Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: guncrasher on February 08, 2015, 12:11:02 PM
-
I have mentioned here many times that most of my life I have battled depression since I was about 12 or 13 years old. anti-depressants dont work on me as I am one of those rare guys who think about suicide when I take them. have tried just about every every single anti-depressant on the market and it has always the same effect. I am lucky to be here to be honest.
only thing that has really helped me was smoking weed when I was younger, but in my current job I get drug tested often so that was out of the question.
I am kind of overweight, so we started this contest at work to see who was the biggest loser. one of the guys mention about taking kre-alkalyn, which is a creatine supplement. you take it and exercise and it helps to build muscle. I have been taking it for over a week and yesterday I realized that my depression is gone. I feel I guess like a normal person should.
I google it and there's been some small studies done about it helping with depression. so my question is, has anybody battling depression taking it and feel it has helped you?
btw dont tell me it's the exercise that helped me, I was in the marines fit and lean and I was still depressed :).
semp
-
No idea how Creatine could effect depression but I'm glad to hear it's helping.
How long have you been overwieght? If it's been a long time I'd still consider that it might be from getting back in shape, your body and mind change over the years.
Also exercise is a great stress reducer which might be a factor.
-
I wouldn't use this synthetic crap bs, the long human digestive tube is not designed for over processed foods ,sugars and this over concentrated proteins/products for gym guys;; everything goes through liver , blood stream , brain sure have side effects; try mostly or 100% vegetarian diet if you are overweight, sure is going to help you eliminate toxins and feel better psychophysically; I practice a light form of Yoga, still trying to keep a clean diet and fresh mind; I believe we were designed vegetarian for maximum performances and lifespan;
The north american carnivore and over processed foods diet fills up hospitals with cancer patients and other diseases; we are what we eat, feed with dead bodies that's what you become.
-
I have mentioned here many times that most of my life I have battled depression since I was about 12 or 13 years old. anti-depressants dont work on me as I am one of those rare guys who think about suicide when I take them. have tried just about every every single anti-depressant on the market and it has always the same effect. I am lucky to be here to be honest.
only thing that has really helped me was smoking weed when I was younger, but in my current job I get drug tested often so that was out of the question.
I am kind of overweight, so we started this contest at work to see who was the biggest loser. one of the guys mention about taking kre-alkalyn, which is a creatine supplement. you take it and exercise and it helps to build muscle. I have been taking it for over a week and yesterday I realized that my depression is gone. I feel I guess like a normal person should.
I google it and there's been some small studies done about it helping with depression. so my question is, has anybody battling depression taking it and feel it has helped you?
btw dont tell me it's the exercise that helped me, I was in the marines fit and lean and I was still depressed :).
semp
Have you thought that perhaps the exercise might have done the trick without the creatine?
-
Have you thought that perhaps the exercise might have done the trick without the creatine?
well, i did mention that I was in the marines and I was pretty much fit back then. but I was still depressed.
semp
-
Gun find a good doctor with MD. before his name. The human mind is a pretty frail vessel. Dont ever nobody else ever has goofy thoughts because the plain fact is we all do at some time. The difference is good people dont act on them and revere life where'as others dont. Its common knowledge anti-depressants can actually have a reverse effect in some people.
I'd talk it over with a Doctor. Best wishes to you.
-
well, i did mention that I was in the marines and I was pretty much fit back then. but I was still depressed.
semp
If I knew you were suicidal I wouldn't have trolled you like I did in the past. Sorry. Best wishes dude.
-
Given the complexity of this sort of issue I wouldn't dismiss exercise. What I notice about discussions of exercise is that many people use the word differently. For some people it means taking a walk. For other people it means an effort sufficient to create a physiological response that changes your body. If you are over-weight and depressed by all means exercise. Being depressed in the service does not mean the exercise didn't help. Forget jogging and running. Lift weights. http://startingstrength.com/ This guy is awesome. Follow the program and shock yourself with the results.
Sugar is getting attention as an evil poison that affects mood, liver function, weight control, etc. Sugar addiction is an eating disorder that's easy to overlook. If you like sweets try giving them up for a month, if they are causing problems you'll notice changes. If giving up sweets seems too hard consider that a sign of addiction.
