Mental health and Endo? : How does anyone... - Endometriosis UK

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Mental health and Endo?

Dancer1992 profile image
16 Replies

How does anyone actually stay sane with this disease? I have tried fighting it off for so many years - the depression seriously how?

Has anyone got any tips?

I Eat well , exercise well. Try to speak up.

Still.....need help.

What’s the key to your depression? Endometriosis. It can’t be fixed...... what do we do?

Xxx

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Dancer1992 profile image
Dancer1992
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16 Replies

I’m still looking for the answer too :( I talk to everyone about endo as I’m not bothered by people knowing, at first it helped but now people are checking I’m ok constantly rather than just talking to me normally.

Meditation helps me, hypnotherapy I also found useful! X

Dancer1992 profile image
Dancer1992 in reply to Littlenestofvipers

Thanks babe,

People try to understand. They struggle with the concept of you saying I’m fine or I’m okay. Because you are for the day. If you said no everyday I’m horrendous, it would not help anyone.

My parents have just clicked on that I’m not okay. Now they bug me all the time. I’ve not been okay for the past 5 years but you’ve only just started realising, this is okay for me.

I’ve tried practicing mindfulness. Keep attempting this to try and help.

Here for you xxxx

Littlenestofvipers profile image
Littlenestofvipers in reply to Dancer1992

I do sympathise for people around us endo babes because it’s so hard to understand. Like I went into work Monday and I was absolutely fine and by lunch time I was in agony, went home and haven’t been back since!

Bless your parents, it’s so hard for an outsider looking in. I don’t think I could support people the way they’ve supported me.

It’s hard to stay on top of mindfulness sometimes, when you’re in so much pain I completely understand how you couldn’t even consider doing it. Sleep meditation is a real life saver too, lots of videos on YouTube and it means you can drift off and hopefully some of it will go on subconsciously!

Here for you too lovely! If you find the secret to ease the depression then let me know ;) we could bottle it up and sell it! X

Dancer1992 profile image
Dancer1992 in reply to Littlenestofvipers

You are so sweet and everything I need to hear right now.

We are stronger than this xxx

thughesx profile image
thughesx

Hey, sorry to hear you are struggling with your mental health :( I take anti-depressants which has kinda helped me both mentally and physically, I also recommend acupuncture, not just for help with the pain but for help with feeling low and anxious, I have found it super helpful.

Hope you feel a bit better soon, sending love xxx

Dancer1992 profile image
Dancer1992 in reply to thughesx

I have tried accupuncture for the pain, and it helps for like a day. It’s just so expensive so I just try and get it on my worst pain days.

Dorygirl profile image
Dorygirl

So sorry I meant to reply to you, but wrote a new post. It's Dory girl and my post was under Totally Understand.

ccsmith profile image
ccsmith

I have had endo for so long and didn’t feel the low moods and depression coming on until I was at breaking point! I ended up at my gp’s when my little girl made me snap and I ended up slapping her a few times in a row. Scared me so much as I had lost control. He was lovely and put me on antidepressants and also encouraged me to do the free online counselling the NHS does. Best thing for me as I now have more understanding of why I was low and also my disease. My husband however did not cope and still to this day (2 years later) says he’s a failure for me needing drugs! My mum also didn’t understand and recently said I’m allowed to be depressed as she’d watched something on the news about endo and it said depression is a big part of it. I must admit I found all that difficult as I feel guilty about my husbands feelings and cross at my mums as this is about me and not them! I do still get days where I can’t get off the sofa and shut the curtains and hide under a blanket. I also struggle going out socially. I haven’t told many people about the depression but they know about my endo. I must admit the days when things are tough I usually say it’s pain and they accept it.

I’m afraid I have no real answers - find someone who you can share with. My sister in law has depression due to other reasons and We text each other regularly just to say “I’m thinking of you” obviously your exercising which does help. I wouldn’t be without the meds as I’ve tried 😟

Best Wishes and happy to be your buddy for you

Dancer1992 profile image
Dancer1992

Thank-you for being so honest and open. I think I need to try and change my lifestyle again. I’m already gluten free and vegetarian but think I need to do some vegan weeks again which I tried before and I’m drinking way more alcohol than I should be doing......coping mechanism. I think I’m wallowing too much and just need to try and fix things as much as I can.

I just like cheese and Prosecco too much! To give them up for endometriosis, that’s not fun!

I’m going on holiday next week so hoping things look up from there!

ccsmith profile image
ccsmith in reply to Dancer1992

Wow that’s hard core giving up so much. Not sure that will do much for the low mood but lots of people find it helps with endo pain. I think you need some treats but don’t make it the only thing to keep you going!

