Gloomy spells

[DamnYouEt]

Is it normal to get gloomy spells and depression? How to cope up with this helplessness.

[Swede]

Hi,yes,it is for me. It comes when it wants and goes when it wants.

[Sheryljean in reply to Swede]

I agree and with those times, I get very tired.. does this happen to others?

[clubdino]

Yeah, I think it's normal. Especially when I get to thinking about things too much. One of the few things that helps me is mindfulness. I know that may sound cliche but after fighting depression for decades it is the only thing that seems to help me. I have to look at things around me with a fresh eye...like I am seeing them for the first time so I can appreciate the beauty.

[DamnYouEt in reply to clubdino]

Nice idea.

[Scottishterrier]

Hi

The reason you could be feeling the way you are is it could be the crippling fatigue that you get with ET is making you feel frustrated because you do not have the energy todo things you want to do

best wishes Scottish Terrier

[DamnYouEt in reply to Scottishterrier]

ET is surely crippling!

[Scottishterrier in reply to DamnYouEt]

yes Crippling Fatigue is caused by ET and medication that you may be taking for it

best wishes Scottish Terrier

[DamnYouEt in reply to Scottishterrier]

Hope we overcome this.

[Wyebird in reply to DamnYouEt]

I went to fatigue clinic. The OT helped enormously. I repeatedly turned down the offer of help for 3 years. She made me realise I didn’t need to fill my day so tightly and it was ok to prioritise.

I’m so much better now.

[Aime]

Hi, yes definitely. I’m on sertraline, two x 50 mg a day which has helped a lot. The more rubbish I feel and the more pain I’m in, the more likely I am to feel down.

Google moodgym, my gp suggested it and it has helped me. One of the simple hints was that because your emotions are affected by your thoughts, try and have something really happy to think about. I thought yes that will be right but it does work! I use videos/pictures of my grandkids or look at my holiday booking. If that doesn’t work, I force myself to watch a children’s hospital programme and that finds its way through the gloom and I then realise how lucky I am but normal too.

Thinking of you and to let you know you’re not alone. Definitely worth a chat with your gp too. Kindest regards Aime xx😺😺

PS sending you a huge bunch of E hugs.

[ccsial]

I've had ET for 15 years and it has progressed to MF now. My faith in Christ and the joy of knowing where I'm going keeps me positive. Keeping busy is also important. Find a hobby or something you like to do. I get tired but still work as hard as I can.

[wotan10]

Good morning from Fleetwood England.

Remember you ate not alone in your journey to fond your peace of mind.

This site prepares you for a pathway towards acceptance of a well managed condition.

Trust your team, wellness works, it's how you respond to this condition.

Gradually you will start to feel in more control.

[UKZA]

Hi there, yes totally normal for me and usually based on aces and pains and exhaustion. I am trying to listen to my body and let myself rest. Interestingly though, I have a blood test done and I am vitamin D deficient, so this is probably a cause. I am now on a high dose of vitamin d for the next 6 weeks. Good luck. Penny

[Chaz1]

Hi yes it is normal. Talk to people about how you are feeling, even if it's picking up the phone to a confidential helpline, remember you can self refer in UK for counselling if helps, there are groups for people to talk as well, try & get out for a walk or a different set of walls at least. Walking will help the endorphins kick in. Everyone has bad days (sometimes bad months even years) but don't feel gloomy alone. This forum is always here for a chat too. Hugs x

[gbeam]

Hi, I am doing a course at the moment, run by the mental health team. It is a even8ng course and a drop in. So no federal. It is called ACT, Activate Life. Acceptance commitment therapy, it has helped. It focus's on our mind, thoughts and mindfulness and shows lots of different ways on accepting our thoughts, but not engaging. Be kind to yourself

[katiewalsh]

Hi. Sry you’re feeling this way; it’s very understandable. I’m on antidepressants which help. But when I get to feeling too sad I try to remember to do a daily gratitude practice. And it really does make things better. As does meditation. Do you have a pet? They’re really helpful. Remember we’re all here for you. Katie

[Anag]

Hi, I’d suffered from depression on and off for 35 years. As I got my ET diagnosis, emotions went wild. meds caused further exhaustion. I went to my functional doctor and she put me on the AutoImmune Paleo diet, adjusted to my personal needs. I started studying about my illness and how foods affect it. I found hope and was in charge of my illness. Within 2 months, I felt much better, had more energy. I still had some low days. 5 mos. later, depression, incontinence, fatty liver, big spleen, eczema, numbness, heavy feeling, brain fog, etc were all gone and I started exercising (aerobics). I stood in the back and walked to the beat most of the time, being completely out of shape. Within a month I was able to keep up. my husband started on the diet and then my suicidal teenage daughter. After 9 months, half of his psoriasis is gone. Within a few months, her symptoms (dermatitis, fibromyalgia, sleeplessness, depression, anxiety and terrible school situation) started to change for the better. She is now free of all that. We fought for years with medications and psychologists, having payed tens of thousands out of our own pockets for “medical” help that only covered symptoms. She takes nothing now. I’ve been free of depression (even when loved ones died in the meantime) since 19 months. There was sadness, but no crippling helplessness. No depression. I’m also a believer. Praying is so important. If your not a believer, meditate, do mindfulness, like someone said here, enjoy and be thankful for every little thing in your life. Look at everything with a fresh eye (change you glasses). 🙂

I must add that all chemical substances were banned from my home and body. Synthetic/chemical cleaning agents, creams, perfumes, makeup, fresheners, detergents. I either make them myself or buy organic. Also, our food is now almost completely organic. To save money we hardly eat out any more. Then it all fits, financially. The change took over a year step by step. My laundry detergent is dried fallen chestnuts that I gathered last fall and baking Soda. Cost for detergents: €3 a year, including a few essential oil drops for a summer smell. Fabulous. We also feel good about getting off the industrial train and no longer burdening the earth with our lifestyle. My body and mind are working well despite the meds.which are not easy on the body and mind.

It’s a challenge to swim upstream from the rest of the western world, but it is doable. Step by step and support from at least 1 friend. 🙂

[Jeftheref]

Have you tried “Tapping”. Have a look on you tube.

[Cja1956]

Yes, to add one more voice. When my doctor told me a year ago that my ET had progressed to PV, I also became very depressed. I was crying at the littlest thing. So I started seeing a psychologist and yoga for the first time. I only went for a few months but both were very helpful. Please do not ignore your symptoms. As you can see, from this site, there are many helpful suggestions. Good luck.

[meaboutthis]

Hi,

I also had a struggle with feeling down and somewhat depressed for a time - my doctor suggested Xanax for me, at first once nightly for a full month, and now only when I feel my mood heading downward. I was very resistant at first because I was afraid of becoming addicted and just balked at the idea of taking a medicine to help with my mood. However, it has helped tremendously. I feel especially glad to now be able to take it "as needed," this makes me feel more in control of things for some reason. The medicine itself allows me to stop focusing on the negative truths of my life and, instead, deal with those things properly while focusing on the truths in my life that are meaningful and close to my heart.

I wish you the best.

Jo

[Ann16]

Yes it can be miserable, I’m still trying to work it out. Fatigue and depression seem to go together, get tired of not being able to do all I want to do. Hope you overcome it! Ann