Depression

August 6, 2002

Shirley is doing so-so. She's had the h. Pylori infection and wasn't feeling

too good a couple of weeks ago. I've got to call her tonight and check on

her. We were both talking about how good milk is these days. I'm not a milk

drinker but now I just love a glass of ice cold milk with ice and just a hint

of chocolate or vanilla. Yum. You're doing great with the weight loss!

It's 6 months for me. Shirley was about to catch me with the weight loss.

I'll tell her to write you. She doesn't spend too much time on line. I've

enjoyed your posts and think you've been on the spot with the info.

August 6, 2002

I've lost about 62 pounds so far, Val, coming up on four months this

Sunday. I see you're at 65 pounds, pretty good!! How have you been

feeling? Have you heard from Shirley, lately? How much has she lost?

How is she feeling?

Thanks for the kind words, Val. Keep in touch.

F. Potter

Re: Depression

Why, , you devil you! Never knew that you were too positive. I

took

Sherry's post the same way. Don't you worry! Tell your family hi for

me.

How much have you lost now? Enjoyed the articles you're writing, too.

288/223

August 6, 2002

You know, I favor milk now also. Seems as if it settles my stomach some

times. I was never a big milk drinker before, but I now enjoy a glass

about every other day. I also used to hate tomatoes. I loved ketchup

and tomato soup, but hated tomatoes and tomato juice. Well, I've eaten

hamburgers with tomatoes on them and didn't remove the tomatoes. Almost

unheard of for me. And I still like ketchup. Could eat it on almost

anything. The MGB does tend to change our tastes, doesn't it? Later,

Val.

F. Potter

Re: Depression

Shirley is doing so-so. She's had the h. Pylori infection and wasn't

feeling

too good a couple of weeks ago. I've got to call her tonight and check

on

her. We were both talking about how good milk is these days. I'm not a

milk

drinker but now I just love a glass of ice cold milk with ice and just a

hint

of chocolate or vanilla. Yum. You're doing great with the weight loss!

It's 6 months for me. Shirley was about to catch me with the weight

loss.

I'll tell her to write you. She doesn't spend too much time on line.

I've

enjoyed your posts and think you've been on the spot with the info.

April 1, 2004

Helen - I do agree with you also. Although for me, it was my husband who

suffered for too long because he would not go for help - " I'm not

crazy " ! No one said he was, but that stigma just kept him suffering so

long. And it only got worse. Now that he is on meds, he is so much

better. , while I do agree with you about the prescription thing

and the cost of them, sometimes meds are necessary to adjust a very real

chemical imbalance. My hubby went through periods where he felt he was

not worthy to live. Imagine being a child and hearing your father say

that. That's what my kids went through. It is only in the past 2 years

that my hubby has gotten help for a problem that began in his teens. He

missed out on a lot in his kids lives because of the disease. He just

couldn't use willpower to get better. He needed help. I think you are

right that being down sometimes can be taken care of by willpower. But

when the depression is clinical, major, no amount of talking alone is

going to help. Believe me, I know. I have watched a good man suffer for

a long time because of this. The negative thought patterns do not go

away on their own. And no matter what someone who loves them says

(whether that person is their spouse or their child or their parent),

they cannot believe it. You are right about the postive mind set - it is

definitely needed when dealing with any illness. I am one of the most

optimistic people you will ever meet. I refuse to think for one minute

should be limited because of his disease, and I will continue to

encourage him to do all he can. But if someone's depression becomes so

severe that it limits their life, then it too needs to be taken care of.

I am glad that for you, a positive outlook helps to stave off a severe

episode of depression. And I am glad that there is medical help

available for those who need it. Just my thoughts, Michele (

16, pauci & spondy)

Re: Depression

-...

While everyone is entitled to their own opinions and thoughts on

things and I would never question your reasoning . I will have

to agree to disagree with you here.

I am very happy that you are able to control your depressions with

your own willpower. I do have to question though if you are actually

in a state of " clinical depression " or just feeling a little down.

Clinical depression is a very real condition, it is not a state of

mind, it is a chemical inbalance in the brains chemistry. This

balance needs to be corrected with the use of drugs.

I suffered though a period of clinical depression, there was nothing

I could do for myself to help " snap out of it " as much as i tried. it

was not until i got the help of anti-depressants did I start to feel

human again. These were the blackest and bleakest years of my life

and I wouldnt wish it on my worst ememy.

I just wish there was not soo much stigma attached to mental

illnesses.. they need to be treated and accepted just as much as JRA

is.

