How do you know when you are depressed?
I am not sure if I am or not. I guess when I go to my GP this coming week I will talk to her about putting me on something for depression. Maybe that is my problem or I am just in one of those moods, or I just have every right to feel like this. HUMF!
I did not think I was depressed, but felt pretty helpless and hopeless. Last Nov. at my PCP appt. My dr was close to tears. he said that somtimes they just dont have all the answers. He was doing all he could think of for me. I was in tears and he suggested I take an AD to see if it helped with the pain. I didn't realize at the time I was depressed, but he did and so did hubby. It wasnt until I got on them and looking back I realized it. I noticed a difference almost immediately. At my last appt I asked him if I could stop them and he said he REALLY wanted me to stay on them a bit longer. I don't want to, but I am following orders.
Thanks for the reply Deb. I wonder if I can take Amitriptylin with another AD? Oh well... we will find out as she was the one who RXed me Amitriptylin in the first place.Joonie, you've been going through this disease and pain so much longer than I have, so I'm not sure if our "realizations" of depression will be the same thing.
I've never been depressed before in my life until this past July when I started exhibiting and researching these symptoms. I remember trying to think of the most exciting things that are yet to happen in my life and having an empty, dulled feeling instead. The fear in my head that I've never verbalized is that I'll never be able to experience "true joy" again, no matter if X, Y, or Z happen, as this will always be in the background. I'm not sure if that helps or not... I guess depression--and how we recognize it--can be a subjective thing.
I do hope that you are okay and are able to find something that works to help combat depression if that is what you have. Owiedeb, I wish the best for you, too--it sounds, at least, that you have a great relationship with your doctor, even if both of you are frustrated.
Hugs,
Christina
Thanks for the reply Christina. I think that is what I am going thru right now... feeling "empty". I want to do something exciting, but I cannot. I want to do something enjoyable, but cannot think of anything my body will allow me to do without paying for it later. Last week I went shopping for 7 hours, but not on my feet the whole time maybe half the time, and I hurt and swelled and was laying around for a few days to recover.
I just feel like I am wasting away. I was hopeful that I was going to get a bit better a few months back when I got to take my Humira again and then I got another bladder infection and had to come off of it and now I am waiting to start Remicade. It is just like a roller coaster. I just want to be able to do things and enjoy something.
I think a cat just might fill in my "empty" spot.I WENT ON AMITRIPTYLIN ABOUT 2 YRS AGO 6 MNTHS AFTER THIS STARTED I WAS FEELING HOPELESS AND CRYING IT WAS TERRIBLE. LAST JAN WE UPPED IT TO 2 PILLS CAUSE THE FEELING STARTED AGAIN WITH FAILING 2 BIOLOGICS THAT FEELING OF HOPLESSNESS AND CRYING ANYWAYS IT HELPED ABOUT 2 WKS LATER I OFTEN THINK I WOULD LIKE TO COME OFF THEM BUT I AM STILL FAILING BIOLOGICS AND PAIN IS BAD SO MABEY LATER WHEN THINGS GET SETTLED BUT JOONIE I HAVE TO TELL YOU IT REALLY HELPS....TERESAThanks Teresa. Maybe she will up my Amitriptylin, but my RD was talking about taking me off Amitriptylin and putting me just on Triptylin. Are they both the same?We all get depressive moods as a normal part of life. Since your Amitriptyln is an anti-depressant, I also am in favor of just having that increased.Joonie. I think depression goes hand in hand with chronic disease and
disability. Depression used to come with a stigma because people felt they
were weak if they admitted they were depressed. I think anyone who says
they are never depressed does not recognise what it is like. I think it is ok
to be depressed every now and then but action needs to be taken if it
continues for a long time and starts interfering with your activities of daily
living and family. Talk to your doctor about it. There are some good meds
out there but make sure you look at all you are taking before adding another
med to the mix. Good luck.
Jonnie,
I know what you are talking about, on getting out. Every time I go some where I have to pay for it later, either by pain or I catch what ever is going around at that time. Then it seems like it is always worse and takes longer to recover from it.Then here comes the depression part!I feel like I have lost any desire to go or do anything anymore. It causes problems with friends and family! I too feel like my life is wasting away.
Despite me telling him that depression is a chemical imbalance and not something he could control it took him 2 years to seek help. He's been on AD for a year and although he still has his down times (which is normal), they are not in the black hole. He copes with all life throws at him and smiles a lot more easily. He's happy and quick to laugh at silly things. Sex is back on the agenda
Depression is different for everyone but I imagine that there are many similarities in the outward showing of depression. Hubby is on the lowest dose of AD and he's back. He says at his worst he felt helpless, had no fight left in him, couldnt be bothered with life, wanted to sleep for ever, wanted to be left alone, didnt want any responsibilities etc etc
The doctor had a sheet of questions she asked him and depending on how he answered depended on whether or not he was actually depressed or just going through a low time.
Its amazing how many people take ADs. We were out the other evening with a group of friends and the only one not taking them was me! There is no shame. Being depressed is totally out with your control. If you dont make enough happy chemical then it needs replacing. I explained to hubby that I take thyroxine every morning because my body doesnt make enough its no different to needing the happy chemical.
Hope you feel cheery soon.