Antidepressant

[Joujou9]

I was diagnosed with copd a month ago and so far I have not accepted my condition and very depressed and I think nothing but my case day and night and I feel I will lose my mind and think to go to a psychiatrist. My question is whether one of you was like me and his psychology improved and accepted his illness when he took an antidepressant

[2greys]

You have to accept the diagnosis to be able to make the lifestyle changes to give yourself the best chance to manage the condition.

I was diagnosed just over 3 years ago when at stage 3 and there is no mistaking the shortness of breath that I experience with exertion. But I have kept very active by exercising and continuing to work full-time.

3 years on and after being treated for lung cancer I now have 28% lung function, yet still working full-time at 69 years. A couple of months ago skippered a 14 ton sailing cruiser on a family holiday, with an inexperienced crew. Basically sailing it single handed. Only made possible by managing the disease 100%, because I accepted the diagnosis and made those essential changes to lifestyle. I am currently in the throws of planning another week of sailing in October.

You too can achieve a good quality of life, it is still early days for you there really is no need to get depressed, it will only hold back the quality your life.

[Joujou9 in reply to 2greys]

Thank you i admit that you are someone who is fighting and we should all be like this because we have no other solution. I wish you good health. I hope to be a strong person like you, but I'm not. I know I have to accept and live but I think I am very weak from the inside I don't know why. So maybe depression medications help me

[Shazrab in reply to Joujou9]

Hi joujou 9 we are all different and some people do get very depressed so it’s nothing to be ashamed of or worry about thinking why am I the only one who can’t cope because your definitely not alone! I wouldn’t take antidepressants just now if I were you because at the end of the day you’ll still have copd I can’t see how tablets would help you. Maybe going to pulmnory rehab will help you to cope and understand COPD everyone says great think about calling the blf helpline iv also think you need to talk to some one who understands what you’re going through. Maybe someone will come along and tell you they’re story of depression. I have found it so difficult to loose the life I had and now start a new copd it’s so hard and can be harder without support so. Gather all family and friends band see wh can help you if and when needed . Can I ask what type of copd you have and what stage you are at . I really wish you well take care and let us know how you get on and how your feeling best wishes 🌹🌹

[Joujou9 in reply to Shazrab]

Thank you for your support and I know i should accept that i have Copd but i can't and nothing to do can help me i feel very depressed and i can't accept it

I have a mild emphysema

Stay healthy ❤️

[Shazrab in reply to Joujou9]

Sorry it’s took me so long to get back to you, sometimes it doesn’t matter what illness we have we just can’t accept it, for so many reasons . Maybe you should speak to your dr and he might send you to someone experienced in helping you , you maybe need to talk face to face . Whatever the outcome I hope you get the help you need ! Remember we are always here to help. Take care 🌺🌹

[Joujou9 in reply to Shazrab]

Thank you. yesterday I went to a psychiatrist and told him about my depression and my fears have been prescribed an antidepressant and I hope that the medicine will help me accept my condition if a little and thank you again for your time

[CDPO16]

2greys and others are admirable in the way they deal with their illness. I for one struggle to be as positive as them but have not taken antidepressants. It may be that they would help you and perhaps seeking a professional opinion on that is the right thing to do for you but I think only you can decide. Another approach may be to consider counselling which can sometimes be helpful in dealing with and coming to accept things. I wish you well whatever you decide to do.

[Joujou9 in reply to CDPO16]

Thank you for your reply I already have deppresion and i was taking antidepressant but not anymore i was good until my diagnosis i feel like im gonna loose my mind i just want to accept my disease

[Joujou9]

Thank you for your advice I have been here since my diagnosis i have mild or moderate i dont know cz my dr said there is no stage in emphysema and i am 40 years old

[Lemon7]

I was recently diagnosed mild copd, emphysema. I was very down after diagnosis, not because I feared death but because I thought I would rapidly deteriorate and this would mean I'd be unable to continue my active lifestyle. I was wrong to think that way. I know my future is not guaranteed, but neither is anyone's. I asked to go to pulmonary rehab to learn all I can to keep myself healthy. I go to gym twice a week and swim a lot. Dont smoke. Keep weight normal and eat healthily. This has made me feel more positive. Most of all the advice and knowledge of people on this site have reassured me. I do so hope, ,that in a short time, you too will have accepted the diagnosis and will feel more positive by looking after yourself. All good wishes to you.

[Joujou9]

No, I started smoking when I was 16 years old. The doctor said I was at an early stage. I put a picture here in the Post about my numbers when I did the spirometry test. I know that I am at an early stage, but my mind has not accepted this disease and is afraid of the future. I am not afraid of death.

[Joujou9]

Thank you, I am not afraid of death, but the quality of life and I hope with all my heart and I want and I know that I must accept this disease to continue in life because I have no other solution because since I was diagnosed and I think only the future and fear so maybe I need an antidepressant because maybe it helps me a bit because I think my problem has become in my mind and I hope you stay well and positive

[Phil40 in reply to Joujou9]

I think that we are all hard wired in a very basic part of our brain to have a fear of death to facilitate the survival instinct.

Otherwise the suicide rate would be enormous I reckon.

Always strange to think about not being around.

I seriously think it’s going to be hard to be any worse wherever we go next. Certainly can’t be any more crazy 😜.