I would not consider vegetarianism as a solution but I agree with ghi about sugar. I would instead suggest you make sure you have enough red meats and fats in your diet. The rise in obesity and cancers correlates with recommendations for low fat high carb diets.
-
If I knew you were suicidal I wouldn't have trolled you like I did in the past. Sorry. Best wishes dude.
i am not suicidal. taking anti-depressants makes me think about it. that's a side effect of it. and I have never thought you have trolled me. I do appreciate you stating your opinion on a lot of stuff even if I dont agree with it as hearing both sides it's helpful. :salute.
semp
-
Creatine doesn't build muscles. It assists in recovery quicker so you can go punish and tear the muscle tissue again. :) The side effect is one tends to gain weight due to all the water you must drink with creatine.
It's found naturally in several types of food and most definitely in steak.
I used it for 4 years when I went from 165 to 215 back in my 30's (it was the only supplement I used other than protein powder) It allowed me to work out 6 days a week, hitting the same muscle groups hard due to the recovery properties. Still, it took 4 years to put that much muscle weight on.
Its interesting that it helped your depression. I would venture to guess just exercise alone assists in overcoming depression.
-
ripsnort, I did notice that, I am gaining weight, but at the same time I am losing fat. it's just that it is weird to me to feel the way I do. it's kind of a high, not like a drug high but more like want to live, feel and do stuff. unlike like 2 weeks ago when I was just thinking of sleeping and working. yesterday I wrote a 3 page plan of what I want to do with the rest of my life. it just feels so weird to feel like this.
FLS, I dont eat sugar as I am a diabetic and eating something like doughnuts makes me nauseous.
thanks everybody for your opinions.
semp
-
I'm glad you're feeling better Semp. Check out the site I linked. Nothing changes your body like heavy lifting and as we get older it's a serious quality of life issue. Note the video of the 90 year old woman. :old:
When you first makes changes you see results quickly but as you progress apparent progress is small. Don't get discouraged when that happens, it's normal and unavoidable.
-
yesterday I wrote a 3 page plan of what I want to do with the rest of my life. it just feels so weird to feel like this.
semp
I've been in that mindset since I was 12. I do a plan for the coming year, for the coming season, and for each upcoming week. Day to day is more of a script. You get a lot more done (success) and a lot more free time to enjoy because of it. (it also brought me 3 college degrees, 2 professional licenses, and a small business.)
-
Body, Mind, Spirit...
If you were in the Corps, you know what you must do to become physically and mentally fit.
God, Country, Corps
Semper Fidelis, Marine
-
college courses are the way :)
And flying the YAK9T
That is way people jog and do sports not to get fit but to take their mind of mental issues :)
A big one is is to throw your TV in the river and dont watch the news.
And your not informed by watching the news its just there to make you think you know, when infact your still polishing your pitchforks :)
Tune to 171 when your on knights you will be ingood company :)
All my family are on medication except me :rofl
The Brewster make me depressed :old:
-
The body ultimately uses ATP (adenosine tri-phosphate) as its energy source. ATP is used for almost all mechanical movement in the cells. Creatine, which is really called creatine mono-phosphate, simply provides phosphate. Studies have found that creatine mono-phosphate enhances performance for anaerobic exercises, such as weight lifting.
-
try mostly or 100% vegetarian diet if you are overweight, sure is going to help you eliminate toxins and feel better psychophysically; I practice a light form of Yoga
Yeah, Ill make those changes the same day that I change to bishops
IE NEVER
Edit: Im happy you're feeling better gun, whatever is responsible, who cares and keep doing it :aok
-
According to the writeup on it in Wikipedia (with lots of references -- so folks can skip the "Wikipedia is all wrong" comments), from recent studies it seems that taking creatine orally (say, 5 g per day or less) doesn't have any bad side effects as long as you don't have kidney or liver issues. If so and if it seems to work for you, continuing on would seem reasonable.
One warning from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308814610016377 :
"possible organic contaminants in 33 samples of creatine supplements from the market. Creatinine resulted to be the major organic contaminant (44% of the samples over 100 mg/kg). About 15% of the samples had dihydro-1,3,5-triazine concentrations exceeding the detection limit of 4.5 mg/kg (maximum 8.0 mg/kg) and a dicyandiamide concentration over 50 mg/kg, while none of the samples were contaminated with thiourea. The heavy metals (arsenic, cadmium, mercury and lead) content was also assessed by means of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Only mercury was present in detectable amounts (at levels lower than 1 mg/kg)."
