Not sure what happened yesterday

[misterx]

I never fully woke up, is what it felt like. I got up, showered, had coffee, and then proceeded to nod off three times while trying to read the news. I made it through the day by drinking coffee nonstop. I fear its my fucking depression asserting itself. I'm definitely having a harder time of things, and I'm showing stress symptoms. How much of it is situational and how much is chemical I'm not sure. (Bangs head on desk)

Comments

[ilea.livejournal.com]

*slides a cookie over to you*

chocolate makes everything better :D

[misterx.livejournal.com]

Thanks. Unfortunately, I think I rely on that strategy too much.

[xmurphyjacobsx.livejournal.com]

Chocolate is good. I'm also fighting depression and trying to stay off prescription meds because they mess with me SO much. So, for the past 6 months I've been using a vitamin supplement that contains SAM-E -- it has made quite a difference. I still have ups and downs, but they are much more manageable. If I don't take the pills for two or three days, I find I can't sleep and I'm tired all the time, out of focus and either angry or very sad. So, yeah, I think they work. They aren't expensive (compared to prescription meds, at least) and you can find them at Walgreens, among other places.

I've also added a combination B vitamin supplement that seems to be "upping" the effects -- solid sleep, more energy when I'm awake, better focus, normal emotions that don't carry me off the edge, but let me be human. I don't need the heavy infusions of caffeine to feel like I'm in the world.

I should add I'm not a vitamin pusher -- I hate taking pills and I hate the idea that I'm "broken" because of this clinical depression, so it's a struggle to feel "normal". I've suggested these to a few friends. The one I know tried it also thinks it works for him, the others haven't told me. I figure if they are a placebo, well, who has a better right to play with my brain than I do? If they are actually working -- and no side effects yet! -- then I'm good.

It's worth the experiment, I think.

[misterx.livejournal.com]

So, SAM-E (is that a brand?) and B vitamins eh?

I hate taking pills too. But when I found a prescription that actually worked on my depression, it was such a godsend. Luckily for me, I had only one "bad" experience... Zoloft = Zombie. But after that, I found Wellbutrin, and it does exactly what I wanted... I felt normal. I still get sad, even depressed, but it's NORMAL, not the inescapable whirlpool. Lately though I think they haven't been working so well. Melanie said her doc told her that getting off them a while, then getting back on, renews their efficacy. Something about seratonin burnout (paraphrasing).

Thanks.

[xmurphyjacobsx.livejournal.com]

It's all in what works. I have a friend who was nearly suicidal on Welbutrin, and has to keep switching her meds every year or so. For me, Prozac worked for a while, then I flatlined, and had a few scary close calls and wanted off the drugs completely. It took 7 years, but that's past now.

Good luck with it!

[chelchik.livejournal.com]

Heh, you got out of bed, you're doing better than me.:P

Are you taking anything? 5-htp is good stuff if you're into natural..

[theldara.livejournal.com]

SAM-e is known to be pretty effective actually. Read a little on it online, it might be useful. Walmart carries it. Just make sure you read up on it well, because like all herbs it can have drug interactions with other medicines. Another 'natural' one my ex-husband reccomends is 5-HTP, that helped him greatly for a few years. Again, check interactions, yada yada.

Sam's carries a B-vitamin complex that I swear by. If they stop carrying it, I will have to strangle someone. If you've got a Sam's membership or know someone who does, grab some. Heck, if I can remember, I will grab a bottle (if you want them) and send them your way via Kara. Some people aren't greatly helped by B complexes, but for those that are, it's usually a pretty hefty jump. The husband and I both know pretty quickly when we've forgotten to take ours in the morning. It's a much nicer "awake" feeling than the horrid jitters and crash that caffine entails.

Melanie said her doc told her that getting off them a while, then getting back on, renews their efficacy. Something about seratonin burnout (paraphrasing).

Yep, pretty much. I've got a ton of psych books (mmm psych minor... if I liked people, I'd have majored in it), and basiclly your brain gets used to stuff. Either you increase the dose (which doesn't always work), or go off of 'em for a while. Now is actually a better time of year to go off for a bit, since there's more to go-do-see outside distractions.