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The psychological aspect of dealing with bronchiectasis and MAC.

Posted by Terri Martin, Volunteer Mentor @windwalker, Jun 20, 2018

Whenever there is chronic illness, depression, and other phychological issues like anger, and low self esteem can creep into your life. Is this normal? How do we deal with that? I'd like to invite a fellow member, @megan123, a retired social worker; to join this conversation.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the MAC & Bronchiectasis Support Group.

Jennifer | @megan123 | Jul 3, 2018
In reply to @jkiemen "@sophie1019 I feel that I am getting more depressed as time goes on. Someone posted that..." + (show)
@jkiemen

@sophie1019 I feel that I am getting more depressed as time goes on. Someone posted that maybe it was mourning the loss of health and vitality. I think that is part of it but the unknown is also depressing and all the what ifs and staying away from people because of colds, flu's and viruses. All of it gets overwhelming. Not having a great treatment option is the other. I keep saying WHY IS THERE NOT ANY PROGRESS IN TREATING THIS DARN THING!!!!. If I didn't have prayer, I don't know if I could make it through.

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Alleycatcate.....beautifully said

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rwhite725 | @rwhite725 | Jul 4, 2018
In reply to @megan123 "Dealing with Lung Diease, MAC, MAI, Psedomonas etc....is very difficult, and emotionally can lead to depression..." + (show)
@megan123

Dealing with Lung Diease, MAC, MAI, Psedomonas etc....is very difficult, and emotionally can lead to depression and anxiety, especially when first diagnosed...this is so normal...and happens to us all, to various degrees, depending on your diagnosis and the severity of symptoms...it's comparable to the grief we experience, when losing someone...This is the same type of grief with loss of health...symptoms including lack of joy, and reduced interest in things that used to bring us happiness. depression seems to be more common among women than men...it's important that we recognize the symptoms of depression, and get the support that we deserve...Many times our friends and family members don't understand what we have to deal with our Lung disease, which can isolate even more..This support group empowers us to learn as much as we can about our disease, but the emotional journey, I find is just as important as important, if not more so because it impacts on our physical health as well. I continue to experience the roller coaster of emotions, but have a therapist that helps me with my spiritual journey of mindfulness and awareness for the unchartered road ahead...peace and love.

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Thank you for this post. I know it is a few years old but for someone who is new to dealing with this diagnosis and still trying to figure out treatment, your comforting words are timeless and priceless. it helps to know others felt the same feelings of sadness and loss when they learned of they had to deal with this illness. Feeling pretty sad right now but trusting in my physicians and myself to heal.

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alleycatkate | @alleycatkate | Jul 4, 2018
In reply to @jkiemen "@sophie1019 I feel that I am getting more depressed as time goes on. Someone posted that..." + (show)
@jkiemen

@sophie1019 I feel that I am getting more depressed as time goes on. Someone posted that maybe it was mourning the loss of health and vitality. I think that is part of it but the unknown is also depressing and all the what ifs and staying away from people because of colds, flu's and viruses. All of it gets overwhelming. Not having a great treatment option is the other. I keep saying WHY IS THERE NOT ANY PROGRESS IN TREATING THIS DARN THING!!!!. If I didn't have prayer, I don't know if I could make it through.

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@kiemen Just noticing you are dancing with the devil. Depression is a tough one. I wanted to mention something that I have recently come across that has had what I would call a dramatic effect on my mood. It is a supplement called SAMe. I do not think there is much difference in the brands...Most places carry it...drugstores, Walmart etc. I have found it more uplifting than an antidepressant...and it is a natural supplement. It helps produce and regulate hormones and is found naturally in our bodies..There are a few side effects (see below for Mayo site review) but usually not at a low dose, which is what i am on. The only problem is if you are already on antidepressants it is not advised to mix the two. It just seems to brighten everything....and believe me, I am not feeling terribly bright over contracting this disease but feel much better with this supplement. https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-same/art-20364924 I hope this might help you.