I.e., buy it from good sources.
-
I too have been a sufferer of depression and recently been diagnosed as bi-polar.
Studies show having a target in life whether that be exercise or education or some other personal improvement definitely has an effect something like pharmaceutical mood elevators ,and the biggest effect like this is found in aerobic exercise such as running, football etc.
good luck and whatever works for you :rock and thanks for sharing your thoughts it helps more than you know
-
Let me see if I can remember the diagnosis..I think it's something like severe manic depressive with psychotic features (I'm Bi-polar as well), and I agree with what most have said. However let me add, don't let the "mental illness" stigma stop you from seeing a doctor. I started seeing a shrink and therapist and it's helped me a metric ton, don't know how you feel about them but I take medications for mood swings, and depression and what have you. And I've been at suicides door several times in my life, just keep your chin up toejam gets better eventually. :salute :cheers:
-
sounds like you hit the good side of life. IMO with continued effort you may find you dont need the drugs. careful though, the mind is stubborn. IMO the past will not ever totally go away in your mind. Just remember the good times as a lesson if things go bad again.
P.S. I know a lot of educated people think a chemical imbalance is at play. IMO this is only part of a complex story and truly believe a positive experience can go a long way.
"I hate to advocate drugs to anyone, but they've always worked for me."
-Hunter S. Thompson
:salute
-
I Don't Want To Talk About It
by Terrance Real
Not for the faint of heart, to read & finish this book you'll have to confront all your demons and all the damage/crap that was done to you as a kid. There is fair amount of agreement in counseling that by about 12yrs old the average person has all damage done to reach the threshold of mental illness, pile some more carp on of the next 6yrs and don't get any therapy: mental illness...
-
Let me see if I can remember the diagnosis..I think it's something like severe manic depressive with psychotic features (I'm Bi-polar as well), and I agree with what most have said. However let me add, don't let the "mental illness" stigma stop you from seeing a doctor. I started seeing a shrink and therapist and it's helped me a metric ton, don't know how you feel about them but I take medications for mood swings, and depression and what have you. And I've been at suicides door several times in my life, just keep your chin up toejam gets better eventually. :salute :cheers:
I have seen more than a couple of psychiatrists, but they have always pushed me towards anti-depressants. there's always one who thinks the new and improved will work so far it hasnt. I do take xanax for anxiety and panic attacks. it works really well, but it is high addictive, so I am always careful. I take it for a few months then stay away for another few, till it gets bad.
so far I havent taken xanax in almost a week i think. and I havent had any panic attacks or really bad case of anxiety. knock on wood :).
semp
-
I have seen more than a couple of psychiatrists, but they have always pushed me towards anti-depressants. there's always one who thinks the new and improved will work so far it hasnt. I do take xanax for anxiety and panic attacks. it works really well, but it is high addictive, so I am always careful. I take it for a few months then stay away for another few, till it gets bad.
so far I havent taken xanax in almost a week i think. and I havent had any panic attacks or really bad case of anxiety. knock on wood :).
semp
Yeah semp, that seems to be the recurring theme with shrinks is throw pills at you until you're lobotomized for all intents and purposes. As someone who has to take Xanax all the time, DT'ing from Xanax sucks, I don't know how you went a week without feeling like crap. Glad you're doing better though. :cheers:
-
i am not suicidal. taking anti-depressants makes me think about it. that's a side effect of it. and I have never thought you have trolled me. I do appreciate you stating your opinion on a lot of stuff even if I dont agree with it as hearing both sides it's helpful. :salute.
semp
Actually there is some studies that suggest what you say is true
http://mentalhealthdaily.com/2014/03/28/creatine-for-depression-bipolar-disorder-5g-daily-supplementation/
Which leads me to my next statement. If you are having adverse effects to the antidepressants. You have been put on the wrong meds And quite possibly if not probably, you may be misdiagnosed.
I say this because over the last 20 years I've learned and am still learning more about mental illness then I ever wanted to know as my wife was misdiagnosed for almost 10 years. Her depression really turned out to be Bipolar disorder.
