Hello all! I was talking to my docs the other day and they BOTh told me that
a large number of people with MG also suffer from depression...........

How do you all handle it? I for one am on 10 mgs a day of Paxil - a real life saver for me.........The last time I had the plasma exchange I kind of had a break and screamed @ my poor hubby for 3 days straight - again the needle thing - so my nurses talked my neuro into giving me the Paxil...........

Do any of you suffer from depression? If so, how do you handle it?

Erin

Hi Erin in some ways this last year has been horrid for me a few months ago i went to the Dr sat down and cried for at least 5 minutes were did that come from it scared me being a man we find it harder to admit how we feel.......
and mg has many different paths .
I know how lucky i'am compared to a lot of you ,
Alan

Hi Alan!

It must be hard to be a man and be sick, b/c men aren't supposed to express fear, sadness, etc........

Luckily you have a great family! How are you doing now? Are you feeling better? How are your kids? Has your breathing gotten better?

I may have to go back next week - energy has tanked again and I have "wonky" eye - YUCK!!!!!

Erin

Yep I'm on anti depressants, and happy. Without them I tend to not be at all...............
I know that before mg I suffered from some depression, but its certainly worse now I have MG, loss of being able to do things etc. I'm glad I have a Dr that was attuned to depression, he suggested I start on them again.

I do and am on 20 mg citalopram daily for it. I was in quite a funk after my third setback with getting back to work, my wife (who has dealt with depression herself for quite some time) recognized it and brought it up with my GP on one of my more recent visits.

Brian

Paxil (10 mgs) has been great stuff for me! I know I need it and my neuro keeps making sure I'm taking it!!!!

I just don't think that without them I would be as happy.......my dad has been so bitter since his stroke and I am so scared that I will end up the same way!

He met my neuro the other day and my neuro suggested that he see a therapist.......not a good meeting @ all! I think he ticked off my doc b/c he was making a scene and yelled @ everyone...........AWFUL!!!!!!

ERin

My family doc just recently put me on celexa 20 mg. I like it so far..been on it about 3 months. It does mellow me out and I am not so anxious anymore...

I have heard that in MG gravis patients--that we have to be careful with some drugs because of how we absorb some meds??? Like wine...can affect us funny??? I take ambien at night when I can't sleep...has anyone else taken this and have MG..is this ok?? My family doc also gave me this...but my neuro has never mentioned anything about the other meds that I take....

I see him (my neuro) wednesday!! I so am ready to get to feeling better!!

Hi Cricket!

I do know that certain antibiotics can really mess us up, so my GP is really careful with those.......

As for the sleeping pills, I haven't taken one in a while, but I do take xanax and my neuro approves.

Right now I'm taking approx. 20 pills (including pain meds for my abcesses) and all of my docs approve......

Hope this helps a bit! Hopefully Missy will get on here and let you know - she has been dealing with MG for a while now and really knows her stuff!

How are you feeling? Any better? i'd love to hear from you when you have time!!!!

Erin

Hey Brian! Are you feeling better yet? Has your cough gotten better? Did you have a great New Years?

Things were quiet here - just the way I love it! I am such a homebody - always have been - and my poor hubby loves crowds, so he went to my sister's house for her party and my son and I stayed home and watched some tv.......fun.....fun!!!!!

What does your work schedule look like? Are you going to be home a while longer? I bet your wife and kids love having their daddy/spouse around!!!!

I'm going to try and see my neuro 2morrow! Keep your fingers crossed for me, please!!!!!

Can't wait to hear from you!!!!

Erin

I am feeling better being back on the mestinon...but my eyes are really blurring up and my speech is still the same, especially at night...I haven't fallen again since restarting the mestinon..I do stumble..but NO falls ...I have really been taking it easy and resting...I went to work just one day last week..and was really tired...I have a full week coming up...so I am really dreading that.

Unfortunately, I also learned that I do not have any real active support groups in my area...they are in-place..just not really active...maybe meet once or twice a year... I am so glad that I found this site!!!!