Re: Anything besides swedish massage?

[Guest guest]

Hi, Meg,

Where are you? If there is a massage school near you, give them a call.

Massage students have to do about 75 hours of practice sessions. Many of them

do this in the community, and in most states they cannot charge for it.

Other schools have a student clinic where you get a student massage at a very

reduced rate. Still too pricey for many of us - $25 or $30 or so. But better

than $50 on up.

And there are therapists out there, myself included, who will do some work free

of charge to those in need who cannot pay.

So, there may be massage options out there.

Take care,

D.

Meg Chaney <i_am_not_crazy_08@...> wrote:

Hi all,

In Buhner's book I notice he mentions little for depression/mood problems

besides swedish massage. It's a lovely idea (that would be *so* great) but I

can't afford to do that weekly, or even monthly, so does anybody have any other

recommendations to help deal with these issues? Every few months (when I have

particularly bad flares) I struggle with really deep depression and

frighteningly wild mood swings. I can be ecstatic one minute and crying my eyes

out the next just because life suddenly seems so horrible. I used to exercise a

bit when I was starting to feel down, knowing that it would release endorphines

and make me feel somewhat better, but this is pretty much beyond what a little

exercise would have helped with in the past (not to mention I can barely

exercise at all without needing to sleep all day afterwards).

I'd appreciate any ideas offered!

-Meg

---------------------------------

Looking for earth-friendly autos?

Browse Top Cars by " Green Rating " at Autos' Green Center.

[Guest guest]

,

Thanks for the suggestions. I've actually looked around and the cheapest I could

find (at a massage school nearby) was $35 which is still way beyond what I can

afford (my parents are incredibly helpful to me and are paying for *most* of my

herbs and things, but don't understand the " need " for massage. Shockingly.).

I'm only able to work a little bit right now, and make about $60 a month, which,

as I am sure you can imagine, doesn't go very far towards anything really.

Thanks though for the suggestions. I appreciate it!

-Meg

DeMarco <ponyrubs@...> wrote: Hi,

Meg,

Where are you? If there is a massage school near you, give them a call.

Massage students have to do about 75 hours of practice sessions. Many of them

do this in the community, and in most states they cannot charge for it.

Other schools have a student clinic where you get a student massage at a very

reduced rate. Still too pricey for many of us - $25 or $30 or so. But better

than $50 on up.

And there are therapists out there, myself included, who will do some work free

of charge to those in need who cannot pay.

So, there may be massage options out there.

Take care,

D.

[Guest guest]

Meg, do you have babesia? These mood swings sounds to me like my

babesia. Do you feel that's you or that's the bugs doing that to you?

I remember I was somehow sure those mood swings were not 'me'. It

didn't feel like myself, I felt 'manipulated' by these critters.

If you have babesia symptoms, you could try first treating it?

Another suggestion, for free, are EMF tapping. You say a sentence

like: " Even though I'm very sick, that my life is messed up, that I

feel deeply depressed, I do respect myself as I am, I accept my body

as it is and I want to be totally healthy again, and to feel

thoroughly well in body and spirit. " That's just an idea, you gotta

find something that is exactly where you feel your problem is.

You start with 'even though'[your present main problem], you affirm

respect to yourself/ body/ soul, then you add the target. I usually

don't use negative words in the target (like " I'd like to feel less

depressed " ). I use " I want to feel great from deep inside my soul " or

something like that.

This is technique is used to all (or most of) Klinghardt's patients.

I used it myself a few times, and the results are amazing. You have

say the sentence while tapping, point by point. The tapping is

supposed to spread the 'message' through your whole body, organs etc.

I use the EFT tapping after all herb/ homeopathic/ supp intake. I've

been doing that for about 10-11 months. It's also a must-technique

used by patients of Klinghardt. the effects are fast. You have to

keep doing at least 2,3 times a day in worst days. You can start

reading, as it's usually a long sentence for a lyme brain. Then you

slowly memorize it, and you'll be able to do it by heart fast.

