Have UC and additional illnesses - feeling like no one understands!

 Hi, I have had UC for about a year and a half now.  I'm on 2 Humira pens every 2 weeks, 150mg Imuran, Lialda, and starting to ween off Prednisone after being on it for over a year.  Needless to say, this has been a long road to getting better and lots of side effects.  I was also just diagnosed with acoustic neuroma - a rare benign brain tumor that has damaged my hearing.  I also lost my Dad a year and a half ago to cancer and my husband divorced me in May giving no specific reason why.  Welp, I'm pretty depressed ladies and gents.  I feel very alone and that my friends are sick of dealing with me, although I try hard not to complain.  I'm really just looking for any advice on how people deal with chronic illnesses and side effects and remain happy and part of "regular" society.  I would love to join a support group in my area, but there isn't any.  Any advice would greatly be appreciated.  Hope you all are well today! :)

Thank you very much for your response.  I have been on Effexor in the past.  Just a FYI, if you ever decide to come off it, please make sure you do it very slowly in small amounts.  Thanks again! :)

Oh wow... What a lot to have to deal with in a very short time. I'm really sorry to hear about all of your recent troubles.

It might be helpful to look into your anti-depressant options as others have already suggested, but I think you might want some short-term counseling to help you through the grieving process. Some therapists act like therapy is forever, but many will help you with selective problem solving and helping you feel more integrated with daily life. You seem to have some particular goals, so I think it would be especially helpful to you to let a professional help you meet them.

Good luck (and I hope you feel better soon).

Thank you all SO much for your responses and suggestions.  You have no idea what the kindness of strangers means to me. 

((((HUGS)))))

I am so sorry that life has dealt you such a challenging hand, YJane. And glad you found us for some support.

I very much agree with Diana about finding a therapist. I only have the UC and an alcoholic father on my plate, and I am currently searching for a therapist to start seeing. ITU (I totally understand-sorry, I am so used to typing in abbreviations it is second nature now!) how you feel about friends getting tired of hearing it. I imagine they are not tired of hearing about your problems, but rather feel somewhat helpless to being able to offer you much help in dealing with everything. No doubt, those close to you want you to feel comfortable coming to them, but most people in our lives are not equipped to deal with just the UC, let along brain tumors, the death of a parent and a divorce all at the same time. In that way, I think it would really benefit you to find someone you could talk to who could not only help you, but whom you know will be there to listen and support you when you don't want to turn to your loved ones, you know?

Life is hard-and life with everything you have been dealt could be a dealbreaker for a lot of folks. But here you are, fighting to get your life back together, asking for support and seeking out help. You are obviously a very strong woman, so keep your head held high, and lean on people here anytime. That is what we are here for.