Jules44

Open Depression
Type: Clinical (Major) Depression

I've had depression for 30 years.. ups and downs.. mostly downs, have to fight it daily.

Treatments

Cymbalta Somewhat Helpful

taking the recommended 60 mg was causing unbearable sweats. When tried to wean off could NOT even though I did it very slowly.. now I'm STUCK on it.. wanted to try something else but can't

Effexor Not Working

Didn't work for me

Meditation Too Soon to Tell

Positive Thinking Somewhat Helpful

if I can keep focused, it helps

Prozac Not Working

made me much, much worse - practically suicidal - could not take it!

Psychotherapy Not Working

Never found anyone who I could connect with and look up to.. I have found I am my own best therapist

Support from Friends & Family Somewhat Helpful

My 17 yr old daughter is the best, most understanding, intelligent person and more insightful than anyone else I know! Sometimes it bothers me though that my poor daughter has to be the one to help me out of depression. She shouldn't have that burden

Wellbutrin Not Working

Bad eye side effects- had to discontinue

Writing Somewhat Helpful

Helps to share and to write - helps me become more motivated but the pain still keeps me down even though I have so much I want to do!

Zoloft Working / Worked

It did work but I stopped to try Cymbalta which was supposed to help with pain AND depression since I also have Fibromyalgia - have never been able totake enough Cymbalta to work now can't get off it to go back on Zoloft which worked best for my depression

Open Back Pain

Treatments

Acupuncture Too Soon to Tell

I was only able to afford it for six weeks 5 years ago and I think it was starting to work but without insurance coverage and no longer being able to work, cannot afford it.

Bedrest Not Working

seems to make the pain worse. I can't sit, stand, lay down or remain in any one position for very long without increased pain

Carisoprodol Working / Worked

Helps me sleep for a few hours

Chiropractic Adjustment Not Working

went regularly for two years. no help. further damage to degenerated disks in neck, was told NOT to go back

Cortisone (Injection) Not Working

didn't help with the pain and caused fibromyalgia FLARES

Darvon Considering

Epidural Injection Considering

Fentanyl Considering

Flexeril Working / Worked

made me too sleepy during the day, Soma works better

Heat Somewhat Helpful

feels good when I use it but it's only temporary

Hydrocodone Working / Worked

Helps for a couple hours - can't take enough for proper relief - my body seems to get used to it

Ibuprofen Somewhat Helpful

sometimes helps/ sometimes doesn't

Naproxen Not Working

doesn't work any better than ibuprofen

Physical Therapy Not Working

Tried several times but because I also have fibromyalgia, I always hurt more afterwards

Relaxation Not Working

Been unable to work for four years, doesn't help - pain remains on a daily basis

Stretching Somewhat Helpful

feels good while I'm doing them unless I accidentally overdo it or hear a Pop in my hip then it's too late and pain is worse. Have to be VERY careful

TENS Not Working

When I BLAST it, it distracts me from the pain but no long term benefit

Open Chronic Pain

back pain, neck pain, hip pain, unexplained pain, fibromyalgia diagnosed in 2002..

Treatments

Chiropractic Adjustment Not Working

pain was made worse

Heat Working / Worked

use it every day. feels good whileon it but not long lasting relief

Hydrocodone Working / Worked

can only take a small amount of=n worst days or body builds a tolerance

Lidoderm Somewhat Helpful

sometimes it helps sometimes it does nothing

Lyrica Not Working

I couldn't tolerate, allergic - hands and feet swelled up

Marijuana Considering

just became legal in my state. considering but afraid still because ofthe stigma to ask dr. about it

Meditation Working / Worked

if I can get into a relaxed enough state and really deep, it helps - like trying to ignore it

Naproxen Somewhat Helpful

once in a while it helps when the pain isn't too bad (which is not often)

Nerve Blocks Considering

appt for re-eval at pain clinic in Nov. we'll see

Neurontin Considering

wll try when pain clinic suggests it, afraid of side effects since I am very sensitive to most meds

Oxycodone Considering

asked dr. but he is concerned about high rate of addiction so would not perscribe

Physical Therapy Not Working

made pain worse :( tried two seperate times. too many other issues (spine problems and fibromyalgia)

TENS Not Working

distracts me from the pain while it's on, otherwise no long term relief

Open Bereavement
Type: Loss of a Parent

Lost my father to Malignant Melanoma in 1/01 and just lost my mother 3/30/09 I feel more like an orphan than I already did, now I guess I really am. It's so sad they were both 65 when they died.

Treatments

Crying Working / Worked

always helps to have a good cry

Grief Counseling Considering

Pets Somewhat Helpful

I always feel better when I have a purring cat letting me pet it

Psychotherapy Not Working

still looking for the right person to talk to. Needs to call Hospice..

Reading Working / Worked

works as a distraction for as long as I'm reading as long as nothing reminds me..

Remembering Not Working

It makes me miss them more. Makes me sad for all the lost time. I have a few good memories but not enough.

Support from Friends & Family Somewhat Helpful

my 89 yr old grandmother is strong and always has good words of advice. I don't talk to her often enough though, she lives far away

Support Groups Considering

Talking Somewhat Helpful

don't have too many people to talk to. I write in my journal a lot.

Time Working / Worked

Time helps.. acceptance comes and the number of times you go to pick up the phone and call them dwindles...