Yes, I make jewelry, and I do lampworking which is making glass beads with glass rods, and a propane and oxygen torch. I have also been sewing since I was 14.
JOHNHANS: Are you getting any kind of talk therapy? When combined with medication it can be very effective in dealing with life issues. Also I have found that learning meditation and yoga have both helped my stress and depression, as well as relieved some of my pain by increasing flexibility and strengthening my muscles. Most insurance will cover talk therapy and stress reduction (yoga, meditation), especially if prescribed by your doctor. I have personally done all the things I am recommending here, and they have all helped me. Good luck John!
Meantime, I saw my pain doctor yesterday. He drug tested me to see if I have any drugs in my system other than the Tramadol and Baclofen that i have been presribed--specifically marijuana. They won't find anything since I have followed his instructions and have not taken anything other than the medications he prescribed. Since I am still having pain in the night and all day in my right sciatic nerve all the way to my toes, he added Gabapentin to my cocktail of pain meds. I take 1 at night for 3 days, then if I'm still having pain I will take an additional pill in the morning for 3 more days. I can add another pill then if the second pill doesn't stop the pain. If that doesn't work I need to let him know. I took the first one last night, and i didn't have pain until I awoke at 3am. So, I'm thinking this pill may help the problem in the long run. Im excited about the prospect of pain relief. It's amazing the toll chronic pain takes over time. I am kranky when I have pain, I know. I also feel tired and get down much more often. I'll be very happy to have some relief. As I said, my left side nerve pain has resolved since my back surgery on 12/22/17.
Meantime, I saw my pain doctor yesterday. He drug tested me to see if I have any drugs in my system other than the Tramadol and Baclofen that i have been presribed--specifically marijuana. They won't find anything since I have followed his instructions and have not taken anything other than the medications he prescribed. Since I am still having pain in the night and all day in my right sciatic nerve all the way to my toes, he added Gabapentin to my cocktail of pain meds. I take 1 at night for 3 days, then if I'm still having pain I will take an additional pill in the morning for 3 more days. I can add another pill then if the second pill doesn't stop the pain. If that doesn't work I need to let him know. I took the first one last night, and i didn't have pain until I awoke at 3am. So, I'm thinking this pill may help the problem in the long run. Im excited about the prospect of pain relief. It's amazing the toll chronic pain takes over time. I am kranky when I have pain, I know. I also feel tired and get down much more often. I'll be very happy to have some relief. As I said, my left side nerve pain has resolved since my back surgery on 12/22/17.
My B.A. was in music/Bible. My music major was piano, way back in 1972, the same year we were married. I still play the piano and do other things with music, as well. I enjoy knitting, yard work, house painting and puttering around with projects with wood. Having 10 acres, with a barn,fencing, and all that goes with it tends to keep me busy.
I guess with everything I do and have, I shouldn't be depressed, but depression doesn't seem to live by any rules.
@jimhd How wonderful that you fill your life with a variety of activities. That is so important! Depression is the one thing that will not get better with bed rest. Your life style shows great wisdom, Jim. Thanks for allowing us to get to know you better, you are an asset to our group here at Mayo Connect. Teresa
(PS I like what you said, "depression doesn't seem to live by any rules." So true!)
My B.A. was in music/Bible. My music major was piano, way back in 1972, the same year we were married. I still play the piano and do other things with music, as well. I enjoy knitting, yard work, house painting and puttering around with projects with wood. Having 10 acres, with a barn,fencing, and all that goes with it tends to keep me busy.
I guess with everything I do and have, I shouldn't be depressed, but depression doesn't seem to live by any rules.
It's great that you keep busy Jim, I try to get something done each day. Also as hope does I like your saying "Depression doesn't seem to live by the rules."
JOHNHANS: Are you getting any kind of talk therapy? When combined with medication it can be very effective in dealing with life issues. Also I have found that learning meditation and yoga have both helped my stress and depression, as well as relieved some of my pain by increasing flexibility and strengthening my muscles. Most insurance will cover talk therapy and stress reduction (yoga, meditation), especially if prescribed by your doctor. I have personally done all the things I am recommending here, and they have all helped me. Good luck John!
