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Neuropathy pain and depression: Anyone find help and enjoy life again?

Posted by cecelia19 @cecelia19, Sep 25 1:23am

I don’t know what is worse - the pain or the ensuing depression. I am taking Gabapentin and amitriptyline for the pain and the latter is supposed to help with depression but it doesn’t. I have panic and crying jags every day that go on for an hour or sometimes two. A small dose of Ativan is sometimes needed for that to stop. I’m scheduled to see a psychologist in a couple weeks but right now this sense of hopelessness is overwhelming me. I try to get interested in my hobbies to distract me but nothing is working. I have a wonderful support system and that helps tremendously yet I feel very alone in my suffering. I wish there was some kind of support group in my area but there is not. Does anyone have any suggestions, something that has helped them in respect to this? Has anyone ever been this low, come out the other side and is enjoying life again?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Neuropathy Support Group.

dlydailyhope | @dlydailyhope | Sep 25 7:13am

@cecelia19
I have depression from chronic pain over 8 years (osteoarthritis, nerve, spine, hips, headaches, etc.).

Amitriptyline did not work for me. Cymbalta/duloxetine worked for me which I also had combined with Wellbutrin/bupropion. I also have had panic attacks and had taken Zoloft/sertraline in the past which also helped.

You may benefit from seeing a psychiatrist who can prescribe medications and review interactions with other medications. A psychologist cannot help with prescribing.

You are definitely not alone. My depression has taken over my life this past year and I am trying to regain some quality of life one day at a time. I have had 4 different surgeries over the last 2.5 years and lost my job last year which has made it very challenging for me as a single parent of a teenager and his sole provider (waiting to see if I will be approved for disability…it has been almost 7 months and I have not heard anything yet on their decision). I have no family support system but my faith is giving me hope and strength for a better future.

REPLY
1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Sep 25 1:25pm

@cecelia19, I think you saw the helpful posts where @jan64 posted a related discussion here:
- Depression and PN: Anyone have success with an antidepressant? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/depression-and-pn/

While the topics are related, I expanded the title of your discussion because you ask a slightly different question. Your post reminds me of a couple of helpful older discussions that may be helpful to read:
- Pain and depression, the one two punch.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pain-and-depression-the-one-two-punch/
- Acceptance: Anyone have difficulty accepting new limitations daily?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/acceptance/
- PN: From Anger to Acceptance
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pn-from-anger-to-acceptance/
I share these past discussions to show that you are not alone. I'm proud of you for taking action and seeking a new appointment with a psychologist to find something that helps. Thanks for reaching out to your community here for helpful tips while you wait for your appointment.

I'll get things started, but I'll first clearly declare that I'm not living your situation and my tip may not be helpful. When I find myself using sentences with "can't", I ask myself to reframe the situation with "can". Neuropathy has robbed you of the things you want to do. Rather than focusing on the lost activities, would it help to focus on favorite activities you can do? Choose things that give you a sense of accomplishment or joy or both.

I can:
- pet my cat
- sort the pile of papers that need my attention
- connect with like-minded people on Connect, or help someone who needs to hear "I'm here. I understand."
- read a book in my favorite sitting corner

What would you add?

REPLY
1 reply
Debbie | @dbeshears1 | Sep 26 6:14am

Cecelia - I think we can't help but feel sad about what has happened to us and maybe feel a burden of guilt because of how our problem has affected the lifestyle and activities we were accustomed to with our partners and others. I love Colleen's response - we at some point have to figure out how to make the best of the new hand we've been dealt and just do our part to optimize our health and happiness. I too have never found neighborhood support groups where I live. This is it, Mayo Clinic Connect, and the help I've gotten from others in coping with this has been priceless. I'm rooting for you!

REPLY
1 reply
solobeee1 | @solobeee1 | Sep 26 9:33am

Aside from LDN which helps pain but not numbness, exercise is the only physical & mental relief. I try to ride my bike 3 or 4 days a week for as long as possible. It does relieve pain & stiffness & frees your mind of always thinking about your feet.

REPLY
2 replies
felicelinda | @felicelinda | Sep 26 4:26pm
In reply to @solobeee1 "Aside from LDN which helps pain but not numbness, exercise is the only physical & mental..." + (show)
@solobeee1

Aside from LDN which helps pain but not numbness, exercise is the only physical & mental relief. I try to ride my bike 3 or 4 days a week for as long as possible. It does relieve pain & stiffness & frees your mind of always thinking about your feet.

Jump to this post

What is LDN? Thanks for the information. My husband suffers from neuropathy and the depression/anxiety that goes along with it. It is a terrible condition!

REPLY
cecelia19 | @cecelia19 | Sep 27 12:23am
In reply to @dlydailyhope "@cecelia19 I have depression from chronic pain over 8 years (osteoarthritis, nerve, spine, hips, headaches, etc.)...." + (show)
@dlydailyhope

@cecelia19
I have depression from chronic pain over 8 years (osteoarthritis, nerve, spine, hips, headaches, etc.).

Amitriptyline did not work for me. Cymbalta/duloxetine worked for me which I also had combined with Wellbutrin/bupropion. I also have had panic attacks and had taken Zoloft/sertraline in the past which also helped.