If you use the technique, please share your results! There's a post

on EFT here or google it for a video showing tapping points. I guess

Dr. Mercola has it in his site with his own video image.

Selma

>

> Hi all,

>

> In Buhner's book I notice he mentions little for depression/mood

problems besides swedish massage. It's a lovely idea (that would be

*so* great) but I can't afford to do that weekly, or even monthly, so

does anybody have any other recommendations to help deal with these

issues? Every few months (when I have particularly bad flares) I

struggle with really deep depression and frighteningly wild mood

swings. I can be ecstatic one minute and crying my eyes out the next

just because life suddenly seems so horrible. I used to exercise a

bit when I was starting to feel down, knowing that it would release

endorphines and make me feel somewhat better, but this is pretty much

beyond what a little exercise would have helped with in the past (not

to mention I can barely exercise at all without needing to sleep all

day afterwards).

>

>

> I'd appreciate any ideas offered!

>

> -Meg

>

[Guest guest]

>

Hi Meg,

I've posted some suggestions for healing depression on my blog:

www.lymebytes.blogspot.com, under the article entitled, Finding

Emotional Healing. I've posted my personal struggles with anxiety and

depression there, and if you scroll to the bottom there are

suggestions of what has worked for me.

One thing I don't mention on the site, however, are anti-depressants.

If your depression is severe, you might consider these. I take a low

dose of a medicine called mirtazapine and it literally restored my

sanity.

Sorry you are struggling with this! I SO know how hard it can be!

Hang in there-

Blessings, Connie

> Hi all,

>

> In Buhner's book I notice he mentions little for depression/mood

problems besides swedish massage. It's a lovely idea (that would be

*so* great) but I can't afford to do that weekly, or even monthly, so

does anybody have any other recommendations to help deal with these

issues? Every few months (when I have particularly bad flares) I

struggle with really deep depression and frighteningly wild mood

swings. I can be ecstatic one minute and crying my eyes out the next

just because life suddenly seems so horrible. I used to exercise a bit

when I was starting to feel down, knowing that it would release

endorphines and make me feel somewhat better, but this is pretty much

beyond what a little exercise would have helped with in the past (not

to mention I can barely exercise at all without needing to sleep all

day afterwards).

>

>

> I'd appreciate any ideas offered!

>

> -Meg

>

[Guest guest]

Selma,

Thanks for the suggestions -- actually, I have no idea if I have any

coinfections at all; so far all of my doctors have refused to test me for

anything if they don't think I have it, no matter how strongly I disagree. What

are some other symptoms specific to babesia, besides these types of mood swings

(you couldn't have described mine better when you said you felt like it wasn't

" you " doing/saying these things)?

-Meg

selmanaka <hardynaka@...> wrote: Meg, do

you have babesia? These mood swings sounds to me like my

babesia. Do you feel that's you or that's the bugs doing that to you?

I remember I was somehow sure those mood swings were not 'me'. It

didn't feel like myself, I felt 'manipulated' by these critters.

If you have babesia symptoms, you could try first treating it?

Another suggestion, for free, are EMF tapping. You say a sentence

like: " Even though I'm very sick, that my life is messed up, that I

feel deeply depressed, I do respect myself as I am, I accept my body

as it is and I want to be totally healthy again, and to feel

thoroughly well in body and spirit. " That's just an idea, you gotta

find something that is exactly where you feel your problem is.

You start with 'even though'[your present main problem], you affirm

respect to yourself/ body/ soul, then you add the target. I usually

don't use negative words in the target (like " I'd like to feel less

depressed " ). I use " I want to feel great from deep inside my soul " or

something like that.

This is technique is used to all (or most of) Klinghardt's patients.

I used it myself a few times, and the results are amazing. You have

say the sentence while tapping, point by point. The tapping is

supposed to spread the 'message' through your whole body, organs etc.

