Connect
← Return to Depression and Anxiety at an older age
Discussion
Depression and Anxiety at an older age
Depression & Anxiety | Last Active: May 26 11:44am | Replies (625)Comment receiving replies
This is the first time I've read something you've written, but I see that you're no stranger here.
Life doesn't always deal the nicest cards. I'm going to try Cymbalta again after my back surgery next month. I took it for a short time several years ago, but I stopped for some reason. It's complicated. I've tried dozens of medications to treat my neuropathy pain, with no success. A couple of them helped but had bad side effects, others did nothing, and some worked for a while, but then quit working. The only medication that has helped long term is morphine sulfate contin, and in 2017 I had a spinal cord stimulator implant that reduced my pain significantly for over a year. I still have it turned on, but it's not doing much, if anything.
I found out a couple of months ago that I have severe spinal stenosis at L4-L5. That could be a factor in the pain I have in my feet and ankles. I won't know until after surgery. I'm hoping that my feet will hurt less.
Depression came before neuropathy, even before old age. Depression alone is really hard to deal with, but in my case, PTSD, anxiety, OCD and suicidal ideation are all in the mix. And then along came idiopathic small fiber peripheral polyneuropathy and autonomic neuropathy. Add most any chronic illness to depression and they tend to feed on each other. Stress can certainly qualify as a chronic illness that makes depression spike. I'm glad that you were able to find a new apartment without spending any time homeless. Are you starting to settle in? I hope you feel safe, and can still be in touch with friends.
Time for me to take my various medications and go to bed. Hope my feet will let me sleep.
Jim
Replies to "@lsittll This is the first time I've read something you've written, but I see that you're..."
@jhmd. Oh God Bless you! You really have a lot of pain to deal with. I don't know what I would do if I had that pain to deal with. Does Cymbalta have a dual side effect for you or do you or do you use it only for pain? I'm just up for the day. Hopefully I won't get dpuble vision signaling a migraine. Then it's time for me to rest.
Connect
Hi Jim, I don't think I have ever sent a message to you. I am also having depression and anxiety, but before my surgery I was not having any depression or anxiety. I was excited and positive about my surgery. My fusion was from T-10 to my pelvis from degeneration that caused a scoliosis. But, I also had severe spinal stenosis in L-4 and L-5. Before surgery I mainly had sciatica on my right side buttock down to my right foot and my right foot was very weak. Since surgery, I started having sharp like pains in my feet.that could have been neuropathy. I can't take Gabapentin or Lyrical. The surgeon said it might be caused from my nerves regenerating. They told me I could start back on my celebrex and anti-inflammatory and my feet got better! I had just a little bit of twinges this morning.
I know depression is the pits. My son is bipolar 1 and we have not contact with him and his family. It's a long story.
I want you to know that I care about you and I know the surgery will help. The pain in your feet could be from the stenosis and who knows what else the surgeon will find. Where are you having the surgery? I had mine done at Mayo at Rochester. 31/2 hours from our home in Iowa. I had the best surgeon and his assistant has been so helpful through this whole process. My surgery was 9 hours long.
I pray you have less pain for it can cause depression and then anxiety can play into it. Take care of yourself. My thoughts will be with you.