Posted by Zana on May 19, 2009, at 14:06:00
In reply to Re: some citations » Phillipa, posted by Amelia_in_StPaul on May 18, 2009, at 23:16:37
I had perfectly normal thyroid levels but took Cytomel (T3) and it helped a lot for a while. Also shut down my own thyroid so I discontinued it. I dk about autoimmune disease and mental illness. I do think that the stress of anxiety and depression puts a heavy strain on all of our systems and that you need to take extra good care of youself. I would count sleep, light, exercise, meditation (or something like it) and nutrition. I get at least 8 hours of sleep a night - with remeron its the least I can to. I use one of Phillips new Blu lights, even on cloudy days in spring, get 45 minutes of cardio five-seven days a week, lift weights 3 days a week and take a couple of high antioxidant food based powders in juice every day and at least 1 gram of omega 3s. I also make sure that I get a lot of dark leafy greens for folate and take both vitamin D (2000mgs) and B-12 every day. I also use bioidentical hormone replacement. Its controversial because of the increase cancer risks but it does seem to look consistantly good for depression in women.
Jeez. I should be doing cartwheels I'm so happy.I guess what I'm getting at is that while it's maddenly difficult to get good data on possible co-morbid factors like Lyme and to get good treatment even when you have a diagnosis (I'm thinking of Phillipa) you can be pro-active about things that you know are good for you.
If you're a believer, pray. If you have friends and family - yeah, like all of us depressed anxious types are the life of the party - you'll live longer.
A pdoc who did a pretty crappy consult for me did come up with one good thing, a book. Undoing Depression by Richard O'Connor Pn.D. A fellow sufferer as well as a mental health professional. No big breakthroughs but I found it helpful.
If you can get yourself up and out - I wish -meaningful work - a life with purpose- is the best medicine.
Think I'll take a nap.
Zanz
poster:Zana
thread:896418
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090515/msgs/896631.html