I use the EFT tapping after all herb/ homeopathic/ supp intake. I've

been doing that for about 10-11 months. It's also a must-technique

used by patients of Klinghardt. the effects are fast. You have to

keep doing at least 2,3 times a day in worst days. You can start

reading, as it's usually a long sentence for a lyme brain. Then you

slowly memorize it, and you'll be able to do it by heart fast.

If you use the technique, please share your results! There's a post

on EFT here or google it for a video showing tapping points. I guess

Dr. Mercola has it in his site with his own video image.

Selma

[Guest guest]

Thanks Connie! I'll definitely check out that section on your blog (I must've

missed that part somehow. I've read most of your blog already and really enjoyed

it -- your writing style is a lot of fun!).

My doctor has recommended antidepressants for me, but I'm really hesitant to

take those; if I was still feeling like I did in December of 2005 I'd take them

in a heartbeat (it was bad then, though it was due largely to other issues

besides my Lyme, though I'm sure that didn't help at all), but as it is, I'm

really hoping for more natural alternatives. Most of the time I can " shake it

off " if I spend enough time in prayer and scripture, but lately it hasn't been

so easy.

Anyway, I do appreciate your suggestions, and as I said, will *certainly* check

out that section of your blog! And I'll keep the antidepressants in mind too, if

I don't just " get past this " soon.

Thanks!

-Meg

Connie <conniekillbug@...> wrote:

>

Hi Meg,

I've posted some suggestions for healing depression on my blog:

www.lymebytes.blogspot.com, under the article entitled, Finding

Emotional Healing. I've posted my personal struggles with anxiety and

depression there, and if you scroll to the bottom there are

suggestions of what has worked for me.

One thing I don't mention on the site, however, are anti-depressants.

If your depression is severe, you might consider these. I take a low

dose of a medicine called mirtazapine and it literally restored my

sanity.

Sorry you are struggling with this! I SO know how hard it can be!

Hang in there-

Blessings, Connie

[Guest guest]

Have you tried St 's Wort for depression?

Meg Chaney wrote:

>

> Thanks Connie! I'll definitely check out that section on your blog (I

> must've missed that part somehow. I've read most of your blog already

> and really enjoyed it -- your writing style is a lot of fun!).

>

> My doctor has recommended antidepressants for me, but I'm really

> hesitant to take those; if I was still feeling like I did in December

> of 2005 I'd take them in a heartbeat (it was bad then, though it was

> due largely to other issues besides my Lyme, though I'm sure that

> didn't help at all), but as it is, I'm really hoping for more natural

> alternatives. Most of the time I can " shake it off " if I spend enough

> time in prayer and scripture, but lately it hasn't been so easy.

>

> Anyway, I do appreciate your suggestions, and as I said, will

> *certainly* check out that section of your blog! And I'll keep the

> antidepressants in mind too, if I don't just " get past this " soon.

>

> Thanks!

>

> -Meg

>

> Connie <conniekillbug@... <mailto:conniekillbug%40>>

> wrote:

> >

> Hi Meg,

>

> I've posted some suggestions for healing depression on my blog:

> www.lymebytes.blogspot.com, under the article entitled, Finding

> Emotional Healing. I've posted my personal struggles with anxiety and

> depression there, and if you scroll to the bottom there are

> suggestions of what has worked for me.

> One thing I don't mention on the site, however, are anti-depressants.

> If your depression is severe, you might consider these. I take a low

> dose of a medicine called mirtazapine and it literally restored my

> sanity.

> Sorry you are struggling with this! I SO know how hard it can be!

> Hang in there-

>

> Blessings, Connie

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

Now that should have been an obvious one, huh? I knew there are herbs that work

for depression (my friends *always* come to *me* when they want natural

alternatives to drugs and things and I usually come up with mile long lists for

them), but somehow I didn't think of trying any of them. (I had tried it in the

past and it didn't seem to help much, but still!) How embarrassing. :-\ Um. I'm

gonna go buy some St. 's Wort now, with my tail firmly between my legs.

