Anyone dealing w/ depression?

[bjh]

People often get depressed when things don't go well. There are things that can contribute to depression. For example, aspartame, the artificial sweetener in diet drinks can lead to depression. Several years ago my husband started drinking diet drinks and after a while he was feeling really down. I found out about the aspartame and he quit drinking the diet drinks and almost immediately he started feeling better. Also, sunshine is great for battling depression. I know part of my problem is I do not get outside enough. Taking a vitamin B complex really helps and a omega-3 fatty acid or cod liver oil. I will never take any prescription medicines.....I saw what they did to my mother and grandmother. I go the natural route. I am 59 years old and have not been to a doctor in 15+ years. I do need to lose weight but other than that I have been very healthy. Of course all my Yorkie babies keep me busy. I know depression is a very serious problem for many people and one should seek help if it is serious enough.

[red98vett]

Actually - not to sound like a 'know it all' because for this problem I only recently understand how serious it is & am far from knowlegable on this subject - but it can be really hard to overcome depression without medication because some people have 'chemical imbalances' which really can't be 'treated' without medication

Lots of people are easily depressed when 'things don't go well' but it's also a physical problem. I can only speak from experience but had a cousin who battled it her whole life and at 30.... killed herself

in my case - my husbands death brought it on & I know it's normal to be depressed for that reason - but it was physical in so many ways - it got so bad that I couldn't eat - sleep - think right... and literally....stay so tired I have to force myself just to get thru each day. It's a daily struggle but I know if I hadn't gone to the doctor I'd be in worse shape. I still have alot of symptoms - tiredness - memory problems and hopeless feelings but if it weren't for medication - I know it would be so much worse.

if one can treat anything naturally - that's great - but prescription medication sometimes is the only thing that helps regulate the brain and how we feel

[omega]

I've been dealing with depression most of my life. I have tried just about all the meds there are. Cymbalta worked ok but I am back on Effexor XR right now. It doesn't seem to be working as well as it did the first time.

I also take something for anxiety and a mood stabilizer.

I tried the homepathic/herbal remedies but I guess my depression was too bad for it to work. Those usually work on mild depression.

I know what you guys mean about our little fur babies keeping us going... there have been days when I wouldn't have made it if it hadn't been for my girls.

Depression is no fun and there are no easy answers for it.

[PANAMA69]

Originally Posted by bjh

People often get depressed when things don't go well. There are things that can contribute to depression. For example, aspartame, the artificial sweetener in diet drinks can lead to depression. Several years ago my husband started drinking diet drinks and after a while he was feeling really down. I found out about the aspartame and he quit drinking the diet drinks and almost immediately he started feeling better. Also, sunshine is great for battling depression. I know part of my problem is I do not get outside enough. Taking a vitamin B complex really helps and a omega-3 fatty acid or cod liver oil. I will never take any prescription medicines.....I saw what they did to my mother and grandmother. I go the natural route. I am 59 years old and have not been to a doctor in 15+ years. I do need to lose weight but other than that I have been very healthy. Of course all my Yorkie babies keep me busy. I know depression is a very serious problem for many people and one should seek help if it is serious enough.

Aspartame is really bad, sunshine and proper vitamins and minerals are really good. While back I purchased two little pockets books called the Bible cure for Depression and Anxiety and other one pms and mood swings by Con Colbert M.D (natural remedies) it also help you with the chemical imbalance

[ch774]

I am taking welluburtrin sr (sp) he helps. I was suppose to be taking it for quit smoking. (did not work) and I have A.D.D. and it helps with that also.



Cheryl

[sweetheartsok]

I've been taking antidepressants for about 7 years now. I've been on a few and finally found what works for me. I take Zoloft for anxiety and Wellbutrin to help with the side effects from Zoloft. Zoloft works wonders for the anxiety but I find without the Wellbutrin I have no motivation and become very withdrawn. Now I feel normal, thank God!!! I know with me it started with way too much stress. I must have used up all my reserve of serotonin because now I have to be on medication but that's okay. There is a real misconception about antidepressants. People need to be educated so there is less of a negative stigma attached to it. Diabetics need insulin and we need serotonin. If anyone is having a difficult time I am also available to talk anytime. No one needs to go through this alone. There is obviously many of us here who have been through it.

[red98vett]

Originally Posted by PANAMA69

Aspartame is really bad, sunshine and proper vitamins and minerals are really good. While back I purchased two little pockets books called the Bible cure for Depression and Anxiety and other one pms and mood swings by Con Colbert M.D (natural remedies) it also help you with the chemical imbalance

What kind of foods contain Aspartame ? (please don't say Diet Pepsi !!)

[bjh]

Originally Posted by red98vett

What kind of foods contain Aspartame ? (please don't say Diet Pepsi !!)

Just about all diet drinks contain aspartame. Here is what is in Diet Pepsi:

Diet Pepsi is a low-calorie carbonated cola, introduced in 1964 as a variant of Pepsi-Cola with no sugar. Its current formula in the United States contains only the artificial sweetener aspartame. The current Canadian formulation contains both aspartame (124mg/355ml) and acesulfame potassium (32mg/355ml)[citation needed]. Pepsi does not list on its United States labeling the exact amount of aspartame/Nutrasweet present.

