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Depression.....
Started by Lois |
Posted: December 16, 2009 at 03:53 | |
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I don't mean to come across as a negative person or a person who isn't grateful I got rid of MRSA, but I am depressed upon depressed. Last year at this time, for months, I was fighting for my life. This year I am continuing to learn how to walk again and restore my immunity/health. I believe I am reliving and trying to process what happened to me last year. I, also, think I may be affected by the lack of sunlight we experience this time of year. I have a lot of stress as we all do. I am a clinical social worker. I do know what I need to do. That doesn't make it any better. I'm on an antidepressant, for years now. I do have a therapist. I'm not suicidal. I thought I saw the "light at the end of the tunnel", but the tunnel looks long and dismal right now. I've been through so....much in my lifetime and now this. How much can one person take? No one understands what it's like, except those of you on this site. I am trying to improve my immune system. I need guidance and answers regarding the healing of the nerves in my spine. I need more physical therapy. I'm tired. Physically and emotionally. My hemoglobin count rose from 10.1 to 10.3! I'm supposed to be excited about that! It's like a .2% increase. HA! They got excited recently when unemployment dropped .2%. Big whoop. If my hemoglobin was 12 or 14, then I'd get excited. I might have some energy. I realize none of you can help me. I need to figure it out myself. Just thought I'd share. Lois 15794
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Re: Depression.....
Reply #1 by Pauly |
Posted: December 16, 2009 at 12:11 | |
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Lois: I went & looked at your previous posts to get an idea of what you have been through & what you are going through. You say you're a clinical social worker so I won't advise you on treatment for depression. I do know a lot about nerve damage & chronic pain however. Chronic pain, and pain management, can cause depression. I have endured & heard other horror stories about PM. The stigma of CP can be unbearable at times. Since this is an MRSA forum & not a CP forum, I will not get into the problems w/ PM. Some of your depression, as well as your tiredness, can be due to the Lyrica. You may want to talk to your doctor about this. I saw where you stated you have uninterrupted sleep. That's rare in anyone w/ CP. Medications, immune deficiency & chronic illnesses can cause fatigue & even chronic fatigue. Sleep, even uninterrupted sleep, is almost irrelevant if you're in a constant state of fatigue. This can also cause worsening depression. You stated elsewhere that nerves take up to 18 months to heal. Some nerves never heal. I had failed back surgery in the same location where you had the MRSA infection, L3-L4. So I understand your leg pain & the harships of dealing w/ it. After years of dealing w/ low back & leg pain, the pain spread throughout the rest of my body. Doctors couldn't, or wouldn't, explain the cause. After 2 years, I learned that I had tested positive for MRSA that I was never told about. I have been sick & in unbearable pain since while doctors refused to test me again for MRSA. Thanks to LadyK, I may finally get the testing I have been literally begging for. For the last couple of years, drs have been blaming all my illnesses on my CP & depression. I have explained that I'm not really depressed but frustrated & angry about my medical care or lack of it. I can't tell you how many torturous EMG's I had to go through while they tried to disprove my pain had increased & spread. Instead of testing me for MRSA, which I am almost certain is the cause. Actions & inactions by several drs give credence to my belief. You stated that you are no longer seeing a neurologist. Why not? Further testing should have been done to find the extent of nerve damage in your spine. Did they ever do a myelogram? EMG? A lumbar puncture? When was the last time you had a blood culture or Nares test for MRSA? Has anyone considered a nerve disease like RSD/CRPS? It is caused by surgery in 30% of cases. Even when the surgery wasn't done to the spine. I wish you the best of luck dealing w/ everything. The healing process can be long & emotionally/physically draining. You already proved you're a survivor. Though many drs are quick to blame depression as a cause for physical symptoms when the real cause isn't black or white, very often the depression is a symptom of a physical illness. Good luck to you. 15800
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Re: Depression.....
Reply #2 by ruth |
Posted: December 16, 2009 at 16:05 | |
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The following are some of the supplements I take for muscles and nerves. In addition to a healthy diet. No trans fat no sodas they inhibit the absorption of nutrients. mineral supplement that includes selenium, magnesium, chromium multi vitamin, with extra A,C,E,D amino acid supplement like BCCA digestive enzyme supplement that includes lipase fatty acids, salmon oil, evening primrose oil (GLA) , flax oil Vitamin B complex, the B vitamins affect the nerves so I take the maximum amount DHEA, NAC-cysteine lecithin carnitine quercetin, aspirin, for pain and inflammation 15801
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Re: Depression.....
Reply #3 by Lois |
Posted: December 16, 2009 at 16:25 | |
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Pauly, I have not had any spine/nerve tests. Zilch. I have not seen a neurologist since last week in hospital. I don't believe I've had a MRSA blood test since April 6,2009. The day after my last vancomycin treatment. The PIC line was removed then also. As far as a MRSA nares....never. I need to see my ID who discharged me from his care on April 7, 2009. I have a lot of questions for s. My internist won't do a MRSA nares. I think he thinks I'm just depressed and uneducated about MRSA when I ask him all these questions. He thinks I should be happy and "positive". He really doesn't like me to bring up MRSA anymore. 15802
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Re: Depression.....
Reply #4 by Pauly |
Posted: December 16, 2009 at 18:43 | |
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Lois: You need to get tested for MRSA. Guidelines for MRSA testing state that it should be done at least 7 days after any antibiotic treatment or prior to any. Any results from a test the day after Vancomycin therapy will more than likely produce a false negative!!! Besides, there's also recurrent MRSA. Is your internist the one prescribing the Lyrica? I know they usually don't treat CP & if they do, they only prescribe medications like Lyrica, Neurontin, Cymbalta, etc. These medications work on some types of nerve pain but not all. Not even PM drs like to prescribe opioid pain meds these days but they are sometimes necessary to relieve chronic pain. And they have been used for decades w/o the side effects of these other meds. There also devices that may help. Like a TENS unit, a spinal cord stimulator & even a deep brain stimulator for pain that can't be relieved any other way. First however, you must see a neurologist & have him test you. An EMG should have been performed while you were in the hospital. PT is good in several ways but it can be harmful if they don't know what's causing your pain. Never accept that you are just depressed. If they don't test you, it's all speculation. Medicine is supposed to be based on facts, not assumptions. Is the depression causing your symptoms or is it a symptom of your CP? If it's the cause, then you need to have it treated. If it's a symptom, the underlying cause needs to be treated. It's hard to positive when you're sick & in pain. CP can cause all kinds of other physical, emotional & psychological problems. That's why proper testing is so important. The cause & extent of it needs to be determined, if possible. I agree w/ Ruth about certain vitamins, especially D & the B's. You need to have your B-12 level checked w/ a blood test. If you are deficient, it alone could cause CP. In many cases, injections of it are needed. You may want to seek out another internist, if your situation allows. You definitely need an ID & neurologist. Make sure you explain your fatigue to your therapist, along w/ any other concerns. I hope you find some help soon. No one should be allowed to suffer unnecessarily. Take care 15806
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