Lyme antibiotic treatment and Severe Depression

[Birdnomo]

After 2 weeks on Doxycycline for Lyme, I crashed into a very severe depression that lasted during the whole antibiotic regimen (4 months) The depression lifted rapidly 2-3 weeks after I stopped antibiotics.  Has anyone else experienced heavy depression related to antibiotic treatment?

[Birdnomo]

I had some liver enzymes that were off in month 4 of atbx.  Everything is within normal limits now.

[Birdnomo]

I think Herxheimer may have really been happening to contribute to the depression.  Thank you for your response.

[Birdnomo]

I still felt the fatigue and aches all over for another 2 months. I am doing some exercises that are helping. The depression has not returned thankfully. Thank you for your reply.

[Murphgolf]

There is no doubt in my mind some antibiotics cause depression with me. This goes back to before I ever had any Lyme Disease symptoms.

But as has been said, the impact the antibiotic is having on Lyme Disease, Bart or whatever can also cause problems. The only thing that has helped me throughout all this with depression and anxiety is neurofeedback. It's not cheap, but has been worth gold trying to cope.

[mojogal]

Yes I have been depressed from treatment. So much so that when I took malarone for my Babesia I nicknamed it the suicide pill. My LLMD increased my anti depression and it all evened out but it was very scary.

[cave76]

I've read some not too good stuff about Kava. MedlinePlus has this:

"Kava is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken by mouth. Don’t use it. Serious illness, including liver damage, has occurred even with short-term use of normal doses.

The use of kava for as little as one to three months has resulted in the need for liver transplants, and even death. Early symptoms of liver damage include yellowed eyes and skin (jaundice), fatigue, and dark urine. If you decide to take kava, despite warnings to the contrary, be sure to get frequent liver function tests."

I hope there are safe ways to take it (modified?)  and that's what you take.

[ngageme]

Just my two cents: I had terrible bouts of depression even before and after I took Doxy and Clindomycin. It is a part of bacteria die-off herxheimer reaction. I guess everybody's reaction will be different.

I have found that Kava and Ginseng helped me with anxiety and depression. I also do calisthenics every other day. Oxygenation through excercise helps with herxheimer reaction.

Get well and feel better!

[bdonahue7]

Sure I'm depressed. I don't know if it's from the abx, lyme and co infections, or just because I'm so sick of being sick! It's encouraging to hear yours lifted after you got off abx.

[cave76]

I didn't have depression while on doxy.

But to continue on about the length of time you took it----- did you also start feeling better physically after just 4 months? (Not talking depression).
If that's so-----that's great. Often it takes a lot longer and often with different antibiotics in succession.

I hope you're feeling better.