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mild depression?

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 2/5/2009 4:25 PM (GMT 0)
Hey everyone I have a question about the depression that can accompany active crohns. I am 50 now and up until about 8 years ago, I was very athletic and fit. Ive had Crohns since I was 19 but after a complete colectomy in 1995, I have been symptom free. about 10 years ago I started having symtoms of arthritis. First in my hips which have now been replaced and then in my neck and by 2004 I had it hitting every joint in my body. Having stopped exercising by then because of the pain my body has deteriorated to....well, I feel like I look like Mr. Burns from the SImpsons. A skinny, slightly humped over 50 year old. When I was younger I was quite a player when it came to dating and now I haven't been on a date for almost 2 years. I stay home alot. I even cook at home now. It's not unusual for me to watch tv all day for 2 or 3 days in a row. I started Remicade 6 months ago and it has put my arthritis in almost complete remission. Not doing as much for the Crohn's but I am more mobile than Ive been in years and its wonderful. I still dont get out much but I think it's because I am so self-conscious about how I look. My daughter seems concerned and has said she thinks I'm depressed. I may be but cant really tell. I am concerned that I have lost my desire to socialize much. Does this sound familiar to anyone and could it be depression?
Posted 2/5/2009 5:48 PM (GMT 0)
I see a therapist and I suggest you try one as well. I even went to some group therapy for a while. It really helped. I have anxiety mostly but a little depression as well. If your daughter thinks you may be depressed then I would make an appointment with a counselor or psychiatrist. you can be evaluated and checked out. my psychiatrist even checked blood work to make sure my problems were not due to something else. check into it you will feel much better if you do. good luck, Karen
Posted 2/5/2009 5:52 PM (GMT 0)
I agree 100% with Karendee. I have had this DD for over 30 years and developed anxiety about 2 years ago. With the help of meds and therapy I am doing much better.

Sending (((GIANT HUGS))) your way.

Gail *Nanners*
Posted 2/5/2009 7:21 PM (GMT 0)
The social isolation of chronic disease is tough to deal with. I hear ya. I'm a little younger (33) and haven't been on a date for years, can't eat at a restaurant, etc. It's made my social life pretty non-existent. It can certainly get you down.

Glad to hear the Remicade is working for you too! I was there with ya with the arthritis. I could barely shower and dress before the Remicade my arthritis had gotten so bad. Hang in there!

I've been on anti-depressants before and don't like them. Think long and hard before going on them. The withdral process for me was long and painful coming off of them. Never experienced anything like it before.
Posted 2/5/2009 8:06 PM (GMT 0)
I understand exactly how you feel. I'm going through the same thing, I'm getting a bit better though on my own. I'm trying to accept myself the way I am. I'm very thin too, and I see other very thin people out there too. I keep telling myself I am healthy and that it doesn't matter how people look at me or what they think. It's really just a self esteem issue, and we have to stop being ashamed and just say we are beatiful and special just the way that God made us. He made us this way for a reason, and it's beautiful. Good luck to you. You are beautiful and you are worthy to live a bright and wonderful life.

Posted 2/5/2009 10:27 PM (GMT 0)
Hi ya yellowfin.  I have been where you are right now.  WHat really helps me is this.  Only one person can judge me and that is GOD. yes there are some days i could allow myself feel crappy about being thin, but I choose not to.  not an easy task.  I once thought about buying myself a t-shirt that says.  ONLY HE CAN JUDGE ME.   Yes i agree with the others go see a therapist he will give you the tools to get yourself out of state of mind you are in.   with or without drugs YOU CAN DO IT.  i did.   yeah
Posted 2/6/2009 5:06 AM (GMT 0)
yeah Comes with the territory. Damaged gut = depression, probably due to malabsorption of vitamins. The best cure if you can manage it is exercise - the meds can be like roulette.
Posted 2/6/2009 1:35 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone for your encouragement and advice. I do have a strong faith and thats probably why I'm not lonely. I'm more ok with my lifestyle than my daughter is. She remembers when I was going and going all the time and thinks Ive slowed down because of depression. I do veiw myself differently than I did before my arthritis and weight loss but I really think I handle it pretty well. I can joke about it if the conversation warrants. I'm on S.S. Disability now and don't have to work if I don't want to and mostly I don't want to. Who wouldn't be happy about that? lol. I may look into therapy but I really feel like maybe Ive just grown up alittle and thats why I enjoy a simpler, slower lifestyle. It was great to hear your responses though. Tony
Posted 2/6/2009 7:43 PM (GMT 0)
I've been seeing a psychiatrist for years to help with anxiety.  Being on meds really seems to have helped with my stomach pain, which I guess was due in part to anxiety, or else not enough serotonin in my gut.  You should see a specialist, though, as my old GI tried to prescribe a couple depression meds that I learned shouldn't be taken together.  A specialist should know what will work that won't hurt your stomach...some of the older depression meds have less gut related side effects, which is why they have me on an older one.  The stress of dealing with a chronic illness, all of the insurance-related and financial difficulties can really cause other problems/illnesses.      

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