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Posted 4/16/2009 4:50 PM (GMT 0)
  I had surgery back on October and it didn't go so well. I had lapro surgery first then I developed an infection a day later so they took me back in and cut me all the way. Then a couple of weeks later I finally got to come home and got an infection 1 day later and had to go back in. The surgeon opened me up completely and said I had to heal that way so now I have this huge gaping scar on my stomach. Took a couple of months of recovery from that.

  Anyway my question is about depression with crohn's. I have never had this problem but the last few weeks I have been really depressed and pessimistic about everything. Also not sleeping at all and decreased concentration. I am taking prednisone too so could that have something to do with it? Has anyone else here had this problem and if so, did you find something to help? I really don't want to take any more medication but I don't want my wife and kids to have to put up with me like this anymore either.

  Sorry if i'm rambling but I'm not too good at this posting stuff or asking for help.

Thanks,

M

  

Posted 4/16/2009 5:11 PM (GMT 0)
Admitting that you feel this way is half the battle. Talk to your Dr. Prednisone can cause some problems with mood and sleep, but so can living with a chronic illness. Your Dr will be able to help you decide if you need some kind of treatment for depression.
Posted 4/16/2009 5:24 PM (GMT 0)
I have the same exact story as you!  I had my surgery in September, it was done lapro. Before the staples were even removed I developed an abcess, I had to get completely cut open again, and was left with a hole that I had to pack with gauze and let it heal from the inside out.  This happened THREE times.  Now I have a fistula coming through the hole in my stomach.  It really is horrible, I was very happy about the thought that this scar wouldnt be so bad because it was lapro, now Im left with a nasty wide scar that is indented into my skin, like a little crater...and its still open...ugh.  I completely understand why your depressed. I was on over 100mg of prednisone for almost a year, now Im completely off of it, but suffer from adrenal fatigue because they never started working on their own while I was tapering.  I was very depressed on Prednisone, I treated the people around me horribly, and I still cant say that Im happy even off of it.  But coming off the prednisone helped me with my mental health a lot.  How much longer do you think you will be on it? 

Posted 4/16/2009 6:04 PM (GMT 0)

txguy0419 said...
  I had surgery back on October and it didn't go so well. I had lapro surgery first then I developed an infection a day later so they took me back in and cut me all the way. Then a couple of weeks later I finally got to come home and got an infection 1 day later and had to go back in. The surgeon opened me up completely and said I had to heal that way so now I have this huge gaping scar on my stomach. Took a couple of months of recovery from that.

  Anyway my question is about depression with crohn's. I have never had this problem but the last few weeks I have been really depressed and pessimistic about everything. Also not sleeping at all and decreased concentration. I am taking prednisone too so could that have something to do with it? Has anyone else here had this problem and if so, did you find something to help? I really don't want to take any more medication but I don't want my wife and kids to have to put up with me like this anymore either.

  Sorry if i'm rambling but I'm not too good at this posting stuff or asking for help.

Thanks,

M

  

smilewinkgrin Hi txguy0419 sorry to here about all your problems but predisone can cause sleep problems as well as depression not to mention the moon face trouble doing anything really if it involes concentration talk to your doctor about prescribing a mild nerve pill like ativan it helps relax you and can also help with your sleeping problems,how much longer till you decrease your dose or did you just start the riods. Dealing with everyday stess is bad enough but add crohns to that its like adding gas to fire it sounds like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders try to find something to help you relax stress is the worse with for this disease. Being the man of the house is a big enough weight and i'm sure your wife and kids will understand that dad just isn't feeling like himself these days you have been through alot the last few months getting down is normal you ask yourself the questions why me maybe they made a mistake you don't want this for yourself that is understandable its hard being sick all the time but find some comfort in knowing we have all been there with you at one point in our lives. I'm on a mild nerve pill myself just to help me through the tough times it helps alot and i don't get so stressed out while i'm on them. I hope that helps you good luck keep us posted on your progress we are here to help. Your Friend Jenn yeah

Posted 4/16/2009 6:08 PM (GMT 0)

Thanks for the replies. I really appreciate it.

