RSD and Mental Illness
 

Hi I wondered if any others with RSD had PTSD (I Do ) Major Depression etc ,I am not sure how this will be taken if it should be talked about by E Mail or a group just for RSD and MI or if it's fine here since Mental Illness like RSD can be brought on by Trauma
Gentle Hug RSDNO

Hi RSDNO,
I know as a result of my rsd (and almost dying in Sept 2010) I have a grown son that has been my caretaker (since 16 years of age) and he has been fighting major depression in the last few years and thought he could handle it all by himself. Finally this month (and after much prayer) and him almost dying in a car accident in July 2011 from trying to end it all...he has gotten help. I knew his life was affected by my disabling rsd but I never realized how much until this last year or so. It nearly killed him!

Depression as I am finding out is not talked about and kind of swept under the rug as no one wants to talk about it. My family has had a real hard time handling my rsd and now with my son's severe depression...well let's say that they just don't get it alot. I do understand it and support my son 150% in his quest to get better. Yes, I get depressed too...I mean who would not when you lose everything and your whole world changes?? What I have found that works for me is to pray alot, laugh alot, and I have to read in the evening (when my mind can focus better) until I fall asleep and if not I will think of my life and get depressed and want to cry. I try to surround myself with positive people and stay away from anything I feel that is negative. I applaud your admission of Major Depression and pray that you will have better days ahead. I am finding with my son that there are good meds out there but you just have to tweak it to find what works for you...that is what we are doing with him. Also, with rsd it is the same thing...between meds and treatments...it is just finding out what works for you. Take care of yourself. We are all here for you whenever you need any help.
kathy d

Mine started when I realized my foot wasn't getting any better, then I discovered it was the RSD monster. I held out for a year until I couldn't work anymore, then I felt completely helpless and felt like a burden to my spouse. That's when I knew and cried to my doctor, that I felt like I was worthlesss. They started me on abilify and it has dramatically improved my self worth. I still have my bad days when the pain is out of control, but I know that it will pass. So I throw my little temper tantrum and move on.

I think it is very common for those who suffer chronic pain from as disease such as RSD to experience depression... Let's face it.. RSD is a bear who never hides in the woods!! When reality sets in that this is our life now.. Our normal has now changed... We lost our normal and accepting our life with pain.. It's a hard hurtle to get past... Cymbalta is a good medicine not only for depression but also chronic pain.. So if we RSD people can take it for depression and pain... Why it's a double dipper win!!!

Wishing you all a restful less painful nights sleep,,,

Hugs, Kathy

I feel very lucky that I haven't suffered from too much depression...but it is a constant internal battle to not let the bad thoughts set in. I have bad days of course...but I feel very lucky to be surrounded by so many people who help keep me strong, friends and family. But it really is a daily battle between me and the RSD and so far I win most of the time. But some days the RSD gets the better of me and I just feel so useless and wonder why I bother. And on those bad days I start to wonder if maybe I am just in denial on my "good" days. But then I snap myself out of it (or someone I love does the snapping for me) and I gear up for battle once more. It sucks that life has to be this constant struggle not to let the RSD get the better of me...I absolutely could not do it without the support of family and friends. I feel so lucky to be surrounded by people who have never questioned me or made me feel like less of a person because of my RSD. Even when doctors might bounce me around from one to the next and treat me like I am crazy, my loved ones never made me feel that way. But there are still those days when RSD gets the better of me. It's a good thing I'm so stubborn or I surely would have been a goner long ago. Just gotta keep fighting for every bit of life I can squeeze out of this messed up body of mine.

