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Neuropathy and depression and anxiety
Neuropathy | Last Active: Oct 28, 2021 | Replies (74)Comment receiving replies
Hi, @swartzki I've been struggling with depression, anxiety and PTSD since 2002, before neuropathy pain started. In 2005, I started attempting suicide and in December I checked into a treatment center and began the difficult process of recovery. Suicidal ideation continued to be a problem for several years. Eventually I was able to decrease the compulsive thoughts to the place where I could manage them. I still live with thoughts of dying. Usually they're under the surface of my consciousness, but I still wish to end my life often enough that I have to be proactive about sticking to my safety plan. It would be nice if there were a pill that stopped the thoughts. It would be nice if there were pills for lots of things.
I want to write about some other things but I have to stop now for supper. If I don't send what I've written so far, it's likely that I'll lose it. Depression and neuropathy are both painful.
Jim
Replies to "Hi, @swartzki I've been struggling with depression, anxiety and PTSD since 2002, before neuropathy pain started...."
I'm back, eating a bowl of ice cream and watching Hoarders.
I don't think it's possible for anyone to say which antidepressant you should take. It's much more likely that you'll try several before finding one that works for you. I went through that process of trial and error until I landed on Wellbutrin. Others didn't have any effect on me, or they had bad side effects. So, don't get discouraged if you have to do the six week trial a few times before discovering the right one.
Having a dual diagnosis is more than adding 1+1. It's more of a process of multiplication rather than addition. Not just the illnesses, but the meds, as well, are a challenge. Drug interactions, side effects and then there's the stigma. Stigma from without and within.
Combining any chronic pain such as pn with the chronic pain of depression is hellish. But then you already know that, don't you.
I have a history of gastric problems, starting with a 40" removal of my small intestine (no detectable reason that it stopped working), then removal of 80% of my large intestine that was hard as concrete and beginning to rupture, then came bleeding ulcers and chronic bowel obstructions requiring hospital stays. I really don't like ng tubes. The last one set off a panic attack. So, I've had stomach issues both before and after pn. I've learned that digestive problems often accompany depression and other mental health illnesses. I don't have any hard evidence of this, but I think that some of my more recent digestive problems have a neuropathy connection.
I hope you can hang on while you search for the right antidepressant. There IS one that will lift your spirits.
Jim
Jim, you hang in there! Jesus will end all your pain & thoughts one day. Wait for Him!!!!
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Jim, sounds like you have a plan. I thought I could do it alone, but I am really looking forward to talk therapy with a psychiatrist. I was biased about psychiatric help. I prefer a cognitive behavioral method.... but psychologists cannot prescribe or manage pharmaceuticals... drugs! Keep me in your prayers.