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depression and crohn's disease

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Posted 12/28/2007 9:44 PM (GMT 0)
This has been a very hard year for me. In feb I had emergency bowel resection and a long recovery due to prednisone. Have been trying to get pregnant for 9years and finally in July find out we are only to hava a misscarriage in Aug. Then in Nov have a colonoscopy and find out that the Crohn's is active again. I just can't seem to deal anymore. All my optimisum seems to be lost. I think i need major therapy possibly medication for mood. Anybody have any advice for me or meds they use? Anyone have a good therapist in MOntreal?
Posted 12/28/2007 10:17 PM (GMT 0)
muppet2676

The Bi-polar forum on the main page is a good forum and I post there also.

 I have had crohn's since 1980 I was just diagnosed with mild bi-poler II and I went to the hospital in the mental health ward as I was not knowing what else to do...I use to get Lexipro (an anti-depresent from my family Doc) but I was off for 4 months and was having social issues and a break down with my family, my Doc said the hospital would be better as they could do more and they have meds that would help faster. Some meds
take 6 weeks to start feeling the effects.

I currently am taking 50mg of Lamictal and 25mg of Seriquil (both mood stabilizers one step up from anti-depresents) at night, it does help and family has noticed a vast change with my anger and depression.

I would suggest you make an appointment with a psychiatrist to get on meds...depression is a disease and can be managed.
Your psychiatrist can refer you to a therapist if needed.

But don't wait like I did and end up checking yourself in to a hospital.

Post Edited (MDdave) : 12/28/2007 3:26:01 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/28/2007 10:20 PM (GMT 0)
thank you I am looking into it.
Posted 12/28/2007 10:31 PM (GMT 0)
Dear muppet2676

Hello, this is Kitt.  I am so sorry to hear of your loss, that saddens me.  I know from living with a Crohn's member the depression that can come over you.

I also have depression and anxiety.  I would really like to steer you to the Depression Forum first. Here is the link.

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=19

Perhaps the first person for you to talk with and explain how your feeling is your PCP.  This person should be a good source to help you get started on dealing with the Depression. Primary care physicians treating patients with a chronic illness should be alert to the possibility of depression in their patients.

I would suspect that yours won't be surprised as you have been through a lot.

Take care and let us know how your doing in both areas.

Bless you

Kitt 

Posted 12/28/2007 11:57 PM (GMT 0)
Also sorry for your loss. It is not uncommon for people suffering from a chronic illness to also be treated for depression. Please talk to your PCP -ASAP. I waited much too long, not realizing what was happening and have a lot of years of regret. Take care & good luck! You are not alone in this.
Posted 12/29/2007 12:39 AM (GMT 0)
Wecome,so glade that you found us.I am sorry for your loss as well and I can relate my only child was still born (I had him at seven months)so I can relate as to what you are going through.I have delt with depression over the years because of this but I never seen a doctor for it and like the other I wished that I had seeked help many years ago.I am now on meds to treat my depression and I as well see a theraphist.We have a really good depression site here.I hope that you get to feeling better and please do continue to post here.
Posted 12/30/2007 10:00 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Muppet,
You are dealing with the loss of your baby and grief from living with a chronic illness. Antidepressant medication helps with the symptoms of depression...uncontrollable crying, faigue, overwhelming saddness, appetite, etc. The meds will not however, help you sort out your loss issues. I highly recommend that you see a therapist. Therapy is not just about "venting," it will help you find your strengths and learn helpful coping skills. Call your primary care provider if you don't know of a therapist to go to for a referral. I went through infertility and a miscarriage many years ago, and it was one of the hardest times of my life. I can imagine that combining that loss with the Crohns would be especially challenging. Get lots of support from people who care about you, and be kind to yourself. Write back and let us know how you are.
Posted 12/30/2007 10:05 AM (GMT 0)
Oh, Muppet, one more thing...You don't necessarily need a psychiatrist. Your primary care doc should be able to prescribe antidepressants and get you started. You will need a psychiatrist if you are not responding to meds, or if your diagnosis is complicated (like trying to distinguish between bi-polar disease or depression) Start with your PCP and that doc can help guide you.
Posted 12/30/2007 3:29 PM (GMT 0)

This is true but PCP are not trained to look at the two bi polar/depression and you could suffer with Bipolar and not have your doc pick up on it for years or at all.

