Help me get me back!

[Runobear1983]

Hi everyone, im new to this i just wanted to ask a quick question an see if anyone can help, im finding it hard to get out of my depressed feeling i use to be a really happy person an ive changed so much an it is takin a massive toll on me an my partner. I dont know if any of this makes sense!! I hope someone can help in anyway, thankyou for taking the time to read this. Thankyou.x

[Royjr]

Hello, I can only tell you is to open up and talk especially to your fellow peers on this site that's dealing with the same things you are. Communication will help your depression along with other things. I'm not a healthcare professional but I'm just talking from my own experience. That happy person is still there you just got to let it out. Good luck.

[Royjr]

What Meds are you on? You should tell your doctor about your depression. Some Meds aid to being depressed

[Runobear1983 in reply to Royjr]

Thanks for replying, I'm taking tecfidera I've been taking them for about 2 years now, I spoke to my ms nurse an she but me through to see a counsellor,that really didn't work for me so an went to see my doc an now he has but me on antidepressants but they don't seem to be helping me either, I don'tknow what to do next.

[ynggal in reply to Runobear1983]

You may need an increase in your dosage. It can take a while to hit the right balance.

[Sukie427 in reply to Runobear1983]

Don't lose hope, Runobear1983. I, too, suffer from depression, and have for many years, way before I was dx'ed with MS. MS has stolen my career, changed my relationship with the significant people in my life; and basically created a "new normal" in which I have been forced to live. Of course, that worsened the depression considerably. I am certainly not a doctor, but I have experience enough to know that anti-depressants are all different, and work basically according to which brain chemical is out of sync, such as serotonin, norepinephrine, nortryptaline, etc. In other words, one size does not fit all! You need to see a health care practitioner who specializes in mental health; i.e., a psychiatrist, psychologist, ARNP, etc., so that you can get on the right anti-depressant for you as well as talk therapy. One doesn't work without the other. I know that it is a deep hole out of which to crawl, but you can do it! Good luck!

[jbix]

Yes, definitely ask your doctor. If you didn't connect with the first counselor, find another one. We have all been there. Ask your partner to read some of the literature on the national MS website regarding caretakers....possibly find a support group that could help take some of the burden out of the relationship.

I just got hooked up with a new counselor. Being able to complain for an hour to someone other than friends and family is quite helpful to me. And if you are able, try to add exercise to your life. Even when I feel physically and emotionally awful, even 20 minutes of exercise will make me feel better.

[Sukie427 in reply to jbix]

Couldn't agree more, jbix!

[Royjr]

Outstanding reply jbix.

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador]

Hi Runobear1983 lm in the same boat, trying to find my happy again. This thing they call MS is something invisible and changes all the time. And worst off is you have no one to blame. That being said, lm finding that chatting here and with my support group and my family helps alot. Also l take alot of anti depressants along with anxiety meds. But lm still angry about all. Just remember, your not alone in this. You have friends here and we know what you're going through.

[cloudbear in reply to Jesmcd2]

CBD

LOOK IT UP IT HELPS

[Miriade]

Hi Reenobear1983. I also was on Tecfidera for over 2years. But for other side effects related to low white cells I had to stop. Then after all my heavy depress feeling I started getting better of the heavy depressive mood, which is not mine either. I use to be a happy positive person. Taking antidepressant helps, you need to give time for work in your body. I said to my doctor that the amtidepressant lower my energy, than he said I could take at sleep time. Works perfect, better for sleep and dreams and not blocking the necessary energy we need for daily activity. There are much more options to help you with your depress. Its a chemical reaction which is umbalance now. Getting physical helps with fresh air

[Shelly36]

Hello, I take Zoloft 75mg a night for my depression. I alway take them at night along with Melatonin to help me sleep. I'm finding that depression goes hand and hand with MS. I used to be a spunky, happy person but now I am angry and sad all the time. I know you stress a lot and so do we, but remember that we are all here to talk with. I have gotten some great advice from everone here and venting, bitching and whining helps so much because it can be harder to do it with family or friends. Take a deep breath and laugh and smile! Prove to everyone, you are still here, good days and bad days.

[ynggal in reply to Shelly36]

Great advice, Shelly36!

[HSCT2016]

Get HSCT- it's the only cure which nobody can call a cure yet but it really is. I declined so fast was walking with a walker and incontinent and now I'm walking fine and bladder is normal and other symptoms like nausea is gone and vertigo improving.....it's not scary or as risky as people try to tell you. It's the same thing as a bone marrow transplant which has been saving lives from cancer for decades. check out clinical trials clinicaltrials.gov like the one in Chicago that I went to and feel free to look at my blog elliehsct.com. There is not enough education about this for MS patients so please tell others. Throwing more drugs and their side effects and risks at us is not the answer.