[bjh]

Originally Posted by red98vett

What kind of foods contain Aspartame ? (please don't say Diet Pepsi !!)

Here a good article that talks about aspartame:
http://www.mcmanweb.com/article-110.htm

[betsi]

Originally Posted by red98vett

Actually - not to sound like a 'know it all' because for this problem I only recently understand how serious it is & am far from knowlegable on this subject - but it can be really hard to overcome depression without medication because some people have 'chemical imbalances' which really can't be 'treated' without medication

Lots of people are easily depressed when 'things don't go well' but it's also a physical problem. I can only speak from experience but had a cousin who battled it her whole life and at 30.... killed herself

in my case - my husbands death brought it on & I know it's normal to be depressed for that reason - but it was physical in so many ways - it got so bad that I couldn't eat - sleep - think right... and literally....stay so tired I have to force myself just to get thru each day. It's a daily struggle but I know if I hadn't gone to the doctor I'd be in worse shape. I still have alot of symptoms - tiredness - memory problems and hopeless feelings but if it weren't for medication - I know it would be so much worse.

if one can treat anything naturally - that's great - but prescription medication sometimes is the only thing that helps regulate the brain and how we feel

No matter what the cause, sometimes you need meds to get to a place where you can even begin to recover. I take lexapro and have for a long time. It works great for me. My husband had his 1st heart attack at age 40. That was 14 years ago and he still has lots of problems. Both of my parents died last year..8 months apart, and we were very close. What I'm trying to say is, situational or physical, take the medicine and take care of yourself. God Bless You. Betsi

[Shadow]

some info on the affects of using it,I also rad somewhere it's all a myth. Toxicity Effects of Aspartame Use
Selection of adverse effects from short-term and/or long-Term use
Note: It often takes at least sixty days without *any* aspartame or nutrasweet to see a significant improvement. Improvement in health is also often accompanied by weight loss. Check all labels very carefully (including vitamins and pharmaceuticals). Look for the word "aspartame" on the label and avoid it. (Also, it is a good idea to avoid "acesulfame-k" or "sunette.") Finally, avoid getting nutrition information from junk food industry PR organizations such as IFIC or organizations that accept large sums of money from the junk and chemical food industry such as the American Dietetic Association.
seizures and convulsions
dizziness
tremors
migraines and severe headaches (Trigger or Cause From Chronic Intake)
memory loss (common toxicity effects)
slurring of speech
confusion
numbness or tingling of extremities
chronic fatigue
depression
insomnia
irritability
panic attacks (common aspartame toxicity reaction)
marked personality changes
phobias
rapid heart beat, tachycardia (another frequent reaction)
asthma
chest pains
hypertension (high blood pressure)
nausea or vomitting
diarrhea
abdominal pain
swallowing pain
itching
hives / urticaria
other allergic reactions
blood sugar control problems (e.g., hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia)
menstrual cramps and other menstraul problems or changes
impotency and sexual problems
food cravings
weight gain
hair loss / baldness or thinning of hair
burning urination & other urination problems
excessive thirst or excessive hunger
bloating, edema (fluid retention)
infection susceptibility
joint pain
brain cancer (Pre-approval studies in animals)
death
Aspartame Disease Mimmicks Symptoms or Worsens the Following Diseases
fibromyalgia
arthritis
multiple sclerosis (MS)
parkinson's disease
lupus
multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS)
diabetes and diabetic Complications
epilepsy
alzheimer's disease
birth defects
chronic fatigue syndrome
lymphoma
lyme disease
attention deficit disorder (ADD and ADHD)
panic disorder
depression and other psychological disorders


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Originally Posted by red98vett

What kind of foods contain Aspartame ? (please don't say Diet Pepsi !!)

[betsi]

Originally Posted by bjh

Here a good article that talks about aspartame:
http://www.mcmanweb.com/article-110.htm

Oh that's just great If you cut me I bleed diet coke!!

[PANAMA69]

Originally Posted by red98vett

What kind of foods contain Aspartame ? (please don't say Diet Pepsi !!)

Well I have a friend and she was very addictive to diet sodas well she claim that she start having like panic attacks and anxiety and she was back to normal ones she stop drinking it, there is a lot of controversy on this aspartame thing

[PANAMA69]

Originally Posted by betsi

No matter what the cause, sometimes you need meds to get to a place where you can even begin to recover. I take lexapro and have for a long time. It works great for me. My husband had his 1st heart attack at age 40. That was 14 years ago and he still has lots of problems. Both of my parents died last year..8 months apart, and we were very close. What I'm trying to say is, situational or physical, take the medicine and take care of yourself. God Bless You. Betsi

I agree with you, I really think that in some cases meds are the answer

[GinosMommy]

Ive been on Zoloft for (sigh) 12 yrs. I love it and cant be without it. I wish I didnt have to take it but I do.