Bruce
05-29-2003, 07:02 PM
After watching Larry King's interview with some well known people about depression, i searched the net to see what i can find. I had been told i had depression several years ago by an internist, but i have doubted many things he told me.
29,000 people commit suicide in this country every year. Depression is very common and, if you are working, it carries a strong stigma. People keep it secret so they won't lose their job.
Here is when it gets interesting. About 50% of people with pd are depressed, and in about 20% of them the depression is the first symptom of pd. This means according to one study, that depression msy sppear several years before any clinical signs of pd are seen.
Bruce
29,000 people commit suicide in this country every year. Depression is very common and, if you are working, it carries a strong stigma. People keep it secret so they won't lose their job.
Here is when it gets interesting. About 50% of people with pd are depressed, and in about 20% of them the depression is the first symptom of pd. This means according to one study, that depression msy sppear several years before any clinical signs of pd are seen.
Bruce
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Googy
05-29-2003, 11:20 PM
Bruce,
Many people read these postings but dont post,or cannot.This was something that I do know about.1989 many years after Bill's PD.I had a place for us to go to,yes Suicide.I couldn't see a way out for him or myself.
But I knew I couldn't because of leaving my family with this.
Now of course it is past.But that as you said is depression,when you cannot see any way out.
thanks Bruce ,
Googy
Many people read these postings but dont post,or cannot.This was something that I do know about.1989 many years after Bill's PD.I had a place for us to go to,yes Suicide.I couldn't see a way out for him or myself.
But I knew I couldn't because of leaving my family with this.
Now of course it is past.But that as you said is depression,when you cannot see any way out.
thanks Bruce ,
Googy
Bruce
05-30-2003, 05:56 PM
Googy, I can relate to depression, because, as you know, when I was still working I was so stressed out from working too many hours and i was worried that i would be fired at any moment, becasue the pd was catching up with me.
Now in spite of the progression of the pd, I am free of all that stress and look forward to each day, feeling lucky to be independent and enjoying each day as if it were my last.
Something else i learned after posting this topic is their is a long list of drugs that can cause depression. Among those listed is a common pd drug which i take and that is Bromocriptine
Also, their is a genetic link to depression and suicide. An example is the Hemingway family. With the link, substance abuse can be a lethal combination.
Bruce
Now in spite of the progression of the pd, I am free of all that stress and look forward to each day, feeling lucky to be independent and enjoying each day as if it were my last.
Something else i learned after posting this topic is their is a long list of drugs that can cause depression. Among those listed is a common pd drug which i take and that is Bromocriptine
Also, their is a genetic link to depression and suicide. An example is the Hemingway family. With the link, substance abuse can be a lethal combination.
Bruce
Googy
05-30-2003, 06:28 PM
Bruce,
Bill took Parlodel ( bromocripton ) for many years.we know all drugs have some side effects.But it did help the PD at that time Yes I remember you telling me about the stress of you job.I know many PLWP feel the same way.
Thanks,
Googy
Bill took Parlodel ( bromocripton ) for many years.we know all drugs have some side effects.But it did help the PD at that time Yes I remember you telling me about the stress of you job.I know many PLWP feel the same way.
Thanks,
Googy
EdinNJ
06-16-2003, 07:42 PM
I just saw a handout from the National Institute on Mental Health that says that...
"as many as half of the people with Parkinson's may suffer from depression."
Also says...
"Men, who are more likely to develop Parkinson's, are more likely than women to have difficulty acknowledging depression."
That's NIMH publication #02-5007, published May, 2002.
Titled: "Depression and Parkinson's Disease"
I would guess you can get a copy by calling NIMH at 1-800-421-4211.
Take care & hope, - Ed
"as many as half of the people with Parkinson's may suffer from depression."
Also says...
"Men, who are more likely to develop Parkinson's, are more likely than women to have difficulty acknowledging depression."
That's NIMH publication #02-5007, published May, 2002.
Titled: "Depression and Parkinson's Disease"
I would guess you can get a copy by calling NIMH at 1-800-421-4211.
Take care & hope, - Ed
simtusie
06-17-2003, 01:34 PM
Hey gang! I just had to add in my two cents here...
I had been diagnosed with depression three years ago, put on prozac and quit taking it when the lovely tremor appeared a year later. Just this January I was diagnosed with PD. Depression was my first symptom, and it was awful! Prozac was good for a while, I think a 6 month ride on it would have been enough, a year was too much. It changed me- drastically. I CRAVED alcohol, and was doing shots of tequila just to get through my days. This was BAD. Feeling great now though. WooHoo.... ? .....
Take care everyone! Simtusie
I had been diagnosed with depression three years ago, put on prozac and quit taking it when the lovely tremor appeared a year later. Just this January I was diagnosed with PD. Depression was my first symptom, and it was awful! Prozac was good for a while, I think a 6 month ride on it would have been enough, a year was too much. It changed me- drastically. I CRAVED alcohol, and was doing shots of tequila just to get through my days. This was BAD. Feeling great now though. WooHoo.... ? .....
Take care everyone! Simtusie
Bruce
06-17-2003, 07:43 PM
Simtusie, you are fortunate to get off the prozac and to be rid of depression. I have been on prozac for years and don't dare stop it.
It's a serious disease and shouldn't be ignored.
Bruce
It's a serious disease and shouldn't be ignored.
Bruce
simtusie
06-21-2003, 03:06 PM
Bruce, I do feel fortunate to have been able to get off the prozac. I actually think I was never depressed- my doc went mainly off my physical symptoms to dx me. Now I know those symptoms were just pd. (fatigue, crying at odd times, muscle fatigue, slowed responses ie: answering questions, physical response).
Do you have any weird things brought on since starting prozac? I am really curious about the way it affected me with alcohol. I never have been a heavy drinker, and now I am back to being my "cheap date" self- 1 1/2 drinks and I am on the floor. I still can't believe I drank so much while on prozac. freaky lot, and I would not get drunk!
I do know how serious depression is, and my heart goes out to you and everyone who is dealing with it now. Naturally there would be a huge connection between depression and pd since they both involve dopamine. Take care of you bruce.
Do you have any weird things brought on since starting prozac? I am really curious about the way it affected me with alcohol. I never have been a heavy drinker, and now I am back to being my "cheap date" self- 1 1/2 drinks and I am on the floor. I still can't believe I drank so much while on prozac. freaky lot, and I would not get drunk!
I do know how serious depression is, and my heart goes out to you and everyone who is dealing with it now. Naturally there would be a huge connection between depression and pd since they both involve dopamine. Take care of you bruce.
Bruce
06-21-2003, 11:18 PM
What i have found is drinking seems to make the pd symptoms worse. So what limits my dinking is I might hurt myself if i drink to much.
The only difference i have noticed with taking prozac is when i forget to take it.
I have adjusted to the depression, and it is not a problrm. No longer working, less stress.
Bruce
The only difference i have noticed with taking prozac is when i forget to take it.
I have adjusted to the depression, and it is not a problrm. No longer working, less stress.
Bruce