I hope I dont upset anyone, including , but i had to voice my

opinion on this and thats what it is just is.. my opinion )))

Hugs Helen and (6,systemic)

-- In , A Morse <dam755@j...> wrote:

> With this disease or any other disease comes depression, as I my

selfs

> have bouts of it as well.

> I do not take antidepressants and if prescribed by the doctor, will

not!

> take them. For me it is a very personal choice to abstain from

taking

> any mind altering drugs.

> Depression is a emotional disorder as far as I see it, that can be

> combatted through mind stimulating activities. I know I am certain

not to

> gain favor with my opinion, but I see the prescribing of

medications in

> our country as nothing more than profit line.

> The medical community (ie) doctor's are only part of the corporate

> monster, (pharmaceutical companies) feeding off the misery of the

> affected. They hold the legislative body of our country's wallets,

so

> they pretty much call the shots. The pharmaceutical giants are

lobbying

> congress, to put a stop to the purchasing of prescription

medications

> from Canada. Which is an irony because, these same companies are the

> suppliers of these medications that are sold in Canada. Supplied to

> Canada's at a MUCH LOWER COST! the US drugs manufactures make little

> money in the sale of drug to Canada, it is through drug sales in

the US,

> where they are raking in 100%+ profit due to the HIGH mark up of

patented

> drugs. And we can not expect any immediate change any time soon in

the

> near future, not so long as our elected officials are receiving

vacation

> junkets for their votes.

> I see the problem as a hurry up societal condition, where our

society has

> become so time oriented driven to get there first. 'So I don't have

time

> to deal with it, medicate it. that will take care of it,'

> Got to be the best and have what the other guy has, " keeping up

with the

> " in an image conscious world. It is paramount to have the

prefect

> outward appearance.

> I HATE THIS DAMNED DISEASE! but MORE so I HATE SOCIETAL VIEWS of

what

> we're supposed to be or look like. And the phony concern and

> condensation of people who would tell you one thing to you face,

while

> all the time telling something different to others. But then that

type of

> person is the movers and shaker of the world, because they can lie

so

> well and do so with out the blink of an eye.

> These people are the politicians of the world and if they aren't

already,

> then they sure are fully qualified to be so.

> To all those living with this and the parents of the kids, get a

positive

> mind set, when dealing with this condition. For there is no cure

for it,

> it can only be maintained and the most important medication in the

> maintenance of it! POSITIVE attitude and a CAN DO SPIRIT! coupled

with

> the never give into determination.

> I don't always have it, but to do work at having it.

>

> Thank You,

> A. Morse

April 2, 2004

Thank you , and yes it is so important to keep a positive mindset,

when dealing with lifes obsticales?! When given stones to eat, then join

together and make stone soup!

HPLTA

Rusty

p.s. If you're in San Diego for conference! look for the crazy little

man, in a blue FACES shirts! with sunny brown hair!!...and don't worry

I'm harmless, I'm like the Bumble in Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer, just

take my denture away and I become a lamb!!..lol...

May 5, 2004

I have a prescription for celexa.. but afraid need more.. am not taking even

the celexa right now.. I know i have to go in for a check up... planning a

trip to Mayo in Rochester , MN this summer... near where my sister lives and i

have a religious convention there too in rochester.. take out 3 with one stone..

... but meanwhile .. i should go get some bloodwork and find out where i am

at... i am scared to... i guess, in a way... sposed to go in for an ultrasound

to make sure no liver cancer

<sigh>.

Dawn

May 5, 2004

I have a prescription for celexa.. but afraid need more.. am not taking even

the celexa right now.. I know i have to go in for a check up... planning a

trip to Mayo in Rochester , MN this summer... near where my sister lives and i

have a religious convention there too in rochester.. take out 3 with one stone..

... but meanwhile .. i should go get some bloodwork and find out where i am

at... i am scared to... i guess, in a way... sposed to go in for an ultrasound

to make sure no liver cancer

<sigh>.

Dawn

May 6, 2004

You are really having a rough go with the depression, aren't your Dawn? Are you

on any anti-depressents? If you can't afford them and have a doctor, you can go

to needymeds.com, get the info sheets and ask your doctor to apply to get your

meds. If eligible, they send a 3 month supply to your doctor (he/she has to do

all the paperwork too). You just need to remember to start the new paperwork

after 2 months.

When I was unemployed I got my prozac and restless leg syndrome meds through

that program.

fighting depression,

Dawn

May 6, 2004

You are really having a rough go with the depression, aren't your Dawn? Are you

on any anti-depressents? If you can't afford them and have a doctor, you can go

to needymeds.com, get the info sheets and ask your doctor to apply to get your

meds. If eligible, they send a 3 month supply to your doctor (he/she has to do

all the paperwork too). You just need to remember to start the new paperwork

after 2 months.

