I am on Cymbalta for depression but a positive side effect is that it helps with nerve pain. Something you may want to consider next time you talk with your docotor if you are on anti-depressants. For me however, I'm not sure if it's anxiety that makes my symptoms worse or if the symptoms stimulates my anxiety. I take ativan for the anxiety but am trying to take it only when I really need it. God Bless.

I have found that my attitude toward my problems/pain effects my symptoms. If I can keep my sense of humor (appreciate the irony or ridiculousness of it all) I can not take it all so seriously and accept what is - is, this takes the emotion out. Emotion seems to aggravates my symptoms. I just take life slower and laugh at the bumps and bruises of life. I have been working on this for over 10 years. Good luck! It's a hard knock life.

You present an interesting question...is the depression caused by the MS symptoms getting worse or is depression the cause of the symptoms getting worse...We are in a "catch 22"...Wish I could shed some light on this one but I too am on an anti-depressent. Not sure if it's helping because I've only been on it for 2 weeks and the Neuro said it might take that long to show any results. I can appreciate the down feeling and forcing yourself to get out of the house. There are days I don't even open the blinds. Positive attitude does help but there are times I can't even mustard that up! Hang in there!!

I've heard that the B vitamins- the whole B complex- is a staple med for MS. The Bs are the vitamins that help us deal with stress, and people are almost always deficient. It's hard to get out of food, I think.

But friends have said that people with MS do well with the B vitamins- they not only help with stress, but spasms.

Good luck!

And TCC- the anti-depressants should kick in soon. I took prozac for a while, and it hit right around 2 weeks.

FWIW, I think depression is part of the MS. Sometimes the older antidepressants work better. If the depression is as severe as you say, maybe you need to try more, or change to a different one? Good luck and hugs.

I think depression is part of it all and you feel worse physically when you feel bad emotionally. Its hard to get out of but you are on the right track getting out of the house.I walk as much as possible. I always can find some little thing in Nature to amaze me and make things a bit better . Hang in there , take care of yourself

P.S. I have been taking Wellbutrin for several years but lately it doesn't feel enough. I am such a sad sack all the time I cant stand myself. Anyway the meds seem to help and your Dr. should be able to find the right mix for you.

Try and put a positive twist on thing you could have cancer or something and only have a short time to live so think about the good things in your life and focus that you can still get out and not how bad things are as they can always be worst.
I know this does not answer your question but i rather not think of depression in either cinereo I rather think at least I'm on the right side of the grass.
And for those of you who have had people or friends pass away from complications of MS this was not meant to offend you it is just a copping method to use. As most MS patients lives are only shorten by MS and don't die from MS so please don't freak out and start sending me messages again.