Antidepressant Alternatives?

I started Peg/CoPeg on 6/12/03, and I'm taking 90 mcg/wk (plus 150/wk of Neupogen). Over the last couple of weeks, my depression has hit some new lows. Some of it, I believe, may be related to lifestyle. I notice that I have better days when I get a lot of sleep and drink a lot of water, and when I avoid excessive sugar and caffeine. Because of some surgery I had back in March, I have gotten out of the habit of regular aerobic dancing and twice-daily yoga. I'm wondering if I become disciplined with a daily health routine if I can avoid taking antidepressants. I already take so damn many pills with my HIV meds and the CoPeg.

Anybody else use lifestyle changes to help combat depression?

Christine

[oldhippiechick67]

See the comments under "any bodybuilders out there" a few threads below.  Yes, some use exercise to overcome the blues.

[Galen]

Some are able to forgo the ADs, but if depression is a problem, and we are already drugging ourselves halfway to Sunday, why suffer?  Exercise can help, but when I found myself crying while exercising, I caved in and went on an AD.

[DH Bill]

I really had a hard time deciding to take ad s. I have been on effexor for a month now and I'm glad I did although I rely on exersise a lot I and others have noticed a change in me for the good. This morning I felt better after my bike ride even though it was hard to get going as I was very tired and a little bummed out. Good luck in you choices.

[britgirl]

Sleeping and drinking water are good, but don't just focus on physical changes to keep you from getting depressed. In my opinion, keeping your mind alert is just as important. I recommend reading as a good antidote to the blues. I read loads of fiction while on tx and did not need ADs. I see nothing wrong in being a couch potato as long as you THINK! I think this forum is biased towards the physical (exercise) at the expense of the mental (reading, conversation, keeping your mind alert).
Now wait for them all to shoot me down in flames!

[susan400]

I can't take antidepressants, I've tried on about 10 different ones over the years and finally gave up.  I just try to stay connected with family and friends, pray, etc.  I have some bad days periodically where I'm really down in the dumps, but mostly I am coping.  I do try to ride my stationary bike a little bit every day, some days it may be for only 5 min. and other days it's closer to 20.  I need lots of rest, too.  And by the way, this is from a person on way higher doses of treatment than most, so I guess that not everyone gets bad depression on treatment to the point of needing anti-D's. Even though I know a lot of people do and do need the anti-D's.   Susan400

[simpleman]

My thoughts are that I don't want to take any more meds, but I am willing to do whatever is necessary to stay on full dose for the 48 weeks. I have found that whatever I want to do is probably opposite of what I should do. If I don't want to talk to anybody then I probably should, If I want to set on the couch I should go for a walk, etc. I almost always feel better later.I have started going for a walk, a very few blocks is the most I can do. There is a lady, she must be 70, who passes me up almost every day. I think she must wait until she sees me so she can come flying by. She is power walking or something. She pumps her arms and her butt wiggles like a duck but she can really move. Makes me feel like a wimp.

[Galen]

Doesn't murder require making a plan, or would we get off by pleading medically induced insanity?  To keep my brain on the light side, I read only murder mysteries, esp funny ones like Lawrence Block's "Burgler" series, watch HDTV, comedy movies, and all the Law and Order shows, and read your postings!

[Indiana]

LAUGHTER!! Finding a way...ANY way...to get your spirits up is the answer to taking AD's. It worked for me, and for many who went through tx with me on this forum. It's all a matter of perspective. Sure, we could all sit around and moan & groan about how bad we feel....OR...you can look at this as something you can do little about and laugh at yourself. Once you start doing this it's contagious. All my friends and family and coworkers made fun of my sides. When my face would fall off every 5 weeks or so they would all tease me about how "handsome" I looked....compared to Frankenstein. When I walked into walls,doors,people,etc,they all would comment on how gracefull I was on drugs and should work part-time as a dance instructor. When I ran outa gas or otherwise forgot stuff like the names of my kids, everyone would remark on my "steel trap" mind. We had a blast. It's hard to get depressed when you see the funny side of all this stuff.
I read funny books,watched funny shows,and avoided all things serious or dramatic like the plague.
As Britgirl commented, keeping your mind busy with things NOT related to tx really helps. If you sit around and think about all this too much it's easy to let it depress you.
Learning all you can about this is key. It's a lot less scary when you understand how it all works.
Talking to others about this stuff REALLY helps. That's why we all come here. Only others who are doing tx can really understand how we feel. It's nice to know we are not alone with our sides and feelings.
If all that fails.......kill something.

[minneapolis]

me and my 13 yr old dog make it once around the block each day. we used to walk a mile a day. i am on celexa. with only 3 weeks left i have yet to lose it with anyone at work. a couple of other people/neighbors are just avoiding me. i think this whole process has put things in a new lite for me. for the better. next time i want to whine about something petty, i will flash back to this 48 weeks of the real deal; and others that are going through alot more than this. lynn

[glamazon]

Oh, God! I *love* Law & Order. It freakin' rocks! It's the only show on TV that I ever watch. I have the first year on DVD; on pins and needles until Year II becomes available.

Of course, I've been a cop groupie wannabe since my teens.  ;-)

Christine

[MajNeni]

If you happen to see that the episode "Closure" or "Closure 2" is coming up on the schedule, please let me know!  I've never seen it, but my niece played a bit part... It might be on the original series, or on "Special Victims", first or second season.  Thanks.  MN

[mrbill]

hello,
i started wellbutrin 2 weeks ago, and they say it takes at least 2-3 weeks to kick in. i am surely feeling the diffrence, but i noticed as soon as i increased dosage as prescibed 3times a day, i feel dizzy with a upset stomach. this suppose to be normal, but i hope it passes. i am starting pegasus in a couple weeks and i am big wuss, but praying GOD gives me strength to make it. i hope you feel better.
GODBLESS
MRBILL

[Ambush]

I think that this tx will teach you that you are anything but a wuss!  You can do it!  One day at a time......drink lots of water and look to the future.  Waiting to start is the worst.  Best of Luck!
ambush :)