For almost 10 years she was diagnosed as having depression and took tried an assortment of meds prescribed to her and the best her doc managed to come up with was something that basically made her like a zombie which led to a discussion I had with her doctor that was less then kind and me informing him that he was nothing more then a glorified pharmacist (Thats the the forum friendly version)
Eventually she tried a different doctor who diagnosed her as being bipolar and had her try different meds. The difference was like night and day. To the point where I used to joke that I sometimes wished she was on the zombie meds again. That was until a while back when she went completely manic. But while thats another story that is still working itself out. It does lead to my next statement.
While you have LOW lows. Do you also find you have HIGH highs? Times when you feel you are just doing (blanking) great!! Even though the circumstances around you might dictate that you should feel otherwise or you find yourself doing, or find yourself in hindsight wanting to do things that rationally are counter productive But you feel great about them at the moment? What I call a "Hold my beer and watch this" moments. only without the beer or jumping off a rooftop into a kiddie pool.
Do you find that you can go from one, low to high in varying degrees and back again for apparently no reason?
Remember. being too high can be just as bad as depression. And often just as detrimental. Particularly when it comes to family and relationships
I am not a doctor but it might be worth looking into or suggesting to your doctor. One thing is for certain. If your antidepressants are giving you suicidal thoughts. You are on the wrong, or wrong type of medication.
I am going to state something my wife likes to say about her condition that you may relate to.
"I sometimes wish I had a broken arm with the bone sticking out so I could have something to point to to show people whats wrong."
A lot of people not directly involved (spouse, children, immediate family) dont understand mental illness particularly with the depression end of it. For them its not real. Its easy to say "just pull yourself out of it." But they dont understand that those with it. Want to. But cant.
Equally they dont understand the manic end of it either as to all outward appearances the person is feeling or doing GREAT. And hey thery arent depressed so that in itself is a bonus. Not realizing that even for a normal non depressed person nobody is ever supposed to be doing that GREAT unless they won the lottery or just witnessed their first borne or something. Unfortunately. Outsiders even friends unfamiliar and/ inexperienced with dealing with the situation can unwittingly do more harm then good particularly during manic phases where they can become enablers.
Anyway. it is too easy for me to run off on this subject here. Like I said. Ive been forced to learn more then I ever wanted to know and I have already deviated significantly from my original point.
Have yourself checked out by another doctor. And another and another if thats what it takes till you find one that finally gets you right.
-
Dred knows what he's talking about.
-
Lol
ppl, you know why Psychiatrists push meds; 'cause dealing with the carp is painful and tough work and almost nobody wants to do it; even when the work is done sometimes a disease state will still remain too. So why not just take a pill, that way nobody has to feel, no one has to read a book and no one has relive painful past events (grieving losses that were never done).
You really want your psychiatrist to stop pushing meds on you; tell them you REALLY want to get better and you don't want to take meds, you'll get their attention.
Anxiety...what are you scared of, what is going to happen, so what if it happens? A panic attack? What you might faint, so what if you faint? So what, you know it's harmless if you've dealt with them this long, you know they can't hurt you so WHY still having them?
Drediock: misdiagnosing bi-polar when there were clear signs of mania is malpractice.
-
Get a new less stress full job/meaning full job. and go back to smoking the weed.
Might even consider being a pot farmer, get paid to help other's mayhaps with your same afflictions.
:salute
-
Lol
ppl, you know why Psychiatrists push meds; 'cause dealing with the carp is painful and tough work and almost nobody wants to do it; even when the work is done sometimes a disease state will still remain too. So why not just take a pill, that way nobody has to feel, no one has to read a book and no one has relive painful past events (grieving losses that were never done).
You really want your psychiatrist to stop pushing meds on you; tell them you REALLY want to get better and you don't want to take meds, you'll get their attention.
Anxiety...what are you scared of, what is going to happen, so what if it happens? A panic attack? What you might faint, so what if you faint? So what, you know it's harmless if you've dealt with them this long, you know they can't hurt you so WHY still having them?
Drediock: misdiagnosing bi-polar when there were clear signs of mania is malpractice.
The mania wasn't prevalent. The curled up in a fetal position for months at a time and nearly constant panic attacks was. Episodes of each can last anywhere from minutes to days to weeks to months to years.