Hope you are as ok as possible

[Bel1966]

Hi Joujou9, my name is Bel at at the age of 49 I was diagnosed with Lung Cancer and my world fell apart. After supporting my daughter with this illness (not Lung) at the age of 5 I wasn’t sure I could cope but she has supported me so well that I couldn’t give up. My prognosis was that after 5 years I have a 25% chance of still being here and I am nearly half way there. I take every day as it comes which after it all sinks in for you, you will do the same. If antidepressants help you get yourself together then that’s what you need to do for you. My consultant has been so good with me trying to give up smoking, he has encouraged it but hasn’t made me feel bad when I transgress if I feel stressed. Do what’s right for you. Chin up. Bel

[Joujou9 in reply to Bel1966]

Hi bell Thanks for the reply. And sorry for you and I think you are strong to accept and have a strong girl and was standing beside you and thank you for your support me. What scares me is not death but the way I know that I don't have to tell you this and you have a problem too. I try in many ways to live my life as human beings, but my life has become a hell thinking of diagnosing me day and night, even when sleeping. Thank you bell i wish you stay healthy

[Bel1966 in reply to Joujou9]

Hi, please don’t feel sorry for me. I am not strong but have accepted what’s in store for me. Just think that maybe it won’t be so bad. We all have to move on, have you got any family support?

[Joujou9 in reply to Bel1966]

I know we all At some point in our lives we will get sick and we have to accept it I am trying and i have my daughter who always support me and i want to be stronger for her and to move on

[Bel1966 in reply to Joujou9]

That’s the spirit 😊

[Phil40]

Hey, I don’t think my Mum has ever accepted that she is ill and she has made her own life so much harder than she had to, by not accessing all the help and information that she could have before she was forced to.

Such as Pulmonary Rehab and education about how to look after herself. How to use her ambulatory oxygen etc etc.

It is a natural reaction to be upset and depressed but as so many here have and will tell you, a diagnosis is not the end of your life.

Hope that made sense and you find support here.

[Joujou9 in reply to Phil40]

Im sorry about your mum. And i wanna thank all of you for your support. And thank you for reply. I will try to but you know some times you just can't to accept

[Hidden]

Hi as you know I am seeing a psycriatist and it's true it doesn't change our condition...antidepressants are not for everyone. We are both frightened of getting worse.i don't know like you how to accept it but it is comforting to know we can talk to others who understand the fesr. It's true no one knows how we will progress.

I pray very little but I don't know. I haven't been on the antidepressants long as you know but as I told them these won't cure me.

Speak to your Dr. Listen to the people on here.i am nearly 8 full months in and I still can't accept it..but I hope I can fight to stay where I am I don't know

[Joujou9 in reply to Hidden]

Hi my friend We're from the same situation you know we understand each other cause we both are scared to death and just can't accept it but the people around you just dont understand what we've been through i know nothing can cure me but at least i want to accept anx live naturally ❤️

[Hidden in reply to Joujou9]

Hi my dear friend it is does help to talk...we will not be normal whst is normal anyway..and I agree with the comment about seeing a psychologist rather than a psycriatist. My experience taught me they use a medical model that concentrates on medication

[Joujou9 in reply to Hidden]

I'll take your advice. I know Nothing will bring back time but what we can do

[Hidden in reply to Joujou9]

I don't know but try any thing that gives you peace of mind

[Ergendl]

Your depression is a natural reaction to the bad news of your condition, and you are mourning the loss of you personal image as a healthy person. So you would be better off seeing a psychologist, who will be able to help you adjust to your situation, rather than a psychiatrist. Wishing you all the best.

[Joujou9 in reply to Ergendl]

Thank you for your reply it is really on the point

[garshe]

I was diagnosed with Severe COPD 10rs ago. You have to be Positive and exercise You don't have to go to the Gym, my exercise is Retail Therapy lol. Just keep active and remember it's not a death sentence. Its not Terminal it's Progressive I agree, butprogression can be slowed down if you accept and keep active . My thought is there is always someone worse off and I am grateful that after 10yrs since diagnosis I am still able to get out of bed every morning and get out and about. Mild is the lower end of the scale so you are fortunate you have been diagnosed early. Enjoy every moment and stop worrying. Sheila x

[Joujou9 in reply to garshe]

Sorry for you. And I hope you stay like this and thank you for your reply and advice. I want to do all that but my mind remained dark. I want to be active and live and exercise and pay attention to my health and slow the disease, but my mind does the opposite. Thank you sheila ❤️

[Superzob]

There are two issues here. Firstly, how did you feel before the diagnosis? The diagnosis doesn't actually make any difference to your health, and is simply a way of determining the most appropriate treatment.

Secondly, if you stop smoking, then your lungs are likely to deteriorate at the same rate as someone who has never smoked. Having mild emphysema puts you slightly below 80% lung function, when the normal range is 80-120% anyway. So you could actually be only slightly worse off than someone at the bottom of the normal range - they would probably never know as their lung function would never have been tested, and they would just carry on enjoying a normal life.

Hopefully, that's a couple of more positive things to think about.

[Joujou9 in reply to Superzob]

Thank you very much for this support. I know I'm still at the beginning of the disease. At first I felt a mild shortness of breath and cough and after diagnosis. I still have some symptoms but better than before and I also know that not everyone is the same. But my mind still did not accept this, especially since I am basically afraid of narrow places and I feel in suffocation know that I have no solution but to accept, but I could not. I hope to accept and think positively

[Hidden in reply to Superzob]

Normal.range is 80 100% I thought that was mild and I love what you have said

[Maverick2]

Depression is part of the COPD as it is not recognized as a debilitating illness. being engaged in some activity takes the mind away from the symptom. you yourself have to understand that you are not your old self. you are in a special situation that few people can understand. so dont put pressure on yourself or pressurized by others.

some times antidepressant my help. however, some people reported increased SOB on antidepressant sertraline. most of the antidepressant interfere with nerve receptor thus may have an effect on breathing also.

[Joujou9 in reply to Maverick2]

Thank you for your reply. You are right i wish that i can live like i used to. I dont want to forget about my illness i just want accept it and live normally. And hope the medicine help me