Depression

[Paulagcl]

I am starting to feel like I need an anti-depressant. Does anyone also take one? I've been taking something for anxiety, but I don't think it's helping any more.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Now you have written this, you can see related posts……and it’s a side effect of Pred….. you should discuss with your doctor and get help -whether that be medication or therapy.

This is a link from England NHS- and was issued during Covid times, but I’m sure you have similar in the States -

nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/m...

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Then you need to speak to your doctors. It is a feature of PMR/GCA, can be due to pred - and can be due to the massive changes it all makes in your lifestyle.

[SnazzyD]

Hello there, reading through your posts sent me on a roller coaster of hope and set back. At first there was the relief of finding the forum and then one thing after the other, a common experience, when one experiences the reality of a life changing condition. A lot of us start of in shock and then we think, “I’ve got this” with determined resolve, but the changes required are not for the faint hearted. One of the biggest challenges comes from a combination of not knowing how long and what of our old selves will prevail. Along with this we carry the baggage of life and the way we are wired, some of which may have guided us get to where we are with our health. Is there any chance you can speak to someone, possibly in conjunction with a prescribed support?

[Paulagcl in reply to SnazzyD]

I did find a therapist whom I like but she's expensive-- however, she has helped. Also "mindfulness" helps so I need to remember that, not to let the mind take an emotion, which is frequently fleeting, so literally and then build a depressing story around it.

[Paulagcl in reply to SnazzyD]

Thanks, Snazzy! Your replies are always helpful!

[darkred in reply to SnazzyD]

"One of the biggest challenges comes from a combination of not knowing how long and what of our old selves will prevail. "

Yes!!!

[Poshdog]

Yes, I take Sertraline 50 mgs daily and have done for 5 years. GP prescribed it when I was going through a difficult phase. No side effects with pred, now at 3.5 after 7 years. It certainly does help - all problems still there but the edges are taken off. X

[Gimme]

My doc offered me sertraline a few weeks ago, but I declined as I have never taken an antidepressant that ever made me feel better than I did when I stopped taking it. I hate how they make me feel and believe me, I've gone pretty well through the whole range during my lifetime. For me, I decided that I am not actually depressed, but excessively fatigued (which, as we know, goes with the illness and the pred) and I have been working on trying to improve my energy levels. That said, I would never discourage anyone from trying anti depressants to see if they are helpful, as a lot of people gain the benefit and recognising that you need additional help and support is the first step towards being well again.

I think the big problem for us is that so many of the things that we did before PMR that made us happy have become unavailable, either due to fatigue or mobility. That adds to the sense that the rug has been pulled from under our feet. Exercise and being outdoors is so good for our wellbeing and I have been making a big effort over the last few weeks to do things that make me happy, within my physical limitations, and I try to ensure that I spend at least some time outdoors each day. I am definitely starting to feel a bit better. I am assuming that you are taking vitamin D already?

I think that it would be worth speaking to your doc, but in the meantime, perhaps you could make a list of all the things that made you happy before you were diagnosed with PMR, decide what is achievable in your current state of health and fitness and then spend some time each day doing those things. Just don't over do it and make sure you get enough rest, if it involves physical activity. Which reminds me, getting sufficient sleep can have an enormous effect on our wellbeing and some people do not sleep well on pred and due to night time pain from PMR. If that applies to you, perhaps consider what you could do to improve quality and length of your sleep.

This illness sucks and self care is so important to maintain equilibrium. I hope you feel better soon. x

[Viveka]

Medication is useful if someone needs something to get over an acute event like a bereavement, in which case they should be time limited. Or if they have really bad chronic depression.

But I think you have got the absolute right approach in looking at therapy and mindfulness. There are techniques you can access online around building positive emotions, using approaches such as developing gratitude and kindness and joy. They can really work and sit very well along side mindfulness. I use them and they help a lot when I get low. The more you practice them, the more they become the default position.

[Paulagcl in reply to Viveka]

I'm trying. But right now it feels like I can't make it through this. Yet here you all are, writing to me, living your life, coping. And it could be much worse -- I realize that. I've tried a couple of mindfulness online groups but so far haven't found one that fits the bill. Will keep looking.

