Hello, my name is Brandon

[brandon]

I guess this all started as several mid-diagnosis about 8 or 9 years ago.

Finally early last year I was diagnosed and by October having to use Humira sine most other things haven't helped. Eg. Lialda and prednisone. Prednisone makes me an angry unhappy person, makes my hip hurt more, and not feel like myself in general. It got stopped in 2 weeks. I moved to
Humira which u don't feel is 100% but it's close. I'm just worried about that close difference in the long term.

In the mean time I've managed to
Develop an obsessive buying disorder. Possibly
a small part in thanks to the chrons but the
Rest my parents over the years. My psychologist has diagnosed me with major depression and between that and Chrons I've got quite the RX cocktail.

This is where I need help from fellow patients. I am taking:
* lialda 1.2gm
* nuvugil 150mg (for fatigue)
* viibryd 40mg (for depression and concentration)
* Wellbutrin 200mg to help boost the viibryd and the sexual
Issue it created
*humira once every other week... Because who
Wouldn't want to shoot up (kidding)

My complaints are still that the Humira isn't 100% but I'm going along with it for now. I've had major issues with concentration through this while thing ad been diagnosed with major depression. I guess viibryd is the right drug but At the same time why not adderall? I say I guess because my symptoms improved but they were not resolved.

I just really want to get on with life and feel comfortable
Whatever the meds I take and or how crazy they are
No longer concern me. I just want normalcy back


Has anyone else been
I thus boat? I'd say I'm certainly depressed

 

[Angrybird]

Hello Brandon. Unfortunately I cannot help with the meds as I have not been on them myself but one thing I would ask is have you had your vitamin levels checked at all, especially your B12? It can be common for people with crohns to be dificient in this and low levels can lead to fatigue and even affect things like your mood (depression) so if they have not been checked I would ask your doc about this, it may help a bit....

Otherwise I will just say :welcome: to the forum, I hope you find the advice and support you need here.

 

[Paislee]

Hi Brandon!
I have certainly been in this situation, and it's tough. I suffered severe depression and also was diagnosed with and anxiety disorder not long after my crohn's diagnosis in 2002. My depression has lifted somewhat but still do get periodic panic attacks. I had to see a psychologist 2 years back and it did help, maybe you could check into that. I had a very negative personality and the psychologist helped me think a little clearer. I'm not perfect by any means but I think things out now and look for the positive. This being said I do take meds for depression still. Effexor 150mg a day, can say it does help mood wise but has nasty side effects if you happen to miss a dose. Its the type of drug that has to be stepped down gradually over a long period of time to quit. This disease itself is very hard to deal with, your whole lifestyle changes in an instant and people kind of look at you like you are out to lunch. This person doesn't look sick, so how can he/she be sick? Its an invisible disease and I have come across a lot of skeptics since 2002 and you will see them too. It's sad really. I can go on about this forever. If you need any more info you can PM me if you like, hope I gave you at least some insight. Stay positive, it's hard but it helps

 

[brandon]

Thanks everyone for their responses so far.

I have seen both psychologists and psychiatrists thus far and it has helped some. I still have a negative disposition towards a lot of things but therapy has helped me mentally realize how past events have had long term impacts.

That being the case its been about a year since my B12 was checked, I have started the Humira since then but I don't know if that will or will not make a difference.

The Viibryd combined with the Welbutrin is also apparently a bad combination to miss a dose with. One day I forgot to take all of my meds and by 5pm I was experiencing what people call brain zaps, and by 10/11 PM they were almost continuous. Thankfully I found online that this is a rare withdrawal symptom of Viibryd and after about 2-3 hours from taking my missed dose the brain zaps subsided. My GP has since given me some sample packs to keep various places in the event I forget in the future to avoid this.

Like you said Paislee its a silent disease. No one really understands what its like or what you are going through. You appear healthy therefor you must be healthy. I have found no good way to work with this, especially at work. I still get some grief even when I am home but its just one of those daily challenges.

Out of curiosity has anyone here experienced deferred pain in the lower back as a result of intestinal inflammation? I don't know if its even possible since I do have some disc problems as well but it seems to be worse these days.

 

[KWalker]

I have read your post but haven't replied because I didn't feel I had any valuable information to help you but I thought I'd atleast welcome you!

 

[David]

Hi Brandon and welcome Various things:

1. Like Angrybird, one of my thoughts was, "Vitamin B12". What was your exact level when you were tested last year?

2. That radiating pain in your back has me a bit concerned. You say you have some disc problems so I'm assuming you had an imaging study like an xray or something along those lines done? If so, when? Have you told your GI about this pain? And have they done an ultrasound or CT scan in that area? Has anyone mentioned Sacroiliitis or Ankylosing Spondylitis?

All my best to you. We're here for you anytime