Antidepressants

[Bennys]

Even though I have been a member for quite awhile, I do not get on the computer alot as it bothers my eyes. Have been trying lately to do this more as I find this site extremely informative.

I see many questions about antidepressants. My question is - if a doctor prescribes an antidepressant and you know you are depressed but have problems due to dry eye, what can you do? Any suggestions? I definitely did feel better physically in terms of more energy and sleeping on the antidepressant (Celexa - very low dose) but my dry eye really was severe. My eyes felt like they were pasted shut. I recently started 5 HTP as I saw quite a few people on DEZ felt this helped them. How long did it take for this to help and would you recommend it? It's hard to keep your spirits positive when you've already been diagnosed with depression!

[shells]

Hi Benny,

It is a tough situation when our pain causes us depression and then treating the depression causes more pain! I do know of some people who have done just fine on anti-depressants though with no worsening of dry eye symptoms. I am lucky I have not needed to consider an anti-depressant in quite some time, but I just wanted to let you know that when my depression and anxiety were at their worst, someone did recommend another natural supplement, Valerian Root, and it really did help me sleep. If you are having trouble sleeping, you may want to give this a try. With those, I would just take a couple an hour or so before bed, and it helped me get to sleep much quicker. I never really gave the 5-HTP a good enough try, so I cant really comment there. Fish oil is also suppsoed to be good for anxiety (and our eyes!). Sorry, I dont have any more advice. Good luck.

-Shells

[Bennys]

Antidepressants

Shells -

Thanks so much for your suggestions! I do have trouble sleeping and have been taking Klonopin (very small dose) but I think it makes me tired the next day (and does make me depressed sometimes). It definitely helps but there are side effects. Do you remember what dose of Valerian you took? Sounds like you have things under control currently. That's great! Hope to get there someday (soon!!!)

[shells]

Hi Bennys,

Sorry I completely missed this post until now. I took whatever was recommended on the bottle. I think that was 3 caplets, but I guess it depends on whatever brand you get. Also, they make tea with Valerian Root in it, so sometimes I drank that (the steam helped the tired sore eyes too!). I think the tea was Celestial Seasonings Sleepy-Time or something like that. Have you tried any of the supplements or found anything else that works yet? I really hope you are getting some relief from the pain and the depression. And yes, for the most part I have things under control. Allergy season is throwing some issues my way, but I was very good most of the winter, so I hope to get back there soon.

-Shells