Anxiety...depression. Exactly the type of comment my wife hates. She knows all that. People suffering from it know that. the problem is. Knowing all that and still not being about to rid yourself of it. Its constant and doesnt respond to logic or reason.
Envision this. Your wife/child/parent has a life threatening injury and needs surgery to save his or her life. But the surgery itself is extremely dangerous and the chances of surviving that alone is slim. You are waiting in the waiting room. Obviously you feel a great deal of anxiety waiting to hear the outcome.
Now imagine that feeling just never going away despite the outcome being better then great. It just stays and gnaws at you day in and day out. You cant shake it no matter how hard you try or how badly you want to or no matter how many great things are going on that you shouldn't feel that way.
I hope nobody is feeling like I am talking down to them with those examples. But those that dont know what its like to deal with such things. Well. they just dont know what its like to deal with such things. So I tried to put the examples in a way that most people can relate to
And it isnt always just therapy that is needed. Often it is quite literally a chemical imbalance in the brain. This is often what meds are prescribed for to correct.
Its like when you drink or get high. the alcohol or drugs cause the brain to emit certain chemicals that give you the feeling of being drunk or high. Eventually the stimulus works its way through your body and the brain returns to normal and you arent drunk or high anymore
In the case of mental illness. The brain is doing these things all by itself and doesnt know when to shut off.
Drugs and alcohol can certainly contribute to episodes and can even be a triggering mechanism for episodes. It is one of the many reasons why people on meds shouldnt drink...PERIOD. In the case of mood stabilizers. Alcohol consumption can actually neutralize the effects of meds and cause one to go in one direction or the other.
There is a really good saying that goes. "Life isnt about being happy. Its about knowing what time it is"
When you are waiting for test results. or your child is sick is it time to be anxious or happy, angry, or sad? Its time to be anxious
When your child is born healthy is it time to be sad, anxious,angry or happy? Its time to be happy
When a loved one dies. Is it time to be happy, anxious, angry or sad? Its time to be sad
When your best friend rips you off. Is it time to be happy, anxious,sad or angry. Its time to be angry
All of these things are part of the ebbs and flows of a normal life. We are never always happy. Nor never always angry, anxious, or sad.
But theree are times when we will feel all of those things. and in most normal lives they are time appropriate.
With mental illness. The subconscious brain doesn't know what time it is
-
Nice post Dred. :aok
Strength training will not cure anything except weakness but it does tend to help everybody feel better.
Here's a quick guide to Rippetoe's program.
http://www.muscleandfitness.com/workouts/workout-routines/4-week-guide-starting-strength
-
Actually there is some studies that suggest what you say is true
http://mentalhealthdaily.com/2014/03/28/creatine-for-depression-bipolar-disorder-5g-daily-supplementation/
Which leads me to my next statement. If you are having adverse effects to the antidepressants. You have been put on the wrong meds And quite possibly if not probably, you may be misdiagnosed.
I say this because over the last 20 years I've learned and am still learning more about mental illness then I ever wanted to know as my wife was misdiagnosed for almost 10 years. Her depression really turned out to be Bipolar disorder.
For almost 10 years she was diagnosed as having depression and took tried an assortment of meds prescribed to her and the best her doc managed to come up with was something that basically made her like a zombie which led to a discussion I had with her doctor that was less then kind and me informing him that he was nothing more then a glorified pharmacist (Thats the the forum friendly version)
Eventually she tried a different doctor who diagnosed her as being bipolar and had her try different meds. The difference was like night and day. To the point where I used to joke that I sometimes wished she was on the zombie meds again. That was until a while back when she went completely manic. But while thats another story that is still working itself out. It does lead to my next statement.
While you have LOW lows. Do you also find you have HIGH highs? Times when you feel you are just doing (blanking) great!! Even though the circumstances around you might dictate that you should feel otherwise or you find yourself doing, or find yourself in hindsight wanting to do things that rationally are counter productive But you feel great about them at the moment? What I call a "Hold my beer and watch this" moments. only without the beer or jumping off a rooftop into a kiddie pool.
Do you find that you can go from one, low to high in varying degrees and back again for apparently no reason?
Remember. being too high can be just as bad as depression. And often just as detrimental. Particularly when it comes to family and relationships
I am not a doctor but it might be worth looking into or suggesting to your doctor. One thing is for certain. If your antidepressants are giving you suicidal thoughts. You are on the wrong, or wrong type of medication.