-Meg

girl mark <girlmark_list_email@...> wrote:

Have you tried St 's Wort for depression?

Meg Chaney wrote:

>

> Thanks Connie! I'll definitely check out that section on your blog (I

> must've missed that part somehow. I've read most of your blog already

> and really enjoyed it -- your writing style is a lot of fun!).

>

> My doctor has recommended antidepressants for me, but I'm really

> hesitant to take those; if I was still feeling like I did in December

> of 2005 I'd take them in a heartbeat (it was bad then, though it was

> due largely to other issues besides my Lyme, though I'm sure that

> didn't help at all), but as it is, I'm really hoping for more natural

> alternatives. Most of the time I can " shake it off " if I spend enough

> time in prayer and scripture, but lately it hasn't been so easy.

>

> Anyway, I do appreciate your suggestions, and as I said, will

> *certainly* check out that section of your blog! And I'll keep the

> antidepressants in mind too, if I don't just " get past this " soon.

>

> Thanks!

>

> -Meg

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Meg,

Thanks for your thoughts and checking out the blog. :-)

I hope you can find something to alleviate your symptoms soon.

Some folks have done well on SAM-e, which is a nice alternative to

anti-depressants. Have you tried this?

Prayers and best wishes for your healing- Connie

girl mark <girlmark_list_email@...> wrote:

Have you tried St 's Wort for depression?

Meg Chaney wrote:

>

> Thanks Connie! I'll definitely check out that section on your blog (I

> must've missed that part somehow. I've read most of your blog already

> and really enjoyed it -- your writing style is a lot of fun!).

>

> My doctor has recommended antidepressants for me, but I'm really

> hesitant to take those; if I was still feeling like I did in December

> of 2005 I'd take them in a heartbeat (it was bad then, though it was

> due largely to other issues besides my Lyme, though I'm sure that

> didn't help at all), but as it is, I'm really hoping for more natural

> alternatives. Most of the time I can " shake it off " if I spend enough

> time in prayer and scripture, but lately it hasn't been so easy.

>

> Anyway, I do appreciate your suggestions, and as I said, will

> *certainly* check out that section of your blog! And I'll keep the

> antidepressants in mind too, if I don't just " get past this " soon.

>

> Thanks!

>

> -Meg

>

> Connie <conniekillbug@... <mailto:conniekillbug%40>>

> wrote:

> >

> Hi Meg,

>

> I've posted some suggestions for healing depression on my blog:

> www.lymebytes.blogspot.com, under the article entitled, Finding

> Emotional Healing. I've posted my personal struggles with anxiety and

> depression there, and if you scroll to the bottom there are

> suggestions of what has worked for me.

> One thing I don't mention on the site, however, are anti-depressants.

> If your depression is severe, you might consider these. I take a low

> dose of a medicine called mirtazapine and it literally restored my

> sanity.

> Sorry you are struggling with this! I SO know how hard it can be!

> Hang in there-

>

> Blessings, Connie

>

>

>

---------------------------------

Don't get soaked. Take a quick peak at the forecast

with the Search weather shortcut.

[Guest guest]

By the way I think it takes some time to work, so be patient. I once

used it for depression long ago and the relief was a matter of a week or

so, but maybe that was 'all in my head' as it coincided with having

someone to talk to about it (who'd recommended the St 's Wort) and

I " m not normally prone to depression.

Meg Chaney wrote:

>

> ,

> Now that should have been an obvious one, huh? I knew there are herbs

> that work for depression (my friends *always* come to *me* when they

> want natural alternatives to drugs and things and I usually come up

> with mile long lists for them), but somehow I didn't think of trying

> any of them. (I had tried it in the past and it didn't seem to help

> much, but still!) How embarrassing. :-\ Um. I'm gonna go buy some St.

> 's Wort now, with my tail firmly between my legs.

