The easy way out?

Well, I think after 15 years of suffering from Crohns's and arthritis I am finally admitting that I am depressed. It seems that only now, at least in the past year or two, that I have been able to really recognize it as depression. Here’s the problem- I can admit it to myself and this forum (barely) but certainly not anyone else. In addition to the diseases mentioned above, I suffer from IBS which can become extremely painful at points. My doctor suggested taking a low dose anti-depressant to help control symptoms. This might sound twisted, but I am also hoping it can assist in some of my depression problems. I am pretty sure they diagnose a fairly low dose for IBS, but even so, will this help my depression? Any input is appreciated and carefully considered. I am posting this both on the Crohn’s forum as well as the Depression forum. Thank you.

i am on elavil however i was placed on it to prevent migraines. Not long after i was Dx w/CD i was Dx with OCD. I only needed sessions with the psychiatrist I didnt need meds for it. When I was with my xhusband I staarted seeing my psych. again. I also had recently revealed to my family of a rape that occurred recently 2 me at my college and i was dealing with my (now late) nana's Dx of breast cancer. I found myself at the point where i needed meds for the depression...plus my ex is bipolar and would go on and off meds pllus he had trichotillomania(sp?). My psychyatrist could tell i needed meds so he placed me on Paxil. this helped my depression somewhat but for my height my max healthy weight is 115...the paxil made me go up to 131.5 pounds prioi r to that i was 90lbs. the weight gain and issues with my ex made my depression worse. I tapered off the paxil and went down to 103 and got a divorce. I remarried and less than 1 yr married I needed my 1st cd Sx then 3 more followed. then last summer i lost 5 family members 1 was my nan who beat breast cancer to only get alzheimers,ministrokes, and seizures. she had taken early retirement which occurred when i was Dx with cd. I have been depressed more recently and that too runs in my family. I cannot really discuss feelings with my husband, he was brought up to keep feelings in and those who dont are weak...I feel i am pretty strong but i need someone to talk to He finally said to me especially since we moved in with my 80 yr old recently widowed grandfather who is showing signs of alzheimers...but he. still sees me as a todler and being here with him 24/7 is making it worse esp since with the pain meds i cant drive yet...that maybe i should see someone. i am going 2 do so when i can drive again since a ride with mygrandpa its like getting into acar with a blind deaf man...even tho his also elderly doc claims he is fine. he was never a good driver but he really should have his license taken away. i already have therapists names and auth from my insurance

15 must be the magic number....that's about how long I was in for having CD when depression hit me too...thanks to regular exercises, natural supplements which helped my symptoms extreamly and tweaking my diet I think I've pretty much licked the depression.

Good luck to you, it's tough enough dealing with CD let alone depression and anxiety due to it.

:)

Thanks everyone for your help. Everyone who responded is right, and I know that. There is a combination of emotions that make me feel and react the way I do. I am old enough now (and have been) that it is really time to buck up and deal with the problems and emotions I face. I think I was just hoping I could get on the meds for IBS (which I do suffer from) with never even having to discuss my feelings, this being the easy way out. Your responses helped me out a lot, there is nothing to be ashamed of. Thanks.

Blairstl - -

I am on this forum because my husband suffers from Crohn's, however I have much experience with chronic depression.  I know you are hoping that the low dose that you may recieve for your IBS will be enough, but I can not urge you enough to go and get treated for your depression specifically.  You need to be on a theraputic dose of medication if you want help that way and chances are good that the first-generation anti-depressants (Elavil is one of them) won't be enough to help, especially at low dosage.  I am sending you big (((HUGS))) because acknowledging you have depression and getting treated for it can be so difficult to deal with, but getting it treated and overcoming it makes such a huge difference in your life.  I wish you the best of luck!

Sorry, that should have said "due to a stalker." 

Thanks again everyone for all of your kind words and advice. The IBS being treated with Anti-Depressants is new to me, so all of this info is very informative. I know first hand, that being on the wrong dose of medicine is useless- so I don't know why I wouldn't apply the same rationale here. I am going to do it the right way.

hana24- My doctor suspected IBS about a year ago, so it is hard to say, because I was never associating those symptoms with IBS- just Crohn's. I can tell you this, that when I was on prednisone and then entocort, I did not have these symptoms. So maybe that is an answer! I also know that it feels like Crohn's which makes it near impossible to differentiate the two. To wander for a minute, I often wonder if the two can co-exist. Personally, I find it hard to believe. I know there are many doctors out there who believe it and others who don't. Just a thought.