Wow MAG. I thought I would never hear of anyone having to go through that same thing. I've got that same crater. I go back to the surgeon for a checkup in a couple of weeks and I'm gonna ask him if it will get better with time but I'm guessing it will not. It sucks because I can't even wear a shirt tucked in because the crater shows. My wife tries to act like it's not noticeable but I know it is. Also now my face is starting to bloat from the pred so I feel like I'm falling apart.

I have been on Pred since September but never more than 60mg. I am tapering off now because I started Remicade a couple of weeks ago. The first time I started tapering off I started hurting again though and the doc had to up the dosage again. Hopefully that won't happen this time. So you think when I get off pred I will start feeling better about things? I have always been really happy but just the last few weeks things just seem different. I hate feeling like this. Plus I'm tired all the time because i never sleep.

I'm really glad you replied. It's nice to know I'm not the only one going through this and it sounds like you are doing pretty well so I know there is some hope. Good luck with everything...

Thanks,

M

Posted 4/16/2009 6:16 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Jenn for the encouraging words. It's really nice to know there are so many of you out there who take the time to help others who were cursed with this stupid disease.

You are definitely right about the concentration. I have trouble focusing on anything for more than a short period of time. It is driving me crazy. Plus I do have the moon face thing starting now as well.

I am decreasing my pred as we speak. I will hopefully be off of it for good within a month if not sooner. I'm hoping things get better after that. I will ask about the nerve pill though. I don't want to take anything strong if I don't have to. Hopefully that can help take the edge off at least. I appreciate the advice.

Posted 4/16/2009 6:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hi txguy!! I have had two resections myself and had to do the leave the wound open and pack with wet to dry packings after both of them. Not a fun experience, so I feel your pain. My personal opinion is that I got the infections because neither time did I prep first. But have since then I have heard that even folks who did prep before their surgeries have gotten the infections too.

I agree that the Pred could be the culprit to your mood problems. I think that once you get off the Pred things will get better. I was thinking maye you could talk to your doc about something to help you sleep, maybe getting more sleep will help to lift your spirits some. Good luck!
Posted 4/16/2009 7:34 PM (GMT 0)
smilewinkgrin  Hey txguy i bet as soon as you get of those pills you will feel alot better and Gail was right by not getting the proper rest will make you alittle cranky but you will be back to your old self in no time why not try doing something that you used to love get out of the house go to a movie with your wife or kids something funny eat something good have a party what ever it takes to make you smile think about it,it will come to you good luck guy. Your Friend Jenn
Posted 4/16/2009 8:17 PM (GMT 0)
I think once everything settles down you will feel much better.  I really do hope the Remicade works for you, I myself just started it last monday.  I think its hard for people to realize that even the smallest things being added to our plates can really feel like a set back.  We go through a lot as it is.  Just knowing that I have to wake up every morning and pack a hole in my stomach is enough to make me cry, I think its  more of a "why me" thing, or "havent I been through enough?".  But Ive come to terms with it now, it will not be this way forever. As much as it brings me down sometimes, I think it is ultimately making me a much stronger person.  Hopefully you can see through everything that is going on and realize there is a light at the end of the tunnel, even if it may seem out of reach right now, it will come. :)
Posted 4/16/2009 10:22 PM (GMT 0)
Pred can certainly bring on depression especially at the high dose you were on and for the length of time, but not only the pred but what you've been through can certainly bring on depression, you poor thing I hope you find relief very soon...one thing about the pred, taking it as early in the am as possible can help with insomnia, but I have a feeling the the surgery you've been through may be adding to your insomnia troubles as well, the stress and everything related to your surgery.

:)
Posted 4/16/2009 10:38 PM (GMT 0)

Thanks everyone for the nice words and good advice.