In the very beginning before I got the RSD diagnosis I often had thoughts while driving home from work that if I were dead then at least the pain would stop. I never thought of killing myself or anything...just felt like if there were a bad car accident and I died that it would be a blessing. I know these aren't "normal" thoughts and I did start to worry about myself at that point...but I had this pain and the doctors and my boss and peers at work did not take my pain seriously (it was a work injury that caused it). All that negativity from those people really got to me and I really did wonder if I was losing my mind...which just made me feel even worse. Vicious cycle. But when I got the diagnosis of RSD it was like a light was shined on my soul and I started to take control back of my emotions. I was NOT crazy, the pain IS real, and there IS hope. Diagnosis for me was a real turning point...the doctor I had was sort of a jerk...but I truly think he did it on purpose to try to snap me out of it. Pain management doctor...he probably could see how defeated I felt...and honestly his jerk behavior sort of brought out my fighting spirit just as much as the diagnosis. I have a lot of respect for the man in hind sight...he really did bring me back from the edge of what surely was the beginnings of a real serious depression.

The worst for me is how alone it can feel. No one (besides you guys and for you all I am also so very thankful) understands just how awful the pain is and how much doing even the simplest of things hurts. They sympathize and are understanding...but they don't KNOW. And of course I don't really want them to know because I wouldn't wish this thing on the people I hate most in this world...but it doesn't change the fact that it can feel really lonely when I am having a particularly bad flare. I don't know what I would have done if I hadn't found Neuro Talk and everyone on here. It has helped me cope with a lot of things that family and friends just couldn't...and has given me hope for the future that things CAN get better.

Just gotta keep fighting...

Hooshmand actually considers it as one of the four components required to diagnosis RSD--lymbic system dysfunction (which includes depression.) http://www.rsdrx.com/what_is_rsd.htm

In addition, RSD can often mean permanent disability, economic stress, isolation, etc... In addition to med options, finding a mental health professional is certainly a good idea IMO.

Catra, you and I are very fortunate to have escaped clinical depression. Even on the nights when I was curled up on the floor, biting a pillow to keep from screaming and praying for God to take me, when the sun came up, I was able to regroup. I don't have those rough days and the emotional desperation anymore since treating with tDCS, and some days I even feel like my old self emotionally!

I encourage anyone with depression to do a pub med search of tDCS and depression. It has a long track record of relieving depression. If you are a responder,(as many as 60% of CRPS folks are) the bonus is also pain relief. Additionally, there are no side effects and it is cost effective.

Hope this helps someone!

Hi RSDNO:

RSD pain can give you severe depression. Feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and the tremendous change in life can drag you down. The pain can give you thoughts of not wanting to feel anymore. For me, having to ask for help was extremely difficult. I was used to helping other people.

I agree with Ballerina. Finding a good psychiatrist (which I am very fortunate to have) and a good psychologist are key. There is nothing to be ashamed about. Living with constant pain and the change in life is something that not many people can deal with by themselves.

I too am on cymbalta which helps with pain and depression.

Awareness of the depression is the first step. Talking about it is the second step. You are ahead of most!

"Change is the only thing that is constant in life"

Jennetta

Oops,

Keep Smilin is the one who mentioned cymbalta. Also, laughter is a great medicine!

Gotta love the memory!

Jennetta

It took forever to get WC to approve Cymbalta but I'm glad they have. It doesn't change much for my pain but my depression is lessened. I am a newlywed with now 5 children, three are younger and live with us full time. There are times that my condition is hard and frustrating for my husband of 6 months. He feels like he works and cares for the house and me nonstop. Then he gets himself back in check, usually when he's held me through a night of nightsweats and muscle spasms that shake the bed, and realizes he loves me, he hates I have to go through this, and he tells me that his side is easier, caring for me. Its so hard to plan anything. Trip to Disneyland? Nope, I can't walk that much and my meds make me so tired, plus whether hot or cold I can't be outside that long. Minigolf. Nope! Can't put, or walk, again mostly outside. Family trip to the bowling alley? Nope, my right, bowling hand is my originally affected part. Bike ride? My legs nor my hand can handle that. What exactly am I supposed to do with my kids? I get incredibly frustrated. I used to be a fun, young, active mom. We hiked and fished and bowled and golfed and now....I complain to them to do extra chores I can no longer do and I can't do much with them.

