1. < Depression & Anxiety

Long-term depression

Posted by seeker70 @seeker70, Oct 11, 2017

I have been depressed, when I think about it, since I was a kid (I"m a senior now!) I have been treated off and on with meds and minimal talk therapy, but nothing changes. In the past it has been underlying but as I grow older it is becoming more intense. People ask: 'why are you depressed? I never get depressed, just get a better attitude'. Or they don't hear my (probably passive-aggressive) cries for help. Or they say: 'what do you have to be depressed about?' Actually although I agree with these opinions to a certain extent, it does not address the problem that depression is not a 'why', not is it a 'choice'. It's almost like being gay, you just are. Maybe I should just accept it (guess that's what I have done for decades 🙂 But I don't want to. I want to feel better now. Earlier in my life I was able to enjoy things, although the depression would keep popping out. But now I seem to have trouble enjoying anything, including my own family, and it's harder and harder to 'push depression down' once it's popped. So I have longer periods of depression and sadness and sleeplessness and lonliness, an shorter periods of being able to enjoy my life. Or want something. Or look forward to anything. I will say too that I have as much to be happy about as I do to be unhappy - but as I said, it's not a 'why'. I'm looking for people to explore this idea, and to help each other begin to overcome. Or maybe it's just me and there's no one else who feels this way -- 😉 Thank you for reading all this.

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Gary, Alumni Mentor | @gman007 | Feb 17, 2018
In reply to @gman007 "@kdo0827 As a result of chronic pancreatitis, I have lived with chronic pain for about a..." + (show)
@gman007

@kdo0827 As a result of chronic pancreatitis, I have lived with chronic pain for about a dozen years. I have taken both opiods and methadone and been up and down the dosage tables several times. The withdrawal from either is not what you would call a walk in the park. You will think at times that you may not survive the experience, but as long as you follow a reasonable process of weaning yourself off the medication, you will survive. Spend some time reading about the things you can expect from your body over some period of time and I think that can vary for anyone as can the severity of any symptoms of withdrawal. You will see some things that may help minimize the symptoms and some work for some and other things for other people. If you are committed to being off pain medication, you will make it, but realize that after 3-4 years your body craves it like oxygen and be kind to yourself in terms of time.

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The largest percentage of cases are caused by alcohol abuse. When I was diagnosed, That was estimated to be 15-20% and the rest primarily ideopathic. With better imaging techniques, it has become obvious that there are many causes; I have a congenital defect known as pancreas divisum, which limits drainage. In absolute terms, poor drainage is usually the cause of very bad inflammation and that is where the pain comes from and it is severe. Nurses who have experienced childbirth, kidney stones, and pancreatitis and they have to the lady told me pancreatitis was the worst pain. Lots of opiates take the edge off, but you best learn to live with a fair amount of pain because in an attack/flare, nothing really stops the pain. Is that good enough? BTW, I poured enough alcohol on mine to fan the flames of a bad situation until diagnosed and have been sober for the 12 years since. I hope you are not asking because you think you might be encountering it?

REPLY
kdo0827 | @kdo0827 | Feb 17, 2018
In reply to @gman007 "@kdo0827 As a result of chronic pancreatitis, I have lived with chronic pain for about a..." + (show)
@gman007

@kdo0827 As a result of chronic pancreatitis, I have lived with chronic pain for about a dozen years. I have taken both opiods and methadone and been up and down the dosage tables several times. The withdrawal from either is not what you would call a walk in the park. You will think at times that you may not survive the experience, but as long as you follow a reasonable process of weaning yourself off the medication, you will survive. Spend some time reading about the things you can expect from your body over some period of time and I think that can vary for anyone as can the severity of any symptoms of withdrawal. You will see some things that may help minimize the symptoms and some work for some and other things for other people. If you are committed to being off pain medication, you will make it, but realize that after 3-4 years your body craves it like oxygen and be kind to yourself in terms of time.

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I can attest that it is the worst pain. I pray that you have a much easier day today.

REPLY
Gary, Alumni Mentor | @gman007 | Feb 17, 2018
In reply to @gman007 "@kdo0827 As a result of chronic pancreatitis, I have lived with chronic pain for about a..." + (show)
@gman007

@kdo0827 As a result of chronic pancreatitis, I have lived with chronic pain for about a dozen years. I have taken both opiods and methadone and been up and down the dosage tables several times. The withdrawal from either is not what you would call a walk in the park. You will think at times that you may not survive the experience, but as long as you follow a reasonable process of weaning yourself off the medication, you will survive. Spend some time reading about the things you can expect from your body over some period of time and I think that can vary for anyone as can the severity of any symptoms of withdrawal. You will see some things that may help minimize the symptoms and some work for some and other things for other people. If you are committed to being off pain medication, you will make it, but realize that after 3-4 years your body craves it like oxygen and be kind to yourself in terms of time.

