I am getting more depressed.

[Stargazer_Lilies]

I don't like the way things are going. Things look bleak.

I have no one to talk with, not just about lyme, but my issues with life in general.

[mojogal]

I went from Ambien to Dr Zhang's Herbsom and sleep great. I am also on his anti Bart's herbs and his anti herxing herbs are like a miracle, works Great!

[gibsongal]

just wishing you well and hope you are doing better.!

[Ricobord]

I take nortriptyline, which helps me get a full 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep on most nights. When I backed off the dosage, The insomnia started coming back, so it really helps me.  The bonus is that it does provide me with a mood lift.  You might ask your doctor for one that does both.  

It is not fast acting, though. I take it about 2-3 hours before I go to sleep and then I don't have a problem falling asleep.  Ambien is risky as some of the side effects can be a problem, and it also causes irritability and aggressiveness, two things a Lyme patient doesn't need more of!

I know exactly what you are talking about with having a good reason to be depressed, and I have had that in the past. I finally tried antidepressants, and the third one I tried worked!  It took the edge off the dark cloud over my head, which helped me to cope better with life.  It didn't resolve the reason, but it still helped. It could be that in the past you just didn't get the right med. There are over a hundred different antidepressants, and different ones work for different people (not that you would want to go through trying dozens of them!).

[Stargazer_Lilies]

I think there is difference between depressed for no reason versus depressed for a reason(s).

I can see where meds can help if one is depressed for no reasons.

I don't think I am depressed for no reasons and I know why I am depressed, I can identify what made me sad or angry. I think that's why meds does not help me in the past.

However I do need something for insomnia. I went through several meds for that--nothing really works. It is even worse when I have physical pain.

I need sedative--fast acting one, to make me really drowsy.

Rocephin actually make it very easy to sleep during herx even with intense pain.  That's interesting quality I've notice with Rocephin. If you know a med that can replicate the same effect, please let me know.

[mojogal]

Many of us had to go on anti anxiety or antidepressant because Lyme and Bart's can cause it, plus insomnia, so when you don't sleep, you feel more anxious like a vicious cycle.

[Ricobord]

Hang in there!  Online support groups are great.  Years ago, I was surprised at the positive support I got from an online IVF support group.  I still keep in touch with one friend via Facebook, and although we have spoken on the phone, we have never met.

And Lyme does cause anxiety and depression.  And you have had it a long time.  This is not an easy journey, but when it gets better, you'll find a whole new level of gratitude for life.  It is a bummer when family isn't supportive.  When you are well, you will have more energy to find new friends and new activities.

I ended up taking a old anti-depressant as a sleep aid (nortriptyline). I didn't even know it was an antidepressant until I got home from the hospital and read the drug info sheet.  When I tried cutting the dosage down, I felt depression creeping in.  It was helping me in more ways than one.  I highly recommend an antidepresssant, even if it is only temporary during Lyme treatment.  The consistent sleep is also a huge help.

[mojogal]

I have only a mother left, who is the wicked witch of the west, only child, and my counselor hates my mother but I am shocked a psych would mention killing yourself at all,  as a matter of fact, I would find another psych to talk to.
My counselor was in the Vietnam war, thought she had agent orange but it turned out to be Lyme. She is my substitute mom and we talk to this day if I have any question or concern so I can hear her poo pooing the guy that said he is shocked you haven't killed yourself already. I have learned a hard lesson ....that some of us are not lucky enough to have family support. Living with my mother is making me sicker from verbal stress but you are strong, you can do it. Maybe you need medication? Bart's and the whole Lyme thing can cause depression and anxiety. Feel better

[Stargazer_Lilies]

I have two psychologists, one I correspond online, and another I see in person twice a week.

The one I see in perrson tells me I have unfortunate situation and need to learn to deal with it all by myself because I really have no one.

The  psychologist online is susprised that I haven't kill myself already, and he doesnt criticize me about it--he is disgusted at lack of support my family gives to me.

[JackieCalifornia]

I'm sorry to hear that, Star.  

Bumping "Find a counselor / therapist" to the top of the to-do list sounds like a good thing to do for yourself.  We've all been in rough spots in life in one way or another, and it's never pretty or uplifting ... so finding someone who can help is a worthy goal.