have had tn for about 10 years 2mvds and neurostimulator nothing works except the meds which make you so tired..but the depression set in about 2 years ago and does not get better..tryed everything I know of but cant seem to help myself...have gained about 20 ibs....
any new ideas?
Hi June, so sorry to read of your continued struggles with TN and failed procedures.
Do you have a doctor/Neuro with suggestions for your next step? What meds are you on? Have you looked into cervical chiropractor, or the other procedures listed in the TN facts sheet on the main page? What about a change in pain meds or anti-depressants? Pain clinics?
I’m sure you’ve already looked into all of the above, but in the off chance you haven’t, maybe you could research a few different options and speak to your doctor about them?
I hope you find a light to guide you, Mimi
Hi June,
So sorry to hear you're depressed. I struggle with it at times, too, and I think it's pretty common amongst people with TN or with any serious medical condition. Somehow it makes me feel a little better to know I'm not alone.
I wish I had some magical cure for depression. Recently I wrote down some ways to cope and some positive things to remember on the days I feel down. Sometimes just putting my mind into a new project (whether it's cleaning, a craft project, a new book) helps. But when I'm in the midst of break through pain, very little seems to help.
Lately I've been feeling a little more hopeful because of the new group of scientists that have come together and who are determined to find a cure within 10 years. Yay!!! I am clinging to that thought.
So to sum it up, it's a bunch of little things that carry me through each day ... keeping my mind and body busy, thinking positive, treating myself well, etc.
I hope this helps a little. And just remember, you're not alone, June. We all understand and most of us struggle with the same things.
Big hugs,
Vicki
P.S. A great book that's super validating is "Sick and Tired of Feeling Sick and Tired" by Paul J. Donoghue and Mary E. Siegel. I turn to it all the time. xo
Hi June...
Yes, depression is a major problem for me too. Aside from antidepressant that i take..i find that writing helps me. Just sitting down with an old fashion pen and paper and pouring out my sadness/frustration/fear. Although, here lately, i've been keeping a typed diary. But anyway...the point is that letting it "out" helps me. Plus i have a thing where i take each second as it is...like if i'm not in pain right this second, i close my eyes and say to myself "i'm not in pain right this second and that is a good thing"
I agree with other suggestions above about talking with your doctor and whatnot too.
Most of all, i guess...just keep holding on and reaching out. Hope.
*HUGS*
~Mistee
Hi June,
First off you are doing great with what you have gone thru and a trooper for having TN for ten years. Tn is a rough battle no matter how long or short time of putting up a fight against the pain physically and emotionally. It is very common for anyone with a chronic illness to go through depression, and this may come and go. Myself and many others here have go through depression. I fight with depression daily. I’m not sure all that you have tired so here is a list of things you can think on.
Try an antidepressant, you may have tried these in the past without sucess, but there maybe a new antidepressant in the market you have not tired yet. Discuss this with your doctor/s
Let close family and friends know what you going through. For me this has really helped. My friends and family can be there when I need, and also check on me to see how I’m doing. It is comforting having somebody just hold my hand when I felt lost, alone, and just sad.
Maybe add what is considered completely therapy to your medication. This would be acupuncture, masauge therapy, or something else.
Find a support group for TN, chronic illness, or depression. Having people in real life understand what you are going through may help.
Find some hobbies, crafts, or activities and get involved join a group for this. For me gardening really helps for my depression. Right now I’m getting ready to plan my spring and summer gardens.
Try talk with a therapist whom specializes in chronic pain patients. Theyay help with a variety of worries, anxiety, and array of feelings you have from chronic illness to chronic pain. My self will be looking into this. I just really need to be able to unload on someone other than my hubby.
7 writing and talking about your depressionay help. Just getting those poopy thoughts and feelings out of your head. Even just here helps
Be good to your self, treat your self well, and be easy on your self. This is something I remind my self to do and struggle to do as well.
Exercise. When you exercise your body does all sorts of things naturally to help you feel good. Take it easy and start slowly. It may take a few try’s before it start to help, but it will.
Take some vitimins. The medications we take for tn can rob of us important vitimins for feeling good. For example I was crazy low on vitime d, my doctor prescriped me some and slowly this helped with my depression and pain.
Meditate and chant something during this time. This helps me remember to be kind to my self and I can get through everything as whatever is bugging me is just a stage.
I hope that some of these ideas will help. Hopefully some one else will give some better ideas. Be kind to your self and hugs to you. It will get better
thank you so much of course for the replys and youre right at least I know Im not alone...I changed my antidepressant in May and was good for awhile ...I purchased one of those SADD lights for 200.00 and hoping my insurance company will pay some as my doc prescribed it very hard to get out so afraid of pain and feel like a loser all the time...I always try everyones suggestions so desperate to be happy again
thanks again
June
You feel like a loser and so do i yet i must remind myself i feel that way because im frustrated with my situation but i am actually pretty strong just as you seem to be! i too am afraid to go out cos of pain but also because people dont believe im ill if i go out ! I do not really have triggers so leaving my house will not make me feel that much worse and yet i have begun to hate being out and in public. You have coped wether its draining you or not, you coped all this time and keep striving to be happy and try your best so well done you and its an encouragement for those of us also depressed. Sometimes the steps we take to cope inspire and help others so much.
I TRY to recognise when im strong.It is hard when depressed as self criticism feels so easy when you feel negative about everything but i know it only encourages me to breed a very negative atmosphere for myself in which al positive comments and thoughts seem to shrivel. Try each day to think of one positive thing you did that day in respects to your mental attitude towards yourself or your ability to cope and persevere, do not unde rate your inner strength, its there and dont let go xx best wishes mel
June Scott said:
thank you so much of course for the replys and youre right at least I know Im not alone...I changed my antidepressant in May and was good for awhile ...I purchased one of those SADD lights for 200.00 and hoping my insurance company will pay some as my doc prescribed it very hard to get out so afraid of pain and feel like a loser all the time...I always try everyones suggestions so desperate to be happy again
thanks again
June