I have gotten talk therapy over the years and the therapists all said they could find nothing that was causing it--it is just a genetic depression. It goes up and down, but I never get mania. I am on pills that have helped level out some of the ups and downs, but I still go into bad depression. It is just for shorter periods. I have seen no reduction in my GAD. It seems to be getting worse. I see a spychiatrist and talk with him about every two months. The problem is that I get used to the medication and now I seem to have gotten used to all the medications that I can take. Some have side effects that are contraindicated due to other conditions I have. I have neuropathy so yoga would be difficult for me. My muscles are weak due to it. Thank you for your suggestions. I do appreciate your taking the time to reply and offer some suggestions. I am glad you have found some relief.
JOHNHANS: Are you getting any kind of talk therapy? When combined with medication it can be very effective in dealing with life issues. Also I have found that learning meditation and yoga have both helped my stress and depression, as well as relieved some of my pain by increasing flexibility and strengthening my muscles. Most insurance will cover talk therapy and stress reduction (yoga, meditation), especially if prescribed by your doctor. I have personally done all the things I am recommending here, and they have all helped me. Good luck John!
@johnhans
Depression wears a person down. When I'm more depressed than usual, I just want to stay in bed, or in the recliner, shopping for bargains, looking things up. Normally, I just go through life slowly, do a little bit of work, do just what has to be done. On Mondays, I'm committed to visiting 4 Hospice patients, so I leave home and get back between 5 and 6. Sadie is always with me, and during the visiting, she makes a lot of people smile. That's my only regular weekday commitment, but I have a doctor's appointment most weeks. On Sunday, we leave home at 9:30, go to church, and spend the afternoon shopping and resting in the car at a park. I walk with Sadie at the park, so she can get some exercise before time for the evening service at church. In the evening service, I play the piano and lead the worship time. We get home at 8, so it's a really long day. Often my feet hurt up to 6 or 7 when I spend a day in town, whether it's on Sunday, or a day we have appointments. Any day we go to a doctor, it means a day of shopping, mostly at thrift stores.
I tend to say a lot to express a thought. Being depressed doesn't necessarily shut me down like it used to. I just do what I have to, without the pleasure or enjoyment I used to.
Do you have any volunteer work that you do? I've found that helping others has brought back a little sense of meaning to my life. Life was meaningless, and I felt worthless, hopeless and like I was a burden to my family from 2005 until this last year, when I've made some progress with my mental health. It would be great if there were a pill or a magic formula that would instantly stop depression and anxiety and suicidal thoughts.
But, until that happens, life goes on a minute at a time.
JOHNHANS: Are you getting any kind of talk therapy? When combined with medication it can be very effective in dealing with life issues. Also I have found that learning meditation and yoga have both helped my stress and depression, as well as relieved some of my pain by increasing flexibility and strengthening my muscles. Most insurance will cover talk therapy and stress reduction (yoga, meditation), especially if prescribed by your doctor. I have personally done all the things I am recommending here, and they have all helped me. Good luck John!
To: @jimhd@gailb@lesbatts@johnhans@safetyshield@johnjames@georgette12@rspaulling Over the past few weeks, I've been reading your posts and I'm so pleased to see how you share your feelings, your weakness but most of all your strengths as you have dealt with depression as well as physical problems for many years. Your responses and replies to each other offer encouragement and new ideas which are so important in dealing with mental health issues. You also offer hope to the Mayo Connect Community as a whole. Just needed to say a big "THANK YOU" to you all. You have all blessed me. Hugs to each of you, Teresa
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Yes, I make jewelry, and I do lampworking which is making glass beads with glass rods, and a propane and oxygen torch. I have also been sewing since I was 14.
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1 ReactionJOHNHANS: Are you getting any kind of talk therapy? When combined with medication it can be very effective in dealing with life issues. Also I have found that learning meditation and yoga have both helped my stress and depression, as well as relieved some of my pain by increasing flexibility and strengthening my muscles. Most insurance will cover talk therapy and stress reduction (yoga, meditation), especially if prescribed by your doctor. I have personally done all the things I am recommending here, and they have all helped me. Good luck John!