Why wouldn't we be depressed? And now besides the Cymbalta I have to wait for my employer to accept my depression. My private ins won't see me for depression related to crps. More delays in treatment.

my wc is not paying for my antidepressent either, in fact they are only paying for one med now. They just can't figure out how it can be that I am depressed. UMH!!! I wonder who hires these people.

Dealing with everything
 

As If having RSD isnt enough suddenly you have to pray you will get Social Security and a Doc who will work with you ,sleep might be nice the list goes on and on ,and the trauma of RSD can be the trauma inducing PTSD or Depression etc. if you were fighting it off before its much harder to fight with RSD but all of you do it shows strength of character and talking to others to see if you can get help or if you missed something to help the RSD ,I just see very brave and strong people who hurt but find there own path (hopefully with a lot of help)but outside of the RSD community it is hard to get people to understand . I am proud to stand with you all
Gentle Hug
rsdno

I'm too paranoid to give a lot of details but I went through hell the first few years. It was no big problem at first and just a lot of pain that the doctors told me would go away if I was patient but there were other little things that also were very troublesome. I could have continued except I finally noticed that there wasn't any pain if I hadn't done any hard work the previous day. That's when things started spiraling down pretty bad. I became afraid to use my hand and it and everything was getting worse and worse. My employer kept dragging me back to work and I was going through hell. Eventually I had a breakdown and now have PTSD. I can keep the depression at bay most of the time with the medication I'm on but the paranoia doesn't seem to ease much and always comes back.

I just try to stay busy and active and it's the best thing for me. Of course "busy" means a lot of time sitting down but I can do little projects and do research on the computer which keeps me distracted and feeling like I'm getting somewhere.

RSD/CRPS and Bipolar I - causative or coincidence?
 

Hi everyone,
This is my first visit to the forum, and I'm really impressed. It looks like a lot of good information is out here.

I found this thread interesting; I was diagnosed with Bipolar I years before developing RSD/CRaPS in both lower legs from a surgery. My pain medicine physician told me that people with bipolar illness and other mental illness are in general more prone to developing chronic pain disorders. Has anyone else had this experience?

K

Welcome KBear! I am sorry to hear that you have RSD and that you are Bipolar...so much for one person to deal with. I don't have any experience with your questions about mental illness leading to chronic pain disorders. I have read that people with RSD often end up suffering from other conditions like gastroparesis or autoimmune diseases. I don't think anyone really KNOWS why this is the case. But one thing that is common in all RSD patients is that they suffer from some sort of emotional disturbance as part of the condition such as lack of sleep, depression, etc.

Sorry to hear of everything that you have beem going through in your life. Neurotalk is a really great place for information and support from people who also have RSD (and other conditions on different forums). It makes such a difference sometimes to talk to other people who actually HAVE this monster and who understand what you live with on a daily basis. If you have any questions or just need to vent...this is a great place for that. Sorry that I don't know more specific to your question...but I wanted to say welcome.

I have been wondering if my CRPS and the frequency of my Bipolar mania episodes are related... But yes, If you look up the medial definitions of CRPS and RSD you will see that there are references to depression and anxiety. That makes sense though, I mean, Being in pain more than the average bear would make me a little depressed. you know?

Hi, I am a caregiver (18 years) and I too suffer from major depression. Looking for caregiver support group.