[cloudbear]

check into some medical cannabis remedies also cbd seems to help as well if you want to check into the studies safeaccessnow.org/multiple_...

[cloudbear]

i have lived with rrms for over 10yrs it took till this year to discover the cannabis and hemp remedies for ms all the info is online if you need help write me here [e-mail]

[CherieMSCN]

Runobear1983 Depression was one of my worst and earliest MS symptoms. In fact, I was treated unsuccessfully for depression for years before being diagnosed with MS. Once I got on an MS drug that was right for me, the MS symptoms, including depression calmed down. If you have been on your antidepressant longer than a month and it has not helped, you need to let your Dr know so another therapy can be substituted. You might also want to ask your Neurologist what other MS therapies might be available in the event the one you are on is not managing your disease process well.

We can too easily end up on a cocktail of medications if we look at treating individual symptoms such as depression, pain, spasticity, insomnia, fatigue....to name a few. The side effects of the drugs when combined often create worse symptoms of depression, fatigue, insomnia and more.

I also would ask if you are doing anything for exercise or entertainment? Both are vital to a healthy, happy mindset. Many studies have looked at the benefit/impact of physical activity and exercise on mood and all show that it does improve mood significantly.

[Hidden]

I don't know if you've heard of low dose naltrexone (LDN). Naltrexone in bigger doses is used to block the effect of opiates and it helps people with addiction issues. However, people are using it in a very low dose to help with different diseases including MS. I won't go into the theory of chemically how it helps MS. You can look that up. The hope is that it stops the progression, prevents relapses, etc. I've been on it since 2012 and I can say that in my case, I haven't had any big full blown relapses since I've been on it, but I have had a slow decline so it hasn't worked for me in that respect. You start at 1.5mg daily, then after a month go up to 3mg daily for a month or so, then to 4.5mg daily which is the dose I am on now.

The reason I still take it is that since I've been on it, I've not had the problem with horrible lingering depression that I was having before LDN. Also I don't have as much pain. I used to spend most days feeling like I'd pulled every muscle in my body after just a little activity. Since I've been on the LDN the depression has been gone and my pain has been reduced 90%.

It doesn't work the same for everyone but it might be worth a try just to see if it helps your depression. When I first when on it I had more energy in the beginning too. But over the years, as I said, I've still had a slow progression of my symptoms. Except the depression didn't return

There's more than one way to skin a cat and you've got options in your battle. Good luck and keep us posted on how you're doing!

[Sukie427 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, KerryOkie. I am going to ask my neurologist about that.

Sukie

[Hidden in reply to Sukie427]

Just be aware that some doctors won't prescribe it because it is considered experimental. I actually changed my MS specialist because the one I had been seeing wouldn't prescribe it, so I found one who would. I've now moved across the country and my primary care doctor prescribes it for me.

Also be aware, it has to be compounded a certain way. There are several compounding pharmacists around the country that are familiar with Dr. Bihari, the physician who came up with the theory of the different uses for this drug, and his instructions for how to compound the low dose. You can google that too.

[Sukie427 in reply to Hidden]

Sometimes I am forced to resort to an opioid to control a migraine, although I try to use them as little as possible in favor of medical cannabis or a less strong alternative drug therapy. Given the main use of this medication, will it block the effects of either the opioid or the cannabis, do you know?

[Hidden in reply to Sukie427]

It won't block effects of cannabis. I, too, have had to take an opioid on a couple of occasions - I fell once and busted my knee, and another time pulled my back, and the opioid worked. I think because the LDN is at such a low dose it doesn't block the effect of an opioid. Last February I hurt my back and I couldn't stand, sit, move, without the pain shooting through me so intense I felt faint. The doctor gave me 5mg percocet and it did work.

[shortyPPMS]

G'day Runobear, I've been on treatment for depression for over 20 years. Medication can help but ONLY help. You will have to try different ones to find the best for you. A medico who understands depression is a big help and as, unfortunately, most don't you may have to shop around. A counsellor who you click with is a huge help. This will, hopefully, get you to a state of mind where you can start to learn to analyse your thinking. This is the first step in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or CBT. When I first heard of this I thought "What a lot of Bulls*#t! Talk yourself into feeling happy?" but it's not that at all. It's training yourself to recognize when your thinking is depressive, analyse it and change it. It works but it is something you have to learn then practice then continue to apply. Check it out. I have another reality check as well. My wife has a friend who's daughter has cerebral palsy. She is an absolutely gorgeous girl and she is intelligent. She can move one hand enough to drive an electric wheel chair. She can't talk and she communicates using an touch screen pad. She is thirteen. I am nearly 60 and I have PPMS. I am very lucky!

