I have been away for several days and unable to take part in this forum because I have been oh, so sick!!! I have been so weak that it is hard just to turn over, or walk from one room to the next...and I have been thinking I am dying by the way I am feeling. At 5'6"ish, I have lost so much weight that I look anorexic, or something. I am now only 109 pounds. Mom was going to take me to the hospital, but I got her to take me to my neuro instead since he is the one who is trying to figure out this MS thing with me. I thought that perhaps it is a flare-up type of thing. He told me that I needed to go to my regular doc because it appeared to him that I was needing antidepresants...for depression. He said that everything that is happening could very well all be caused because of depression over MS. Guess that makes some kind of sense...though I am not sure how. Perhaps he is right. I do know that I cry over every little thing, and that both of my kids asked me why I am crying so much...over everything. Can depression do all of this????

Mom went to the store to get me things that I could just open and eat since food turns my stomach after only one bite, and cooking is out....things like crackers and canned cheese, fruit. So...now I am trying to get my body to accept food again.

Have 2 more tests to satisfy the doc's dx. One for the eyes, and one an MRI on my neck...then I go back to see him on the 11th. I have thought that getting a dx would be a relief...getting out of limbo. Could all of this really be just depression? Sounds stupid, but even THAT thought makes me want to cry. What in the h*** is wrong with me?????

sally

sally, i am sorry sorry you are going through this.

yes...depression can and does do this. illness and pain can cause depression. not just being down, sad or upset.

hormones too. if they get wacked out, it can cause the symptoms you are describing.

try comfort foods. even just a bite here and there. getting your strength up is important.

you aren't alone sally. many of us have been there from chronic pain.

I am so sorry to hear this, Sally. You have been such a trooper through all this diagnosing garbage.

I have been there, Sally, right where you are. I called my Neuro, who just happens to be a Neuro/Psych, and he started me on Buspar, right away. Depression, he says, is brought on by the MS.

The eating thing was the same for me, as well. I just had no desire to eat. My DH would bring home Pizza, fix me a martini and sit me down to play cards and eat. He was such a dear, and I would eat some of it, just to please him. I lost 65 lbs. But I needed to lose some weight, at the time.

Ask your Doc about Buspar. It's a good place to start, as it's an anti anxiety/depression med with the least side effects. It stopped working for me after a year and I had to go to Paxil, which I am still on. Buspar saved my life, no kidding.

Don't feel bad about it, I'll bet that 90% of PwMS are on some kind of AD. Anxiety and depression are a big side effect of MS.

I hope you feel better soon, Dear. I'm in your corner and saying a prayer for you right now.

(((((((((((Sally)))))))))))

Hello Dear Sally,
I am so terribly sorry you are going through this. Yes, depression can cause many problems including anorexia (the loss of appetite), as well as trouble sleeping, increase in mood swings, lack of motivation, amongst a multitude of other symptoms. In addition, MS in itself can cause depression. I concur with what the others have said and believe you ought to try and take one of the anti-depressants that will increase your appetite as a side-effect of the medication as well.

Even if you are going through what we refer to as a "situational depression", I would recommend seeking help so that you will begin to feel better overall, and some of your MS symptoms may even be abetted as your depression lifts.
I believe we've all been in your shoes at one time or another; some more depressed than others. I wish you all the best and hope you take solice in knowing that you are not alone. There is life and laughter after being diagnosed. For some it just takes some time and extra help. Hang in there dear Sally. I shall be thinking of you, and hoping this is just a bump in the road for now.

With heartfelt thoughts,
Chris

Sally,

Depression can be very common with MS, sometimes as Chris mentioned depression can be situational or it can be due to the MS.

Depression can do the things you have mentioned and much more. Seek help from your doctor....it's time to take action so you will be ready to deal with the choices you will need to make after the testing is done.

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/spotlight-emotions.asp

Hang in there, ADs can make a difference.

Hello Sally,
I'm just checking in to see how you are faring. I hope things are looking up for you and hopefully you've been able to eat something in order to keep up your strength.

I will be thinking of you on the 11th. Please let us know what your Neurologist has to say.

With heartfelt thoughts,
Chris

If anything could make a person feel better, it is the loving and uplifting people that have responded to me. You will never know how much you have helped me just by your words.

My regular doc has been out of town, and I refused a substitute doc. But, I will go see my doc on Monday. I am now holed up in my safe place (my recliner), and am trying to eat a little bit. I lost two more pounds, and am now down to 109. That's not good. But, I at least do not feel as if I am dying anymore. Perhaps it was an anxiety attack. Yes...the MS dx is scary, but no dx at all would be worse. It would be awful to still be constantly progressing towards depletion with doctors just shrugging their shoulders, and nobody knowing what to do to stop it or slow it down. Scary feeling.

Thanks for being so loving.....................sally

How lovely of you to say. You continue to be in my thoughts.

All the best,
Chris