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
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Lisalou19
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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....
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
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
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
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
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
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. 👍
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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