>

> -Meg

>

> girl mark <girlmark_list_email@...

> <mailto:girlmark_list_email%40localb100.com>> wrote: Have you tried St

> 's Wort for depression?

>

>

>

> Meg Chaney wrote:

> >

> > Thanks Connie! I'll definitely check out that section on your blog (I

> > must've missed that part somehow. I've read most of your blog already

> > and really enjoyed it -- your writing style is a lot of fun!).

> >

> > My doctor has recommended antidepressants for me, but I'm really

> > hesitant to take those; if I was still feeling like I did in December

> > of 2005 I'd take them in a heartbeat (it was bad then, though it was

> > due largely to other issues besides my Lyme, though I'm sure that

> > didn't help at all), but as it is, I'm really hoping for more natural

> > alternatives. Most of the time I can " shake it off " if I spend enough

> > time in prayer and scripture, but lately it hasn't been so easy.

> >

> > Anyway, I do appreciate your suggestions, and as I said, will

> > *certainly* check out that section of your blog! And I'll keep the

> > antidepressants in mind too, if I don't just " get past this " soon.

> >

> > Thanks!

> >

> > -Meg

> >

>

>

[Guest guest]

Meg,

SAM-e worked for me. (St 's didn't.) And the SAM-e worked in a

matter of days.

good luck!

ellen

> >

> > Thanks Connie! I'll definitely check out that section on your blog (I

> > must've missed that part somehow. I've read most of your blog already

> > and really enjoyed it -- your writing style is a lot of fun!).

> >

> > My doctor has recommended antidepressants for me, but I'm really

> > hesitant to take those; if I was still feeling like I did in December

> > of 2005 I'd take them in a heartbeat (it was bad then, though it was

> > due largely to other issues besides my Lyme, though I'm sure that

> > didn't help at all), but as it is, I'm really hoping for more natural

> > alternatives. Most of the time I can " shake it off " if I spend enough

> > time in prayer and scripture, but lately it hasn't been so easy.

> >

> > Anyway, I do appreciate your suggestions, and as I said, will

> > *certainly* check out that section of your blog! And I'll keep the

> > antidepressants in mind too, if I don't just " get past this " soon.

> >

> > Thanks!

> >

> > -Meg

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Meg, for me, babesia caused me the worst of pshyco symptoms.

My main symptoms were temperature changes (from hot to cold feeling),

night sweats, air hunger (light and strong attacks),

chest 'pressure', extreme fatigue, mood swings, lack of iron... But

many can have only mild symptoms or different ones.

Once babesia was hit, I found out I was myself again, not the crying

thing I was! I cried for any reason, even though I knew it was not

me, I didn't want to cry!!! It was like being induced by these

critters!

Extreme, very extreme fatigue never came back again in the way it was

while with active babesia.

Please google and read yourself, it's important to know about babesia

and other tick co-infections as I believe, most recent contaminated

lyme sufferers are ALL contaminated by other co-infections (if not

all, pretty close to all).

Herbs for co-infections usually vary, so you have to try to figure

out which co-infection you may have. It's a tough game.

I would do a muscle test to get a fast answer and start treatment

with herbs for the ones you get positive. It will give you time to

look for the right blood exams etc, but at least you'll get some

treatment while waiting (I mean, if you're a person who mainly trusts

blood exams).

Selma

[Guest guest]

I agree with the SAMe recommendation. SAMe has been shown to be just

as effective as certain tricyclic antidepressants, and is better

tolerated (and yes, it does usually work faster than conventional

antidepressants). In the past, I've used it myself with good results.

Also, omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce depression

symptoms (and should be taken anyway for their many amazing health

benefits. I don't go a day without them).

You might also consider tryptophan or 5-HTP, as these two substances

are precursors to serotonin and function in a similar way to SSRI

antidepressants.

There are lots of options for depression, and your choices might

depend upon what you think needs to be addressed - especially if this

is a neurotransmitter problem, as it often is. If you think it's a

serotonin issue, the tryptophan and 5-HTP are obvious considerations.