Jump to this post

That is why you were taking methadone? I was operated on in Jan. 2014 at our State's Medical University and they did not have access to the extended release opiate I was taking and felt like they could most closely mimic it with methadone. My pain mgmnt. doc was furious, but they tried to contact him about 5 times and he would not return their call, so I just wrote it off to him being a jerk. With our current "opioid Epidemic" every pain mgmt. doc I have come in contact with has a very bad God complex. In talking with others, it is very common. You are scared to death you are gonna not be able to get your pain meds and so you practically kiss their behinds and just hope they don't decide to cut you off. They are making very good use of a problem that they and their ilk, and general practitioners created instead of trying to take care of those who are not "drug hunters". Soapbox relinquished; sorry. If you can make it without your pain meds, I will certainly be praying for you, because I know what a limb you are climbing out on, but your faith sounds very strong and that is the best pain reliever from where I sit.

REPLY
Parus | @parus | Feb 18, 2018
In reply to @gman007 "@kdo0827 As a result of chronic pancreatitis, I have lived with chronic pain for about a..." + (show)
@gman007

@kdo0827 As a result of chronic pancreatitis, I have lived with chronic pain for about a dozen years. I have taken both opiods and methadone and been up and down the dosage tables several times. The withdrawal from either is not what you would call a walk in the park. You will think at times that you may not survive the experience, but as long as you follow a reasonable process of weaning yourself off the medication, you will survive. Spend some time reading about the things you can expect from your body over some period of time and I think that can vary for anyone as can the severity of any symptoms of withdrawal. You will see some things that may help minimize the symptoms and some work for some and other things for other people. If you are committed to being off pain medication, you will make it, but realize that after 3-4 years your body craves it like oxygen and be kind to yourself in terms of time.

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??????

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Parus | @parus | Feb 18, 2018

When it comes to depression I have found nothing that works consistently.

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1 reply
Parus | @parus | Feb 18, 2018
In reply to @parus "@lisalucier I would be honored to do so. Where is the best place to do this?..." + (show)
@parus

@lisalucier I would be honored to do so. Where is the best place to do this? I know if it were not for doing art work I would surely stay at the bottom of the vortex. My profile picture is one of my most recent. The weather was bitterly cold and being one who loves nature and the creatures dwelling herein I derive a sense of rest with putting how I feel into pictures. I will post this one in its proper format. It started out as a newborn foal alone on a cold day. I finished it w/o snow as it was only cold. When I finished the painting I looked outside to see horizontal snow. I then added the blowing snow to the painting I thought I had finished. Attached is the before the snow version and then when the snow came. Thus the 1st now only exists as a copy. I like this concept. If it helps another then I have succeeded in some way. Here goes...

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There are few that will admit to depression as this is an admitting weakness. Many with depression are not aware they have thus. Anyone believing there is a magic pill may need to rethink things.

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doguard57 | @doguard57 | Feb 18, 2018

Are you my twin? Your post just hit me between the eyes. Clinical studies label, that's the problem. We should look at mood dissorders as cultural race differences. Then no one could discriminate against us, that's the problem. Something has to be wrong with us......right? How many races (cultures) have been labeled and persecuted for.their.indeferences. All at some point.

Keep sharing and wake up each day knowing God does not use labels, he makes promises to bring us home at the end of the run.

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1 reply
donny67 | @donny67 | Feb 18, 2018
In reply to @doguard57 "Are you my twin? Your post just hit me between the eyes. Clinical studies label, that's..." + (show)
@doguard57

Are you my twin? Your post just hit me between the eyes. Clinical studies label, that's the problem. We should look at mood dissorders as cultural race differences. Then no one could discriminate against us, that's the problem. Something has to be wrong with us......right? How many races (cultures) have been labeled and persecuted for.their.indeferences. All at some point.

Keep sharing and wake up each day knowing God does not use labels, he makes promises to bring us home at the end of the run.

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THANKS FOR YOUR COMMENT ! I GUESS THERE REALLY PEOPLE OUT THERE READING POST ! THAT ALPNG IS A COMFORT !

REPLY
donny67 | @donny67 | Feb 18, 2018
In reply to @parus "When it comes to depression I have found nothing that works consistently." + (show)
@parus

When it comes to depression I have found nothing that works consistently.

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WE SHOULD KEEP TRYING !

REPLY
donny67 | @donny67 | Feb 18, 2018
In reply to @gman007 "@kdo0827 As a result of chronic pancreatitis, I have lived with chronic pain for about a..." + (show)
@gman007

@kdo0827 As a result of chronic pancreatitis, I have lived with chronic pain for about a dozen years. I have taken both opiods and methadone and been up and down the dosage tables several times. The withdrawal from either is not what you would call a walk in the park. You will think at times that you may not survive the experience, but as long as you follow a reasonable process of weaning yourself off the medication, you will survive. Spend some time reading about the things you can expect from your body over some period of time and I think that can vary for anyone as can the severity of any symptoms of withdrawal. You will see some things that may help minimize the symptoms and some work for some and other things for other people. If you are committed to being off pain medication, you will make it, but realize that after 3-4 years your body craves it like oxygen and be kind to yourself in terms of time.

Jump to this post

thnks and god speed !

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