I'm really sorry to hear that you're dealing with all this right now, gardenchic. Is depression a side effect of one or more of your meds (or the combination thereof)? You might want to ask your doctor about that and, if so, what you can do to counteract it. Another thought would be that maybe your thyroid or adrenal glands are off. Again, your doctor could check those levels. Also, meds like prednisone can throw off your vitamin/mineral levels and balances. For me, I have to take vitamin d3 all the time and had to add an easily absorbable form of magnesium. Both have helped with many problems. And, lastly, try keeping a food log to see if there are any food triggers. For instance, I know a woman who suffered from deep depression, that was brought on by eating twinkies every day with lunch. Sugar was her trigger. Anyway, I wish you the best for getting through this difficult time. Please keep us informed of your well-being and progress.

I'm so sorry to hear that you are feeling this way.

Sending ((((hugs)))) and prayers!

Thanks guys. I don't know if its my meds, or hormones, or what. Most days I feel fine. I was laughing and joking with people at work. Then I talked to my mom again, and in trying to reassure her I as ok, it all came back. I got nervous and scared... I just want to leave it behind, but I don't know how. I hope my therapist can help.

I was put on Cymbalta for lupus pain, and I was surprised at how much it helped with my anxiety and depression (which I didn't think I had it too bad). Good luck with the therapist! It is hard dealing with these issues day to day.

From your post, I take it you're a young adult or teen. I'm in my mid-50s and I can completely, 110% understand how you feel.

I live alone in a small fishing community. I use to work on commercial and charter fishing boats. I was a butt-kicker deckhand and captain.

Since acquiring MCTD/Lupus about 5 yrs ago, nothing is the same. My life completely twisted and turned. But, that's life.

Every single person on the planet has something wrong - either with their health, financial, unable to focus, walk, or dance. Life sucks for all of us.

And yes, my life did completely change, but it's suppose to. So, in my world, I had to say goodbye to loves that I use to enjoy: fishing, hiking, volleyball, and yes, even mowing the grass. And I don't go and sit down to do what I've always done, like you wrote, "knitting, colouring, etc." Do something new. It might be flying a fighter kite (really really fun). It might be looking up DIY ideas on Esty or Pinterest. Just do something scary and new (not nec dangerous).

I won't give up if you don't. Our new 'normal' sucks, yes, but again, everyone's life does suck...we just gotta suck it up!

-Hugs & Loves, MoorGrace

I am so sorry what you go through and unortunately we all go through the same or a similar process sooner or later...
The "normality" of our life is that we suffer from SLE/MCTD with all sorts of flare-ups coming along and all we can do is our very best to "sit it out" whenever a flare-up comes along ...
Please don't distress yourself about your situation, because that could make your flare-up even worse ... Please find ways to "sit out" ever flare-up and please find ways and find out what you could do whilst you sit or lay on the sofa during a flare-up... I always "park myself" on the sofa whenever a flarup comes along...
... And I have stopped ta long time ago to distress myself my situation ... and please feel free to come here and communicate with us about whatever you would like to share and we do understand...
I send you my heartfelt greetings and all the best wishes from Kristina.

Hi folks,
Thanks for the encouragement and support. I really appreciate it. We've been talking to my doctors to figure out what's going on with my "periods" and to see if it is a hormonal imbalance affecting my moods. He also gave me an anti-anxiety med to see if that helps. I really don't want another medication, but if its what I have to do, I guess that's what I have to do.

Reading your message has helped me. My daughter is 25 and has Lupus and Fibro along with Cervical Cancer. I often have to deal with her feelings that are similar to yours. Her mood swings and feeling like a burden comes up almost daily. I'm sorry you also deal with these issues. But am glad to hear that she is not the only one experiencing these problems. I need all the insight I can get to learn how to respond to her in a positive and healthy way.

Hello,
I am very sorry that you feel like that and I do hope you have a chance and start the process to come to terms with Lupus... Going throught that process would give you a fair chance to start living life as best as is possibe with this disease... You hope there might be a chance to get "back to be healthy again" and you probably were suffering from Lupus for a long time before you were diagnosed ... But despite suffering from Lupus, there is still a lot we can do and achieve.... I for example had SLE/MCTD all my life but was only diagnosed in 1995... and I don't think I can remember experiencing a healthy month, or even a healthy week but I certainly tried the best I could despite "my" SLE/MCTD, i.e. studying at University, having exhibitions with my paintings etc.
After my diagnosis with SLE/MCTD and other connected diseases, I first of all was completely overwhelmed, but then I sat down one day and thought about my life and what I wanted with my life and what I wanted to achieve... and I decided there and then that I want to try and find ways how to move forward despite SLE/MCTD and that is what I have tried ever since. Of course, there are many unwanted set-backs, but I shall continue trying nevertheless ...
I do hope you can find your own way of moving forward and I wish you all the best in doing so...
Good luck wishes from Kristina.

I've been dealing with lupus for over 10 years and its been fairly mild... I say fairly mild as in I was only hospitalized twice in 10 years. This past winter was the worst flare I've ever had and kept me from living my life. I'm doing a lot better now. I've had a good September, even with all the doctor's appointments and tests.
Gluten has always been a trigger for depression in me. Its been a month since I've been off it, and I'm feeling pretty good. Let's hope it keeps going that way.

I was diagnosed with Lupus a month ago and sadly I've only been sick for four months now. But I've been on anti-depressants for more than 18 years. I've been a type 1 diabetic for 34 years and I've always had something to stress me in my life, be it work, children, husbands, family, losing my only son in Iraq, there is always something going on to stress us.

I do hope that you find out what is going on with your hormones, since it does sound like they are affecting your depression. But keep going, keep getting up and please keep doing things that keep you happy and busy! Life is good no matter what the day brings you and someone will miss you very much if you are not around!!!