If it's a norepinephrine or dopamine issue, then tryosine or

l-phenylalanine are worth looking into (l-phenylalanine seems to work

particularly well for stress when combined with SAMe).

All in all, though, SAMe would be my primary recommendation, and the

first thing I'd try. Studies have proven the efficacy of St. 's

Wart, and it does work well for some people, but in my experience and

observations, SAMe seems to work better.

And of course, always be aware of any contraindications when taking

any of these supplements.

>

> Meg,

> SAM-e worked for me. (St 's didn't.) And the SAM-e worked in a

> matter of days.

>

> good luck!

>

> ellen

>

[Guest guest]

Connie,

I haven't tried SAM-e... it's kind of hard for me to get new herbs and

supplements at times, because when I act like I'm needing something new (or have

a new symptom), it kind of tends to freak my parents out, and since I'm unable

to drive, I can't get stuff " on the sly " very easily. I'd go for just freaking

them out (they'd survive, right?), but that always ends up causing " discussions "

which are usually more stress than I can handle. God has always found a way to

provide so far though, so I'm not too worried about it.

Thanks for this suggestion, and all your help so far!

-Meg

Connie Strasheim <conniekillbug@...> wrote:

Hi Meg,

Thanks for your thoughts and checking out the blog. :-)

I hope you can find something to alleviate your symptoms soon.

Some folks have done well on SAM-e, which is a nice alternative to

anti-depressants. Have you tried this?

Prayers and best wishes for your healing- Connie

[Guest guest]

Thanks! Maybe I *will* try to get some of that then.

-Meg

rasheedaas <rasheedaas@...> wrote: Meg,

SAM-e worked for me. (St 's didn't.) And the SAM-e worked in a

matter of days.

good luck!

ellen

[Guest guest]

Selma,

Thanks for the info. I really do need to do a lot more research on coinfections

-- I know *very* little of them, really. I think I got so focused on Lyme that I

gave very little thought to coinfections, even though I've read a lot about them

(as in, that they are common, not that I read about *tyem* per se) and know that

the odds of me not having *any* of them aren't so great.

I'll make that my next project.

Thanks again!

-Meg

selmanaka <hardynaka@...> wrote: Meg,

for me, babesia caused me the worst of pshyco symptoms.

My main symptoms were temperature changes (from hot to cold feeling),

night sweats, air hunger (light and strong attacks),

chest 'pressure', extreme fatigue, mood swings, lack of iron... But

many can have only mild symptoms or different ones.

Once babesia was hit, I found out I was myself again, not the crying

thing I was! I cried for any reason, even though I knew it was not

me, I didn't want to cry!!! It was like being induced by these

critters!

Extreme, very extreme fatigue never came back again in the way it was

while with active babesia.

Please google and read yourself, it's important to know about babesia

and other tick co-infections as I believe, most recent contaminated

lyme sufferers are ALL contaminated by other co-infections (if not

all, pretty close to all).

Herbs for co-infections usually vary, so you have to try to figure

out which co-infection you may have. It's a tough game.

I would do a muscle test to get a fast answer and start treatment

with herbs for the ones you get positive. It will give you time to

look for the right blood exams etc, but at least you'll get some

treatment while waiting (I mean, if you're a person who mainly trusts

blood exams).

Selma

[Guest guest]

,

Thanks! I'll do my best to get some SAMe. After so many great recommendations

how could I not?

As for your other suggestions, I'm already taking DHA/EPA *and* 5-HTP along with

Melatonin and Theanine (which is also supposed to affect levels of dopamine and

seratonin in the brain -- a brilliant friend of mine turned me on to Theanine).

I also take a valerian/hops combination (most days) which contains some skullcap

and um. Something else that is supposed to be good for anxiety/depression!

Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge though. Having this support is *so*

great after so much nothing for so many months.

