What's your remedy for depression-related fatigue?
April 6, 2017 4:26 PM Subscribe
I'm looking for non-prescription tips/supplements/hacks for those of you whose primary depression symptoms are crushing fatigue and depersonalization.
I've been off of my last antidepressant (Pristiq) for a few months and was doing fair to middling for awhile. Now, I've had about a week or so of the downs -- no energy and severe derealization/depersonalization My moods are stable ... and I'm trying to give it a full year of no medication to see if I can do this. I'm off caffeine, getting plenty of sunlight (I live in Arizona) ... and doing OK with healthy meals. (Look, everybody needs fried catfish every once in awhile.)
Any tips?
I've been off of my last antidepressant (Pristiq) for a few months and was doing fair to middling for awhile. Now, I've had about a week or so of the downs -- no energy and severe derealization/depersonalization My moods are stable ... and I'm trying to give it a full year of no medication to see if I can do this. I'm off caffeine, getting plenty of sunlight (I live in Arizona) ... and doing OK with healthy meals. (Look, everybody needs fried catfish every once in awhile.)
Any tips?
Do you touch nice things (yarn shops) or smell them (coffee shops, perfume)?
posted by Ms Vegetable at 4:43 PM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by Ms Vegetable at 4:43 PM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
Best answer: L-Tyrosine in the morning, 5-HTP at night before bed. Also, a little L-Glutamine, which helps deepen your sleep at night. Google for rec's on dosage amounts, read widely before deciding which ratios you want to try.
posted by jbenben at 4:48 PM on April 6, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by jbenben at 4:48 PM on April 6, 2017 [5 favorites]
Massage and sitting in a jacuzzi.
posted by Napoleonic Terrier at 5:09 PM on April 6, 2017
posted by Napoleonic Terrier at 5:09 PM on April 6, 2017
Easier said than done, but exercise will help the fatigue. Even a quick walk around the block is better than nothing. Start small and work your way up. It'll feel like you can't, but just trust that you can.
posted by kevinbelt at 5:09 PM on April 6, 2017 [11 favorites]
posted by kevinbelt at 5:09 PM on April 6, 2017 [11 favorites]
B-complex, light exercise (brisk walks, gentle swimming), tons of water.
posted by erst at 5:13 PM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by erst at 5:13 PM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
Things that get me back in touch with my body- stretching, walking, nice lotion, bathing, sex
posted by SyraCarol at 5:16 PM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by SyraCarol at 5:16 PM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
Do you have access to a pool? I have depression, and the only exercise that I actually enjoy is swimming. Just being in the water takes a figurative and literal weight off me.
Long, hot baths with plenty of epsom salts.
posted by old_growler at 5:28 PM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
Long, hot baths with plenty of epsom salts.
posted by old_growler at 5:28 PM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
Research St John's Wort, to see if you think it could be a good fit. It's a natural anti-depressant. Taken seriously in Germany. As with all OTC herbs, there is always the worry that what's in the bottle isn't what it says on the label.
posted by SemiSalt at 5:30 PM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by SemiSalt at 5:30 PM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
Best answer: If the thought of going for a walk is too much, try going for a walk in search of pastries.
What about going to nice boutiques and looking at pretty clothing with no pressure to try anything on or buy anything
Yoga and stretching and saunas and the like
Dressing in sweatpants and a hoodie and just chilling outside because why bother getting dressed up
or alternatively, put on the most garish clothing and lipstick you own, and go for a strut down the street because fuck everything, i'm depressed and have nothing to lose.
Drawing with vividly coloured markers or pencil crayons, or colouring in a colouring book or even better get some pastels because you can get your fingers all up in that and smear the colours together in any way that feels soothing
Putting on some sad music , lighting candles and just snuggling under the blankets with hot chocolate and crying a bit if you feel like it
posted by winterportage at 5:42 PM on April 6, 2017 [5 favorites]
What about going to nice boutiques and looking at pretty clothing with no pressure to try anything on or buy anything
Yoga and stretching and saunas and the like
Dressing in sweatpants and a hoodie and just chilling outside because why bother getting dressed up
or alternatively, put on the most garish clothing and lipstick you own, and go for a strut down the street because fuck everything, i'm depressed and have nothing to lose.
Drawing with vividly coloured markers or pencil crayons, or colouring in a colouring book or even better get some pastels because you can get your fingers all up in that and smear the colours together in any way that feels soothing
Putting on some sad music , lighting candles and just snuggling under the blankets with hot chocolate and crying a bit if you feel like it
posted by winterportage at 5:42 PM on April 6, 2017 [5 favorites]
Best answer: I agree with exercise, but also have someone (a friend, a therapist, someone on your medical team) who you check in with and they have enough interaction with you in order to judge how you are really doing and be honest with you. Depression sometimes make it hard to accurately judge yourself.
posted by saucysault at 5:53 PM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by saucysault at 5:53 PM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Extremely hardcore exercise, baths/hot tub, swimming and sex are all good for me (although aside from the first one, rarely available given my location and circumstances).
Don't start with a hardcore workout program, but maybe think about working your way up to one. Yeah, it sucks to do when you're exhausted but over time (4-8 weeks for most people I think) a regular exercise program on the whole will improve sleep and endurance. I have been approaching my workouts like, "this sucks, but hey what part of today didn't plus health" and then every moment I kind of hate it but then it's over and now I'm in the best shape of my life. May actually become "in shape" before I am too old to do so, which is almost exciting to contemplate!
