|
Post by jansie on Jan 28, 2010 16:26:12 GMT -5
Has anyone else felt their endo/hormonal imbalance has caused years of depression & anxiety. I have been unable to get relief from any psych. meds. for almost 15 years. Anyone else?
|
|
|
Post by Karen on Jan 28, 2010 19:29:22 GMT -5
I know it's definitely taken a toll on me, but not for that length of time. I'm sure many others can relate, though, too!
Have you talked to your doc about this? Have they ever looked into a hormone imbalance for you?
|
|
|
Post by bitingkisses on Jan 28, 2010 20:29:30 GMT -5
I have experienced depression and anxiety for the last few years. The doctors wanted to put me on an anti depressant but with the depo shot, since I had already gained 20 lbs in nine months >.< , he decided against it and just told me to change my diet. Maybe that could help.
|
|
|
Post by Karen on Jan 29, 2010 7:13:57 GMT -5
Ugh, seems like everyone I hear that's on depo gains quite a bit. It's not just diet, it's your body's reaction to the synthetic hormones...
I think a chronic disease and depression/anxiety really go hand in hand. I always find that the more I do to try to get control over the disease, the more stable I feel emotionally (well, when things work, at least, and I'm able to reduce my pain...)
|
|
|
Post by hellsbells on Jan 29, 2010 9:31:42 GMT -5
I've been on anti-depressants three times, the first time I was about 21/22 and I was struggling in a relationship (trying to get out of it) and I was stressed at uni and it was a year or so after my big brother died. Seconf time was during my masters degree and I was getting into a really bad sleep routine and getting stressed about study. Third time was after I was made redundant and had to leave Dublin to come back home to Newcastle, I was out of work, my dad had passed away two years earlier and I was all over the place, having left friends and a partner behind in Dublin. Each time was only for a few months and they did help a lot, I have to say. Some of my darkest months were last year when I was in pain and didn't know why and my doc wouldn't listen. But for all I had dark times, I knew it was partly down to whatever was going on physically and I hoped things would normalise once I got to the bottom of it all, and it has, so I resisted the meds. My outlook now is very different because I know what I'm dealing with. But when I think back, I believe I was more susceptible to depression because of crazy hormones. I'm now on Provera meds and they've really helped settle my mood swings, I used to get severely irritated very easily but I feel so much calmer now. It may be worth talking to your doc about anti-depressants cos I'm sure there's one out there to help. Karen's right though, I doubt anybody with a chronic illness doesn't go through bouts of depression. Keep posting and stay with us, you'll get plenty of support.
H
|
|
|
Post by rosanne on Jan 29, 2010 10:48:35 GMT -5
Think diet makes a huge difference to how you feel. I used to be very up and down when I was a teenager, and then when I lost my Granny, who I was really close to, that affected me a lot. I started getting depressed and having panic attacks. I was doing my nurse training, but cos I started to feel so negative, and hopeless, and tired, I had to give up. I went to see my dr, but she wasn't v helpful. So I looked into the hypoglycaemic diet, as my symptoms seemed to match with hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar). It was a big help! Like you, I felt it was more related to physical things. Although the diet helped, I had another bout a few yrs later, but this time it was more anxiety. I'd started my nursing again, which was stressful and brought back memories. I was under a different dr then who is still my dr now and she's wonderful. She referred me for cbt - tho I didn't find it that beneficial. As when I tried to go back to my ward, I wasn't strong enough to deal with the anxiety. I think that I was feeling anxious for a real reason. Ot wasn't just in my imagination. Eventually I felt like I couldn't cope any more - so I went on anti-depressants. I'm still on 20mg citalopram each day, and that just helps keep my moods stable. I still stick to my diet too, cos I find if I eat wheat or have sugar, I get really dark thoughts and shaky. I reckon it's all related to our hormones! I think it's worth trying what you can to help you. Just try things out and hope you'll find some relief!
Rosanne
|
|
|
Post by pamelaj on Jan 29, 2010 17:27:33 GMT -5
I suffer from depression and anxiety and my doc tried me on many a different pill for it. I havent modified my diet only because i have absolutely NO willpower. My doc put me on Ciprolex 8 months ago and as long as i take them everyday, its great. Since taking them, i have a new outlook on things. Hubby says he can really notice a difference in me and although i still have some bad days along with the good, they are very few and extremely far between. Dont know if that helps at all or if Ciprolex is available where you are but that has what worked for me.
Pamela
|
|
|
Post by pretty on Apr 9, 2010 11:14:12 GMT -5
Hi ladies. I have tried lots of antidepressants over the years, I think the important thing is to give yourself permission to heal and allow yourself to try different ones, because there are good antidepressants out there. The hardest thing is when you are in a constant crisis mode, always on the verge of tears, (yep, you're depressed!) trying to talk through your options with your Doc, and then waiting weeks and weeks on a new antidepressant for it to 'kick in'! That's totally the worst part, once you've made the decision to try something like that, which is a big emotional release in itself, and then you've still got to wait for it to 'work'! Don't give up. It's gonna work if you give it time and your full attention. It's helpful to keep a journal of how you feel day to day to look at when you go in to see the Doc so you can report your reactions accurately. Even writing down little things like feeling sleepy, agitated, or numb. over time this can help your doc see if you're reacting according to expectations, and find out if the drug you're taking is helping. It's important to write it down because you may be sharp and have a good memory without the drug, but it can get pretty vague trying to look back to see how you were feeling if you don't keep track! Sorry if this is rambling, I have 'cramps from hell' and just took some pain meds.... but my intentions are good!
|
|