-Meg

drostollan <drostollan@...> wrote: I

agree with the SAMe recommendation. SAMe has been shown to be just

as effective as certain tricyclic antidepressants, and is better

tolerated (and yes, it does usually work faster than conventional

antidepressants). In the past, I've used it myself with good results.

Also, omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce depression

symptoms (and should be taken anyway for their many amazing health

benefits. I don't go a day without them).

You might also consider tryptophan or 5-HTP, as these two substances

are precursors to serotonin and function in a similar way to SSRI

antidepressants.

There are lots of options for depression, and your choices might

depend upon what you think needs to be addressed - especially if this

is a neurotransmitter problem, as it often is. If you think it's a

serotonin issue, the tryptophan and 5-HTP are obvious considerations.

If it's a norepinephrine or dopamine issue, then tryosine or

l-phenylalanine are worth looking into (l-phenylalanine seems to work

particularly well for stress when combined with SAMe).

All in all, though, SAMe would be my primary recommendation, and the

first thing I'd try. Studies have proven the efficacy of St. 's

Wart, and it does work well for some people, but in my experience and

observations, SAMe seems to work better.

And of course, always be aware of any contraindications when taking

any of these supplements.

[Guest guest]

I think the pregnenolone that Buhner recommends is good for sense of

well being. i've tried SAMe for years (am still on it) but i can't say

i can

feel it working (unless i'd be even worse without it).

for those that SAMe has helped, how many do you take a day?

i only take 2. it's so expensive.

STeve

On Feb 2, 2007, at 9:39 PM, drostollan wrote:

> I agree with the SAMe recommendation. SAMe has been shown to be just

> as effective as certain tricyclic antidepressants, and is better

> tolerated (and yes, it does usually work faster than conventional

> antidepressants). In the past, I've used it myself with good results.

> Also, omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce depression

> symptoms (and should be taken anyway for their many amazing health

> benefits. I don't go a day without them).

>

> You might also consider tryptophan or 5-HTP, as these two substances

> are precursors to serotonin and function in a similar way to SSRI

> antidepressants.

>

> There are lots of options for depression, and your choices might

> depend upon what you think needs to be addressed - especially if this

> is a neurotransmitter problem, as it often is. If you think it's a

> serotonin issue, the tryptophan and 5-HTP are obvious considerations.

> If it's a norepinephrine or dopamine issue, then tryosine or

> l-phenylalanine are worth looking into (l-phenylalanine seems to work

> particularly well for stress when combined with SAMe).

>

> All in all, though, SAMe would be my primary recommendation, and the

> first thing I'd try. Studies have proven the efficacy of St. 's

> Wart, and it does work well for some people, but in my experience and

> observations, SAMe seems to work better.

>

> And of course, always be aware of any contraindications when taking

> any of these supplements.

>

>

>

>

> >

> > Meg,

> > SAM-e worked for me. (St 's didn't.) And the SAM-e worked in a

> > matter of days.

> >

> > good luck!

> >

> > ellen

> >

>

>

[Guest guest]

I just read another book by Buhner (the hepatitis one) and in it he

mentions that eleutherococcus (Siberian Ginseng) is a mild

antidepressant. I also read that in an herbal textbook by Hoffman.

Eleuthero works by normalizing immune function and improves your ability

to deal with stress, so it makes sense that it'd help your mood. I know

when I first started taking it in large doses i was actually

high/euphoric for a few days (no crash afterwards, but I " m not prone to

mood swings). I have NO idea if this mood-lifting effect would still

work if your mood issues are due to babesia, but it definitely makes my

body better able to deal with Lyme and there are no side effects in most

people at recommended dosages, so I " d suggest maybe trying that as well.

It might take a while for it to work. Buhner recommends in another book

that it'll work best after about 6 months of daily use, but I saw a vast

improvement in my fatigue within a week or so of taking it.

steve wrote:

>

> I think the pregnenolone that Buhner recommends is good for sense of

> well being. i've tried SAMe for years (am still on it) but i can't say

> i can

> feel it working (unless i'd be even worse without it).

