Feel so depressed at the moment. How can I get out of this rut I'm in.

[sjdard]

[Alired]

Try thinking of moments in your life when you were happy and recreate the scenarios around you then which made you happy. You are not alone, we all have these bouts of depression sometimes.

[Florence1961]

Hi there, sorry to hear you are feeling depressed. It's a strange condition as we often look fine but feel rubbish. I would recommend trying to speak to someone who has been ahead of you - maybe a buddy or someone via this forum. The worst thing is to bottle it up so well done for asking others for advice and maybe try asking your GP for counselling. Depending on where you are you may also get access to an MPD support team - at the patient day in London last November there was a great session by a psychologist and an MPD patient she had seen. Hope you get the support you need. Take care

[StreetPastor]

I was really low & part of that was being in pain all the time, which is no fun! The pain has now gone (mostly). I had become totally focused on my condition and thats all I would think about. I now have a buzzer that I wear on my belt and it goes off every ten minutes. I stop and focus on things to be thankful for and after only three days am feeling a difference.

I have also made sure I make myself do loads of nice things. Rather than thinking of bad stuff that will probably never happen to me, I think I'm alive & breathing what can I do to treat myself today!

Different things work for different people, but talking out your fears, and putting stuff to bed so to speak is always good, then retrain your mind to focus on good stuff...............

[tombs]

Hi, it is so easy to feel down with these conditions. As has been said, we look OK to others....

Try and be positive. I always tell myself that there are others in a worse place than I am. Truth is - there are many! Don't bottle it up. Good luck and take care of yourself.

[BlessedWithSix]

I take welbutrin.

[Mwalimu]

I had a 'sad' feeling which I felt was related to my medication ( Hydroxycarbamide). I found that exercise - a recommendation at the London forum, Nov 2011 - really helped to lift my mood. I try to walk as much as poss, especially when 'down'. Good luck!

[westlieght]

Am pleased you have talked about being low i feel it part of dealing with MDP,when my blood count is low then i,m low mently its understandable if you think about it ,body mind can,t funshion on low bloods,life get hard going tierd warn out,need rest stress free look after yourself before anythink else, takecare .

[sjdard in reply to westlieght]

Thanks you, it nice to no other feel the same, and any advise is welcome, must look after oneself and you take care to

[sjdard]

Well just a little update, not been to bad today, still exhausted and a bit teariy, going to GP 2morrow, let see if he is understanding, also got Haematology appointment next week to see how my counts are doing. Also made an appointment to speak to my speciality nurse on that day to, maybe she will make me feel better about myself.

[tombs]

sjdard Trust me, we've all been there and it's not at all nice! It's harder to get out of a rut than fall in one. You have to have someone close to explain how you are feeling each day.

There is a way out and I'm sure you will get there. Take care.

[sjdard]

Been to See GP. listen to me and said I was stressed out. I wonder why......, gave me a prescription for Citalopram, but I not to take until I seen my Haematologist and they say it ok to take. I go on Wednesday to see them. Not sure if I want to take it but at least he listened to me.

[KevinJH]

There's a surprise - another tablet to take. I know we're all different and react to things in different ways but before I'd take another darned pill I'd be inclined to go for a good long walk or get my head into a really good book or listen to some relaxing music. Why do some GP's think prescribing another pill is the answer ? Sorry if I'm sounding cynical but do try all avenues before popping another tablet Above all, take care, keep positive, chin up and pop back into these forums often to chat with others...... God bless.

[Marie95]

Hiya Sjdard - I can really relate to how you are feeling even 3 years into ET, my moods swings from. happy to sad would change thoughout the day, I want to share with you the things I've found that work for me in case it my benefit someone else. Firstly, I stopped checking up constantly on any sites/forums for MPNs, this just fed my anxiety I would have 2 sets days the rest my laptop was just for fun, music etc, I stopped all caffine in evening, found some free sleep/mediation apps on my phone would put these on just to relax, checked with the Doc re; vitamins/minerals I could take, and got my hormone levels checked, saw an MPN speclialist to go though the main health problems (which has really helped) took up exercise ) I now watch a comedy, buy a book, play, with the pets, see friends anything to make sure I don't dwell on this illness when I'm down, someone else mentioned treats - great idea always treat yourself, no matter how small, and I totally agree with Kevin re; tablets, if you manage to get by without them great - but if you think your really depressed speak to your GP re CBT, a long waiting list but well with a shot and totally drug free, we are all different in our approaches but find something that just lifts you and remember you are not alone in this, good luck

[Mazcd Partner MPNVoice]

Hi Sjdard - it's good that your GP listened to you about how you are feeling, just remember that you can ask to be referred to a counsellor if you feel that would help, or I could put you in touch with a buddy for some help and support from someone who really understands how it feels to live with a MPD. We are all different and cope with our thoughts and feelings in different ways, being involved with MPD Voice has helped me enormously to come to terms with my ET, speaking to people at forums, via email and on this site makes me realize that I am not alone and people do understand and are happy to listen and help. It really does help to share fears etc with others who understand, everyone who writes on this site are being so supportive of this community, you are all very nice people. I do hope you start feeling better soon Sjdard, remember, we are all here for you. If you want the information about having a buddy please email me at [e-mail]. Maz.

[Millions]

Hi could anyone that has ET tell me if they get what I have been experiencing lately I have been on hydrea for almost 2years but was fine only for the tiredness but this last couple of months I've had a painin the neck of my tummy and feeling nausea this would last a couple of days and its fine again then in 2 or 3weeks I feel it again for a while just thought it might be my hydrea millions xx

[ourlife]

Hi Sjdard,I hope you are feeling better in the knowledge that you are not alone,My GP thought I was depressed and prescribed anti depressants but I did not want to take them so he referred me to the mental health team where I underwent a short course of CBT ( cognitive behavioral therapy ) it soon became clear that I was not depressed but angry with my condition (ET) and angry at the effect it was having on my life. I was also feeling guilty if I took time out or failed to complete the tasks I thought I should have completed in a day.Those sessions helped me come to terms with my ET and except my limitations.I have moved on and am now very happy. At that time I could not run more than 10 strides but now that I have a more positive mindset I have worked hard to become a level 7 football referee, and the exercise helps me mentally (although physically takes its toll).

[sjdard]

Thanks for you answer. I just feel so exhausted all the time, its all the small things, like cleaning chores and going food shopping just whacks me out. It is impacting on my day to day live. Just can't get out of this rut I'm in. I have tried to do a little more each day but by lunch time I need a nap. I just feel so drained all the time that emotionally as well. I know I will get there but its going to me some time. I have had CBT before and I have tried to put into action some of the tips they gave me, just got to keep on and I will succeed.

[tarifa]

It might sound crazy, but I would suggest you explore the works of people like Jon Kabat Zinn, who is Professor of Medicine Emeritus and founding director of the Stress Reduction Clinic and the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care. He's written several books etc. He's one of the founders esponsible for meditation being brought into main stream healthcare. Certainly I would explore his work via the internet, youtube etc, you might find it helpful and its med free.