Depressed

Anyone have any suggestions? I just cannot pull myself out of my black hole. I have been diagnosed with ms, lost my job due to poor health, am losing my mother to Alzheimer's. I have tried everything-therapy, meds, exercise etc. Have any of you found anything that might help? Thanks.

bach543,

You have hit several critical stressors which can, alone, cause health problems for people with MS.

Oral counseling can help, even a pet like a cat, dog, or other can also help. A dog, for example, can do more in an hour than 2 weeks of meds for depression.

You have many triggers happening in succession.

1. You have MS, you will have MS for the foreseeable future as it is a chronic disease. You will not go back to a "normal" pre-MS life. Reset your definition of "normal" and move on with your life.

2. Loss of a job due to MS? Disability might be needed even if it is for a short term. After two years away from my career, I was ready to work, but my doctor knew better. I am better for having taken disability because it removed a great deal of stress from my life.

3. Your mother is not going to get better. If there is a hospice or some kind of care giving available, please use it. I spent a year with my mom after her car was hit, causing her Parkinson to progress more rapidly. I was in terrible health trying to help her. I had some family members try to help too, but the care giving is highly stressful. MSers do not always have the capacity to maintain care giving due to our own weakened state. You want to care for those you love, but the facts are that we might be limited in that ability.

All three of the issues you are experiencing have resolutions. All three are quite likely responsible or partially responsible for your current situation. You can lessen the impact of these trigger events and regain some health. These triggers may simply be too much for med, therapy, and exercise to overcome. If you can lessen the impact, you might find that the meds and exercise become more effective. If an exercise is not working, try a different one.

Please know that we are here for you. Please feel free to openly talk about what is happening because this sharing and talking can be therapeutic. You can get better. I believe it! We need to find you a regiment that works for you.

Hi Bach543,

How long ago were you diagnosed with MS? If it was recently, there is a period of "mourning" when we get the news. What we do with that information however is what can save us from depression.

Make sure first and foremost that you realize you are not alone and that MS is a very livable disease. You have us, and I am certain if you look, you can find a support group in your area with others who can assist you. Call your local MS society to find help on that.

An important part of living with MS is not to label yourself and not to feel sorry for yourself. Youll never know "why you" and not a friend of yours or a neighbor down the street, but I am here to tell you that MS doesnt have to mean the end of anything for you. You can live a perfectly happy life if you make the effort to avoid your triggers and pay attention to your body. One of the good things about MS is that we really get to know our bodies. Once we start paying attention to them, we learn to control our MS and not let it control us.

If there is something specific we can help you with, we are here for you.
As for your mother, there are also support groups for caregivers or families of Alzheimer's patients. It is very hard to live with this, but again, the disease is hers, and although you "miss" what used to be the norm; she isnt aware of the changes as much as you are and you are left having to deal with the change. The only thing you can do is learn how to best deal with her in her current situation and prepare yourself for what comes next. A doctor or nurse who is familiar with her should be able to also help direct you to some help.

Just know you are not alone and there are plenty of us who understand...ok?

hugs,
MSNIk

Thanks for the help. I really am thankful for you guys. Just one more thing. If the depression is related to lesions in the mood center of the brain, is it possible it may never improve?

bach543,

Thank you, your question is difficult to answer. I would encourage you to see a neuro-psychiatrist. These MD's specialize in the neurological side of psychiatric care. I know that there is one in residence where I visit. They were helpful to my mother in her last years in dealing with the progress of her Parkinson's. They are in a position to work with your MS Specialist to be an effective part of your team.

From my heart I would like to think that your situation will improve. I certainly think that your plate is full and if your triggers can be lessened, you will get better. I will also share that our brains will sometimes re-wire and by-pass the lesions. Again, there is no guarantee, but you might be blessed accordingly. I will lift your needs in prayer. You are not alone.

Hello bach543,

Your depression would more than likely be due to several different reasons --- the loss of your job, your Mother's health, Your health/MS.

Another to add into the mix of possibilities for your depression would be if you use one of the MS treatments/Disease Modifying Therapies. Most of the Disease Modifying Therapies list depression as a side effect :-( Medication induced depression is not uncommon.

Regardless of the cause antidepressants and therapy are the most proven treatment for depression.

You said you have tried antidepressants. Did you see a Psychiatrist for the antidepressant(s)? If not that would be my suggestion as these medications are part of their specialty.

Antidepressants are not a "one size fits all" type of medication. It can take time as well as trial and error to find the right antidepressant. Sometimes it requires a combination of medications.

I don't know how long you tried therapy but therapy is not something that works/helps very quickly. It can take time and effort on your part to see positive results from therapy. You would probably benefit from a therapist who deals with chronic health issues and grief counseling. Therapy is a process, if you work that process you will see a difference.