>

> for those that SAMe has helped, how many do you take a day?

> i only take 2. it's so expensive.

>

> STeve

>

> On Feb 2, 2007, at 9:39 PM, drostollan wrote:

>

> > I agree with the SAMe recommendation. SAMe has been shown to be just

> > as effective as certain tricyclic antidepressants, and is better

> > tolerated (and yes, it does usually work faster than conventional

> > antidepressants). In the past, I've used it myself with good results.

> > Also, omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce depression

> > symptoms (and should be taken anyway for their many amazing health

> > benefits. I don't go a day without them).

> >

> > You might also consider tryptophan or 5-HTP, as these two substances

> > are precursors to serotonin and function in a similar way to SSRI

> > antidepressants.

> >

> > There are lots of options for depression, and your choices might

> > depend upon what you think needs to be addressed - especially if this

> > is a neurotransmitter problem, as it often is. If you think it's a

> > serotonin issue, the tryptophan and 5-HTP are obvious considerations.

> > If it's a norepinephrine or dopamine issue, then tryosine or

> > l-phenylalanine are worth looking into (l-phenylalanine seems to work

> > particularly well for stress when combined with SAMe).

> >

> > All in all, though, SAMe would be my primary recommendation, and the

> > first thing I'd try. Studies have proven the efficacy of St. 's

> > Wart, and it does work well for some people, but in my experience and

> > observations, SAMe seems to work better.

> >

> > And of course, always be aware of any contraindications when taking

> > any of these supplements.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > >

> > > Meg,

> > > SAM-e worked for me. (St 's didn't.) And the SAM-e worked in a

> > > matter of days.

> > >

> > > good luck!

> > >

> > > ellen

> > >

> >

> >

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

This is encouraging news! That's the last herb I ordered that I'm still waiting

on. Now I'm even more anxious to get started on it.

-Meg

girl mark <girlmark_list_email@...> wrote:

I just read another book by Buhner (the hepatitis one) and in it he

mentions that eleutherococcus (Siberian Ginseng) is a mild

antidepressant. I also read that in an herbal textbook by Hoffman.

Eleuthero works by normalizing immune function and improves your ability

to deal with stress, so it makes sense that it'd help your mood. I know

when I first started taking it in large doses i was actually

high/euphoric for a few days (no crash afterwards, but I " m not prone to

mood swings). I have NO idea if this mood-lifting effect would still

work if your mood issues are due to babesia, but it definitely makes my

body better able to deal with Lyme and there are no side effects in most

people at recommended dosages, so I " d suggest maybe trying that as well.

It might take a while for it to work. Buhner recommends in another book

that it'll work best after about 6 months of daily use, but I saw a vast

improvement in my fatigue within a week or so of taking it.

[Guest guest]

> > > >

> > > > Meg,

> > > > SAM-e worked for me. (St 's didn't.) And the SAM-e worked in a

> > > > matter of days.

> > > >

> > > > good luck!

> > > >

> > > > ellen

> > > >

> > >

> > >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Meg,

Wow, sounds like you're doing a lot already. Just one thing, though.

If you're really depressed right now, I'd temporarily hold off on the

melatonin. It can actually make the depression worse. Which is a bad

thing. :-p

>

> ,

>

> Thanks! I'll do my best to get some SAMe. After so many great

recommendations how could I not?

>

> As for your other suggestions, I'm already taking DHA/EPA *and*

5-HTP along with Melatonin and Theanine (which is also supposed to

affect levels of dopamine and seratonin in the brain -- a brilliant

friend of mine turned me on to Theanine). I also take a valerian/hops

combination (most days) which contains some skullcap and um. Something

else that is supposed to be good for anxiety/depression!

>

> Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge though. Having this

support is *so* great after so much nothing for so many months.

>

> -Meg

>