I was wondering if any of you take an antidepressant.
I think some of you may remember me talking about my kitty Henry. Poor Henry got a brain tumor and I had to euthanize him early this week. I am beside myself. I can't sleep, I just cry and think I need some medication intervention. I did talk to my therapist and he isn't sure if meds would be ok with CKD but does think they are indicated.
If anyone takes an antidepressant with CKD I'd appreciate knowing so I can ask my Internist about getting one. I'm Stage 4 eGFR 28. I know this stress isn't helping my autoimmune disease and I'm having a flare-up, so it may affect my CKD too.
I don't want to have to tell my Dr. through tears why I need an antidepressant when he'll be thinking he just saw me last month and I wasn't depressed and was in good humor. It's hard to relate all those details and then just have him say "sorry, can't give you anything with your kidneys".
Thank you.
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Sophiebun11
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Yes ma’am I have in the past but as my eGFR declined I developed serotonin syndrome and cannot take them anymore. That is if you are talking traditional antidepressants such as SSRI or SNRI. I enjoyed the syndrome but I guess my family didn’t…lol! No only a little joke. As with other meds you may need to talk with you care team doctor to find the proper dosage as you know most of us with eGFR at stage 4 need help from both our specialist and pharmacists to tailor our meds. Have you considered just doing the talk therapy? Helps me. God Bless you on the loss of your pet. I have 2 golden retrievers as emotional support animals due to my military service and they are 7 and 5. I’m going to be devastated when they pass unless I go first…lol! Best of luck!
It was my distinct pleasure to serve a great nation and I cherish your kind words. You put a smile on my face as my oldest golden is also “Henry!” Again many thanks. You made my day!
I just lost my Ginger Tabby Henry also, I am so sorry for your loss. It's just horrible it's it? Please talk to your doctor, losing a pet is so hard to get over. Sending (((hugs)))
Sophiebun, I can't answer your question but wanted to say how sorry I am for your loss. Please ask your doctor for something to help you get through this. It wouldn't be a long term so any harm, if any, shouldn't be too bad. It's one of those situations where we have to weigh our options and see what is best for us in the moment.
Thanks, jodaer, for your kindness and support. I think I do need something. I live alone, and Henry was my ESA kitty. Without him it is so lonely. I know I will one day have another kitty to share my life with when I can grieve Henry and get a grip on myself. Thanks for understanding this would just be short term help for this difficult time.
HI Sophie, I am so sorry about your kitty. We just had to help our 18 year old kitty who had bladder cancer cross the Bridge in June. It is very hard, and they equate the loss of a dear pet as losing a child.
I would suggest looking into therapy instead of medication. It is hard and I know, but it is also a very natural part of life. Running to meds is a troubled slope. When do you come off of them?
Our local humane society has a pet grief group. Maybe where you are there might be something like that where you are.
In general, finding a good therapist might be really beneficial. There is no shame in needing support. Right now, your body has enough going on that it doesn't need more chemicals put in it. If you did not have CKD and the auto-immune stuff, then the meds might be ok. You will have to weigh the pros and cons.
I'm sorry for your loss. I do have a great therapist whom I've been seeing for about 10 years. He suggested meds. I did go on them for a few months after my father died to help me for just a brief time. I know I don't need to stay on them for clinical depression, my therapist said it's only for situational depressional and they help in the short term to get over the hump.
I didn't have CKD when my dad died in my 20's so it wasn't something I had to take into consideration.
Hi Sophie. I am now and have been on antidepressants for the last 6 years. I have ckd 4 gfr 25. My nephrologist hasn't mentioned any concerns with them. I'm prescribed buprion and zoloft.
Thank you so much for sharing that information with me. That is good to hear. I'm sorry you have to take them, but it's good to know they are safe to take with CKD. I'll go ahead and ask my Dr. to give me something and mention those ones.
I started on fluoxetine about 5 years ago when I was dialysis and when I got a kidney transplant on August 8th 2020 I kept taking them as normal as my doctor said it wasn’t a problem. Hope you’re feeling better soon, sending love.
I'm on antidepressants and I have CKD, which seems to be holding steady.
As for losing pets, I've been through that many times and I've come to realize something very important. One of the greatest gifts we can give our pets is taking on the pain of making the hard decision. It would be easier for pet owners to just simply not make that decision, but it would be to the detriment of the pet. You were brave enough and loving enough to make the right decision.
You'll always remember Henry, and when the right time comes the best way to honor him is to adopt another one from a shelter, one that would otherwise be put to sleep simply because he or she ran out of time despite being perfectly healthy.
Thank you for your kind words. I will be adopting another kitty from the rescue where I got my Henry when the time is right. They pull from shelters. I will get another senior since no one picks them. My Henry had sat at the rescue for 10 years waiting for a home while all the kittens were chosen over him. I would never had made my Henry suffer an extra minute just to get more time with him. A day too soon, is better than a day too long. The vet assured me I was making the right choice. He had been seen by the vet 5 days earlier and wasn't at that point. They were still deciding if his unbalanced gait was from the ear infection he had or if it was from a brain tumor. I guess it was a brain tumor. Thank you for rescuing fur babies too.