I'm not convinced the Pred is what's causing my mood problems. I am only taking 10mg now and am planning on tapering off pretty soon. Maybe I'm just feeling sorry for myself. I guess I just need to quit whining and get on with it. I guess I will just try to get more sleep and see if that helps.

I really do appreciate all of your responses though. It helps a lot knowing there are people out there going through the same problems as me and dealing with them in a positive way.

Thanks,

M

Posted 4/16/2009 11:53 PM (GMT 0)
One of the common side effects of pred is mood swings, but like I said you've had alot of other stuff to deal with that probably in conjunction with the pred has had it's impact on your emotions...glad you'll be off of it soon, hope things get better.

:)
Posted 4/17/2009 1:53 PM (GMT 0)
smilewinkgrin  Hi txguy don't think we all got over this over night it won't happen your going through alot the surgery is enough to bring you down,i'm sure after you have a clear head you will see things alot differant to,its normal to get down and hard to get back out of it there are alot of people that suffer from crohns that also suffer with depresion having a disease is one with but dealing with the everyday stuff thats the hard part. I think you should still go see your doctor and get something for your nerves something mild tell him that you just can't cope you got to much on your mind and your not getting any sleep and that isn't helping you either,i'm so cranky when i don't get enough sleep no body wants to be around me thats for sure. I'm sorry your having a hard time put you got alot on your plate no one blames you trust me we were all through this before,i was in a slump for almost 3 months once i was in hospital and evry time it looked like things were going good something else set me back i cried to no end for a long time it was like i was a child all over again all i wanted was my mom and i wanted to go home but things finally started to go right i got a line out and a sump out and things were looking up and the day the doctor told me i could go home but would need to come to medical day every other day to be hooked up i was devastated all over again,so he finally gave me something for my nerves and  it helps so much things don't bother me as much,you'll see to that things will get better. I would not worry what other people think of the way your actting right now they don't have a clue what your going through. Good luck tough guy Your Friend Jenn turn
Posted 4/17/2009 5:06 PM (GMT 0)
hey Tx...another thing to get checked out is your vitamin D levels. Pred can be nasty on your mood, but I recently discovered I had a severe lack of D. My wonderful GP tested me for it when I told him "how sad I seemed lately and couldn't get cheerful about anything". he never told me the test and about the fact that low D can increase depressive states until after I told him I felt better taking the extra D he recommended and that i read about it on the web. he wanted to do a blind test to see if it helped and it did.
Posted 4/18/2009 1:30 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Hope you are feeling better and I know what you mean by the crater.. I too had open surgery that was left to heal with my first operation for a large abscess. After my second surgery I got a hernia so now am wearing a post operative binder I would mention to your surgeon if it could be something you could wear now or at a later date .It has helped me and I did do some reading up on them which is supposed to be good for healing might be worth a try to run it by your Dr. Hang in there surgery takes it's toll and as you heal I am sure you will feel better.. lol gail
Posted 4/18/2009 3:50 AM (GMT 0)
shakehead    For me, the pain of chronic symptoms put me into a deeper depression ( i already had experiences with depression, but my down times were few and far between).   I take Lexapro and it works wonders for my anxiety and depression.  It doesn't bother my digestion at all and has calmed my "evil guy"  devil or pessimistic angry side. 

I think each of us know deep inside what we need.  the difficult part is following our own "gut feelings".  I read that you said you weren't sure the depression was due to the prednisone.  Pray about it and see if you keep hearing the same answer over and over.  That is probably the truth- inside your soul.  Our higher power speaks to us this way ( I believe). 

shakehead I was so hesitant to take an antidepressant/anti-anxiety pill, and told myself I would take it for 6 months at the very least and go from there.  My family was suffering because of my bad moods.  Within a short while I just felt this inner peace, a deep breath of fresh calm air.  I could handle the "stuff" of life, little or big- and be positive about it.  The medication gave me breathing room between    me     and      my challenges.  tongue

