Antidepressants!!!! Anyone found these to be useful?

[Lisalou19]

So here I am 13.5 years of suffering. The past 4 have been hell.

I’m slowly becoming a shadow of my former self, but try to remain as positive as possible. I went doctors today because my sleep is becoming non existent. I’m very grateful the doctor remembers who I am and my problems. She has placed me on calcium and vitamin D3 supplements to help support me whilst taking steroids.

Also she has put me on antidepressants. Her theory is these tablets will aid my depression, sleep and any pain that maybe affecting my sleep. I half feel defeated by this illness but at the same time I need respite.

Has anyone noticed any improvement in dealing with their illness whilst taking antidepressants. I appreciate everyone is different and we respond differently to medication. I would be most grateful for your feed back xx

[whisperit]

Hello LisaLou19,

This whole thing is [censored], and I think there are times when it could well be worth trying antidepressants. I have had them a long time ago (before I had auto-immune disease), and found that hey did help, but not in the way they were supposed to! I noticed a change in the way I perceived/experienced the world. It wasn't "better", or "happier", just different. But that was a good thing, and helped me get out of the rut I was in. I didn't take them for very long at all.

More recently, my GP has offered me ADs a few times, but the reality is that I do not have clinical depression, and I do not want to take them simply in the hope that it will help me sleep.

Have you tried/ been offered any other psychological therapies, like CBT or mindfulness? Actually, I have been thinking of asking my GP for a counselling referral, not to do a therapy as such, but simply to give me someone to spend an hour moaning to! Just venting all this anxiety and sharing it with someone else would be a relief....

"Whatever gets you through" is my motto.

x

[Lisalou19 in reply to whisperit]

I believe I am not depressed, just bad days. I’ve tried sleeping tablets and I’m still not getting sleep.

I looked into cbt for sleep but they wanted £95 per session!!!!

Have been through counselling, which was very rewarding, but these rottenness inside just doesn’t go away.

I think I would manage better if I could sleep. Xx

[whisperit in reply to Lisalou19]

Yes, it's the pits, isn't it? If you are constantly feeling exceptionally tired and unwell, it's no wonder that low mood won't go away, even if it doesn't quite meet "depression" criteria. I have also recently been prescribed duloxitine (an antidepressant) for sleep by my GP, but before I took any, I saw a sleep consultant (Dr) who said he wouldn't use antidepressants for sleep unless the person was actually depressed too. Ho hum.

Do post to tell us how you get on. If they don't help, if your GP is willing to consider antidepressants, s/he ought to be willing to refer you for CBT. x

[Lisalou19 in reply to whisperit]

The doctor I have is really good and has asked me to go back in a couple of weeks if no change.

I wonder what the connection is between these diseases and sleep.

I also think my family see me as depressed as they don’t see my pain so kind of wonder if in some way I’m ticking something off my TRIED box

X

[Kevin53]

This is where others cannot see the fatigue. The fatigue makes folk tired, not that they will necessarily sleep. As whisperit mentions, mindfulness, meditation, Pilates etc can all assist with the battle against fatigue. Personally I listen quietly to the poetry of Dylan Thomas and Leonard Cohen at bed time, that’s not a recommendation!! Best wishes Kevin

[Lisalou19 in reply to Kevin53]

I do walk a lot but do not fancy going out in the dark. Walking helps me to clear my negative thoughts and kind of enpowers me against this illness

I’m glad you have found a solution to your sleep problem, that is fantastic for you

X

[Cas70]

I never thought I would need or take anti depressants BUT I was going rapidly down hill due to Sjogrens and Lupus and caring for my husband with COPD. Thank goodness for Sertraline. I slept ! I became my old self and able to cope. Auto immune feeds on stress and anxiety. Worth a try for 6 months. You would use a crutch if you broke your leg wouldn’t you? X

[Lisalou19 in reply to Cas70]

I’m a very strong person but I do feel like I’m having more bad days then good.

These tablets are meant to send you to sleep, I had an awful night last night. I’m very open to anything that might give me the strength to keep on fighting. It is worth a try hey

X

[Cas70]

My 92 year old friend introduced me to Cannabis oil from Holland and Barrett - Jacob Hooey brand - she has Fybromialgia - it eases her pain and she sleeps well after putting two drops under her tongue at night. When my body is at its worse it works for me too. Good luck x

[Lisalou19 in reply to Cas70]

Could you give me abit more info. Just had a look. I thought them oils were illegal. X

[Mean-time in reply to Lisalou19]

Check with your doctor before using essential oils. They can be toxic...read about them on the web as regards to ‘toxicity in use of essential oils’. There are many sites, some doctors are not familiar with them. 👍

[Cas70 in reply to Mean-time]

It’s not an essential oil - it is the flower head of the Cannabis plant. It is legal now or would not be in Holland and Barrett - it is what people are trying to get into the NHS system for sufferers of MS and other disabling illnesses. It has been known for its usefulness in some illness for decades - just like Turmeric. All our modern medicines originated from flora and fauna i.e. Valium came from the plant Valerium now sold in health shops for its calming qualities.

[Mean-time in reply to Cas70]

BTW: I do take turmeric capsules 👍

[Cas70 in reply to Lisalou19]

The sale of the flower head of cannabis made into oil was legalised in Oct/Nov 2016. It is sold in most health shops now for its medicinal qualities. It is also known as Hemp and is now also found in shampoo and face oils etc. There are no side effects, it is not known to clash with conventional medicine, but can be checked against meds on line. I read an article in the Telegraph about an athlete who sustained a dreadful injury and had chronic pain. He was told about cannabis oil and bought the True brand. It enabled him to exercise and over time get back to Sport. You can check all this on line. I tried more expensive brands as they tend to be higher in strength, but mostly now I use Jacob Hooey. You can talk to any of the staff in Health Shoos they are very good especially Holland& Barrett - good luck.

[Mean-time in reply to Cas70]

Oh my! My 80 year old ignorance, lol. I stand corrected and educated! Now to see if my doctors will let me give it a try...will keep u informed 🤗👍👌

[Cas70 in reply to Mean-time]

Very best of luck with Doc 😊

[Cas70]

I should point out that since the oil is made solely from the flower head of the cannabis plant it is not addictive and will not react with other meds. My doctor is delighted I have found something to help as he said “otherwise it is pills and pills and more pills” I have also cut down on sugar. The banning of bread, biscuits and cake and sweets has improved my health and energy levels greatly.

[Lisalou19 in reply to Cas70]

I’ve noticed that consuming sugar makes me so much worse. I have a day or 2 where my fatigue is so extreme and my body is yelling to eat sugar. I reckon the sugar feeds the disease in some way.

[bigh61]

I have been on them for 20 years now there was a time I came of them but I just went back down again so for me they help but for others it depends on the person I think it's not a case that you are weaker than them it's a chemical imbalance in the brain hope this helps