I am going to state something my wife likes to say about her condition that you may relate to.
"I sometimes wish I had a broken arm with the bone sticking out so I could have something to point to to show people whats wrong."
A lot of people not directly involved (spouse, children, immediate family) dont understand mental illness particularly with the depression end of it. For them its not real. Its easy to say "just pull yourself out of it." But they dont understand that those with it. Want to. But cant.
Equally they dont understand the manic end of it either as to all outward appearances the person is feeling or doing GREAT. And hey thery arent depressed so that in itself is a bonus. Not realizing that even for a normal non depressed person nobody is ever supposed to be doing that GREAT unless they won the lottery or just witnessed their first borne or something. Unfortunately. Outsiders even friends unfamiliar and/ inexperienced with dealing with the situation can unwittingly do more harm then good particularly during manic phases where they can become enablers.
Anyway. it is too easy for me to run off on this subject here. Like I said. Ive been forced to learn more then I ever wanted to know and I have already deviated significantly from my original point.
Have yourself checked out by another doctor. And another and another if thats what it takes till you find one that finally gets you right.
the thing dread is that how our brain works is just as mysterious to them as it is to us. they just take a guess and work they way from there. but thanks to the internet, i have I have been able to researched on my own. I may not be an expert in the medical field but I am an expert in how I feel. this is a dangerous thing if you are a bit more "sick" than I am. as you dont want to ignore the opinions of those who really studied it. but I felt that over the years, i mostly have been experimented on. once I was given depakol. it help for those who hallucinate but given to a guy who doesnt, then it will make you hallucinate and see things. that wasnt fun at all. ever since then I havent seen a psychiatrist as I really dont want them to prescribe anti-depressants to me. I have been on about 5 different medical plans, so not every psychiatrists believes me when I say I cannot take anti-depressants.
the closest I have ever been to being diagnosed is by my ex wife, who used to say, "why do you get so angry and 5 minutes later you act as if nothing is wrong". I dont know, but in the past 10 years I have learned to pay attention and not get angry when I shouldnt. I kind of step out and walk away until that "rage" if you call it that way, goes away. but that "rage" mostly follows a bout of depression and anxiety. now I dont beat up people or do stuff like that, I yell and scream about some stupid thing that is really meaningless while at the same time in my own head I think about why am I so upset when there's no reason for it.
I have been playing this game for a few years now and before when I was into the middle of combat, and I am talking when I first started playing bout 7 years ago, sometimes win or lose I would just had to step away from the keyboard and get on my knees and feel like I was having a heart attack. that is the stress part of it. I would hold my breath and get so into the game that I thought I was actually blacking out or was gonna die.
I laugh about it now. but just the last couple of weeks, it's been really good for me. I exercise take creatine and keep the xanax just in case. time will tell what actually is causing it.
perhaps it's the creatine, maybe it's the excercise, or maybe it's just that i decided to change my life. perhaps it's all 3. maybe it's just me deciding to get more involved in church. at the end it doesnt matter. i am just enjoying my life for the first time in a long time. :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
semp
-
Drediok:
The reason I mentioned the mania was because of the mention of high-highs and low-lows. Depression, imh&ho is rarely accompanied by high-highs. That is mania, especially when it goes on for weeks. Bi-polar and depression may go together, but depression not accompanied by mania is not bi-polar. That I'm aware of, even semi-ocassional mania is not a clinical and singular diagnoses of depression.
I'm very familiar with panic attacks, unfortunately. They are hell, but there are literally 100's if not more non-medicinal interventions. A good psychiatrist will require patients to attend psychotherapy if they want the benzos to keep coming. The biggest problem with benzos is there is nothing to take to lessen withdrawal except less benzodiazepines. Alcoholics withdrawing have it slightly better, at least they can take valium until the risk of death is over.
Meridian tapping, acupuncture, group therapy, walking, exercising, yoga, meditation, etc. all have some result on anxiety disorder. They may not "cure" it alone, but they certainly don't make it worse. Combinations of those interventions work even better. Controlled breathing may be the most effective way to combat anxiety, it takes a lot of practice. But as I've heard one doctor say, it's impossible to have a panic attack if breathing is controlled - as hyperventilation is the predominant symptom that causes anxiety to escalate to panic.