Sophie, so sorry for your loss. Henry sounds like he was a very special kitty. Hope you get the help you need as you grieve. I recall all the loving comments you made about him while you journeyed through your medical events.
We lost our ginger, Jesse, last month after repetitive bouts of skin cancer. So, we know about the grief you're having. It's a heart-ripper.
Keep us posted as to how things go. Lots of love and support.
I'm sorry for the loss of your kitty. The advice that I have is to talk to your kidney doctor. You should never be hesitant or nervous to talk to your doctors. They're not there to judge or question personal matters, they're there to help keep you healthy and give you educated medical advice. They're the ones who know your personal medical history and situation so they're the absolute best ones to advise you. You can keep the question simple and just say "my therapist want me to go on an antidepressant for a short time for situational reasons and wanted me to confirm that it would be safe with my kidney disease." That way you don't have to get into details about Henry or worry that you're going to get too emotional to easily carry on the conversation with your physician. Supporting your emotional and mental health is an important and positive thing and a doctor in any field is going to agree with that so never feel like it's something you should hide or hesitate to talk about. <3
Thank you, aben. That really gives me the right words to say to my Dr. I really needed that. I will be calling first thing after the holiday weekend. I appreciate your thoughtful reply. Best wishes.
Hello Sophiebun11, so sorry to hear about your kitty. Mt wife and I had an orange tabby that stuck around about 19 years which is a lot for a kitty. Also, he weighed about 23 pounds.I have CKD and I take a Bupropion XL every day for depression plus my PCP prescribed Trazadone years ago when I told him I needed help sleeping. It is an antidepressant plus it helps with sleep.
Hi, Thank you so much for sharing your medications with me. Henry is my only kitty who died so young at 16-1/2, my other kitties all made it to 20. I adopted Henry when he was 11 y/o, he'd been living at a rescue for 10 years poor baby. Your ginger tabby was a really big fellow, I bet he was a great snuggler. Best wishes, and thank you.
Sophiebun, I’m so sorry you lost your beloved Henry. I have lost two furry dog kids and I know how very hard it is. It’s very normal to be sad and go through the grieving process. I cried every day when I lost my Luke last year. I waited a few months and then brought another pup into my life and Gracie is literally my saving Grace. There’s no shame for asking for help during this grieving process. I know it’s hard to advocate for yourself when you are feeling so sad but reach out to your doctor, tell him what’s going on and if you cry so be it. I’m sure your doctor will understand. I’ll keep you in my prayers. Take care❤️
Thank you Jamok. I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I'm sure your Gracie is a blessing to you. I know I will eventually get a new kitty as there are always senior kitties at the cat rescue needing homes and I have plenty of love to give. I will call my Dr. this week. Best wishes to you and Gracie, may you have many years of love together.
I'm so sorry for your loss, I wanted to reply earlier but my computer packed in, so apologies if I repeat what others have already said.I think you are going through a normal grieving process, it is very early days, and losing someone animal or human to a brain tumour is very traumatic on top of having to cope with losing something you love very much.
I think it might be worth holding off with the antidepressants as they may delay the grieving process. You've not been sleeping and this doesn't help, I think it might be a good idea to ask the GP about something to help you with sleep for a few nights before you consider taking antidepressants for something which is normal and to be expected.
Be kind to yourself, let it out and don't expect too much of yourself in these early days.
My sympathies on the loss of Henry. 16.5 was a nice long life for a cat and Henry was well loved from the time you adopted him. My first cat was a ginger tabby and I've always had a special place in my heart for gingers (plus I'm a redhead.) My daughter adopted a senior cat from the Humane Society to be her ESA when she was in college. She was a long haired black cat with green eyes and while she didn't like people, she loved my daughter. The cat's name was Monster and she was about 18 when she passed away earlier this year.
I foster kittens for the local humane society and it always warms my heart when someone plans on adopting a rescue.
Thanks for your kind words TopazForests. It is so kind of you to volunteer at your local humane society, I'm sure you get as much out of it as you put into it.
Hi Sophie. Just wanted to say im sorry about Henry. Its absolutely heartbreaking when our little fur babies leave us. I think people underestimate how much they touch our lives and play a big part in keeping us going. Our much loved hamster died last year. I couldnt even think about her without crying my eyes out. People will think I was mad for crying over a hamster but she was a much loved member of our family. We swore nothing would replace her. A month later, we were wandering around pets at home. We came across a fat, depressed looking hamster. He had been brought back as he was a biter. I just looked at the guy and could just relate to the fact, he was having as rubbish a time as me. We brought him home with us. He has turned into the most happiest and gentlest little soul. Two months later, we got another hamster, who was in need of a loving home. I know nothing will replace Henry, however maybe further down the line you could maybe look at adopting a rescue cat? So many animals need a loving home. I just thought maybe looking at things differently might help? Henry might not be here but maybe there is another little soul out there for you. Keep strong. Sending you big hugs xx
sorry Sophie, im afraid I just jumped in with my reply, when I read your first comment. I have now caught up and realise you are hoping to offer a home to a rescue cat.
