Depression

Hi,

I was just wondering if anybody could help or had some suggestions. I had a really bad relapse five months ago.

Since then I have been getting really bad depression because of inflammation. I’ve had it quite bad over the last few days, it’s horrible. They have done some tests in Kings College recently and they have shown that people with MS can get depression because of inflammation on the Hippocampus.

Does anybody get this and does anybody know how to relieve it. I find it really debilitating. I take a lot of anti-inflammatory stuff; ginger, cinnamon, Aspirin (which is really good). Anybody know of any other natural anti-inflammatories. Anybody tried steroids and would they recommend them?

Thanks a lot.

Hi, Turmeric is anti-inflammatory, just found out about a herb Ashwaganda which is anti-flammatory is good for fatique as well I’m follow best bet diet which no gluten,dairy,sugar and low fat which is suppose to be good for inflammation.

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Steroids can play havoc with your sleep, appetite and unless really needed i would avoid but get the depression bit completely - i have it and take prozac and buspirone for it

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I agree with Redman, steroids (for me) are more trouble than they’re worth.

I write a diary which helps me deal with things. I find it beneficial to get all the issues and stories of the day down on paper.

However, like simone2, I take turmeric too.

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Thanks for your reply Simone. My diet is pretty good but I have been eating some wheat recently. I have read about that herb. I think I may invest in some.

Thanks for your reply Redman. I’ll try some Prozac but I got really bad anxiety, to begin with, when I tried an anti-depressant before. I’ve only tried Citalopram, for a few weeks and that was a long time ago, so I’ll try a lower dose. Thanks

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You might talk to your GP about mirtazapine. It’s a very good anti-d, and particularly good for those who also need help with anxiety and poor sleep. Some people find it causes weight gain, but that can be a short-term thing as the body gets accustomed.

Alison

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Gluten is bad for inflammation, i know when i have had some as my legs burn like mad. go gluten free it does help. x

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On the inflammation front, personally I try to keep vegetable seed oils to a minimum - those polyunsaturates aren’t terrible stable and are prone to oxidation, which isn’t what you want if you are trying to avoid inflammation. Here’s a link to an interesting piece about this: it is specifically about their likely role in promoting atherosclerosis (which isn’t something we want either!) but I have read (to me) persuasive arguments that vegetable seed oils tend to promote inflammatory states throughout the body.

These days I stick to lovely olive oil (which is largely monounsaturated, unlike the seed oils) and butter.

Alison

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an interesting post - if inflammation on the Hippocampus causes depression then the depression has an actual physical cause. If that’s the case then drugs are unlikely to help???

Thanks Alison. I habe some liquid Prozac, so I think I will try a low dose and see how that goes. I’ve been taking st John’s Wort for many years and that has really helped but after this last attack I have had quite severe depression. I feel a lot better. I’m convinced that it’s down to inflammation.

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Thanks Emmie. I take cinnamon which I find really helps. Unfortunately, Tumeric gives me bad dreams. I heard that Saffron is good for depression, I may give that a try.

That’s why I am asking about Steroids as that deals with inflammation. It is about 30% of people who have depression that is caused by inflammation. As we have massive amounts on our brain, I should imagine it is the case. I take St John’s Wort and that really helps and that has a mild SSRI effect. I’m definitely getting more depressed since having my last relapse. I was really well in September.

Thanks Alison. yes I just olive oil. I’m going to have some now in fact. Thanks for reminding me and thanks for your reply.

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In my opinion MS = depression! I just take the anti-depressants and make the most of life! Take care, be safe, M

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I was prescribed Prozac by a consultant psychiatrist about 15 years ago, way before MS reared its head. Have regular GP checks and I’m still so glad to be on it as things would have been much worse mentally otherwise.

The psychiatrist said something to me at the time - when I was asking about long term usage - along the lines of ‘if you had type 1 diabetes and had to be on insulin you would just take it as your body wouldn’t be able to make its own. You wouldn’t be thinking that you had to come off it . Depression is a chemical lackin the brain which is why you are on antidepressants’.

Louise

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Thanks. I’ll give the Prozac a go.

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Hi. Tried Prozac. Lasted three days. Gave me really bad Tinitus. I’ve had Tinitus for about eleven years but not like this. My mood is definitely associated with inflammation. I tried an anti- histamine last night. Worked brilliantly. Got rid of the inflammation on my lungs and the horribly bad mood and anger. I was doing research yesterday and apparently Clemastine is really good for MS, Clemastine | MS Trust. I couldn’t find any, so tried one with Loratadine in it. Worked really well and I had a really good night sleep too. Feel a lot better today. Just thought that I would share. Thanks.

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What works for some may not work for another - a bit of trial and error but there is so much medicienes out there to help our brains get through

Yes. I seem to be very sensitive to medication unfortunately. I tend to use supplements and diet. Has worked really well for me in the past.