HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

What is normal?

Support Forums
>
Depression
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 3/15/2018 11:24 AM (GMT 0)
I am wondering what other people's experiences are, as I have talked to people that have had depression and they say they took their medicine and then felt a lot better, but I've never spoken to someone that had to deal with depression and chronic pain.

Over the last few years since my depression and pain started, I have had times were I felt more content than others, but never a time when I would say I felt "well". I am wondering if my expectations are too high. I am in pain, and it is pretty much always there, and it bothers me. I imagine a scenario where I can sit and be in pain yet not have it make me sad, but is that just unrealistic?

Over the last year I was on a low non-depression dose of nortrityline, and after it was augmented with pregabalin 500mg I finally got a pick up in my mood. I often rate my mood throughout the day to see how I'm getting on, and on that combination I went from averaging 2-3/10 a day to 4-5/10, sometimes I would hit a 6 which is about as good as my mood got.

Unfortunately the side effects of pregabalin led me to reduce it and then things started to go wrong. I am now back on 300mg pregabalin and starting a new AD where I can get on a full dose with side effects, but mood has hit rock bottom.

So what I am wondering is other people's experiences with chronic pain and trying to deal with depression. Is it just normal to get mood drops when dealing with it? I just found that often I may sit down somewhere quiet and feel my mood drop down. It could then last maybe a few days or week until I had some better days, but never had a whole day where I felt well. Is this just normal? Will the pain always get you down at some point and you have to deal with it? Or can it get better to the point I might have a day where it doesn't really bother me, and should I keep striving to feel better?

For info, my pain is not that severe, ranges from 2-6/10 throughout the day. Without the pregabalin a few weeks ago it was hitting 8 and I could barely walk.

Also, if any of you that have dealt/dealing with depression and chronic pain that would be willing to have an online chat with me over email or something I'd be really grateful. I guess I'm just trying to figure out at what point I should be content and stop playing with meds. I've been referred to the pain clinic so hopefully they can offer me some group sessions or something with other pain sufferers and I can have someone to talk to about these things.
Posted 3/15/2018 2:46 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Andy.

It's one of those 'which came first...the chicken or the egg' things. I have multiple areas of pain and multiple things to 'be depressed about'. I have seasonal affected depression but don't be fooled, it can 'strike' in any season, not just winter! It does tend to worsen in the winter, not just from lack of daylight, but cold increases my pain...vicious cycle.

I had to 'lower my expectations'...the mind is willing, the body not so much! lol Planning activity day by day has helped me. By accomplishing smaller things lifts my mood as opposed to 'big plans' that I can't do, which brings me down.

I know I will not be 'pain free'. This morning, for instance, my back is about a level 4 (will worsen throughout the day, no matter what I do) my shoulders are about a 3 and I'm not planning any activity that would worsen them (laundry, raking, etc) my wrists are about a 2, my tailbone is a 1, my neck however is at a 7 just now. So, while the majority of my body is pretty good, I cannot help but focus on my neck pain! I have shopping to do so heating pad and t.e.n.s. unit will have to wait until after. Meanwhile, I can take Motrin before heading out to the store. While driving and pushing a shopping cart and carrying the purchases into the house might worsen things, the feeling of accomplishment will help balance my 'mood'.

When I am having a 'bad pain day' (multiple areas of high level) fixing myself a nice cup of tea with honey and getting 'comfy' in bed and listening to some good music is helpful. I have a 'full spectrum' lamp that I use often also.

My 'comfortable' ambient temperature is minimum 70 degrees farenheit. Of course, I can't maintain that temp (the heating bill would be outrageous) but I have warm jammies and plenty of 'throws' throughout the house.

Staying hydrated is helpful also. Dried out muscles hurt worse!

Flowers brighten my mood. I've planted my garden where it is easily viewed from indoors, with the earliest blooming flowers I could find! Feeding the birds also is a mood lifter for me. Seeing 'life' in the garden when most of the outdoors is so bleak in winter!

