleasure to my mother-in-law; and even then, if I could have been certain to haunt her ...'
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