Hi everyone.
Ive been down now for a while.and on Monday went to see the Pycic Doc,and she was lovely,she said i have clinical depression,and doubling up on my meds.
How do you cope with all this,ive tried different things to do,but my concentration isnt that good so i dont do it again.
How do you cope?
Would love any suggestions!!
Warm hugs Kathy x
Do something anything as often as you can. Walk, Swim, Draw, Write, Call pals, Study, throw out old stuff around the house etc etc.
Remind yourself that Lupus waxes & wanes & that you will have better times.
Best Wishes to you
Kaz x
Hello Kathy,
Meds can help to a certain degree and trying to keep occupied helps but having manic depression myself and been through the drugs and nothing as helped i do agree with "SisterGrace" on one opinion that depression dictates our thoughts and when mine hits me it totally takes over and i've got no way of coming back until it eventually leaves my system...it's terrible as it takes control of your thoughts and how you feel...well i does in my case anyway.
Even if nothing helps you try and do...just reaching out to us to chat is a form of releasing your feelings but the trouble with depression is Lupus loves it and thrieves off it, so how your not well besides it will also dictate how your feeling besides the pain your in.
Kathy my love and thoughts are with you.
((A large hug your way)) :) xxx
Kathy,
Take yourself out of the house and the four walls that surround you. Let yourself be around other people and interact with them. You can get some of their positive energy working on you. Like Kaz said throw out old stuff, especially if it has negative memories attached to it. Surround yourself only with pleasant things. Buy yourself some fresh cut flowers and enjoy them, or something pleasant to look at that you've always wanted. Physical activity, as tolerated, will help produce feel good endorphins in your body naturally.
Find some purpose each day, something that you will accomplish no matter how small. Make a list. Start doing things that you actually enjoy, not things that you are expected to do or obligated to do.
If you do this, it will have a positive affect on your pain and misery. Your mind has to be happy and healthy too. It starts there. Feed your mind good thoughts and say good things, not negative statements like "I feel like crap, I hate myself, I'm never gonna get better", these are terrible and will drag you right into depression and keep you there. We all say stuff without thinking, but I kick it out immediately and then put a good thought in to counteract it. If you know anyone who is a very postive, happy person, then spend as much time with them as you can. It's better than any drug on the market.
Don't let your diagnosis box you in either. Depression is like an unwanted visitor that you can ask to leave at any time. It doesn't have to be permanent.
Good thoughts your way,
Allergic
Sometimes I just check in with myself. have I been eating healthy?, sleeping well? getting a little fresh air each day? in compliance with my meds? keeping my pain management under control ( thats a biggie for me for triggering depression) If the answer is yes to all that then I talk to my doctor about adding or adjusting my meds. If the answer is no to any of those questions I try to change my behaviors to make it the truth. Sometimes we forget what a hot shower and a good hot home made meal can do even if we just open a can of soup and make some buttered bread. Getting outside and seeing the sky and as mama says get the stink blowed off does help. And last but not least pray. god bless I hope one of my suggestions help.
great question Kathy. thanks for sharing.
I've read some good advice here, and just reaching out to other members can be uplifting.
I like the thoughts about sticking to a schedule - its like in the movie "Sleepless in Seattle" where Tom Hanks says " I'm going to wake up in the morning, and breathe in and out. And one day I won't have to remind myself to breathe in and out." Trisha
I do eat well but its a bit erratic,as when i have a flare i dont always want anything,i have fruit and soup on those days,i wish i could go out every day,but when ive had an outing i then have to rest for up to 3 days,and then the fatigue can be bad,and of course the fevers,so its not that easy.
My meds are being changed now to 200grm of Amitrypcline a day,so it will lift me i hope,its a big amount but,i know i need them.
I hope you are ok.and thankyou for repling,warm hugs Kathy
Julie said:
Sometimes I just check in with myself. have I been eating healthy?, sleeping well? getting a little fresh air each day? in compliance with my meds? keeping my pain management under control ( thats a biggie for me for triggering depression) If the answer is yes to all that then I talk to my doctor about adding or adjusting my meds. If the answer is no to any of those questions I try to change my behaviors to make it the truth. Sometimes we forget what a hot shower and a good hot home made meal can do even if we just open a can of soup and make some buttered bread. Getting outside and seeing the sky and as mama says get the stink blowed off does help. And last but not least pray. god bless I hope one of my suggestions help.
Thanks Nic,my meds are changed now to 200grm,of Amitrpcline so they should help,im very tired at the mo with them,but they should kick in soon.
I was a gym fitness teacher,so i do what i can,and i do feel a tad better,as you make happy hormones,and it is true.
Take care,and thanks for your reply. Kathy x
NicMic said:
Hello Kathy
With clinical depression, medication can often give you that lift that you need to feel motivated again. Once your motivation returns you can set yourself a few small achievable goals and hopefully you will feel better about yourself.
I understand that when you are depressed your whole life can feel completely hopeless and nothing seems to give you any joy.
I really hope that you will feel a lot better soon. I suggest you try to do some exercise as well and that will also help lift the depression. Please don't do what I did and that was self medicate with alcohol and pain relief. That only makes things worse. Express yourself here when ever you need to.
Warm wishes
Nic
Thanks Kaz,yes i am trying,i love swimming,but the pool around here are to cold,so with the nerve damage,its not good enough for me unfortunatly,and i do like reading,so now with the new meds my concentration might be a lot better.
