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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Depression
        
(Message started by: taraann on Nov 8^th, 2006, 8:20pm)

Title: Depression
Post by taraann on Nov 8^th, 2006, 8:20pm

I know with chronic pain any chronic pain a person is prone to it. Is it worth to go on meds for it, or better to just deal with it. I've dealt with it this long. Just curious what all of you think. Personally I don'tthink I'll go on any meds for it but like I said I was curious what others did .....(FYI I have been on antidepressents many times in my life)

Title: Re: Depression
Post by E-Double on Nov 8^th, 2006, 8:32pm

It depends on how it is impacting your life.
I go through cycles (I'm not bi-polar or dysthymic) but get the blues per se.
I feel the need to talk to someone every once in a while to get back on track before I slip but it doesn't become pathological where it is interfering with my every day existence.
If it does then I would suggest #1 therapy & #2 meds if necessary to get you started but hopefully to come off of once settled.

There is nothing wrong with being on if needed.

Title: Re: Depression
Post by Gator on Nov 8^th, 2006, 9:21pm

First, what everyone needs to understand is that depression is a real and treatable medical problem. It is not a sign of weakness. There is no shame in taking medication for depression or with seeing a psychologist or psychiatrist.

That being said, it's really a medical decision that needs to be discussed between the patient and the doctor. A lot will depend on the mental and medical state of the patient and the medical history.

Some anti-depressants also have an effect on the pain. Amitriptyline and Nortriptyline, for instance, alter the way the brain interprets pain and helps some people better deal with chronic pain.

Me, I have seen a psychiatrist and a psychologist and am currently taking anti-depressants.

Title: Re: Depression
Post by lionsound on Nov 8^th, 2006, 9:26pm

Tara,
I've taken anti-depressants as well.
Please get yourself to a therapist if you are at all concerned. Sometimes just talking it out is very helpful and a professional can evaluate if you need meds or not.
Remember that support is the best med :). Posting here is a super idea because then we can be here for you. You are not alone.

and yes, chronic pain people are prone to it, but you still must take care of yourself because it doesn't have to be a given to suffer from depression as well.

be well and pf,
Rori

Title: Re: Depression
Post by BarbaraD on Nov 9^th, 2006, 5:23am

Some of the meds we take have depression as a side effect.

I take trazadone and have for years. I still get depressed but not as bad.

Hugs BD

Title: Re: Depression
Post by LeLimey on Nov 9^th, 2006, 5:33am

Anti Depressants combat lack of certain chemicals in your body. It's no different to taking iron pills in that sense and my advice would be if they can help you feel better go for it! Life is too short not to enjoy every possible minute and our Pain free ones are too precious to waste. Get anti depressants would be my advice TA, not just for you, for anyone
love
Helen

Title: Re: Depression
Post by alchemy on Nov 9^th, 2006, 7:39am

i have dealt with depression most of my life. Right now i see a pschologist twice a week. and am on anti-depressants. If you feel your depression is interfering with your life get help.

Title: Re: Depression
Post by thomas on Nov 9^th, 2006, 8:40am

Therapy is very good for depression, just talking to some one really helps. I also take some prozac from time to time.

Title: Re: Depression
Post by Mattrf on Nov 9^th, 2006, 11:21am

Seeing someone that you can dump on and let it all out without the fear of making them feel worse like a loved one is priceless, I have gone off and on and I can tell you every time I walk out of the office I feel as though a great weight has been lifted off my shoulders. My wife also goes to one to help her deal with the stress of seeing me in constant pain and says there are things she can tell him that she just can’t say to me because she already knows how depressed I am and it would only burden me more.
I know how much she hurts, I can see it in her eye’s when she looks at me when I am in pain and I would do anything to take that pain away but I can’t so her going to see someone is the best thing for her and for me. As far as meds I have been on them and off, but when I feel I am getting bad I will start taking them again, they do help and make it a bit easier to be a husband and dad even if I am in pain all the time.
My advice is to give it a try and see if it helps, then figure out a routine as far as when it is the best time to see someone and how often and figure out the signs that tell you it is time to take meds for a while to get some relief from the depression, if you are like me you hate being on meds so I ten to go back and forth on them.

Matt

Title: Re: Depression
Post by TonyYZF on Nov 9^th, 2006, 12:36pm

Hi folks,

In doing some of my research on CH, seems like I have come across a couple times that CH sufferers may have some chemical disposition to depression as well. I believe it is tied into serotonin levels being affected by the condition. Granted there are a lot of questions as to how CH actually comes about, but if I recall correctly some of the theories out there involve serotonin levels as well as some other chemical processes that may also be tied into depression.

I will be very interested if anyone has any info related to this.