Best Wishes,

Jennifer

Posted 4/18/2009 3:41 PM (GMT 0)
:-)  Hi Jennifer you spell your name the same way i do one of my friends spells hers Jeniffer sounds silly i think,anyway thats not what i wanted to write about that MED your on for anxiety does it really work i'm only on Lorazepam 10mg and it helps a bite put not to the point were things don't bother me that much getting sick all the time is hard on the head. The end of the month i go for another scope and get a new port put in my neck and if the scope doesn't go good which there expecting it won't i may need more surgery mild though just another stint so hopefully the obstructions will end but i really need something stronger does it work good for you and does it make you tired at all that i don't want i'm tired enough now getting blood and Iron infusions. Please let me know Jennifer. Your Friend Jenn yeah
Posted 4/18/2009 9:08 PM (GMT 0)
THE LEXAPRO WORKS VERY WELL FOR ME. I DON'T HAVE THE PANIC ATTACKS LIKE BEFORE OR THE HEART PALPATATIONS. IT HELPS ME SLEEP , THOUGH IT DOESN'T MAKE ME FEEL TIRED. THE REASON IT HELPS ME SLEEP IS BECAUSE I AM NOT OBSESSING about THINGS ANYMORE. EVERYONE'S CHEMISTRY IS DIFFERENT, THOUGH AND DIFFERENT DRUGS WORK DIFFERENTLY ON EVERYONE. IT WAS WORTH A TRY FOR ME AND I AM VERY GLAD I TOOK THE LEAP OF FAITH. IF I HADN'T GOTTEN A RELIEF OF DEPRESION/ANXIETY I WOULD HAVE TRIED A NEW DRUG AFTER 6 MONTHS.
JENNIFER
Posted 4/19/2009 1:43 AM (GMT 0)
yeah  Hi Jenn thnks for the info i will go to the doctor first thing Monday morning and give it a try,the sleep i can use the fibro doesn't allow you much of that however i'm on 3 differant sleeping pills but they don't help so thank you again i'll keep you posted. Thanks Jenn smilewinkgrin
Posted 4/19/2009 2:15 AM (GMT 0)
Tx--this disease is a whole heck of a lot to deal with. It's been almost 25 years for me and i'm still surprised by how I feel, react, deal.

Depression is common after surgery and man do I know it this week! Our bodies, minds, spirits, have been though a lot. Yesterday, I looked at the calendar and just tried to digest the days that have passed. I am 52 days from my proctocolectomy and ileostomy and am so darn down. It's just happening now which I find interesting. I am just done with percoset so I think that may have something to do with it. At first, it was just a daily lull. Now it's a cloud or worry and anxiety--especially about food. So worried that I'm eating too much, gaining weight too quickly--every pain worries me--is it the crohn's flaring? Did I eat something wrong? Did I do too much physically? Xanax helps me but I'm thinking I need to line up an appt with a therapist who treats chronic illness. I will look into lexapro.

A friend of my dad's talked about "getting out of your head." i have books, videos, distractions galore--things i'd love to do if i were working right now but today I could do nothing but stare. I couldn't believe myself--it was like I was stuck. A walk definitely helped as did a call to my mom and I'm 37!

Onthecan--- A hotdog stand in the bathroom--I love it!! Before my surgery , I actually did bring my laptop in the bathroom. Now, I don't know where to read my magazines and write in my journal-those were my main bathroom activities. I have to be thankful for this. Trying to be thankful and focus on the good things but it's DARN DIFFICULT.

We are all in this together. Tx--as folks told me, I'll tell you---take your time, grieve, ask for help, and know that you are not alone.
Posted 4/19/2009 2:47 AM (GMT 0)
Wow, some story you have. It seems like a long road for you. Good to hear your positive self talk, soon enough your brain and attitude will follow. Keep it up. Quite a surgery you have gone through.

Bless you,
Jenni
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