Seasonal Depression (sad)

[sixtytwo]

If any of you think you have SAD, a common ailment that affects people who do no get outside and who are bummed in the winter.......last winter was awful for me and no doctor put their finger on it. This winter I suggested to my doctor that I might have this, he agreed and put me on a much larger dose of Vitamin D, Melatonin for sleep and an anti-depressant. I was having so many "nerve" headaches (used to have migraines, but don't anymore) and "episodes" where I was so very sick that I just had to go to the bed and sleep it away, kind of like I was in a stupor. In the beginning I could attach each "episode" to a gluten accident, but not the three in one week that I had Thanksgiving week. After I saw the doctor, and went on the three things he suggested, I feel so, so much better and even am a nicer person. Christmas is a very hard time for me and then the cold months of January and February are tough too. I had just a crappy winter last year and am looking at a much better one this year. Happy Holidays.

[NE Mom]

I was dx'd with SAD about 15 years ago. I bought a special light box that I sit under for about 20 minutes a day-it works wonders. I also take 2000 IU of Vit D every day.

[jackay]

I tried the light box and it did nothing for me. I used it faithfully many winters.

Right now I am taking 3600 IU Vitamin D3 daily, 6 mg. melatonin and an antidepressant.

Still very depressed. Am hopeful being gluten free will help.

[NE Mom]

Sorry to hear the lightbox didn't work. I hope you find success with being gluten free and the vitamins.

[burdee]

If any of you think you have SAD, a common ailment that affects people who do no get outside and who are bummed in the winter.......last winter was awful for me and no doctor put their finger on it. This winter I suggested to my doctor that I might have this, he agreed and put me on a much larger dose of Vitamin D, Melatonin for sleep and an anti-depressant. I was having so many "nerve" headaches (used to have migraines, but don't anymore) and "episodes" where I was so very sick that I just had to go to the bed and sleep it away, kind of like I was in a stupor. In the beginning I could attach each "episode" to a gluten accident, but not the three in one week that I had Thanksgiving week. After I saw the doctor, and went on the three things he suggested, I feel so, so much better and even am a nicer person. Christmas is a very hard time for me and then the cold months of January and February are tough too. I had just a crappy winter last year and am looking at a much better one this year. Happy Holidays.

I live in Seatle, where we have many gray, rainy days year round. I was diagnosed with SAD about 10 years ago. Although my doctor suggested using 'light therapy' from full spectrum light boxes, I was desperate and wanted to try an antidepressant. The light boxes helped, but the antidepressant 'serzone' made me 'lose' words, experiencing 'trailing' and lose all passion about what I formerly loved. After 2 years on Serzone, I slowly tapered off that drug (to avoid withdrawal symptoms common with SSRIs) but continued using light boxes. We also switched our incandescant bulbs for full spectrum lights in our house. 10 years later, I feel a more tired on gray days. However, I don't feel sad, hopeless or'depressed'. I use a 'junior sun ray' box during breakfast on cloudy days. I also have a full sized light box in my studio, where I check my 'to do' list first thing in the morning while I get a dose of full spectrum light. I also try to dim the lights after dinner and avoid exercise after dinner. So I feel sleepy and and sleep well at night, but wake up with the light in the morning.

SUE

[jackay]

I'm going to give the light box another try. Possibly with the Vitamin D3 supplement that I'm now taking it will help.

[sixtytwo]

So....now it is many days later and I just cannot tell you how good I feel with the combination of 1000mg of Vitamin D, melatonin for sleep and an antidepressant. I am good natured, do not snap at my husband, feel so much more at peace with my life. I just went to the doctor today for a follow-up appointment and had to tell him how life-altering this regimine has been. I feel I must have been depressed for a very long time now and am so happy to have found a solution. It really is hard to explain, but I was always living either in the past (going over what is wrong with my life and wishing it were different) or living in the future (trying to see what I could do to make things better) and not living in the moment. I am able to do that more now. After nearly 65 years the other way, it takes some time to change, but it sure is wonderful. Happy New Year. Barbara