[Gimme in reply to Paulagcl]

The reason that we are replying is because so many of us have been through this (or still going through it) and because we care. We know how hard it is living with a life changing illness and the effects of the meds that we need to take. I would say, don't be hard on yourself about needing a little extra help and support. It's a brave step to reach out and you have every reason to feel proud of yourself for your self care and asking for help. Sometimes it takes a wee while to find the right things that will work for you. Be kind to yourself and hang in there.

[Paulagcl in reply to Gimme]

Well, as the saying goes, what goes around comes around! Here's a strange story. My husband and his best friend were both legendary classical musicians. And they had been friends for 50 years since they were both young in the Cleveland Orchestra in its golden days. Now both have died. Recently, six months after I was diagnosed with PMR, now my husband's friend's widow also has it. We live in different states but we write and call and it feels good that I can pass on some of the info and support I've received here. I gave her the link to the website but she seems to have trouble using it so far.

[marionofnorwich in reply to Paulagcl]

I think sometimes just talking or writing down something helps. Don't believe that all of us replying have things sussed and are living charmed lives with no wobbles or down times, we all have them and many are induced by medication or low cortisol levels (at lower doses of Pred). It is much easer for us to say positive things when reassuring someone such as yourself, as other people's problems are easier to address than our own. I would say that you can get a lots of strength just by verbalising with people who understand and are sensitive to your situation, whether in real life or on this online space which gathers people from everywhere. Just a few words can set your mind working in a different, more positive direction

[nallufl24]

Depression was actually one of my symptoms of GCA. Then prednisone magnified it. I was a mental mess and didn’t care if I lived or died. I started taking the antidepressant Lexapro. All antidepressants take weeks to work but the prednisone was overpowering it. It took about a month to feel any relief and even longer to get its full effect. Eventually I felt like my old self mentally. Over 2 years later I’m still on Lexapro even though I’ve been done with prednisone over a year ago. I could start weaning off but I’m just not ready.

[Greenthought]

As many have already said, it seems pred can have an effect on the emotions for some, and that wouldn't be surprising, as emotions are felt in both brain and body - we are one thing. But also as others have said, there's a lot we can do to change the way we experience life and setbacks, through therapy and self help. You might like to look at hgi.org.uk , where there's a video clip of therapist Joe Griffin talking about the innate emotional needs we have, and the resources we also have to help us meet them, among many other useful links. (I declare some partiality here, as a former therapist who trained with HG - but I don't earn anything for recommending them!) Hope you soon feel better on your journey.

[Paulagcl in reply to Greenthought]

I looked at that Joe Griffin website -- very interesting! I hadn't heard of him. I live in California. I put in my zip code but there is no practitioner listed. I've had a lot of therapy off and on over the years but this philosophy has a somewhat different slant to it.

[Greenthought in reply to Paulagcl]

Yes, HG started in the UK about 25 years ago. I think some slow inroads are being made into USA - there have been visits and training courses on the East Coast - but it takes a while! You could try contacting the head office through the website as many therapists now do work via Zoom and Teams, so could work with you from the UK. (I would offer myself, but I retired a year ago age 75 and am no longer insured or registered as a therapist.) Meanwhile there are some good, easily readable books on anxiety, depression, anger, addiction etc you can access from the website, and lots of articles etc on there too, and there is much you can do on your own using them. I know I'm biased, but I reckon this is a big step forward in psychotherapy, being based on biology and up-to-date psychology and neuroscience. All good wishes and be well!

[winfong]

I've been on antidepressants most of my adult life (severe, recurring depression). Currently, I'm on citalopram (Celexa). No real interactions with my GCA/PMR/LVV or meds I take for that.

[Karenjaninaz]

That happened to my mom in her 80s. She was switched to an anti depressant but after long term, anti anxiety meds require a slow taper - one year.

She did really well on Remeron. Was able to handle her own affairs and was sharp in mind until her passing at 93. Cheerful too!

[Ana-16]

Hi there. I’ve been taking anti depressants almost since the beginning of PMR diagnosis and I’m absolutely sure that this has helped me. I was prescribed Mirtazapine and have managed to reduce to half a tablet. This more than anything helps me sleep and helps to make anxieties manageable Do consult your gp. Help is available. Best wishes

[Heidiypi1]

hi there, I am on Endep 50mg as the shock of health issues hit me quite hard, all my specialists say this is a great drug for deep sleep, anxiety, and nerve pain relief. I started on 25mgs now on 50mgs once a night at bedtime. Is not addictive and is getting me through this tough times. Nothing wrong with finding help if you need it! Best of luck Paulagcl !