Need a little help here

[DizzyL1234]

I have a question about depression. A little background on me : I'm 124 days clean from pill addiction. I'm doing pretty well but not great. I was diagnosed with depression after my oldest son was born (8 years ago). I took so many different antidepressents. Nothing seemed to work. Over the past few months I've been doing a lot of research on this site as well as other sites. I don't "feel" the same way I did when my doctor diagnosed me long ago. I took the meds for 3 years. Ok so now here comes the question part. I've noticed since I quit taking opiates that I'm lacking a ton of energy and cannot control my feelings. I took a "are you depressed" test online and it said yes..as I'm sure it would with anyone. I know that people who live in the Northwest (as I do) suffer from SAD. I enjoy the gloomy weather and always have.

I've done some research on vitamins and supplements that help with depression. Does anyone know how well these vitamins work? I've always taken calcium and a multi vitiamin. I do not get enough calcium in my diet and never have. I've been taking calcium for well over 15 years now. I read something about fish oil helping with the moods I've been having. ::Sidenote:: I do not have health insurance so I cannot see a doctor about this. I won't have insurance until January 2012:: I'm wondering if anyone can help me with this? I want those happy feelings to come back. I want to play with my kids instead of being so moody with them. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Sorry to ramble. I have a lot to say and I'm horrible at asking for help.

[birdie0907]

OTC are not regulated like prescription meds, so you never know the purity and hence the effect from one bottle to another.

[darlenedaisy]

I would suggest an article called "Post-acute-withdrawal syndrome" in wikipedia.

You can put PAWS in the search area of google, and it will bring up info.  Most interesting is how it affected the brain, and how it affects a person, and that it will eventually heal. The brain will heal. It is called brain plasticity.

Congrats on 124 days clean, that is fantastic ! You are a very strong and courageous person !

[DizzyL1234]

I'm not really sure what the opiates actually do to the body. All I know is while I was on them I felt like I could do anything. I was motivated, alert, happy, everything. I've been off pills about 5 months. There are times I feel really good. But the bad times far exceed the good times. I feel like I could just sleep the day away. I have zero energy and feel like I'm walking around in a fog. No real direction or goal. Over the past 5 months or so I've been doing everything people suggest. I tried medicine (back when I had insurance) that did not work. I actually felt worse. I've been doing research on supplements and stuff like that. I can't find anyone that can say these supplements work or not. That's why I posted the question today. I didn't think about looking up other topics on this site. I had a thyroid test a year ago. My dr used to routinely check everytime I got my cholesterol checked. Always came back negative.

I can't go to a dr because of the no insurance. I don't have 350.00 for an office visit. I've had a few people suggest fish oil, flaxseed oil, Maca Root...tons of stuff. I even went to the health food store and purchased the Maca Root. That's 15.00 I will never get back. All it did was make me gain weight and gave me acne. I'm so stuck!! Ahh!!

~L

[dwt7let]

Hi I can relate to what you are talking about as i have come cold turkey off effexor and i am now weaning off dolsulipin. This can cause extreme tiredness and symptoms of anxiety/depression through withdrawal. Do opiates alter brain chemistry when coming off ? I suppose all addictions have similar symptoms as they alter mood. I know for me it's like i had been switched off for years and i am coming back alive. You have to be kind and patient with yourself and your kids. If we have been on things for years we are not going to be well over night things take time and if we understand why we feel the way we do it's easier to cope with !
I to have SAD because of a thyroid problem have you ever had this tested
as thyroid trouble can also cause anxiety/depression all my trouble started after having my son.
Love
Lorraine xx