Thanks

PF2U all
Tony

Title: Re: Depression
Post by Gator on Nov 12^th, 2006, 12:52pm

Matt, my wife was also initially traumatized by my attacks. She was so frustrated at not being able to do anything, so hurt to see me in such pain and incredibly angry. The anger part made her feel very guilty, because here I was dealing with mind shattering pain that I did not ask for and had no control over and she was getting mad about it. It caused a serious depression, which she tried to hide this from me, but I saw it anyways. She went to a psychologist who helped her see and express her true feelings on the situation. The psychologist helped her realize that she was angry at the disorder, not at me. She is now able to talk about it with me and others. She was also on anti-depressants for a while which helped. I truly believe if she had not gone to the psychologist we would have ended up split up or worse.

Psychiatrists, psychologists and anti-depressants are sometimes necessary to help a person see a problem and learn how to cope with it.

Title: Re: Depression
Post by Lizzie2 on Nov 12^th, 2006, 2:57pm

I'm another one to agree big time - there's no shame in it. Whether related to CH and pain or not... It's as real as anything.

Last night at dinner, my mom told me that my younger brother (age 24) had been seeing a therapist for awhile. I have too... I went to a psychologist starting when I was 17 for a year. While at Penn State, I went to someone only a handful of times as I never found someone who helped me much. Once back in Philly, I was recommended this psychiatrist who was a resident - he also does psychotherapy. Going into it, I guess I was thinking I'd just see him once a month so that he'd write my ADD meds (yes, it does exist!) - but he was the one who asked me what price I could afford to pay so that I could go every week.

Now I go 2-3x/week. I just went 3x last week for the first time ever. At first when he recommended I come 3x/week, I thought of it in a way that said, "What's wrong with me?" But then I was able to see it the way he intended (I have this problem of seeing myself only through very negative glasses) - that I'd sort of "graduated" (his term) to going 3x/week - that I was at that point where continuity really matters and it is helpful to go more often. Sometimes I still don't always "get it" but that's what he's there for. And I almost always feel better - even though sometimes the things we talk about are very upsetting. It helps to know that I'm not going through it alone - he really does care.

And like somebody said above - it doesn't put the stress on you of making family and friends upset by having to listen to the sad things you need to talk about. Everybody needs to get their stresses out, but sometimes during those times when someone gets depressed, it feels a lot harder on those around us - so it can feel better to talk to someone who won't be hurt by it...no matter what.

So anyway - last night at dinner when my mom told me about my brother - I said to her, "Lots of people go you know. It's nobody's fault. You know that, right?" She said, "I know. I guess it just happens to some people." I just didn't want her to feel like she screwed up and that's why both her kids ended up in therapy. It's not like that at all...

I'm not on meds for depression right now - but the fact that I go to therapy so often is actually sometimes the reason why I'm not on meds. Ask Helen or Eric about the PMs they occasionally get from me when I'm going through a really bad spell and I can't even get up the strength to call my doctor because I feel like my concerns aren't worth it to bother someone else. Depression is an ugly ugly thing. Not on the outside - never something to be ashamed of - but it's ugly to us on the inside. It hurts like hell... I wish I never knew what it felt like...I wish nobody had to know what it felt like.

But hang in there - and I hope that if you are really feeling depressed, you do get help - whether it is in the form of therapy, meds, or both. I recently said to my psychiatrist that I always read that the best way to treat depression is with therapy AND meds (as I said, I'm not on the anti-d's right now) and he said..."For SOME people...but not all." I think he believes that he can get me through without them - and that in turn helps me to believe that I can do it. But there have been lots of times when I've thought I needed the meds. Seriously - no shame in it...ever...

Big Hugz,
Carrie :)

Title: Re: Depression
Post by vig on Nov 12^th, 2006, 4:41pm

I think real CHemical Depression is a side-effect of CH.
similar brain CHemicals are effected.
it's not just being 'bummed-out'.

Title: Re: Depression
Post by taraann on Nov 12^th, 2006, 4:50pm

Thanks all for your opinions and advice. The prevent I'm on (lamictal) was/is origionally intended for bipolar and depression (from my reading up on it) so I don't know if I should add to that, I'm struggling with the side affects of that med for now as it is. I've started some extra vitamins to see if that helps and when I get back on insurance I'll consider seeing a therapis, I used to see a long time ago and I liked her alot, she was very easy to talk to.

I'm not seriously depressed or anything, just have a bit of trouble getting through the day, wanting to just lay around but doing good at controlling that want.

Title: Re: Depression
Post by Lizzie2 on Nov 12^th, 2006, 7:01pm

One of the pluses are the resident's clinics out there for the uninsured or underinsured. That's where I started going while in nursing school - falling into the underinsured category - I still get a break...I pay only $25 for each appt. My doctor was a resident - and an exceptionally good one. I kinda feel like I lucked out. I was all excited when he asked me if I wanted to stay with him when he moved to a new university, and I'm not sure if he asked other patients - but I think I'm the only one that stayed on. I guess that's a nice complement for someone who is just learning.

But the resident's clinics are often connected to big academic medical centers and will often offer services on a sliding scale based on income. Without the help of a resident's clinic, I don't think I'd still be here! I really value so much the help of my psychiatrist. And like I said - I pay $25 a session - which is a big relief!

Hugz,
Carrie :)