You may benefit from seeing a psychiatrist who can prescribe medications and review interactions with other medications. A psychologist cannot help with prescribing.

You are definitely not alone. My depression has taken over my life this past year and I am trying to regain some quality of life one day at a time. I have had 4 different surgeries over the last 2.5 years and lost my job last year which has made it very challenging for me as a single parent of a teenager and his sole provider (waiting to see if I will be approved for disability…it has been almost 7 months and I have not heard anything yet on their decision). I have no family support system but my faith is giving me hope and strength for a better future.

Jump to this post

Like you, I rely on my faith and prayers. I will be praying for you for relief of your pain and getting disability. From what I understand, often you are turned down the first time but always try again and that is usually successful so continue to pursue it. Years ago I had a year like yours - in a 13 month period I had ankle tendon surgery, open heart surgery for a blown mitral valve, a blood clot in my leg, a breast biopsy (my 6th) and abdominal oophorectomy for suspected ovarian cancer. I’m a senior now and what is giving me hope for my PN is knowing that things always turn around. That year taught me that. Reflecting on that helps me to realize that one day I’ll get through this trial too. And so will you. Prayers going your way.

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1 reply
cecelia19 | @cecelia19 | Sep 27 12:30am
In reply to @dbeshears1 "Cecelia - I think we can't help but feel sad about what has happened to us..." + (show)
@dbeshears1

Cecelia - I think we can't help but feel sad about what has happened to us and maybe feel a burden of guilt because of how our problem has affected the lifestyle and activities we were accustomed to with our partners and others. I love Colleen's response - we at some point have to figure out how to make the best of the new hand we've been dealt and just do our part to optimize our health and happiness. I too have never found neighborhood support groups where I live. This is it, Mayo Clinic Connect, and the help I've gotten from others in coping with this has been priceless. I'm rooting for you!

Jump to this post

Thanks so much, Debbie. You totally get it. My husband is suffering seeing me in this state so for his sake, and I guess for my own, I’m trying to pull myself together. Even those close to us, though, can’t really understand what this is like to live with. A close friend recently chastised me for finally going ahead with taking Gabapentin and using a THC/CBD topical. This only adds to my depression. As you said, the help from others on Mayo Clinic Connect is truly priceless. Thank you for your kind response and I am rooting for you too and will take your advice on how to deal with this to heart.

REPLY
1 reply
cecelia19 | @cecelia19 | Sep 27 1:11am
In reply to @solobeee1 "Aside from LDN which helps pain but not numbness, exercise is the only physical & mental..." + (show)
@solobeee1

Aside from LDN which helps pain but not numbness, exercise is the only physical & mental relief. I try to ride my bike 3 or 4 days a week for as long as possible. It does relieve pain & stiffness & frees your mind of always thinking about your feet.

Jump to this post

Does your neurologist prescribe LDN? I feel hopeful that you have found something for the pain. I will be going to a major medical center - waiting for them to call me with an appointment date - and they can prescribe that for me as my neurologist doesn’t prescribe it.

REPLY
1 reply
cecelia19 | @cecelia19 | Sep 27 1:38am
In reply to @colleenyoung "@cecelia19, I think you saw the helpful posts where @jan64 posted a related discussion here: -..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

@cecelia19, I think you saw the helpful posts where @jan64 posted a related discussion here:
- Depression and PN: Anyone have success with an antidepressant? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/depression-and-pn/

While the topics are related, I expanded the title of your discussion because you ask a slightly different question. Your post reminds me of a couple of helpful older discussions that may be helpful to read:
- Pain and depression, the one two punch.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pain-and-depression-the-one-two-punch/
- Acceptance: Anyone have difficulty accepting new limitations daily?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/acceptance/
- PN: From Anger to Acceptance
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pn-from-anger-to-acceptance/
I share these past discussions to show that you are not alone. I'm proud of you for taking action and seeking a new appointment with a psychologist to find something that helps. Thanks for reaching out to your community here for helpful tips while you wait for your appointment.

I'll get things started, but I'll first clearly declare that I'm not living your situation and my tip may not be helpful. When I find myself using sentences with "can't", I ask myself to reframe the situation with "can". Neuropathy has robbed you of the things you want to do. Rather than focusing on the lost activities, would it help to focus on favorite activities you can do? Choose things that give you a sense of accomplishment or joy or both.

I can:
- pet my cat
- sort the pile of papers that need my attention
- connect with like-minded people on Connect, or help someone who needs to hear "I'm here. I understand."
- read a book in my favorite sitting corner

What would you add?

Jump to this post

I love your advice and you said it so well, what I am feeling about what I no longer have. I will try and focus on the I cans. I can pick up my guitar again. I learned later in life and it has always brought me so much pleasure yet I’ve been too depressed to play but I will do something about that. I will be thankful that I don’t have a disease that has robbed me of my manual dexterity so I can still play. I love to read and have to be thankful that my vision is still good.
We had to say good-bye to our beloved 17 year old Yorkie last spring and I am still mourning her as well as the loss of my health. I want to add “I can” to petting a dog again and have actually been actively searching our local shelters for a small, adult or senior dog but they are adopted quickly. I think I need her even more than she would need me.
Thank you again for your kind advice and positive message that I will most definitely take to heart.

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