When I was unemployed I got my prozac and restless leg syndrome meds through

that program.

fighting depression,

Dawn

May 6, 2004

Had a friend who took celexa....she swore by it. My first round of tx I did

prozac...this time I've been on amitriptyline because it induces stage 4 sleep

and I developed a sleeping problem. Guess it works okay for the depression...I

haven't gotten depressed and the riba rage just hit about a month ago.

My mantra is....only 7 more weeks.....

Re: Depression

I have a prescription for celexa.. but afraid need more.. am not taking even

the celexa right now.. I know i have to go in for a check up... planning a

trip to Mayo in Rochester , MN this summer... near where my sister lives and i

have a religious convention there too in rochester.. take out 3 with one

stone..

.. but meanwhile .. i should go get some bloodwork and find out where i am

at... i am scared to... i guess, in a way... sposed to go in for an ultrasound

to make sure no liver cancer

<sigh>.

Dawn

May 6, 2004

Had a friend who took celexa....she swore by it. My first round of tx I did

prozac...this time I've been on amitriptyline because it induces stage 4 sleep

and I developed a sleeping problem. Guess it works okay for the depression...I

haven't gotten depressed and the riba rage just hit about a month ago.

My mantra is....only 7 more weeks.....

Re: Depression

I have a prescription for celexa.. but afraid need more.. am not taking even

the celexa right now.. I know i have to go in for a check up... planning a

trip to Mayo in Rochester , MN this summer... near where my sister lives and i

have a religious convention there too in rochester.. take out 3 with one

stone..

.. but meanwhile .. i should go get some bloodwork and find out where i am

at... i am scared to... i guess, in a way... sposed to go in for an ultrasound

to make sure no liver cancer

<sigh>.

Dawn

May 6, 2004

Had a friend who took celexa....she swore by it. My first round of tx I did

prozac...this time I've been on amitriptyline because it induces stage 4 sleep

and I developed a sleeping problem. Guess it works okay for the depression...I

haven't gotten depressed and the riba rage just hit about a month ago.

My mantra is....only 7 more weeks.....

Re: Depression

I have a prescription for celexa.. but afraid need more.. am not taking even

the celexa right now.. I know i have to go in for a check up... planning a

trip to Mayo in Rochester , MN this summer... near where my sister lives and i

have a religious convention there too in rochester.. take out 3 with one

stone..

.. but meanwhile .. i should go get some bloodwork and find out where i am

at... i am scared to... i guess, in a way... sposed to go in for an ultrasound

to make sure no liver cancer

<sigh>.

Dawn

May 6, 2004

Had a friend who took celexa....she swore by it. My first round of tx I did

prozac...this time I've been on amitriptyline because it induces stage 4 sleep

and I developed a sleeping problem. Guess it works okay for the depression...I

haven't gotten depressed and the riba rage just hit about a month ago.

My mantra is....only 7 more weeks.....

Re: Depression

I have a prescription for celexa.. but afraid need more.. am not taking even

the celexa right now.. I know i have to go in for a check up... planning a

trip to Mayo in Rochester , MN this summer... near where my sister lives and i

have a religious convention there too in rochester.. take out 3 with one

stone..

.. but meanwhile .. i should go get some bloodwork and find out where i am

at... i am scared to... i guess, in a way... sposed to go in for an ultrasound

to make sure no liver cancer

<sigh>.

Dawn

June 24, 2004

WHAT? Depression most likely IS thyroid-adrenal.

Gracia

>

> But hey I have to say (over at a depression site for a friend) those

> people really need more to be depressed about LIKE getting thyroid

> and adrenal disease!!!!!!!!!! with their depression to know what a

> real illness with physical and mental conditions can do to a

> person!!!!!!!!!!

>

June 24, 2004

Plus last time I checked depression was considered a " real " illness,

lol..people die every day because of it...

Re: Depression

>

> WHAT? Depression most likely IS thyroid-adrenal.

> Gracia

>

> >

> > But hey I have to say (over at a depression site for a friend) those

> > people really need more to be depressed about LIKE getting thyroid

> > and adrenal disease!!!!!!!!!! with their depression to know what a

> > real illness with physical and mental conditions can do to a

> > person!!!!!!!!!!

June 24, 2004

You can't even try and tell them this one---and don't think I didn't

try extremely hard---no they are happy thinking and taking drugs that

causes addiction which lead to many more problems---it's really a sin

that doctors are so BLIND to hormonal problems having a link with

depression. And for the elderly it's dhea big time---

It's a problem so much bigger than I could ever handle trying to get

them any kind of real testing!!!!!

