My husband was diagnosed with AMN about 7 years ago. He's having the typical physical symptoms, but he's also suffering from crippling anxiety and depression. At the moment, he's on medical leave from his job because of it. He's been up and down with the various meds as they try to find the right fit for him, but I'm wondering if anyone else had experienced anything similar? His yearly MRI was clear, and, of course, this anxiety may be entirely separate from his AMN, but I always worry about the onset of cerebral involvement. I've read the online information about AMN and anxiety isn't listed on their lists of symptoms.
I'm just wondering if anyone else had experienced anything like this. He's meeting with his AMN doctor in a couple weeks, so I want to gather my information and thoughts before we go.
Thanks for your time.
Amy
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amytrigspencer
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Hello. I am a female with symptomatic AMN and also deal with a
History of anxiety and depression that began long before my diagnosis of AMN. I don't know if it is related in any way but I can say that my anxiety/phobias/panic has increased exponentially in the past year or so and medications have not been helpful. I also suffer from migraines with aura and they seem to have correlated with the increase in the mental issues.
My Brain MRIs are ok (as women tend not to have the cerebral form) so I do understand your extra concern for your husband and potential for cerebral involvement.
Physiologically it makes sense to me that neurological peroxosomal disorders could affect the brain functioning and organic mental illness just as they affect motor and sensory function but so far have not seen medical discussions about it if not related to cerebral demyelination.
Hi Amy, I also have female AMN, am a bereaved mum. I watched my son die slowly from ALD, over three years, and do wonder if I will develop similar symptoms. It's very hard accepting that you are, no longer able to do things as easily as your brain thinks you can. I have been on anti depressants since my son died, 17 years ago. I also take Amitriptyline, primarily for pain, but it is also prescribed for anxiety and depression. Your husband has a lot to take on board, he is loosing skills which allow him to work, I had to give up at 56, he has to accept that he will need looking after and won't be able to look after you or anyone else, as he gets older. You are obviously supporting him well and perhaps a trip to your GP would help. Having someone outside the family, who he could talk over his worse fears with is something I would recommend.
First, let me say how sorry I am that your husband is struggling with anxiety and depression. It is not easy, but there is help out there.
Your husband suffers from a chronic illness, and I would honestly be more surprised if he did not struggle with any anxiety at all. Anxiety is very normal when living with the uncertainty of chronic illness. I have definitely had my dark thoughts and dark moments in living with this disease. I watched my grandfather slowly die from AMN, and knowing that this will happen to me at some point, as well, is a difficult realization. I've found help in talking with other people with AMN and Addison's, and meeting with a counselor who has worked with other people with chronic illness. I do not take any antidepressants or antianxiety medications currently, but I know they have helped others significantly. Please encourage your husband to get the help he needs, in whatever form it takes.
I'm sure we all have issues, whether psychological, or mental health.
I have been up and down like a yo-yo my entire adult life. Lingering on your own condition and thinking about current inabilities and future uncertainties can really get to me.
Prozac, Paroxetine, Zoloft. They work, though the problems will not go away. Have to deal with it in the end.
All I can do is actively deal with my problems:
Obsessively researching our disease, symptoms, new medicines, diets, supplements and treatments.
This little site is the only way i communicate with our community, but it's great reading other posts, seeing how others deal with the day-to-day.
It's when I give up and let the disease take over that I spin down a black hole, but it's easy-ish to take back a modicum of control:
I always try to think positively about all things as well. Try and see the good if possible.
I really believe our disease has neurological issues that directly effect our moods. Factor in all of the physical challenges and then ruminating on your condition is enough to get anyone feeling down.
It was a big thing for me to openly come out as disabled, first a scooter, then crutches, then I had rails installed in my house, become legally disabled, free bus pass, etc.
I flew from Beijing to London not long back. Could have been a waking nightmare.
But no, ring the airline, tell them you are disabled, get wheelchairs booked from check in to the exit of the final airport.
Easy, you get preferential seating, you can board early, you get a special steward/stewardess assigned to you in the air, you get to jump all of the queues (even immigration). I fly alone as well.
Excellent, but if I did it all without help it would be like five marathons.
Felt great when i arrived.
Looking at other diseases puts AMN into perspective, especially ALD. Those little boys are at the sharp end, not me.
My late partner Phil used to suffer from anxiety/depression. This happened mostly when he wasn't in control of a situation and was frustrated by his condition.
I'm an adult female dealing with AMN and have siblings with it as well. I also have anxiety and more recently depression. My neurologist confirmed to me that it is part of the disease. Here's an article link jnnp.bmj.com/content/76/sup... which outlines other neurological diseases and the depression component of them. I manage my symptoms through Lexipro 20mg as well as diet, exercise and meditation daily.
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