One of the things that I have found is that many Lymmies and Morgellonites, due to the areas of brain that suffer nerve damage, develop forms of depression that often respond to bipolar-type medications, rather than typical antidepressants. They might either actually develop actual bipolar symptoms gradually over time, with cyclical mood changes and energy levels, or they may only have unipolar depressive cycles.
In either case, we respond far better to the class of medications that are known as "membrane stabilizing drugs," usually used for a second-line choice medication to control a seizure disorder. These are drugs such as Topamax, Tegretol, Dilantin, or Depakote.
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NOT anti-psychotic meds like Respiradol or Seroquel, or Zyprexa, OR anti-depressants such as Paxil, Zoloft, Prozac, Welbutrin, Effexor, Lexapro, & Celexa.) Although, sometimes one of these might be used in combination with the first mentioned class, in combination, in a lower dosage.
The important issue is that this treatment is NOT to STOP symptoms of DOP!! It is to control the uncontrollable mood swings caused by YEARS of bugs-in-the-brain causing neuro-transmitter imbalances and hormonal dys-regulation. It won't change the restless legs, the crawling sensations, the biting, stinging, or fix your sleep, if you are disturbed by these Morgies and NOT by your past--but, it will help you cope with the crying every day; the screaming at your beloved family for no reason; the hopelessness and sometimes, even the appetite issues.
I take anti-depressants everyday of my life and I will for the rest of my life. I am NOT ashamed to stand up with Morley Shaefer and say this. If you need help: get it. But for goodness sake, be careful, because most shrinks, will just want to put you on simple anti-depressants (which probably won't have much effect, IF you are having cyclical problems.) OR they will want to treat you with anti-psychotics, if you tell them about the REST of your "symptoms" (the morgellons-type problems.)
It took me SIX YEARS of working with my shrink to learn what I have about these meds, and ALL of it was trial & error, until we finally found something that worked. That is a very long time to feel like a lab rat, and keep switching your "MIND-MEDICINES." Talk about your basic feeling crazy! "Hi! This was me on my latest mind-altering mood-drug-of-the-month!" Nope, guess that one isn't any good, let's try a different one the NEXT month!....
:P
I have been on the same meds now, though, for over 4 years, with only minor adjustments, Thank Heavens
