MG and depression......
 

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

Yep - it has been hard!!!
 

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!!!!!

:hug:Erin:hug:

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

Me too!
 

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!!

Hey there!
 

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!:D

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

:hug:Erin:hug:

Brian - how are you?
 

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!!!!:D

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

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

:hug:Erin:hug:

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!!!!
:grouphug:

Hey Cricket!
 

I am so happy ro hear you are feeling better! Mestinon is pretty good stuff!

Is there any way you can get a little time off to regroup and get your symptoms under control?

I'm going to try and call my neuro 2morrow - feeling like crap again! Wonky eye (eye goes off kilter and hurts) and really weak, but you take the good with the bad.......Hopefully he'll just bump up my steroids! I'll take sideburns and weight gain in order to feel better!!!!!

Take care!
:hug:Erin:hug:

I finally saw the neuro today....I felt so disappointed....He added additional mestinon...timespan for nighttime...in addition to the 90mg three times a day....he then, told me that I was depressed and changed my celexa 20mg to Cymbalta 60mg....I guess I am feeling that he thinks all of this is in my head....

I know what I am feeling...the blurry vision, slurred speech and difficulty forming my words at times....falling and stumbling....and being so tired....and then...to have the doc asked me if I felt like harming myself....NO, my body is causing me harm...not me! That thought never has crossed my mind..

I am so confused!

Hi Cricket
Wouldn't anyone feel the same as you do when dealing with their bodys going wrong first oops speech oops falling oops eyes that is going to mess anyone thats normal would you of felt the same if you had got the warning from your Dr and Neuro !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
you will soon get stronger with the med's and you come first not work thats also hard to deal with confused is part of mg but that soon pasess
Alan

Hey Erin,

Luckily, I have not had to deal w/ depression. Although I have had some episodes-for sure! Just keep taking care of you. You are strong & have an insight into yourself, which is essential!!!! You Go Girl!

Nancy Lee

I know...I guess I was having a pity party :-)
I am going to get out of this funk....take all meds as prescribed...as get to feeling better...

I took the day off from work today..just to rest....still in my PJ's now. I can do this!!

Hey Cricket
Thats funni you know if you can keep that humor your going to feel much better and we all need that time out great you took time off work for yourself Alan

I have those days too!!!
 

Mmmmm, chocolate and PJs -nothing better! I've been lucky and not really suffered from any diagnosed depression. I've never been on meds for it or anything. However, that being said - when I was very poorly last year I cried every day during December and January. I didn't think about self-harm but I did imagine that things would have been a lot easier for my husband if I wasn't such a burden (obviously HE didn't think that or make me feel that way, it was just my perception). Since i regained my independence I also regained my positive attitude. Of course I still have days, but no more than a normal person. In fact at school fellow teachers often comment on the fact that i am far too happy for my own good!

January and February are notoriously tough months for mental health - we'll just have to stick it out together! Hugs to everyone!
Kathy

I have been so lazy this weekend! I have not even left the house...But I feel better..I hope it lasts because I have a very busy week coming up at work!!

Stephanie

Hi Cricket!!!!