Obviously everyone's mmv.
Btw, about marijuana, in some ppl it can actually cause anxiety and compromise coping mechanisms.
-
you are correct rotbaron, taking things like xanax eventually however helpful it will get you addicted, that's why I dont take it for too long. because withdrawals are a squeak. trust me I have gone thru 2 on xanax, so I am careful with it. as much as they help me, i am more worried about the withdrawals.
weed isnt a cure all, but it does have it's benefits. however the problem is that most people take it just to get high. they dont look at it as a medication they same way they see xanax. I am carefull with xanax, and if it ever became legal I would be just as careful with weed.
there's not one thing that will cure whatever afliction you have. it's normally a combination of several.
my kids have the same afflections I have. they smoke weed, but they dont smoke it to get high or all the time. they try to control it, so it doesnt control their lives. my son once jokingly told me thanks about the dna generics. I just replied dont thank me, thanks my grandman and her father. it just runs in the family. I see my grandaughter and while she's a smart happy girl, once she hits about 12 or 13 then she'll have the same thing me and my kids have. I hope it skips her for it is a toejamty life. but on the other hand my daughter is prepared for when it happens.
the main thing is educate yourself and be prepared.
semp
-
Good and wise you're very careful about the xanax potential for abuse.
Someone mentioned to me recently Zofran (anti-nausea) is prescribed in Europe as an anxiolytic. It works on GABA, is not habit forming (other than psychologically)...You know our FDA and prescribing protocols, I've heard some ppl are going to docs with anxiety and saying they have nausea too to get it prescribed.
-
Drediok:
The reason I mentioned the mania was because of the mention of high-highs and low-lows. Depression, imh&ho is rarely accompanied by high-highs. That is mania, especially when it goes on for weeks. Bi-polar and depression may go together, but depression not accompanied by mania is not bi-polar. That I'm aware of, even semi-ocassional mania is not a clinical and singular diagnoses of depression.
I'm very familiar with panic attacks, unfortunately. They are hell, but there are literally 100's if not more non-medicinal interventions. A good psychiatrist will require patients to attend psychotherapy if they want the benzos to keep coming. The biggest problem with benzos is there is nothing to take to lessen withdrawal except less benzodiazepines. Alcoholics withdrawing have it slightly better, at least they can take valium until the risk of death is over.
Meridian tapping, acupuncture, group therapy, walking, exercising, yoga, meditation, etc. all have some result on anxiety disorder. They may not "cure" it alone, but they certainly don't make it worse. Combinations of those interventions work even better. Controlled breathing may be the most effective way to combat anxiety, it takes a lot of practice. But as I've heard one doctor say, it's impossible to have a panic attack if breathing is controlled - as hyperventilation is the predominant symptom that causes anxiety to escalate to panic.
Obviously everyone's mmv.
Btw, about marijuana, in some ppl it can actually cause anxiety and compromise coping mechanisms.
Here was the problem. Inexperience on our part. The depression was prevalent. It was the part everyone was concerned with. The mania wasnt noticed as it often isnt because Hey She's feeling GREAT again.
Also you must well know there are varying levels and symptoms of mania including but not exclusive to at least three of the following symptoms:
1 Increased physical and mental activity and energy
2 Exaggerated optimism and self-confidence
3 Excessive irritability, aggressive behavior
4 Decreased need for sleep without becoming tired
5 Grandiose thoughts, extreme sense of self-importance
6 Racing speech, racing thoughts, impulsiveness, poor judgment
7 Reckless behavior such as spending sprees, impulsive business decisions, erratic driving and sexual indiscretions
8 In severe cases, delusions and hallucinations
Depending on the levels and combinations. On the surface it may not appear as much to the inexperienced eye. And hey. They arent curled up in a fetal position! As a family member you have to take a step back and look at in from a non emotional perspective. example Ok. she's not wracked with depression. But she is suddenly overly upbeat as though she can conquer the world and energetic even though she isnt sleeping much. She also just suddenly jumped up,went out and bought a new broom and a new set of dishes even though we already have 3 brooms and we just got a new dinnerware set that she picked out 3 months ago. Suddenly everything is about her.
