Guest guest Posted December 10, 2008 Report Share Posted December 10, 2008 Hi there, This is Vicki in Cali.... I have Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue and the stress of life can be overwhelming at times.... it is funny that when our kids are doing well, it is as if our bodies and minds know it and that is when we are the ones who need help.... The one thing that helps greatly is physical activity... are you doing this...??? I don't mean anything that exhausts you... but even a 10 minute walk 1 to 2 times a day... in the cold, in the heat, even stretching, getting the blood flowing and the chemical levels in the brain changing. Also... could it be weather related at all... with the winter weather. We are purchasing my father a " blue light " they have one at costco for $109.00 it is a special light that provides the body the necessary " sun " light during the winter... a lot of people's chemical makeup changes and it either causes depression or increases the depression people already have.... so.... Why don't you keep a diary of your feelings... and start with 1 or 2 10 minute walks a day and see if you are able to get a blue light... I don't know if you are in the financial position to buy one... but I have read review after review after review at how much they help people. Lastly.... give yourself a break! you are a supportive Mom.... you are in a down time and you are taking ownership of that, that is great right there. Don't beat yourself up over this! If you believe in God.... pray..... I know a huge part of depression is the motivation to help ones self... you are reaching out and I want to hear from you at what you are doing to move forward with this... stick with the meds... Have you tried Melatonin for sleeping.... it is an all natural pill that you get at the health store... we have used it with our kids to get them on a better sleep routine... it can be used for anyone, any age... it is a natural sleep aid. The body produces melatonin.... this is an extra dose of it.... again... lastly... since lastly last time didn't work for me, I will try it again do you give yourself time to veg at night. When the kids go to bed.... do something that allows your mind to shut off... I play games on the computer... like scrabble cubes or flip words... you have to think about words or strategy, so you are not able to think of everything else in the world.... I hope one of these things help.... let us know.... our mental health is so important... for us to be able to advocate and support our children's mental health.... Happy thoughts and hugs from Northern California.... Vicki > > > > My daughter pretty much has her " issues " (OCD, ADD) under control; > however I > > do not. So, I was hoping to reach out for some advice. > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 10, 2008 Report Share Posted December 10, 2008 Hi there, I also have times of depression, spring/fall in particular. Medication has never helped for me so I have tried many other alternatives. It is individual I know but here are a few things that I find really help- Light box, by Apollo(can assist with sleep too) Vit D - 2000mg (sunshine vitamin) Chinese Emotional Remedy - (best to get TCM practioner who will do an assessment)This one I am amazed at how quickly and well it can help Accupuncture 20mins of natural light, walk, no sunglasses, light need to hit the retina CBT - Talk back to negative thoughts, or not listen, not asign meaning to the depression, just be with it Make myself get out even when I don't want to Do something for someone else(ok, I sound like my Mother...) Watch comedies or something uplifting And when all else fails eat chocolate, it's a natural mood booster, likewise coffee, my drug of choice! Depression is in itself depressing, I know that maybe sounds stupid, but it's how I feel. It can limit your life, your ability to function, the choices you make because you are not sure you will be able to follow through... Your brain is mush, don't care about anything, and it feels impossible to move, but move you must I find. Basically the behavioral part of CBT. If I make myself do something, anything, clear a counter, clean out a drawer(pathetic I know), but I think it is the distraction as well as having an end result. Force myself to go out to a store and talk to someone, or phone someone and ask about them. Alternately I lie down and die for a while, and then get back up and start moving again. The idea being to let the feeling wash over you, not try to fight it, the fighting is what can get you stuck in it, I find I can cyle through the feeling of it easier. I remind myself that I LIVE with depression, unwelcome guest that it is, I walk with it but it is not who I AM. The separation helps a lot, very Zen, the " isness " of it and all, if I can separate and look at it then I know it is not me that is the depression. I imagine it is much like the OCD, it lives in your head, but it is not who you ARE. Ok, so I'm not sure if that makes any sense to you, but it is very powerful for me. I find if I focus on what I CAN do rather than what I can't, and try to hold a positive focus, which I had to learn is mainly a choice. Ok, so I feel like I am getting too Polly again, hope it's not too annoying to you. When I'm depressed I find these sorts of suggestions annoying myself, so I'll understand if you are swearing at you computer screen right now... Has bipolar been considered? My understanding is that repeated cycles of depression, even without mania is considered bipolar. Not sure if it is medicated any differently though. My sister (bipolar depression) found Wellbutrin and Effexor helpful at various times, after many years of drug trials. I keep trying medications myself now and then, just to see if something new will help, no luck yet, but I am lucky in that it cycles and moves in the other direction...and that I can function still. Hang in there. I hope you DO find a medication that is helpful. I send you a big hug! Barb > > My daughter pretty much has her " issues " (OCD, ADD) under control; however I > do not. So, I was hoping to reach out for some advice. > > > > I have battled depression for 10 years. I started on Zoloft way back then, > and it worked for about 5-6 years, although, over the years I did have to > continue to up the dosage. I tried the vitamin supplement route for about > one year, and decided that was just not going to work for me. Just within > the last couple of months, I started Cymbalta. I am taking the maximum > dosage of 90mg. It has helped a little bit, but not as much as I would like > it to. I have tried taking it at different times of the day; I tried > dividing the dosage between morning and evening, still no improvement. I > still have issues with sleep and my mood still needs improvement. > > > > I hate to have to wean myself and start over, but I am thinking that might > be necessary.any insight??? > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 10, 2008 Report Share Posted December 10, 2008 Was just catching up on posts, and had to respond. First of all, I was also thinking/wondering about about suggesting CBT, so glad you mentioned that, Barb. But, I also wanted to comment how courageous you are, Barb. Listening to you describe your struggle with your BPD, it really hit me how disabling it is for you. Yet, you keep going, reaching out to others here too, despite your own struggle. Wow! Impressive! ::::pat on the back and hugs::::: BJ > > > > My daughter pretty much has her " issues " (OCD, ADD) under control; > however I > > do not. So, I was hoping to reach out for some advice. > > > > > > > > I have battled depression for 10 years. I started on Zoloft way > back then, > > and it worked for about 5-6 years, although, over the years I did > have to > > continue to up the dosage. I tried the vitamin supplement route > for about > > one year, and decided that was just not going to work for me. Just > within > > the last couple of months, I started Cymbalta. I am taking the > maximum > > dosage of 90mg. It has helped a little bit, but not as much as I > would like > > it to. I have tried taking it at different times of the day; I > tried > > dividing the dosage between morning and evening, still no > improvement. I > > still have issues with sleep and my mood still needs improvement. > > > > > > > > I hate to have to wean myself and start over, but I am thinking > that might > > be necessary.any insight??? > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 11, 2008 Report Share Posted December 11, 2008 Good suggestions, Vicki. I also have Fibromyalgia, along with a slew of other health issues. I find exercising helps so much. Not only physically, but mentally too. BJ > > > > > > My daughter pretty much has her " issues " (OCD, ADD) under control; > > however I > > > do not. So, I was hoping to reach out for some advice. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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