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Jennifer | @megan123 | Jul 4, 2018
In reply to @megan123 "Dealing with Lung Diease, MAC, MAI, Psedomonas etc....is very difficult, and emotionally can lead to depression..." + (show)
@megan123

Dealing with Lung Diease, MAC, MAI, Psedomonas etc....is very difficult, and emotionally can lead to depression and anxiety, especially when first diagnosed...this is so normal...and happens to us all, to various degrees, depending on your diagnosis and the severity of symptoms...it's comparable to the grief we experience, when losing someone...This is the same type of grief with loss of health...symptoms including lack of joy, and reduced interest in things that used to bring us happiness. depression seems to be more common among women than men...it's important that we recognize the symptoms of depression, and get the support that we deserve...Many times our friends and family members don't understand what we have to deal with our Lung disease, which can isolate even more..This support group empowers us to learn as much as we can about our disease, but the emotional journey, I find is just as important as important, if not more so because it impacts on our physical health as well. I continue to experience the roller coaster of emotions, but have a therapist that helps me with my spiritual journey of mindfulness and awareness for the unchartered road ahead...peace and love.

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Hi rwhite725.....you will be okay....Day at a time...this group is amazing for the knowledge and emotional support you get...we have all been there, and continue as warriors..

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jul 4, 2018
In reply to @megan123 "Dealing with Lung Diease, MAC, MAI, Psedomonas etc....is very difficult, and emotionally can lead to depression..." + (show)
@megan123

Dealing with Lung Diease, MAC, MAI, Psedomonas etc....is very difficult, and emotionally can lead to depression and anxiety, especially when first diagnosed...this is so normal...and happens to us all, to various degrees, depending on your diagnosis and the severity of symptoms...it's comparable to the grief we experience, when losing someone...This is the same type of grief with loss of health...symptoms including lack of joy, and reduced interest in things that used to bring us happiness. depression seems to be more common among women than men...it's important that we recognize the symptoms of depression, and get the support that we deserve...Many times our friends and family members don't understand what we have to deal with our Lung disease, which can isolate even more..This support group empowers us to learn as much as we can about our disease, but the emotional journey, I find is just as important as important, if not more so because it impacts on our physical health as well. I continue to experience the roller coaster of emotions, but have a therapist that helps me with my spiritual journey of mindfulness and awareness for the unchartered road ahead...peace and love.

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Hi @rwhite725, welcome to the MAC & Bronchiectasis group on Connect https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/mac-bronchiectasis/. I encourage to browse the various topics and discussions. You'll find a wealth of first-hand experience, information and support from fellow members, especially in the main discussion here:

- (MAC/MAI) MYCOBACTERIUM AVIUM COMPLEX PULMONARY DISEASE/BRONCHIECTASIS https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mycobacterium-avium-complex-pulmonary-disease-macmai/

We look forward to getting to know more about you.

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Flib | @flib | Jul 4, 2018
In reply to @jkiemen "@sophie1019 I feel that I am getting more depressed as time goes on. Someone posted that..." + (show)
@jkiemen

@sophie1019 I feel that I am getting more depressed as time goes on. Someone posted that maybe it was mourning the loss of health and vitality. I think that is part of it but the unknown is also depressing and all the what ifs and staying away from people because of colds, flu's and viruses. All of it gets overwhelming. Not having a great treatment option is the other. I keep saying WHY IS THERE NOT ANY PROGRESS IN TREATING THIS DARN THING!!!!. If I didn't have prayer, I don't know if I could make it through.

Jump to this post

I'm a clinical psychologist and, in the past, have recommended SAMe to several clients who did not want to take an antidepressant It's used in Europe, quite a bit, I'm told.

It was helpful to some people, not to others and some had side effects like upset stomach.Glad it has helped you. It's a good reminder to keep trying. There are many things out there that can help. I'm so grateful to Terri for her recommendations. I'm in a better place because of them.

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Mentor
Terri Martin, Volunteer Mentor | @windwalker | Jul 11, 2018
In reply to @jkiemen "@sophie1019 I feel that I am getting more depressed as time goes on. Someone posted that..." + (show)
@jkiemen

@sophie1019 I feel that I am getting more depressed as time goes on. Someone posted that maybe it was mourning the loss of health and vitality. I think that is part of it but the unknown is also depressing and all the what ifs and staying away from people because of colds, flu's and viruses. All of it gets overwhelming. Not having a great treatment option is the other. I keep saying WHY IS THERE NOT ANY PROGRESS IN TREATING THIS DARN THING!!!!. If I didn't have prayer, I don't know if I could make it through.

