How do II fight the depression and lethargy?

[novics]

I am on day 24 and the depression really hit me hard today: I was thinking about asking my doctor for a anti-depressant because I heard this worked for someone else:  Any comments or ideas on this? I do have a few Xanax in the house would this help short term?  

[SableZen]

Check out this resource (Univ. of Maryland Medical Center) on supplements that help with depression (should answer most of your questions):

http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/depression-002453.htm

You can get most of those things from health food stores like GNC.

And for any other supplements you might want to look up:

http://www.umm.edu/altmed/

[novics]

Thanks for the comments Pam, and I am pretty sure that someone who takes care of her Mom and also works has plenty of responsibility in her life, and it takes one to know one!

Thanks worried for the advice but I am not sure what SAMe is...is it tyrosine and phenylalanine and what in the world is that?...also theanine and5htp? Where would you get this?

[worried878]

SAMe is one that I do feel a difference when i take it...expensive tho and very unstable so keep it in the frig....tyrosine and phenylalanine did the most for me as they both increase dopamine and are cheap  LOL...2000-3000 mg a day tho to feel the effect...they come in 500 mg pills so that is alot of pills...i recently invested in the powder forms from bulk nutrition online....cheap and i drink it with my EmergenC each morning...1 teaspoon verses 6 pills means alot when u get tired of taking so many supps...they also have powdered theanine and I love it....many who do not feel the effect of the aminos do not take the dose required because it is alot of pills to take in order to do so....5htp is also a great supp for moods....100 mg 3 x a day during detox

[enemy48]

I agree w/worried.

I had a hard time w/depression, and part of that was because I didn't have enough responsibility in my life.  I too care for my elderly mother, but I guess it wasn't enough.  I did try one anti-depressant.  It didn't do anything for me.  After 2 months, I got off of them.

I learned later, I had just kick those covers off and put my 2 feet on the ground.  But of course I had 6 years of addiction behind me and living life sober was not easy.

I hear wonderful things about the aminos and LT's, htp5, etc.  Try them.  I did, not much to brag about, but everyone is different.

Best Wishes,
Pamela

[worried878]

I think alot of people use narcotics as an antidepressent...it really increases the dopamine surge...like mentioned above, many people who used for depression can benefit from an AD that increases dopamine like wellbutrin...i had alot of trouble sleeping on it but i felt more energy and less sluggish in a matter of days as well

[novics]

Thank you all for the many responses to my post! I am working until 8 tonight and will read your posts later and will try and respond then.

[road2recovery]

I agree with Kova...At first i was going to say try exercise before a SSRI, because it just hit today...But since you used opiates to cope with depression, I would get on an anti-depressent...I took lexapro and it helped SO much....
Sorry about your mom, and i know that must be tough...Stay Strong, and away from opiates!!!!
r2r

[Kova]

if you were using opiates to cope with depression then it sounds like you need help with depression regardless of the drug withdrawals.  perhaps you should have gotten meds for depression all along instead of trying to self medicate with opiates.  there is nothing wrong with taking meds!  if antidepressants help you stay happy and off of opiates, then go for it!

[novics]

Thank you for your comments: I am doing better now and I am working and out and about but the depression really hit me like a ton of bricks earlier and scared the heck out of me (I was actually thinking about ordering the pills again it was so bad!)

I take care of my  85 year old Mom who has advanced Altzheimer's so my life is very depressing to begin with and I used the pills to cope with this. (I have to check on her every hour or so when I am working and that is how I can post when I am working)

I was/am doing so good and do not want to back to my old ways of coping with this nightmare.

[Kova]

what are you on day 24 of?

i have major depressive disorder, even without drug withdrawal, and anti depressants have really helped me.  i am on wellbutrin now which has been great.  i was on lexapro and that helped somewhat but not as well.  wellbutrin helps with dopamine levels, lexapro with seratonin, so it depends on what your need is.  it is all trial and error with the antidepressants to find which one works best for you.  xanax is not an antidepressant, it is more for anxiety, and to be honest those things have made my depression worse. wellbutrin seems to work well for addict type personalities (which may or may not be you).  they say it takes a few weeks to notice the effecst, but i felt better in a few days!  you may want to try it.
nothing worse than depression.  i know.  i would rather go through physical hell than be depressed.  sending you love.  good luck!

[mimi1313]

Xanax is an anti anxiety agent so it would not help with depression and lethargy. It would probably make it worse.

I did take lexapro and it helped me. i only took it for a couple months and it was eay to come off of.

[ochooked]

Hi Novics -- - The depression is normal - and almost always accompanies you after you quit ---- The thing is to just acknowledge it and remember that this too will pass- --- You are doing great ---   Congratulations on 24 days - -that is awesome  ----  Soon you will be back at 100% and feeling good.   If the depression gets too bad you can always ask your doctor for some AD, but my recommendation is to try and ride it out ---  by the time the AD gets into your system, you may have gotten better on your own - and without adding more drugs.   I think your neurons just need time to heal themselves - the body is really amazing in the way it heals itself if we give it the time and nutrition it needs.  Best to you - -- great job.

[AlessandrasMom]

I don't know anything about Xanax, maybe somebody else can help with that?
I know it's probably the last thing you want to do, but how about going out and getting some fresh air and exercise, taking a walk?  My doctor had prescribed Lexapro after i quit and was really depressed but I never took them.  Maybe it's worth a shot for you?
Talk to your doctor.  And I'm sure more people will chime in with more suggestions.
Good luck and I sincerely hope it gets better for you!