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4 ReactionsMeantime, I saw my pain doctor yesterday. He drug tested me to see if I have any drugs in my system other than the Tramadol and Baclofen that i have been presribed--specifically marijuana. They won't find anything since I have followed his instructions and have not taken anything other than the medications he prescribed. Since I am still having pain in the night and all day in my right sciatic nerve all the way to my toes, he added Gabapentin to my cocktail of pain meds. I take 1 at night for 3 days, then if I'm still having pain I will take an additional pill in the morning for 3 more days. I can add another pill then if the second pill doesn't stop the pain. If that doesn't work I need to let him know. I took the first one last night, and i didn't have pain until I awoke at 3am. So, I'm thinking this pill may help the problem in the long run. Im excited about the prospect of pain relief. It's amazing the toll chronic pain takes over time. I am kranky when I have pain, I know. I also feel tired and get down much more often. I'll be very happy to have some relief. As I said, my left side nerve pain has resolved since my back surgery on 12/22/17.
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2 Reactions@gailb Thanks for sharing your good news about the new pain med that is working. How wonderful to have some relief! Good for you.
Teresa
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1 ReactionMy B.A. was in music/Bible. My music major was piano, way back in 1972, the same year we were married. I still play the piano and do other things with music, as well. I enjoy knitting, yard work, house painting and puttering around with projects with wood. Having 10 acres, with a barn,fencing, and all that goes with it tends to keep me busy.
I guess with everything I do and have, I shouldn't be depressed, but depression doesn't seem to live by any rules.
Jim
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2 Reactions@jimhd How wonderful that you fill your life with a variety of activities. That is so important! Depression is the one thing that will not get better with bed rest. Your life style shows great wisdom, Jim. Thanks for allowing us to get to know you better, you are an asset to our group here at Mayo Connect. Teresa
(PS I like what you said, "depression doesn't seem to live by any rules." So true!)
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1 ReactionIt's great that you keep busy Jim, I try to get something done each day. Also as hope does I like your saying "Depression doesn't seem to live by the rules."
Leslie
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2 ReactionsI have gotten talk therapy over the years and the therapists all said they could find nothing that was causing it--it is just a genetic depression. It goes up and down, but I never get mania. I am on pills that have helped level out some of the ups and downs, but I still go into bad depression. It is just for shorter periods. I have seen no reduction in my GAD. It seems to be getting worse. I see a spychiatrist and talk with him about every two months. The problem is that I get used to the medication and now I seem to have gotten used to all the medications that I can take. Some have side effects that are contraindicated due to other conditions I have. I have neuropathy so yoga would be difficult for me. My muscles are weak due to it. Thank you for your suggestions. I do appreciate your taking the time to reply and offer some suggestions. I am glad you have found some relief.
@johnhans
Depression wears a person down. When I'm more depressed than usual, I just want to stay in bed, or in the recliner, shopping for bargains, looking things up. Normally, I just go through life slowly, do a little bit of work, do just what has to be done. On Mondays, I'm committed to visiting 4 Hospice patients, so I leave home and get back between 5 and 6. Sadie is always with me, and during the visiting, she makes a lot of people smile. That's my only regular weekday commitment, but I have a doctor's appointment most weeks. On Sunday, we leave home at 9:30, go to church, and spend the afternoon shopping and resting in the car at a park. I walk with Sadie at the park, so she can get some exercise before time for the evening service at church. In the evening service, I play the piano and lead the worship time. We get home at 8, so it's a really long day. Often my feet hurt up to 6 or 7 when I spend a day in town, whether it's on Sunday, or a day we have appointments. Any day we go to a doctor, it means a day of shopping, mostly at thrift stores.
I tend to say a lot to express a thought. Being depressed doesn't necessarily shut me down like it used to. I just do what I have to, without the pleasure or enjoyment I used to.
Do you have any volunteer work that you do? I've found that helping others has brought back a little sense of meaning to my life. Life was meaningless, and I felt worthless, hopeless and like I was a burden to my family from 2005 until this last year, when I've made some progress with my mental health. It would be great if there were a pill or a magic formula that would instantly stop depression and anxiety and suicidal thoughts.
But, until that happens, life goes on a minute at a time.
Jim
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1 ReactionTo: @jimhd @gailb @lesbatts @johnhans @safetyshield @johnjames @georgette12 @rspaulling Over the past few weeks, I've been reading your posts and I'm so pleased to see how you share your feelings, your weakness but most of all your strengths as you have dealt with depression as well as physical problems for many years. Your responses and replies to each other offer encouragement and new ideas which are so important in dealing with mental health issues. You also offer hope to the Mayo Connect Community as a whole. Just needed to say a big "THANK YOU" to you all. You have all blessed me. Hugs to each of you, Teresa
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2 Reactions