Hi mchamrad,
there is a depression support group you may want to look at. Otherwise we also have RSD caregivers on our site. neurotalk as many different groups which are all great and filled with alot of information to help each other. So Welcome! :welcome_sign::welcome_sign:

Don't Blame Yourself I Found
 

I found that no one believes me ,my father though I was a bum ,a daughter I wanted drugs and social security (it hurt a lot)all these people have a take on RSD though I doubt they even read about it.
You have to be stronger than you thought you ever could and if a relative or loved one ,doesnt believe you (if their eyes roll back is my personal least favourite accompanied with) "yes Mark we all know you hurt, now could you help my brother with the new freezer??Almost all the women I know with RSD says RSD hurts more than having a baby. I was a RN delivered my daughters even my step-Daughters baby and it looks painful ,if I told a woman that who is healthy she would be very insulted .
Now with family or friends I go to rsdhope.org or rsds.org ,and I have gotten a couple to come here.
You did nothing wrong to get RSD,and if you think about it you have helped more people in your life that caused you pain but if you are like me sometimes you feel desperate to help .
You sound like a straight talker from your PM maybe use your strenths like that one . Remember if you werent Depressed about having RSD ,well that would be plain crazy
Gentle Hug
rsdno

I use anger to push most of the undesirable emotions away, and if that doesn't work then I tap in to the boiling, barely concealed rage that dances behind my eyes.

getting help
 

It can be hard dealing with the monster. I have had it for 15 yrs. I was diagnosed 4 yrs after getting it. After a long period of just about every medical procedure and now handfulls of pain meds. I felt it was tile to get the anger under control. I actually took the step to see a anger mngmnt. counslor and it helpd a great deal. I had to learn how to deal and get my emotions under control. I would recommend this to anyone who suffers so bad that they lash out at the ones they love. It's like having a 3rd. person in your marriage and it can cause more problems after long periods then some patients will know. Just a suggestion.

HI rsdno
 

Something that has seemed to help me cope with the stress and depression is going to a Psychologist. We're doing hypnotherapy and emg heart math. It is really relaxing and that can be 1/2 the battle with RSD. You're in pain which makes you tense up which makes the pain worse and so on so forth. I feel calmer and in a little less pain, also more confident and sure of myself which is a bonus. This condition is sooo stressful, it bleeds into everything else in your life and the therapy truly helps me regain control of what I FEEL. It might be something you want to look into!

Depression and RSD
 

Hi rsdno. I have RSD in my left leg. I used to be energetic, went to the gym, and danced. Since the RSD took over a broken tibia plateau with two surgeries, I have depression. I take Wellbutrin now after trying several antidepressants. I can't do the things I use to do. Even walking is difficult. I can only work part-time now, and I have gained 25 lbs in the last three years. So yes, I would say mental illness goes along with RSD.

Jeannette,
Hi, I'm new to forum. If you have time, please please read my thread 'scared, afraid I may have RSD. Your reply would be greatly appreciated.
Cocoa14

Please please read my thread 'scared, afraid I may have RSD' and give me your thoughts.
Thank you,
Cocoa14

Kathy, you seem to be very insightful. Please please read my thread 'scared, I may have RSD' and let me know your comments. I need help.....
Cocoa14

Hi Any RSDers with PTSD ,Other Autoimmune diseases
 

I live out in Oregon at Sheltercare.org at Afiya Apartments ,I have well ,I ohhhh ummm I'm not sure ok PTSD from Childhood being Shot 3rice and stepping on a mine . I worked with the service even for them but never served . I was a Corpsman Nurse when our huge construction companies would go to lets say Abh Dhabi I would get a Doctor that was willing to work with me( liaison officer like)and i would get the guys meds if needed and I made excellent money but got hurt a lot .
Here is good advice if you were in Viet Nam in the sixties or seventies and not in the Service tell people right away you werent in the service ,I wasnt even a spy.
Ok my Autoimmune is PsA Psoriatic Arthritis ,Ive had RSD way longer then 40 years but now I have to go through it again the PsA is painful I have almost 2 usable fingers left .I was thinking helium plates ( so I couldnt drop then() but my Autoimmune questione is serious I have Fibro but Doctors immediately think Im an evil pot smoker ,which is ridiculous Im not paying to feel paranoid
Well Im off to my Shrink
Gentlest Hug
Mark