Take care Hugs Kathy
Kaz said:
Do something anything as often as you can. Walk, Swim, Draw, Write, Call pals, Study, throw out old stuff around the house etc etc.
Remind yourself that Lupus waxes & wanes & that you will have better times.
Best Wishes to you
Kaz x
ThanksTrisha ,good advice Take care x
Trisha said:
I've read some good advice here, and just reaching out to other members can be uplifting.
I like the thoughts about sticking to a schedule - its like in the movie "Sleepless in Seattle" where Tom Hanks says " I'm going to wake up in the morning, and breathe in and out. And one day I won't have to remind myself to breathe in and out." Trisha
Thanks Allergic,sound advice. Hugs kathy x
Allergic said:
Kathy,
Take yourself out of the house and the four walls that surround you. Let yourself be around other people and interact with them. You can get some of their positive energy working on you. Like Kaz said throw out old stuff, especially if it has negative memories attached to it. Surround yourself only with pleasant things. Buy yourself some fresh cut flowers and enjoy them, or something pleasant to look at that you've always wanted. Physical activity, as tolerated, will help produce feel good endorphins in your body naturally.
Find some purpose each day, something that you will accomplish no matter how small. Make a list. Start doing things that you actually enjoy, not things that you are expected to do or obligated to do.
If you do this, it will have a positive affect on your pain and misery. Your mind has to be happy and healthy too. It starts there. Feed your mind good thoughts and say good things, not negative statements like "I feel like crap, I hate myself, I'm never gonna get better", these are terrible and will drag you right into depression and keep you there. We all say stuff without thinking, but I kick it out immediately and then put a good thought in to counteract it. If you know anyone who is a very postive, happy person, then spend as much time with them as you can. It's better than any drug on the market.
Don't let your diagnosis box you in either. Depression is like an unwanted visitor that you can ask to leave at any time. It doesn't have to be permanent.
Good thoughts your way,
Allergic
Thankyou,i will certainly try Hugs Kathy x
SisterGrace said:
Kathy,
I've found when I'm too far down I need the doc to adjust my meds and then as soon as I m able I look at a schedule for sleeping/waking, balanced meals, water log, and whatever type of exercise I can do at the time. Even 5 minutes of something (depending on my pain level). Then I try to stick to the schedule at least 80% of the time. Without a written schedule I find the depression dictates what I do and don't do - and at those times listening to the voice of my depression is definitely not my best option. Prayers your way. Keep reaching out.
Blessings
Thanks Tez,i apprecaite your advise i am doing every thing i can to help my self,i will be ok once the meds kick in.Love and hugs Kathy x
Tez_20 said:
Hello Kathy,
Meds can help to a certain degree and trying to keep occupied helps but having manic depression myself and been through the drugs and nothing as helped i do agree with "SisterGrace" on one opinion that depression dictates our thoughts and when mine hits me it totally takes over and i've got no way of coming back until it eventually leaves my system...it's terrible as it takes control of your thoughts and how you feel...well i does in my case anyway.
Even if nothing helps you try and do...just reaching out to us to chat is a form of releasing your feelings but the trouble with depression is Lupus loves it and thrieves off it, so how your not well besides it will also dictate how your feeling besides the pain your in.
Kathy my love and thoughts are with you.
((A large hug your way)) :) xxx
Thankyou Julie,good advice,i am just waiting for the meds to kick in,and i should be fine.
Hugs Kathy x
Julie said:
Sometimes I just check in with myself. have I been eating healthy?, sleeping well? getting a little fresh air each day? in compliance with my meds? keeping my pain management under control ( thats a biggie for me for triggering depression) If the answer is yes to all that then I talk to my doctor about adding or adjusting my meds. If the answer is no to any of those questions I try to change my behaviors to make it the truth. Sometimes we forget what a hot shower and a good hot home made meal can do even if we just open a can of soup and make some buttered bread. Getting outside and seeing the sky and as mama says get the stink blowed off does help. And last but not least pray. god bless I hope one of my suggestions help.
I have just learned to let the depression times go. I have made the mistake of talking to people who don't have a clue what Lupus is, when I was depressed and didn't know I was depressed! They have talked about me relentlessly, telling others what a terrible person I am. I have just learned to go with the flow on it. You have to, as there is little choice in the matter. I have also taken a lot of time to learn what really turns the Lupus on, and that is allergens. You have to find out what they are, and stay away from all of them, if possible.
Hi Kathy,
I know your doing everything you can mate but with so many issues going on at the moment with your health besides it's like a nightmare but members have given great advice besides regarding depression...as so many of we suffer with it but coping with it is another matter altogether.
http://lupus.webmd.com/community-tv-lupus-11/lupus-depression
Love you loads Terri xxx
Ive had some brillant advise,im so thankfull to you all.
I relise that Lupus and Depression do go hand in hand,but im gratfull for other blessings.
Lots of love sent your way xx
Tez_20 said:
Hi Kathy,
I know your doing everything you can mate but with so many issues going on at the moment with your health besides it's like a nightmare but members have given great advice besides regarding depression...as so many of we suffer with it but coping with it is another matter altogether.
http://lupus.webmd.com/community-tv-lupus-11/lupus-depression
Love you loads Terri xxx
Hello Kathy,
The same to you mate and i just hope you can get to the bottom of all your troubles and your rheumo turns out to be what you need on friday.
Hugs Terri xxx