[Bygonelines]

Runobear1983 I have struggled with depression most of my life. I have taken a number of different drugs that did not work. I finally began to look at alternatives for treating my depression. One of those ways is with CBT. I didn't even know it had a name but that is what I have been doing since high school. Other things I do are use essential oils. There are many that will help with the various symptoms of MS, including depression. I also take my dog for a walk when I start to get depressed. I can't walk far enough to get her a good walk so I use a mobility scooter. We both end up having a great time! Just petting my dog WIllow can be very soothing and calming. She is such a happy girl and always smiling. It is hard to stay down for long. Swissy's are the happiest dogs I have ever seen. Their joy for life is very contagious and that really helps when I am fighting depression. My husband has the same problem with depression and the techniques work for him as well.

Good luck and keep talking here on the forum. We are all going through similar things and are here to help each other.

[Fancy1959]

Runobear 1983, Hello it's Fancy1959 and I want to welcome you to this wonderful chat room. sit down and have a heart to heart talk with your partner. make a list of things you want to cover so you don't forget half of what you want to say, like I normally do. Do not let this MS Monster suck you down into that depression hole. Fight, claw, drag yourself back out of that pit and get on living. If the Monster knocks you down, get back up! A hundred times if you must! Don't let it rob you of your dreams or future plans. You have a lot of great years ahead of you. You will have to make some adjustments along the way, but only you can determine how full a life you want to live!

Now to give you the pep talk that really hits home. I want you to remember that we are very lucky to have MS. Yes, I said we are lucky to have MS. I lost one sister-in-law to pancreatic cancer less than two years after she was diagnosed. She was in early 50's. I lost another sister-in-law to breast cancer less than three years after she was diagnosed. She was in her mid sixties. I have so much to do over the next 20 years and with MS, I will be there to do it!. I will be alive to see my sons get married. I will be alive to play with my grand babies. I will alive and be able to travel across America with my husband, and I have already had MS 15-20 years!

On those days when depression threatens to hit and tears start falling as my legs give out and I grab whatever I can reach for balance while there's still work to be done i have to remind myself of this over and over again. Our reality of our future might change but our future is still ours to make whatever our heart decides to make of it. So keep faith that your life has not ended with your MS diagnoses. Shout out for support and help whenever you need it. We try to be good listeners and have supportive shoulders to cry on. Keep faith that the next new therapy might be the one to cure MS. I would officially like to welcome you to become a MS Warrior. Remember, together we are stronger! Fight on MS Warrior, fight on!

[Hidden]

It's ok to be depressed and have several days where we feel overwhelmed, that's to be expected! However, we cannot let our disease take away who we are! You have to rally and let that happy wonderful person surface. Life is too short to constantly worry and be depressed! Yes...MS sucks a lot! The unknown can be very scary, but we can't let it rule who we are! Make the best of everyday. We don't know what the future holds for us or this disease. Get through one day at a time. If it's a good day, be happy and enjoy it! If it's a terrible day, work through it and know better days are ahead! Don't let MS change the person you truly are!! Best of luck

[ynggal]

Hi, Runobear1983. I take Sertraline (generic of Zoloft) for anxiety/depression. My neuro upped my dosage about a year ago and it really helped. I don't know if you currently take medication, but I would discuss it with your doctor. Talking to a professional might be beneficial as well. You don't have to feel the way you're feeling. There are alternatives. I hope you feel better real soon.

[CalfeeChick CommunityAmbassador]

I was just diagnosed in August and my emotions have been all over the place. Trying to have positive attitude, grateful for life's experiences. Lots of times the meds may cause you to feel depressed. Mood swings, etc.. that's part of the disease.. Even though I feel I've had a blessed life, if I let myself go there, I feel cheated of my future. I would say feel free to express yourself here as they have been very understanding and helpful. Lynn

[Runobear1983]

Wow, I'm so glad to have found this site it's nice to hear from people that are going through the same thing an have such a positivelook on life it makes me feel better just reading some of it. Thakyou all for talking the time to write an give advice, I've got to try an have a positive look a life even if I have got ms.x

[Nicole-B]

I feel you I'm going threw the same thing. I wish you the best and if you wanna talk I'm here!