[chal23]

Hi friends..

While I know depression in lupus is common, I'm wondering if it was something a doctor or friend or family or? noticed and pointed out, or if it was a matter of self-realization? I ask.. as I've been too chicken to go talk to someone and then doubting that I really need to thinking this current phase will pass. I've just lost the joy in my heart and feel blue or frustrated and angry. Your experiences and thoughts are always appreciated!

Chal

 

[Lily]

(((((((((Chal))))))))))))) I'm sorry you have found yourself facing this, it's so very common amongst us and treatment can really help.

I guess I suspected it first, but it was certainly backed up by my husband and friends once the issue came up. It can sort of creep up on you and you tend to go on and on with it, thinking that it is just part of your life now. If those sorts of feelings you describe go on for more than a couple of weeks then it's time to mention it to your doctor. Ideally your Rheumy if you see him a lot. They seem to be better at understanding your particular circumstances surrounding the illness, so more likely to find a med that will work for you.

My doctor kept asking and I kept denying but once I admitted it to him he asked me some more questions and decided I definitely was. It was uphill from there :bigsmile: I won't say it was easy, we tried around 3 or 4 drugs before we found one that suited me with no side effects.

I cannot believe what a difference it made in my mood and outlook from what I had been. I had my old self back, well mentally anyway the rest of my body is not exactly co-operating all the time but I deal with it so much better now.

Be kind to yourself chal, you have already taken the first step by asking about the possibility.

love
Lily

 

[Raglet]

heck, I never figured it out when I got depressed and i am a practising psychologist! I assess other people all the time, I just never noticed it in myself.

talk to someone - your doctor, a counsellor, whoever, depression is very common with lupus

hth

raglet

 

[sjink]

Hi Chal

Well it sure did just creep up on me, and very recently too. And like Raglet I have psychology qualifications etc!! Easier to help others than spot it in myself. My partner sent me to the docs as he was worried. I had really lost my temper with him when he said he thought a bit of therapy might help - I can smile about it now but I was so mad. "Therapy, me? I'm coping fine". Ha Ha, was I not.

I went to the doctor anyway to talk about the increased pain and the issue of my anxiety came up and bingo I started crying! Tissues out of desk drawer. Anyway he referred me straight away to the GP practice mental health nurse. I have, without a doubt, become very depressed because of the constant stress of managing a chronic illness, and probably because I was flaring. The nurse said people like me were the last to notice what is happening and the worst at going back to basics to sort it out. So am now resting better, doing some cognitive behavioural work on my negative thinking and waiting to see a specialist to get anti-depressant prescribed (I have multiple allergies and need specialist prescription as Prozac and the like flare my lupus). I have also rebooked onto a pain and stress management course I did 6 years ago, as I sort of lapsed from all the helpful stuff I learned on that. I know there are ways out of this but until last week I could not see them. Sometimes we need a helping hand.

I think admitting it is the first step - hard to do I know when you are feeling that mix of blue mood, and being angry and understandably frustrated. I still feel very depressed but I don't feel quite so lost now that family and medics understand what is happening.

So my advice, even though you might be embarrassed, uncertain or plain old frightened, summon up the energy to talk to someone, once you start it becomes that little bit easier.

Much love
Sara xxx

 

[florie]

I was always so happy go lucky. But something hit me and slowly i became withdrawn. I couldn't understand what was going on with me. It got worse and then something happened to my daughter that destroyed me. Taking her to see a therapist to help her, the therapist noticed my depression, she called my husband and said your wife needs help. That's how mine was noticed and it took a therapist session for my daughter to find it with me. I have been going to mental health for over 12yrs. My lupus showed up 5-6yrs ago, so the chronic illness didn't help. With different meds there is a difference. I am glad to have a therapist to work with. And tomorrow i just so happen to have a session.
What happened to me was i was always the type to hide my feelings with a smile and unoticed on the outside. But as time went on I could no longer hide it and it was all over , inside and outside. Doing much better now.

Hope you will see someone and feel better real soon.



Hugs, florie

 

[macfamily53]

Hi Chal

Well its not easy to figure out when i did realize the doctors were right that i needed some counceling and anti depressions.Well i told my rhueme for quite some time that i would not take antidepressants or go see a councler.I was to the point that i was not myself at all.Well i did finally ask for a anti depresant and after just a couple of them i did find one that seemed to work for my fibro on top of the depressant but not quite enough so now i am taking two of them and doing much better for sure.Well i sure hope i have helped some.I also have been in the past that smiled all the time ven when i was hurting tired whatever but its not good really to be that way.

Tammy

 

[chal23]

Thank you all for sharing your experiences. I will say that it hasnt been easy lately, and Ive never considered myself weak or dramatic (no offense) and always try to maintain my stiff upperlip! It seems like when it rains, it pours lately.. and like I read a couple times, this state creeps up on you.

Looking at some of the depression evaluations online - with standard questions like 'i feel fatigued' or 'it takes great effort for me to do simple things'.. its like HELLO? of course most of these answers will be yes for anyone suffering from a chronic condition! especially lupus. We all want to have an abundance of energy, but our bodies (not minds!) wont permit it.

Thank you all again.. you girls are amazing! I am going to wrap my head around it some more and see how I feel in a week.