Hello @robertrm (Bob), and welcome to Connect. We appreciate your sharing a bit about yourself with the Connect community.

I think I have found a few discussions that I think you may be interested in looking at and joining:

- Laminectomy and L4-L5-S1 fusion, http://mayocl.in/2nbCTCC. (not the same fusion, but many members discussion spinal fusion)
- Motor vehicle accident, soft tissue trauma, http://mayocl.in/2lhUx6H. (contains discussion about back injuries due to accident)

I also invite you to read through some of the discussions taking place in the Mental Health group, http://mayocl.in/2cUfR1j. In the Mental Health group, there are a lot of different discussions taking place on various causes of depression. You will meet some very supportive members who help provide encouragement and coping mechanisms for all different types of feelings of depression.

@robertrm, you have come to the right place to Connect with others who know what you are experiencing. I look forward to seeing you meet others on Connect.

In answer to your closing question, yes, and I'm not the only one. I'm hoping to start with a new therapist next week, after an 18 month break from therapy.

Chronic pain didn't become a factor in my depression until a few years ago, when peripheral neuropathy advanced from numbness and pins and needles to burning pain in my feet. I began seeing a therapist 11 years ago, after I started attempting suicide. Depression, PTSD, anxiety disorder all worked together to finding myself in a deep, dark hole.

Depression can be debilitating, as is chronic pain. Have you spoken with your doctor about the depression? The most successful treatment plan for depression is the combination of medication and therapy. I recommend both if you're not already doing them. They've kept me alive for the past 15 years.

Jim

Thanks, Jim, for taking the time to respond to me. My doctors don't seem to be as concerned about my mental health as my physical health. Everything with them is what med combo, what other surgery, what, what, what. It makes me crazy. Ill figure it out. Bob

Thanks Justin. Ill check them out.

Justin, is there an osteoporosis group on here? My doctor has recommended calcium injections like Fosamax, and im wary about doing them because of the horror stories I have heard from friends who have had them. I would like to learn more. Thanks, Gail B

Hi Bob, I know the place you're at. I wouldn't pretend to tell you who's pain is worse than the other, but I understand why you're so down and frustrated. I also had a bad skiing accident. Mine was in 2007 and mine was my left shoulder. Seems like people recover from shoulder brakes right, Well I guess I recovered,the shoulder functions, I don't hurts constantly and so does the rest of my body. I've had five surgeries to not only put on the plates and screws and get the bone back together, but also surgeries to repair of torn ligaments, tendons and other parts that were left not functioning properly. The biggest problem that I have faith is not the accident, the broken shoulder, all the surgeries, it's what happens to your body afterwards. I didn't know that all my muscles were going to terminate spasm no one can control. I never heard the word fibromyalgia before. I know and didn't realize I would slowly deteriorate to taking pain medicine just so I could tolerate the day. I also have a spouse that does the grocery shopping and the things that gets the things I need, but I don't doubt that he has resentment and this is in the life we went together. I'm sad that he is put in a caretaker role. I don't know what to do either. So yeah I get it and I think there are many many people here who get it. I'm so sorry that you're going through all of what you are,, all the pain, the doctors visits, the physical therapy and everything else it's really wearing. Hang in there and know that there are plenty of people here who not only understand, but go through it too. Jen

I often feel like a burden, too, Bob, and that feeds into the depression - like a cyclical pattern - and into suicidal thoughts. Are you on Medicare Disability? I applied when I was 55, and it covers any mental health treatment. Where I live, the only therapists who take Medicare is the hospital behavioral health department. I hope to start seeing the one here in town next week, which is his first week. I don't think you have to have a referral to see a counselor. I surely encourage you to seek out a good one.

My daughter's having a baby in the next few days, and my wife flew to New Hampshire to be with her for a month. While she's gone, I have a list of things I want to do. I did the first one today, and I'm trying to decide what's next. I know that keeping busy, whether I want to or not, will be good for me.

Keep pushing onward. Do what YOU know is best for you , not just what the doctor says.

Jim

@gailb, there are a few discussions taking place on osteoporosis, but this one is the most active and has the most members to answer your questions on calcium injections: Treating osteoporosis, http://mayocl.in/29cSR8d.

I'm currently on Reclast for osteoporosis. It's a yearly infusion. Takes about 15 minutes. No side effects. Will have density test soon. I've had one last year and the second will be in April 

@jimhd, I'm so sorry for your pain and the depression you have gone thru. I have been suffering with pain in my lumbar spine and was prescribed gabapentin 6 years ago when I had my first pinched nerve. There is nothing like nerve pain. I have had a pinched nerve twice now and both times, I was so close to taking the entire bottle of gabapentin cause I just couldn't handle it anymore, I didn't but right now I'm still suffering from after affects and now have degenerative disc disease below my Harrington Rod. I get to see the neurosurgeon on the 22nd of this month as I have tried all options and am looking at surgery. No one understands chronic pain unless they truly have experienced it. It's awful to go thru.