Enjoy your holiday and also don’t be too hard on yourself!

Best wishes

Anastasia17 profile image
Anastasia17

Hi. Yes depression and anxiety are a big problem. The GPs are fundamentally incompetent, the main medical support I have received from them was: for endometriosis, there is nothing to be done, for interstitial cystitis, nothing can be done and for the perimenopause, very little can be done as you have a history of breast cancer in the family. These were the exact words of the highly qualified and very experienced GP and also middle aged very experienced nurse practitioner in February and March this year. So, no treatment whatsoever for me. I have found that CBT tablets (taken in the evening) and Rhodiola (herbal supplement) really help me with negative thoughts . I am now looking at Dr internet for my own hormonal treatment and may order online to help with some of the symptoms as, since lap in September 2018, apart from Pregabalin to which I reacted and Pregabalin that had no effect on the pain, i haven't received any treatment. My main help comes from this site from which I have learnt and applied my new diet/selection of food that has really worked for me in terms of inflammatory pain, physio lady also helps and watching films when I am tired/low at the weekend (as I also work) takes my mind off when in pain or too tired/low. Having a family that gives me the space and support that I need is also invaluable. Attending endometriosis support groups also helps, the one at the Royal Free Hospital in September was particularly informative and well organised. I really hope that you find the key/tool that will support you through the difficult times, but always keep in mind that this group is always here for you. Take good care of yourself. Lots of hugs.:)

Karaj95 profile image
Karaj95

I know exactly how you’re feeling it’s affected my social life, my work, sometimes I’m in work cramped and feel like exploding, it’s so hard to explain the unexplainable, you’re not alone, we are all warriors together, I’ve felt at my lowest and sometimes I feel like I’m in a dark hole, we are here❤️

Christin_a profile image
Christin_a

I try to let myself have the bad days. And not feel bad about it. I try to remind myself that the bad days will pass, but I try to not feel guilty of I have to change plans or call in sick or spend the entire day in bed. I kind of let myself have that.

Then I really appreciate the days that are good and that I can do what I want to. And get out and do things. I know this isn't for everyone but its working for me.

You can also get nhs counselling if you think you need some ideas on how to cope. It is very common to have mental health issues when you have a chronic condition of any kind. So it's not a failure of you or anyone around you, it's more of a biproduct of your condition, the same way pain is. It can't be stopped but we learn what works for us to get us through those worse days.

Alita88 profile image
Alita88

I'm sorry u feel this way. we are here to vent and support each other. I was going crazy, my neurological system was about to break down and I felt like a crazy woman. 20 days out of 31 I was in horrible pain. the only thing that helped was the excision surgery, I still struggle emotionally but I can live my life now and have hope for the future and function normally with love ones and friends. how can people expect us to be "normal" or stable when you are in constant pain?were it a men's problem I assure you there would be a freaking European Endometriosis Research Institute funded by all governments. keep strong you're not the only one

💛👍

EndoEffect profile image
EndoEffect

Hi Dancer. I have struggled with depression and anxiety since I was around 20 years old. I’m now 29 and was diagnosed with endometriosis a few weeks ago after a laparoscopy. Here are a few things I have tried that have helped over the years: Counselling, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Exercise, Yoga, Mindfulness, Self-Help Books, Meditation, Antidepressants. I am now in my third year of training to be a counsellor and will be qualified next summer. I love it. I still have ups and downs but I can manage the downs much better nowadays. It has taken years of practise and I still don’t always get it right. I hope you find something that works for you. Seeing a counsellor can really help but there’s either a huge waiting list if you try and access it for free or you have to pay a lot of money. But it really does help to talk to someone unbiased and let everything out once a week and figure out coping mechanisms and strategies. X

lizh87 profile image
lizh87

Hello, I’m sorry to read you are suffering. I have severe endo and suffer with anxiety. My GP recommend anti-depressants but I didn’t think that I wanted to go on them. I decided to change my lifestyle and started swimming 3x a week. This is known to reduce anxiety and depression. I feel physically and mentally better. I also take magnesium supplements which again have been proven to reduce period pains and give you energy. I also take Omega 3 supplements and eat a lot of salmon, again proven to help with the brain. I’ve noticed such a difference. I would recommend this to anyone. I also no longer eat red meat which effects the hormones. I’m not saying these changes work for everyone but I’ve noticed a difference. I’ve struggled with my periods since I was at school I’m now 35. I wish I knew about endo all those years ago but we are where we are. I just hope young girls get better help and treatment that I have. Please also speak to @endometrosisuk who may be able to advise.

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