I went to my PCP for two years with depression and yes they will give you meds but not much if any evaluation is done they just hand out pills, now I know each Doc is different but if it were me and I had to do it all over again I would go to a psychiatrist and get diagnosed first.

Its not a bad thing to go see a psychiatrist, I just think it is a stigma for most but hey this guy is a train expert in dealing with mental health issues (depression is one) not your PCP....its your brain go to the right Doc first and let him listen to your problems, a PCP doesn't have time to sit and listen they just hand out pscirp's and leave you to figure out the rest of your wellbeing.


Post Edited (MDdave) : 12/30/2007 8:34:05 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/30/2007 4:51 PM (GMT 0)

Good Morning Muppet,

You have received lots of great answers and support in your thread.  I see the members all telling you to please follow up with your physician and if you need to follow through with a  Pdoc, then your physician will help you find one.

I had to wait 5 months to get an appointment with a new Pdoc and many don't take new patients. I am in the midwest.  You can usually get a therapist easier but again, your PCP can coordinate some of this for you.

As far as what type of depression you may have, unipolar or bipolar, that is for the physicians to decide.

For now just get to the doctor and talk to him/her.  Please keep posting and know we care.

Gentle Hugs

Kitt

Posted 12/31/2007 5:28 PM (GMT 0)
smurf
Muppet, I am so very sorry to hear about all of the stress you have undergone this year, especially about your miscarriage. I strongly encourage you to talk to your GI about the emotional toll that CD is taking on you and you should definately talk to a counselor about your depression/frustration. I can relate to what you are going thru, 2007 has been a difficult year for me and dealing with my CD, there's been many times that I have been so down and frustrated because I felt so ill, misunderstood, and frustrated, feeling as though I would never get my health back again. I would have my "pity party" (as I like to call them...haha), would vent to a close friend, and tell myself that I would get thru this period and it would get better. I have to fight every single day to remain optimistic, for myself and my family...it's worth fighting though, remember that. You are not alone Muppet...we understand and are here to help you, but please talk to your Dr. about medication and see a counselor to talk about your feelings. Take care and here's wishing 2008 is a better year for all of us!
Posted 12/31/2007 7:11 PM (GMT 0)
Basically I echo what everyone else has said.....its impossible not to feel some depression if you're afflicted with a chronic disease. I became most depressed when I became unable to work but I've learned to do some work at home since I can't follow a "normal" schedule and it has helped me a lot. I also got a dog about a year ago, this is probably a personal thing related to me but I live by myself and my dog(a Pug named Lloyd) has SERIOUSLY changed my life around quite a bit. I HAVE to get myself up, no matter how I feel, and take care of that dog and I end up starting my day once I'm up....used to just stay in bed and mope in those situations.

Anyway, I see a therapist(great help to have someone to talk to plus it keeps you from boring your friends with your problems, its someone to vent to) and I see a psychiatrist who has me on Lexapro and I think it has also helped me tremendously. In my opinion you don't feel like a zombie on depression meds, it just keeps you from falling into those LOW lows where you really can't cope. You stay on more of an even keel. As everyone said, there are forums specifically for this and all over the net discussing this subject in more detail. Good luck and keep your chin up! :-)
Posted 12/31/2007 7:34 PM (GMT 0)
I started to suffer with major depression and shortly after that came anxiety after 10 yrs straight of dealing with crohns...exercising helped me immensely with both, so I continue to do it regularly since it has had nothing but all around positive effects for me, physically and mentally...even though I'm still flaring to some degree.

:)
Posted 1/1/2008 8:50 AM (GMT 0)
So, the doctors havent really said that I have crohns. They dont want to put me on the meds at 17. But i need to know if i have depression. What are some signs?
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