Re: Depression & Suicidal thoughts

[Guest guest]

Judy,

You and I have had many talks about depression and suicidal feelings. You know where I come from and where I stand on this issue.

The last few days away from the group and all the emails gave me time to reflect again on how important it is that we find a way to define ourself anew.

For those of you new to the group, depression is a huge part of living with chronic illness. In that place where you lose your identity, your social circle, your livelihood, your ability to care for others-- as mom, dad, coach, wife, lover, son, daughter, wage earner-- it all changes.

We are not our illness. We are still all of the above personalities-- but the way we approach life changed. We will even have to learn to ask for help.

It is so important that when you are in the pit-- that you reach out and get help. Maybe your anti-depressant needs to be changed, or something added. If you aren't sleeping, you may want to try to add Melatonin to your regime, I am taking 6mg about 30 minutes before bedtime, and it is helping. When you wake up in the morning, stick your head outside, and get some light. That stops the melatonin hangover.

Winter can be extra hard, with the storms and dark clouds. See if you can get your MD to write a script for a Light that duplicates sunlight. It can make a huge difference. And with a prescription, at least you can write it off your taxes, or possibly the MD can write a letter to the insurance so that they will cover it-- submit it to your insurance-- along with the copy of the prescription and letter from the MD. It's worth the shot.

Watch what you eat. So many of our meds already screw with our minds-- then the disease may also be hitting the frontal lobe section where moods are effected. Sugars and sweets also add to depression-- so try as much in season fruit as you can.

Do armchair exercises-- whatever level your body will allow. When the sun breaks through, wrap yourself up in a warm coat and blanket and get outside, even if it's cold-- even for a few minutes. Mittens, hot tea, sun on your face! Wonderful!!

My heart goes out to you- all of you. We have and will be in this place, and we do have the strength of each other to lean on, and we can still at least open the drapes and look outside. There is beauty around us, Debbie T shared how she finds such joy in her kids coming home, jabbering about their day, including her in the way she can be included.

Call a friend and ask if they can bring over a movie that you can watch together. Or have them bring in some frozen yoghurt, or some other favorite treat.

In our ARCHIVES are a large number of posts on these issues-- and I highly recommend you re-read them-- I know that at different times, I too have to do that. You are not alone, and I am so proud of all of you who are willing to share these issues with all of us.

Blessings, and may you find a peaceful heart,

Tracie

NS Co-owner/moderator

Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape in the new year.

[Guest guest]

Tracie,

so good to have you back did you have a nice get away and relax and enjoy

yourself, take in the ocean, I love the sound of the ocean. I have some

questions, but want you to get settled back in and continue with that relaxed

feeling. Will get back to you later, besides I need to finish my chocolate ice

cream, it’s 2 am and I need some comfort for my tummy before I go back to

bed again……………. Glad to see you back, Marla

From: Neurosarcoidosis [mailto:Neurosarcoidosis ] On Behalf Of tiodaat@...

Sent: Sunday, January 13, 2008

9:05 PM

To: Neurosarcoidosis

Subject: Re:

Depression & Suicidal thoughts

Judy,

You and I have had

many talks about depression and suicidal feelings. You know where I come

from and where I stand on this issue.

The last few days away

from the group and all the emails gave me time to reflect again on how

important it is that we find a way to define ourself anew.

For those of you new

to the group, depression is a huge part of living with chronic illness.

In that place where you lose your identity, your social circle, your livelihood,

your ability to care for others-- as mom, dad, coach, wife, lover, son,

daughter, wage earner-- it all changes.

We are not our

illness. We are still all of the above personalities-- but the way

we approach life changed. We will even have to learn to ask for

help.

It is so important

that when you are in the pit-- that you reach out and get help. Maybe

your anti-depressant needs to be changed, or something added. If you

aren't sleeping, you may want to try to add Melatonin to your regime, I am

taking 6mg about 30 minutes before bedtime, and it is helping. When you

wake up in the morning, stick your head outside, and get some light. That

stops the melatonin hangover.

Winter can be extra

hard, with the storms and dark clouds. See if you can get your MD to

write a script for a Light that duplicates sunlight. It can make a huge

difference. And with a prescription, at least you can write it off your

taxes, or possibly the MD can write a letter to the insurance so that they will

cover it-- submit it to your insurance-- along with the copy of the

prescription and letter from the MD. It's worth the shot.

Watch what you

eat. So many of our meds already screw with our minds-- then the disease

may also be hitting the frontal lobe section where moods are effected.

Sugars and sweets also add to depression-- so try as much in season fruit as

you can.

Do armchair

exercises-- whatever level your body will allow. When the sun breaks

through, wrap yourself up in a warm coat and blanket and get outside, even if

it's cold-- even for a few minutes. Mittens, hot tea, sun on your

face! Wonderful!!

My heart goes out to

you- all of you. We have and will be in this place, and we do have the

strength of each other to lean on, and we can still at least open the drapes

and look outside. There is beauty around us, Debbie T shared how she

finds such joy in her kids coming home, jabbering about their day, including

her in the way she can be included.

Call a friend and ask

if they can bring over a movie that you can watch together. Or have them

bring in some frozen yoghurt, or some other favorite treat.

In our ARCHIVES are a

large number of posts on these issues-- and I highly recommend you re-read

them-- I know that at different times, I too have to do that. You are not

alone, and I am so proud of all of you who are willing to share these

issues with all of us.

Blessings, and may you

find a peaceful heart,

Tracie

NS Co-owner/moderator

Start the year off right. Easy

ways to stay in shape in the new year.