I am still tired most of the time, but doing a lot lot better (like, I'm tired, but not falling months behind on most personal obligations that normally are put off for months or years such as laundry, cleaning, doctor appts, etc---only behind on a few out of a dozen). Some days, I even *don't* feel tired! For me personally, I need to exercise at least 30 minutes every day and do a completely exhausting hour plus workout at least twice a week or else I start to feel sadder again. Most people do well with 30-45 mins a few times a week. I also have a much more grueling life than most (work+commute+personal) and accept now that is just where I am right now, and it's ok.
Also taking extreme D supplements (doctor told me to, 5k) as well as fish oil. At the least will help my bones. At worst, spending not much money on supplements per year.
posted by love2potato at 5:55 PM on April 6, 2017 [7 favorites]
Don't start with a hardcore workout program, but maybe think about working your way up to one. Yeah, it sucks to do when you're exhausted but over time (4-8 weeks for most people I think) a regular exercise program on the whole will improve sleep and endurance. I have been approaching my workouts like, "this sucks, but hey what part of today didn't plus health" and then every moment I kind of hate it but then it's over and now I'm in the best shape of my life. May actually become "in shape" before I am too old to do so, which is almost exciting to contemplate!
I am still tired most of the time, but doing a lot lot better (like, I'm tired, but not falling months behind on most personal obligations that normally are put off for months or years such as laundry, cleaning, doctor appts, etc---only behind on a few out of a dozen). Some days, I even *don't* feel tired! For me personally, I need to exercise at least 30 minutes every day and do a completely exhausting hour plus workout at least twice a week or else I start to feel sadder again. Most people do well with 30-45 mins a few times a week. I also have a much more grueling life than most (work+commute+personal) and accept now that is just where I am right now, and it's ok.
Also taking extreme D supplements (doctor told me to, 5k) as well as fish oil. At the least will help my bones. At worst, spending not much money on supplements per year.
posted by love2potato at 5:55 PM on April 6, 2017 [7 favorites]
My depression was a manifestation of MTHFR. Once I started taking a B complex my mood improved drastically. You might find it helpful to get a blood test to see if you have it.
posted by vignettist at 6:12 PM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by vignettist at 6:12 PM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
You didn't mention how much you're sleeping, but imposing a 9-10 p.m. bedtime instead of my depression standard 12-1 a.m. bedtime does wonders for me.
posted by kapers at 6:17 PM on April 6, 2017
posted by kapers at 6:17 PM on April 6, 2017
Best answer: In your shoes I'd want to hedge my bets by seeing a doc for a work up. Fatigue can be related to depression, but it can also be related to things like hypothyroidism, mono, and anemia.
Other than that - eat well, get gentle exercise and plenty of sleep, and see other humans. Many people seem to find that having a pet is helpful.
posted by bunderful at 7:00 PM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
Other than that - eat well, get gentle exercise and plenty of sleep, and see other humans. Many people seem to find that having a pet is helpful.
posted by bunderful at 7:00 PM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: I could honestly mark these all as best answers but I'm highlighting things I need to remind myself to do. Thank you all for your kindness.
posted by nubianinthedesert at 9:14 PM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by nubianinthedesert at 9:14 PM on April 6, 2017 [2 favorites]
All the suggestions for bloodwork are good. My energy took a real crash a few years ago. Turns out I have hypothyroidism.
Other than that, I hula hoop! Hooping is one of the things in life that really makes me feel free and clears my head. No negativity while I'm hooping. That's my joy time.
I also take ballet twice a week and a modern dance class. Ballet is so structured and requires very specific technique that takes years to develop and in my case, will likely never be perfected. And that's okay. It's great for my brain because I have to focus like crazy when I'm in class. There's literally no room in my head for anything else. It's a nice counter to my chaotic life.
I'm on Pristiq right now but looking to taper off, so this thread is very helpful.
posted by futureisunwritten at 5:46 AM on April 7, 2017
Other than that, I hula hoop! Hooping is one of the things in life that really makes me feel free and clears my head. No negativity while I'm hooping. That's my joy time.
I also take ballet twice a week and a modern dance class. Ballet is so structured and requires very specific technique that takes years to develop and in my case, will likely never be perfected. And that's okay. It's great for my brain because I have to focus like crazy when I'm in class. There's literally no room in my head for anything else. It's a nice counter to my chaotic life.
I'm on Pristiq right now but looking to taper off, so this thread is very helpful.
posted by futureisunwritten at 5:46 AM on April 7, 2017
Best answer: In addition to a B complex, sublingual B12 has had an incredible effect on my energy levels.
posted by ananci at 9:04 AM on April 7, 2017
posted by ananci at 9:04 AM on April 7, 2017
I find fish oil, vitamin B, vitamin D, and an iron supplement essential for helping resist that feeling of fatigue that my brain interprets as "profoundly depressed, time to lie down and give up".
posted by Lexica at 11:50 AM on April 7, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Lexica at 11:50 AM on April 7, 2017 [1 favorite]
I'm a big fan of a natural supplement called DL-phenylalanine. It's pretty stimulating and has unique antidepressant qualities. Do some research and see if you think it might be right for you.
posted by prosopagnosia at 7:55 PM on April 7, 2017
posted by prosopagnosia at 7:55 PM on April 7, 2017
Best answer: I had intense fatigue during a past depressive episode and assumed that it was just a part of the depression and impossible to change--after a few months of taking an antidepressant and finding no change in the fatigue, I got blood work done and learned that I had anemia and a bunch of vitamin deficiencies (probably from reduced appetite due to the depression) and once I started taking supplements, I actually had the energy to work on the depression itself. So definitely see if there is some physiological cause on top of depression.
posted by armadillo1224 at 3:57 PM on April 8, 2017
posted by armadillo1224 at 3:57 PM on April 8, 2017
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posted by thelonius at 4:34 PM on April 6, 2017 [1 favorite]