Granted few have real depression but I bet it can be helped with

correct hormonal testing and treatments!!!!!!!!!! I bet it can!!!!!!

>

> WHAT? Depression most likely IS thyroid-adrenal.

> Gracia

>

> >

> > But hey I have to say (over at a depression site for a friend)

those

> > people really need more to be depressed about LIKE getting

thyroid

> > and adrenal disease!!!!!!!!!! with their depression to know what

a

> > real illness with physical and mental conditions can do to a

> > person!!!!!!!!!!

> >

June 24, 2004

this is true. so many people are walking around undiagnosed. I'm not sure how

long I've had a thyroid problem, but I sure have had many symptoms for many

years. I suspect I had antibodies at LEAST 7 years before i was diagnosed. Many

of my symptoms I've had since i was a kid.

anyway, i was depressed for many years. no wonder not one single anti-depressant

ever worked. it very well could have been my thyroid.

I know the psychiatrists i worked with over the years were good about sending

people to get their thyroid checked. But how many times did we have a TSH of 10

and told it was normal? I spoke to 2 doctors in the past year who STILL think a

TSH is not abnormal until it goes over 10. And my mom had 2 doctors tell her

that in the past year.

It's ridiculous!

And how many times did those of us with Hashi's have our TSH come back normal

and then have a doctor say hmmm we need to check you for antibodies. " NOT....

My mom was just diagnosed with Hashi's and was told she's probably had

antibodies had antibodies back when i was 13. She was just NOW diagnosed, for

goodness sake...first time anyone's even bothered to run the test.

Her doctor told her after she was pregnant with me she probably had a thyroid

problem, but did he ever run any tests to find out? No!!!!! So 13 years later

she's diagnosed with hyperT. Mom was told she probably had Graves' back then.

She had a partial TT back when i was around 13. I'm going on 41 now and it's

only been in the past year that mom is getting treated for hypoT...because of

ignorant docs who say only having a TSH over 10 means you have a problem.

Anyway, all this really burns me up. So many people walking around with thyroid

problems, suffering. How many of them are just put on anti-depressants or

anxiolytics when what they really need is thyroid or adrenal hormones?

I really hate to think about it. sheila

Gracia <circe@...> wrote:

WHAT? Depression most likely IS thyroid-adrenal.

Gracia

>

> But hey I have to say (over at a depression site for a friend) those

> people really need more to be depressed about LIKE getting thyroid

> and adrenal disease!!!!!!!!!! with their depression to know what a

> real illness with physical and mental conditions can do to a

> person!!!!!!!!!!

>

June 24, 2004

yes it is!!! thank you for pointing that out. hugs, sheila

Melancholy Muse <MelancholyMuse@...> wrote:Plus last time I checked

depression was considered a " real " illness,

lol..people die every day because of it...

Re: Depression

>

> WHAT? Depression most likely IS thyroid-adrenal.

> Gracia

>

> >

> > But hey I have to say (over at a depression site for a friend) those

> > people really need more to be depressed about LIKE getting thyroid

> > and adrenal disease!!!!!!!!!! with their depression to know what a

> > real illness with physical and mental conditions can do to a

> > person!!!!!!!!!!

June 24, 2004

My Mom had depression after her open heart sugery...it was horrible...I even

had to take her to a mental hospital one time...my ex had/has depression

too....12 years...I wouldn't wish that on anyone...it over takes your

life...

Re: Depression

> yes it is!!! thank you for pointing that out. hugs, sheila

>

> Melancholy Muse <MelancholyMuse@...> wrote:Plus last time I

checked depression was considered a " real " illness,

> lol..people die every day because of it...

>

June 24, 2004

Yes, it can take over your life. Depression is such a horrible thing to go

through. I remember having people tell me, " Just get over it. " I can't even

begin to tell you how THAT made me feel....

You do what you can, you take the drugs that RX you, you do what you can to

change negative thinking, etc... but it still remains.

I'm fine now, but I battled depression most of life. I get down in the dumps

from time to time, but that's it. My endo tried to give me antidepressants or

anxiolytics 3 or 4 times. I kept telling him he needed to change or increase my

medication. Thank goodness he did and boy did it make the difference!!!

Of course I was anxious and somewhat depressed because that's what this illness

does...it affects us like that. Now that I'm on Armour, I go into my endo's

office smiling, joking, and laughing because I feel great!!!! I just don't

understand why he doesn't just start everyone off on Armour. I also don't

understand why he pushes the drugs for depression and anxiety. I don't

understand why I had to INSIST on first Cytomel and then Armour.