On the days when I just can't seem to lift my mood, I take a 'mental health day' and treat myself as I would if I had the flu! Why is it that we don't feel 'guilty' for feeling like crap when we are physically sick but beat ourselves up when our brains are sick? Allowing myself to 'burn a day' here and there has definitely made a difference...so long as it's only a day or two.
Posted 3/15/2018 2:47 PM (GMT 0)
I think that the pain and depression can feed off of each other and you get caught up in the cycle. I have found that the best thing is to distract myself. And try not to think about it. The more you think about it the more you are going to notice it...

Try finding some new things to do. This will not only distract you but give you something to look forward to. Sometimes it seems strange but that is because we get use to feeling yucky.

I really don't think that there is a normal for someone with depression and chronic pain. I think it is just taking it one day at a time and look for positives.

I hope you feel better soon.

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 3/15/2018 3:04 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you both, it means a lot to speak to people that are going through the same thing.

I understand about the distractions, it definitely helps a lot but I feel like I spend my whole life distracting myself. My old therapist would have me do these relaxation exercises sitting down and often I would feel quite low after doing them because I had basically no distraction from the pain. It's that normal? I guess Im wondering if it's normal to feel like, oh I wish I was dead, rather than just, this sucks.

I have my writing which helps. I also play piano but with the meds change ive been so depressed even that fails to distract me. Going out to the shops etc feels like I have to force myself because it hurts but I know what you mean pitmom about feeling like you've accomplished a little thing after.

Im hoping the med change will be worth all this in the end. On the last one I couldn't get up to a depression dose so felt it was worth the hassle changing. Those first few weeks are a killer though. The side effects have thankfully been mild and I've been on the full dose a week so that's a positive. I'm hoping I don't get more sexual problems but with my mood and the lyrica the little guy isn't working properly anyway.

Post Edited (Andy1986) : 3/15/2018 9:11:55 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 3/15/2018 3:20 PM (GMT 0)
Oh and I forgot to ask, do you still have days where your mood is just terrible, you don't really want to live etc? How long does it last for for you?

I guess I'm trying to work out at what point do I go to the Dr and what point do I just put up with it
Posted 3/15/2018 6:16 PM (GMT 0)
I feel down more when i have more pain its normal i think , i dont wanna be in pain i want things to be simple an easy an have pain free life , it isnt terrible pain either but just knowing it wont go away is the worst thing unless i have another operation which my surgeon wont do yet,, i have to put up with it, when its calm an not hurting much i feel much better , not sure if your on medications for pain but those can make you feel down aswell but if you have bad pain your stuck inbetween rock an hard place that way
Posted 3/15/2018 9:13 PM (GMT 0)
Andy, for me the thoughts of 'I don't want to live like this anymore' tend to come more fiercely and more frequently if other areas of my life aren't 'what I'd like them to be' in addition to the chronic pain.

My neck tends to get bad from too much driving or too much time in bed. This morning, it was because I spent most of the last 2 days in bed, down because of relationship and family issues. The emotional issues are being sorted out...today I got out of bed, got out of my pajamas, did something productive. My neck is still troubling me, but less so, since the emotional stuff is improving.

My wrist is starting to hurt me...from scrolling and typing on the computer, which is one of my 'distractions'. Go figure!

My elbow feels like it has the flu...that nonstop achiness...from the damaged nerve, which nothing helps in any real way...again, probably from typing. It's a catch 22.

The best 'medicine' for me is to try to maintain as much as possible...the housework, the pets, the people, the 'rest', the distractions. Balance is not easy.

My perception of pain...my definition of pain...they have evolved. Sort of like the ringing in my ears...constant but less noticeable depending on what else is happening. During the day, I hardly notice the tinitus, but at night, when it's quiet...whoo boy! Pain is like a low hum with occasional bursts that get my attention. A sign at my first P.T. office said "Pain is inevitable. Misery is optional." That stuck in my mind.

Some days, I must remind myself that what I am feeling is nothing compared to what Jesus suffered on the cross for my sake. I read and re read the book of Job. I try to focus on the 'good things' suggested in Philippians 4:8. Most of the time, these help me. I am NOT trying to convert anyone by mentioning these things. This is what helps ME. I can just as easily recommend "Favorite Things" from The Sound of Music! or "Spoonful of Sugar" from Mary Poppins! Whatever gets our heads in the right direction!
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply