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Posted 4/6/2005 7:56 AM (GMT -8)
Hey there,

Im new to this board, Im usually over on the Crohns board, but since Ive had alot of issues with depression lately I thought I would check this board out as well. I think about suicide or anything like that, I just lost interest in a lot of things that I used to love doing. I know it is hard to deal with a chronic illness and surgery but I always thought of myself as strong in mind. Now Im not so sure, it is hard to feel so beaten down all the time.

Ive never had any issues with this before and have always been pretty positive and upbeat, so it is weird having life feel so dull.

I am going to see therapist in about two weeks, not really sure what that is like, never really wanted to find out either. But, my doctor thought that between the therapy and prozac I would start to feel better.

I was wondering if any of you had experience with major surgeries and if that caused some mental issues? For a few weeks after surgery all I could think about was death, not suicide, but just the whole mortality thing, concerning myself, my wife, and my other family members. It went away, but that was a bad couple of weeks.

 

Posted 4/6/2005 9:43 AM (GMT -8)
Welcome D-Rule!

You are a wise man to care for yourself now rather than later! Depression is very common in chronically ill people. I came to Healing Well through the lupus forum and I think most all of us lupans use an anti-depressant med. Depression can come on for several reasons. You have: chronic illness, you just had surgery, you are a man feeling responsible for your family, and we just came thru the a lengthy period of short daylight hours. Each of those issues can contribute to depression. Chronic illness and other things can deplete, or stifle the brain's uptake of, brain chemicals like seratonin (seratonin is one of the neuro-transmitters which help brain cells communicate with each other). Anti-depressants like prozac (a class of drugs called SSRI's) take a number of weeks to work because they don't give you seratonin, they simply allow your body to stop spilling so much of it and start using it better. Counseling is a great idea because it helps us see patterns of thinking that are contributing to negative thinking, poor self esteem etc. (those feelings are intensified w/o sufficient brain chemicals)

So, you see, it isn't always about how strong you are or how determined you are. I hope you get some good feedback from your counselor and I'll try to find a web-site where you can learn more about brain chemicals and depression. It is very helpful to understand because it takes some of the pressure off of you when you understand more about how your brain functions.

Please keep us posted about your progress (or lack of progressive). Your posts will help lots of people who never sign in, but read the forum for help. Plus we just want to know how you are doing.

BTW: I have no medical background and I'm just sharing as a friend.

Blessings!
Posted 4/6/2005 10:25 AM (GMT -8)
D-Rule

I too have Crohn's and have had major surgery 4 years ago. It nearly took my life and I have struggled with it and CD for many years. Therapy is a good step. It has helped me dramatically. I am on Yahoo IM if you would like to chat about my experience and how it might relate to yours.
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