Now here's the kicker. You can be doing fine for months on the meds. Then suddenly you can go one way or the other and with Bi polar one usually follows the other but not always. Particularly if caught and the meds are adjusted. Though typically a manic episode is more often then not followed by a crash. This often happens because during a manic cycle the patient often reduces or stops taking their meds altogether. Because hey. They feel great What do they need meds for?
When they go full blown manic the family can do what they can to try and influence the situation but they are essentially along for the ride. Especially if you have outside people that often unwittingly become enablers. The best they can hope for is to conduct damage control and hope nothing irreparable relationship wise has been done.
I myself became all too familiar with panic attacks during her last and absolute worst manic phase ever. Eventually they went away on their own with the help of a customer that just happened to be a therapist herself. Im not very religious. But someone or some thing sent her into my life at that particular moment. She was most helpful not only in just talking to but in predicting almost to the letter everything my wife was doing or going to do which in itself helped a lot.
Yea. It is hell. Feels like an earthquake going on inside your body. Find yourself taking sudden extra breaths for no reason and a constant feeling of fear you cant just shake off.
Must be terrible for those that get them regularly
-
Only doing a little digging to alternatives to SSRI which are the go to drugs for depression, however, SSRIs are also labeled by the FDA with a black box warning for the chance of suicidal thoughts like you mentioned. Doing a little digging in some textbooks I have, brought me to major depression disorder and other alternative treatment options outside SSRIs. I dont know if you have a list of drugs that you have been prescribed, I dont want to assume that you have been solely prescribed only SSRIs but if you have maybe bring it up to a psychiatrist. The SSRIs include your Zoloft and Prozac. TCAs are rarely used for classic depression but doing a little reading used for more severe cases (include Anafranil, Aventyl, Norpramin). Also the atypical ones including Effexor and Wellbutrin. I dont know if you have done any research into it but there is also electroconvulsive therapy.
Figure just maybe list some other prescription options if they havent been tried. Hope helps a little. :salute
-
I like sleeping
-
I like sleeping
i like acid...or i did...no i never did acid...oh look now im paranoid. :noid
-
Only doing a little digging to alternatives to SSRI which are the go to drugs for depression, however, SSRIs are also labeled by the FDA with a black box warning for the chance of suicidal thoughts like you mentioned. Doing a little digging in some textbooks I have, brought me to major depression disorder and other alternative treatment options outside SSRIs. I dont know if you have a list of drugs that you have been prescribed, I dont want to assume that you have been solely prescribed only SSRIs but if you have maybe bring it up to a psychiatrist. The SSRIs include your Zoloft and Prozac. TCAs are rarely used for classic depression but doing a little reading used for more severe cases (include Anafranil, Aventyl, Norpramin). Also the atypical ones including Effexor and Wellbutrin. I dont know if you have done any research into it but there is also electroconvulsive therapy.
Figure just maybe list some other prescription options if they havent been tried. Hope helps a little. :salute
have taken both effexor and wellbutrin. same results except wellbutrin made me quit smoking within 2 weeks :).
semp
-
I've been on Zoloft since my heart attack last year. I knew I was severely depressed, the whole confronting your mortality thing. I don't want to take it anymore but my family thinks it is doing me good. Hell they're all on AD's too.
I have a few Zanax left the doc gave me to use when I got all agitated from quitting smoking I guess. I only take one of those when I wake up in the middle of the night and the racing mind won't let me back to sleep.
I honestly don't know what's really working or what's psychosomatic, but if creatine and exercise are helping you, then enjoy it.
You'll know soon enough if it's just a temporary coincidence.
-
semp,
Glad it's working for you. Everything I've read about creatine is that it's safe at not stupid doses of a teaspoon a day. It does have a pesky side effect. Lean body mass increases. Pile on some whey protein.
Pile on some iron just to ride the wave. I second FLS's recommendation to check out Starting Strength. That should enhance the lean body mass growth side effect while getting stronger.
Best of luck with this.
HONK!
Gooss
-
You may want to seriously look at Anxiety..Ive had the exact same issues as you wrote. Its taken me until 47 years old to learn that my anxiety was the core root of my depression. Once I got the anxiety under control my depression is almost gone even on days and situations that would send me into depression. I highly recommend going down this road. If you want to talk more about the details e-mail me first at skerlock@montanasky.us.
kamori (Scott)