Hi Amanda,

Thank you for your response. I have been on antidepressants for quite while through my life. My depression wasn't really a problem for many, many years. Some people tell me that this sometimes happens when you are elderly. I was always a fanatic with my personal hygiene. After I left my job for the reasons I stated in my post things just have worsened and I am isolating myself and I know it. Lately I am doing a bit more and I am not quite as bad. Since I CKD-3 I am cooking more using more veggies, etc. This is actually good for me because it gets me up and lets me enjoy cooking healthy food for myself. The hygiene issue has been going on for maybe a couple of years. I do shower, but it takes me but it such an effort. Once I am in the tub I feel good but getting me there is quite a job. I have talked with my nurse practitioner (she orders my meds for me) and she was wary about my isolating myself but it's up to me to make changes which, when you are depressed, you need the energy or desire to change things. Right now I am taking Lamictal, Lexapro and Klonopin (for sleep). I can laugh but I feel very little happiness inside. I would love to wake up and feel happy but that doesn't happen. I always "flat" as far as emotions go. Some of this is genetic (my mother was depressed for good reasons, mostly my father), my sister had depression and she took meds, and my father was depressed. Oh Lord, I can't stop typing. I'll stop now because you know my life story by now. Again, thank you so much for your caring.

Nancy : )