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@franthony, Hi there. I don't know why, but this is the first time I am seeing this post. I totally understand the hurt you feel about your sister's lack of empathy for you. My sister was the same way. I don't cough now and look good, but at the time that I told her, I was coughing violently for years, and hyper sensitive to everything, and repeatedly getting pneumonia. It was obvious something was very wrong with me. I really don't have any kind of relationship with her. My close friends are my sisters.

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Mentor
Terri Martin, Volunteer Mentor | @windwalker | Jul 11, 2018
In reply to @megan123 "Dealing with Lung Diease, MAC, MAI, Psedomonas etc....is very difficult, and emotionally can lead to depression..." + (show)
@megan123

Dealing with Lung Diease, MAC, MAI, Psedomonas etc....is very difficult, and emotionally can lead to depression and anxiety, especially when first diagnosed...this is so normal...and happens to us all, to various degrees, depending on your diagnosis and the severity of symptoms...it's comparable to the grief we experience, when losing someone...This is the same type of grief with loss of health...symptoms including lack of joy, and reduced interest in things that used to bring us happiness. depression seems to be more common among women than men...it's important that we recognize the symptoms of depression, and get the support that we deserve...Many times our friends and family members don't understand what we have to deal with our Lung disease, which can isolate even more..This support group empowers us to learn as much as we can about our disease, but the emotional journey, I find is just as important as important, if not more so because it impacts on our physical health as well. I continue to experience the roller coaster of emotions, but have a therapist that helps me with my spiritual journey of mindfulness and awareness for the unchartered road ahead...peace and love.

Jump to this post

@rwhite725, Hello and welcome to our Connect group. I apologize for not responding to you sooner. This site is a great place to share your experiences, ask questions, or just read. There are several ways to glean information that has been past posted. We have the 'Discussion Board' which pops up when you click on the 'Mac and Bronchiectasis Group'. The Discussion Board is great because it has Topics to choose from in dealing with this disease. You can read through everybody's posts as they appear on the thread, and you can click on member's @name to see all that they have posted. @katemn is a good one to click on as an example. Do you have a first name? Or would you prefer to be addressed as @rwhite725? I look forward to learning more about you. -Terri

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mediaguy | @mediaguy | Jul 15, 2018
In reply to @jkiemen "@sophie1019 I feel that I am getting more depressed as time goes on. Someone posted that..." + (show)
@jkiemen

@sophie1019 I feel that I am getting more depressed as time goes on. Someone posted that maybe it was mourning the loss of health and vitality. I think that is part of it but the unknown is also depressing and all the what ifs and staying away from people because of colds, flu's and viruses. All of it gets overwhelming. Not having a great treatment option is the other. I keep saying WHY IS THERE NOT ANY PROGRESS IN TREATING THIS DARN THING!!!!. If I didn't have prayer, I don't know if I could make it through.

Jump to this post

@windwalker this is really helpful. My wife was recently diagnosed with bronch and I am trying to figure out how to change routine and add value... more value any way.

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tdrell | @tdrell | Jul 15, 2018
In reply to @jkiemen "@sophie1019 I feel that I am getting more depressed as time goes on. Someone posted that..." + (show)
@jkiemen

@sophie1019 I feel that I am getting more depressed as time goes on. Someone posted that maybe it was mourning the loss of health and vitality. I think that is part of it but the unknown is also depressing and all the what ifs and staying away from people because of colds, flu's and viruses. All of it gets overwhelming. Not having a great treatment option is the other. I keep saying WHY IS THERE NOT ANY PROGRESS IN TREATING THIS DARN THING!!!!. If I didn't have prayer, I don't know if I could make it through.

Jump to this post

@franthony,,,I have dealt with 3 sisters for 73 years so l can appreciate what you are feeling somewhat with the response from the sister saying "so what,,,etc" I can recall bitching about a nasty sister comment to a dear friend. Her comment was …."we can choose our friends but not our relatives" It is soooo true!!!! terri aka tdrell

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