Depressed

[HillRose]

Hi diagnosed with functional ibs and diverticula disease following investigations.

Have always had flare ups. Lately I had Covid which affected my stomach. I am going through a stressful time and have been prescribed Sertraline. Not sure if this could be causing more problems. Don't feel like eating; going out and generally lethargic.

[Liz1234ty]

Hi HillRose, I hope you will feel better soon as the long covid effects wear off. How long have you been on Sertraline? Bear in mind that this can take weeks to have positive effects and it may be that you and your GP can slowly increase the dose to see if that helps. In the meantime perhaps there are triggers - such as particular foods - that you can try and avoid and things that help. Exercise can help with IBS and also help lift mood and I find gardening helps my mental health. Plenty of tips on this site so you have found the right place!

[Luisa22]

I can understand you being depressed over ibs and any gut problems, HillRose.

AND you have only just got over Covid. I don't know if you know, but temporary depression always has been an after effect of the flu, so I can imagine it may rear its head post Covid too.

I had the first wave of Covid (2020) and one thing I learned was that Covid needs a convalescence period after initial recovery. I was fortunate enough to have the luxury of being able to do that, as I am old-ish and retired. I had late lie-ins, I went for gentle country walks, I lay on cushions on the floor and rested. I pottered about the garden gently. I let my body gradually get over it and often felt so weak. I did not feel like doing many social things or shopping etc. Just slowly recovering quietly.

I remember that lasted a few weeks.

But so many people can't live like that. Convalescence is an old fashioned term that people don't do nowadays, but I was made strongly aware of a need for it post Covid.

Appetite can be weird post viral. Are there nutritious soups you can handle? Some lovely savoury soup with some hot buttered toast might work? You need to get some nutrients if your gut can handle them. But eat what suits you basically. Eat anyway, even if your appetite isn't great. A multivitamin /mineral supplement might be useful at this time?

[Jackie1612]

Hi HillRose, sorry to hear this. I hope the depression soon passes. I took Sertraline for a couple of years whilst I had bad anxiety. It did take a while to work, as mentioned above, but it helped with the diarrhoea.I only realised this when I stopped taking it and the D got worse again.

[miniione1224]

I know what it's like to be so sick with this mess and there seems no way out. Keep take the meds and as others said give it take and try and find a easy hobby to help you relax. I will pray for you to feel better and to receive peace.