Yes,I have taken antidepressants w my first kidney transplant in 1993 and then my second I was asked if I needed..but I didn't..and I have just had my third this past December and they asked as well .I took quite a few with first (i had bad side effects ,some were unusual and some were not ,so had to try different ones)as I was a teenager and a young Mom and the effects of the meds along with youth and new motherhood was too much for me to handle in the beginning..so there are plenty you can take..and as far as your Dr questioning how you were fine a month ago but now need antidepressants because of your cat..Do not worry...your cat was like a child to you as my dog is to me and I know I also will be in utter complete heartache, unable to sleep or stop thinking of him and missing him. You are in severe emotional pain and grieving and it doesn't matter the reason why ,just that you are given some help. I want to give my sincerest condolences to you and I pray that you will find comfort in all the precious memories that the two of you had together ❤️ 🙏 I believe with most certainty that he will say yes to antidepressants so try not to add to what you are already going through by stressing about that,if you can.
lost Sparky... my sweet kitty last week.. ad bn fighting liver disease, I rescued him las year from humane society site unseen.. i asked for a kitty no one wanted so i got sweet obese Sparky.. she had wonderful year with me. My cat blue just had a fibrosarcoma removed from his foot... he is 20.. I have done animal rescue all my lufe,,,annd i often wish i were not an atheist as i want to corss the rainbow Bridge and be with my over 60 animals.. feel free to email me... i lost 3 with brain tumo4s also... sending warm thought
Hi Kelly, I am so sorry you are going through the loss of your special kitty too. How wonderful of you to take in a kitty who needed you most. That is how I selected Henry too. He had been at the rescue for 10 years without anyone trying to adopt him. I knew he needed out of there. He was a special boy and I'll always treasure my brief time with him. Take care of yourself while you are grieving too.
Everyonne chooses the path that works best..What I hve alwasy done in the past after the pain of saying good by to aa beloved pet I would go to the shelter or rescue and find another in need...for me I told my self that is was how my lost pet was saving a new life..Not to replac but to give a homeess animal a chance for a wonderful life...it heals both of you,,it is tougher now but I haave a wonderful set up for the kitties and my new dogt is fine with them..it is how i pass on the love
So very sorry for everyone's loss. I have a 10 year old Shepsky who has a big cyst on his that I worry about even though I was told it would slowly disappear.
Oh Sophie I’m so very sorry for your loss . I know how important Henry was to you and a great comfort. My little Laci Chihuahua is my little shadow and most definitely a ESA. I talk to her constantly about everything lol poor thing really gets ears full . She actually sometimes I think reads my mind . Gives me the much needed responsibility to care for someone besides myself. I cannot imagine life without her. I had a Kitty that went through so much with me but I lost her to the outside dog. Broke my heart. Ialso have CKD and MCTD among several others and I do battle severe depression and anxiety. I have taken Wellbutrin for years and it’s been the only one that I’ve taken that has worked for me. I do take anti anxiety med alprazolam as well . They have to date not had any negative impact on my kidneys. I know I spend too much time inside for sure. The weather in summer is too hot winter too cold and spring and fall of course bring on allergies. Wish I lived close to you as my neighbor has many kittens needing good homes . Please let your Dr know asap how your feeling and not to replace Henry because I know he is not replaceable but I’m sure there’s another little fur baby waiting to be held in your arms . Best wishes Sophie.
Hi Chimama, Thank you so much for your thoughtful message. I know we have talked about our furbabies before. They are so important in our lives. Rescuing a furbaby does as much for us as it does for the animal. The rescue where I got Henry told me they have 3 senior kitties needing homes when I am ready to come visit them. I will definitely open my heart and home to a new furbaby. After adopting Henry from the rescue, I sent them monthly photos and updates so naturally I let them know of his passing. I know my Henry would want me to adopt another furbaby. I hope your baby is doing well. Henry and I used to chat all day together, he paid close attention and would interject with some mews in the appropriate places. Now it's so quiet here, I refuse to talk to myself. I started turning on the radio just to have noise. I appreciate your encouragement. Give your little Laci a hug for me.
There are pet loss therapists. I went to see one after losing my kitty. You might be able to find one in your area. Even if you take the meds it may be helpful to talk about your loss with someone who truly understands.
Thank you for the suggestion. I didn't know they had pet loss therapists. I will definitely check into that. I have a regular therapist but I can see how one specializing in pet loss would be of great benefit. Thank you, and I'm sorry for your loss.
I take fluoxatine and wellbutrin for depression and buspar, lorazepam, and vistaril for anxiety. I am on dialysis but in the works to do PD at home. 🙂🙂🙂🙏🙏🙏🙈🙉🙊
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