The nurse practitioner i saw in his practice told me every single person they've

switched to Armour is like me...they come in feeling great overall and their

symptoms go away. So if she and my endo see this, then why are they starting

people out on stupid synthetics????

Take care! Hugs, sheila

Melancholy Muse <MelancholyMuse@...> wrote:

My Mom had depression after her open heart sugery...it was horrible...I even

had to take her to a mental hospital one time...my ex had/has depression

too....12 years...I wouldn't wish that on anyone...it over takes your

life...

Re: Depression

> yes it is!!! thank you for pointing that out. hugs, sheila

>

> Melancholy Muse <MelancholyMuse@...> wrote:Plus last time I

checked depression was considered a " real " illness,

> lol..people die every day because of it...

>

June 24, 2004

There is a real reluctance to change the habits of so many years I

guess...

Every time I used to go to my Dr. re " fibromyalgia " , and he couldn't

help me at all, he would ask me if I was depressed. I always

said " NO " , becuse I was scared he would put me on anti-depressants,

and those do scare me. Our younger son was on them for a while, and

he wasn't himself at all. And I grew up with a boy who was on them

for many years, since university days. He used to come to visit us

for a while each year, and was in and out of mental hospitals. He

finally committed suicide at age 50. Drugs scare me. Thyroid drugs

don't though!!!

Gail

>> The nurse practitioner i saw in his practice told me every single

person they've switched to Armour is like me...they come in feeling

great overall and their symptoms go away. So if she and my endo see

this, then why are they starting people out on stupid synthetics????

>

> Take care! Hugs, sheila

>

June 24, 2004

http://ajpendo.physiology.org/cgi/content/full/275/1/E140

this problem is widespread because of the loss of cortisol after

surgery going untreated.

There is always some underlying reason behind everything and I wish

doctors would rule out physical first but they never do.

had I known my low tsh caused low level of healing and why I was in

bed two months after knee surgery I would have been treated and

healed faster ---had the doctor only showed me my blood tests and

read them. Instead they went ahead and did surgery resulting in a

failure.

this happens everyday to patients---

My mother-in-law the one that just had to reattached her retina--they

waited till the end of the day on a diabetic patient--of course

idiots!!!!!! who they told not to eat the entire day.

Plus last time I

> checked depression was considered a " real " illness,

> > lol..people die every day because of it...

> >

June 24, 2004

Hi Gail,

I HATE taking medications too. I have many drug allergies or sensitivities. I

took one medication after surgery and ended up with hallucinations. Most of the

others either make me nauseated or cause me to break out. I also have a really

big problem with epinephrine (i believe that's what's in novacaine). today is a

really bad brain fog day because it's been such a stressful day. (hassles with

cable company...them not showing up for appt....me being on hold for literally

hours, them accidentally cutting off our internet service....3 solid hours of

this. and in the middle of it all trying to prepare dinner for our guests

tonight.

anyway, i'm not remember words too good.

i've worked in the mental health field most of my adult life, and i've seen how

medications have helped so many people. But in the past couple of years I've

been reading about SSRI's and the things I've learned about side effects from

them are really frightening.

I did have some mild anxiety until i got my thyroid meds straightened out. i

told my doc that i believed it was related to my thyroid, and that even if it

wasn't, i would rather try to find alternative ways to deal with my anxiety

before trying meds.

There are many other things one can do to help cope with anxiety...art, dance,

exercise, rational self-talk, therapy or counseling, reducing stress, etc.

These things can help a lot. If my anxiety is severely affecting my life, well

thing i MIGHT consider medication. But I just think it's crazy to just

automatically tell someone who is dealing with mild anxiety or depression to

start taking meds for it without discussing with them OTHER way of reducing

anxiety/depression first.

And if you know that person is having hypoT symptoms out of roof, well then

obviously as a doctor you should try to adjust/change thyroid hormones FIRST

because ALL doctors should know hypoT can make a person have depression,

anxiety, and irritability...not to mention all the other problems which is

enough to cause a person to be depressed in and of itself.

Anyway, I can understand why you're scared to take those kind of medications

and, and IMO, you are right to be cautious about that.

Some people have no problem taking meds, but i do. I know that the

anti-inflammatories I take come with a risk for harming my kidneys. I don't want

to take them. But arthritis is very painful. Right now I'm taking MSM and trying

to let it build up in my body. maybe soon i'll be able to try to reduce my

anti-inflammatory!!

the armour did help with the arthritis in my C-spine a lot!!! but then i was

having more pain in my hands and knees...found out i have arthritis there too!

I'm just thrilled though that since Armour I've been able to go off most of my

other meds! Yea!!! take care! hugs, sheila

& Gail on <harrison@...> wrote: