Anyone ever been depressed?

[nickerjones]

Ok here is the deal... I'm not sure if I'm depressed. I might be..I probably am. I know I dont feel like myself. Im worried about a lot of things, I am going stir crazy bc I just had back surgery. Not counting Labor Day where I got to run a tournament for my hockey team I have been in bed for well over month with the back pain and a week and counting for my surgery. I'm anxious about things that would never bother me. I want to get out and go do stuff ( but I cant) but I dont know what I want to do. I'm personally worried bc I am a contract employee and dont get paid if I dont work. I have worked 16 Days since June 1st bc of the back.

Obviously I know you guys arent doctors but I am sure some of you guys have felt like this and hopefully overcame it. It seems like this may be common after surgeries but how do I get over it ? I have made an appointment with my family physician to talk about some of this but it seems like its years a way.

[AC]

I was diagnosed with depression during highschool, and was prescribed Effexor for it. I only took it for a while, but I think it helped. Certainly talking to a medical professional is a good idea.

In the mean time, finding time for friends and activities is a good way to help keep yourself happy I find. I tend to feel more depressed when I have a period of time when I haven't done anything different for a while.

Also, I find that there's an odd stigma to the notion of being depressed... as if its something you shouldn't accept or admit to. But there's typically a biochemical basis to it, so talk to your doctor and see what they think could be done.

[nickerjones]

I will say I wasnt to upset about anything until this past Thursday. I had to go to the ER on consecutive nights because of severe stomach pain. Been taking a lot of meds for a month+ so I dont think its the meds as they have never bothered me. I think it was me not eating and taking laxatives and stool softners to help my bowels so it was easier on my back when I went. The ER couldnt find the cause and just said "we treat symptoms not diagnose them." So on top of the back stuff now my stomach is killing me . I think that is when the being depressed feeling started.

[sun]

Does this have anything to do with the lockout?

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by sun

Does this have anything to do with the lockout?

That's just the reason why the rest of us are

[Russic]

Good for you for setting up an appointment to talk about it. I've never been depressed myself but do have people very close to me dealing with it. One thing I was surprised to learn about is the physical pain that can accompany it. A comic I found on Twitter wrote a pretty interesting blog post on what his life is like as somebody with depression. While it's quite a bit more intense than yours is at the moment, I think it's worth a read.

http://robdelaney.tumblr.com/post/41...n-getting-help

[Alberta_Beef]

I have been there and it sounds much like the depression I suffer(ed) from. The best things you can do is seek help and do your best to stay busy, which I understand is very difficult with your recent health problems.

Other small things that can help are simple things like a clean living space and lots of sunlight. Sex is also a natural antidepressant.

[Jets4Life]

My family has a history of depression, as it is genetic. I am no different. We deal with it mainly by becoming workaholics, and using time wisely so that you don't get a chance to dwell on negative things or thoughts, which happens to me if I have a few days off, and fail to do anything constructively.

My advice would be to see someone open minded, who you trust and talk about it. It could be a loved one, or friend. Even a counsellor would help. Medication would not be my first option, but sometimes it needs to be used if the depression is bad enough. Working out in the gym has always been really helpful for me, as it has been proven to have a natural antidepressant effect. Same with all sports.

Doing things you love, and changing up your routine would definitely help. Eating right and taking care of your body (no drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, etc) helps prevent depression. However, it is denying myself the time to dwell on the negatives of life that have really helped me deal with depression. Hope this helps.

[nickerjones]

Originally Posted by Jets4Life

My family has a history of depression, as it is genetic. I am no different. We deal with it mainly by becoming workaholics, and using time wisely so that you don't get a chance to dwell on negative things or thoughts, which happens to me if I have a few days off, and fail to do anything constructively.

My advice would be to see someone open minded, who you trust and talk about it. It could be a loved one, or friend. Even a counsellor would help. Medication would not be my first option, but sometimes it needs to be used if the depression is bad enough. Working out in the gym has always been really helpful for me, as it has been proven to have a natural antidepressant effect. Same with all sports.

Doing things you love, and changing up your routine would definitely help. Eating right and taking care of your body (no drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, etc) helps prevent depression. However, it is denying myself the time to dwell on the negatives of life that have really helped me deal with depression. Hope this helps.

Unfortunately time is all I have now. I still have 3-4 weeks before I can return to my job. 2 weeks before I can even drive. Time to myself is also what seems to be fueling all these negative feelings I am having. I would love to be back to working out or playing hockey with my team but it's just not possible for me at the moment .

I would really prefer to stay off more meds because the ones I'm taking for pain could be the culprit for the severe stomach pains I have been having. However when I went to the ER they told me the pain meds would help with the stomach pain so while my back pain is gone, I'm still using pain meds to alleviate the stomach pains.

To top all this off my sleeping patterns are being affected. Last night I prob got 2-3 good hours of sleep. The previous night I went to bed around 1am and didn't wake up til 330pm.

[photon]

Meds aren't the only way, a good therapist or psychologist or whatever can certainly help with changing your internal narrative, from negative to more positive. Getting help early is good as the further it goes the harder it is to come back.

[Puppet Guy]

Are there any hobbies you've had interest in that you can do solo? I find that model-making helps me fight the depression monkey when he comes for his visits. Something as simple as carving a block of soap or doodling (hell, buy a colouring book and some crayons if it'll help) might do you some good. Do your best to not let the depression monkey control you - show him a good degree of disrespect.

I've fought depression forever, so feel free to PM me if you have questions.

[edslunch]

I get seasonal depression if I don't get enough sunlight. This is the main reason I live in Calgary vs moving to the coast (seriously it's that bad).

Not trying to trivialize what your going through but spending that much time indoors (in bed) could be a factor. If you can't exercise at least spending more time outdoors might help.

I also went through 'real' depression and meds helped with the lows but also reduced the highs which wasn't the greatest trade off.

[Isbrant]

I have suffered from depression. The best thing (and the hardest) for me is to talk to people about it. This is where a psychiatrist helps, as they have been trained, but also a close family member or close friend is a good starting point. I find the more people I am able to comfortably talk to about it, the better I am able to deal with it.

With you being indoors so much, you might want to take vitamin D. Another thing to watch is your diet. Eating sweets or salty snacks triggers a good feeling and when it wears off everyone "crashes". If you are suffering from depression, the crash is quicker and deeper.

Feel free to send me a pm if you want. Good luck with it, I know what it can be like.

[Reanimate]

Play me on NHL13. Kicking my ass will cheer you up immensely.

If your pain or anti-inflammatory, anti-biotic meds are giving you gut rot, start taking pro-biotic pills. It often help alleviate the upset stomachs that accompany medication induced stomach issues. Especially with anti-biotics.

Also, is your back too sore to jerk off? That might alleviate some of those bad thoughts.

[Vulcan]

All I have to say is that with the crap you're going through, it's pretty normal to be depressed. I go along with what Photon has to say.

Meds aren't the only way, a good therapist or psychologist or whatever can certainly help with changing your internal narrative, from negative to more positive. Getting help early is good as the further it goes the harder it is to come back.
__________________

Getting and keeping your thoughts in order for me is a big deal. Your mind should be your servant, not your ruler. I don't use a therapist though, I use meditation to keep me in a positive frame of mind.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by nickerjones

Unfortunately time is all I have now. I still have 3-4 weeks before I can return to my job. 2 weeks before I can even drive. Time to myself is also what seems to be fueling all these negative feelings I am having. I would love to be back to working out or playing hockey with my team but it's just not possible for me at the moment .

I would really prefer to stay off more meds because the ones I'm taking for pain could be the culprit for the severe stomach pains I have been having. However when I went to the ER they told me the pain meds would help with the stomach pain so while my back pain is gone, I'm still using pain meds to alleviate the stomach pains.

To top all this off my sleeping patterns are being affected. Last night I prob got 2-3 good hours of sleep. The previous night I went to bed around 1am and didn't wake up til 330pm.

What are you taking for pain?

NSAIDS (Ibuprofen, naproxen, etc) longer term can lead to ulcers.

Opiates can also cause stomach pain.

Prilosec (I think that is what you guys call omeprazole) can help with that as well as stopping NSAIDS if that is what you are taking.

As far as laxatives go, try switching to a PEG laxative (Miralax I think in the states) three times a day. That will make your stools much softer and easier to pass. Avoid stimulant laxatives like senna, bisacodyl, etc.
And probiotics only help gut flora related problems, eg antibiotic related diarrhea.


Hope that helps with the stomach issues

[nickerjones]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

What are you taking for pain?

NSAIDS (Ibuprofen, naproxen, etc) longer term can lead to ulcers.

Opiates can also cause stomach pain.

Prilosec (I think that is what you guys call omeprazole) can help with that as well as stopping NSAIDS if that is what you are taking.

As far as laxatives go, try switching to a PEG laxative (Miralax I think in the states) three times a day. That will make your stools much softer and easier to pass. Avoid stimulant laxatives like senna, bisacodyl, etc.
And probiotics only help gut flora related problems, eg antibiotic related diarrhea.


Hope that helps with the stomach issues

Opana
Oxy IR
Nuerontin
HYOSCYAMINE
Mobic

Thats short list of things I am on. Not including my insulin and lisinoprill. I was actually almost weened off all my pain meds by last thursday when the stomach issue started. The ER told me the pain meds plus mobic would keep the stomach pain away and it does for a couple of hours. I never took the mobic ( which would help if it was just inflammation of the gastro) but I replaced it with a one of those 400MG , i think, liquid Canadian Advil. I havent taken any laxatives or softners since the stomach pain started. My stools are still very loose and runny. I didnt eat anything but some chicken soup broth really until this morning. It seems my appetite is coming back but my stomach is still painful.

[nickerjones]

Update:
My primary physician said depression after what I have been going to is normal. He said as long as I am not having suicidal thoughts then it should subside with time. He gave me Cymbalta to help for a month. It seems to have helped quite a bit , although I have also been getting to go out for dinner ( with friends) and walks around the mall with my wife here lately. That has probably helped a lot.

[jamoro]

I have been suffering from depression and anxiety for most of my life. I rectenly got over the anxiety. depression I am still fighting with but making strides. hope you feel better soon! depression sucks

[Otto-matic]

I never actually sought out any medical attention, which I probably should have after my father passed away this year. I had the same thoughts as you did Nicker, I didn't feel the same but it didn't feel like depression to me.

Im really not sure if I kicked it or if its still lingering around.