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.