Update

[clearwell]

update

Hi everyone,I did write this last night pressed something and lost it.My son shouted at me so I cried and went to bed.However lets hope I get it right
today.
The hospital was a bit how I expected it to be and joy of joys I have to
have a colonoscope asap.I had more blood tests,I think they have got more
of my blood than I have.I also have to take another sample but he did say
that if the crohns has'nt kicked off he will refer me to a more specialist
person because he has done all he can do.If the diarrhoea does'nt stop
in the next couple of days they will take me into hospital for a few days
and put me on a drip to monitor things so I shall just have to see what
happens.
What he did say was to see my GP to get some anti depressants because
I got a bit upset when I was talking to him but as I said I only get upset
when I can't stop the diarrhoea because I'm housebound and it makes me
feel ill.I would be interested to hear if any of you have tried them and if
you think they helped.I will try anything to be honest.I took so much stuff
yesterday to enable me to get to the hospital that today so far feeling
a bit better,not so tearful and got a bit more energy.
Thanks for reading and look forward to hearing your views about the
anti depressants. x

 

[Misty-Eyed]

Aww I'm sorry to hear thing aren't going well at the moment. These things do take an emotional toll on you and if I had a penny for every time I cried over my crohn's, I'd be very rich by now.

Personally, I've never been on antidepressants although I have been clinically depressed about 3 times. I've always found that sorting out what's going on in my head has always helped loads and sometimes this has meant going to see a counsellor. I would consider going on antidepressants if I was seeing someone and was still not coping, but luckily it's never come to that.

I guess the problem is that sometimes there is a waiting list to see a counsellor via the GP but maybe have a word with your GP to see what he things about it. Maybe the antidepressants might tide you over till you are back on your feet in more than one way!

Hope this helps x

 

[Bloom]

Hi Clearwell,

Cant say ive tried them but God sometimes i feel i need them i agree with Misty-Eyed ive always faught it by myself, but thats not to say that at some stage i will consider them as there is only so much we can take. Sorry to hear your D is bad but look at the bright side at least the hos are taking note and if you get worse you know where to turn. Glad to see you have some energy the differance it makes. If you feel like your in a dark hole i would say go ahead and try them maybe a small dose to start and see where you get x

Good Luck x

 

[clearwell]

Hi Misty and Bloom,thanks for your replies.I am very undecided about
them at the moment so will mull it over for a few days and see how I
feel then.
Hope you both keep well x

 

[Guest]

hi Clearwell.... so sorry to hear how things are both physically and emotionally for you right now

i think many of us have been there though, and understand how you're feeling. any illness which goes on and on will bring our spirit down, and something like Crohn's, especially when it's flaring, is no exception.

i totally believe in anti depressants in the right circumstances, and my guess would be that maybe this is one of those times when they might really help. maybe you could have a heart to heart with your gp, or your practice nurse, and explain exactly how you're feeling, voice your worries about the meds, and also ask if there is any kind of support system available in your area.. some medical support groups do home-visiting, or offer telephone support from fellow sufferers..

also, keep an eye on your hydration if you're getting diarrhea a lot.. if you feel faint, weak, shaky, or have headaches, you could be dehydrated.

 

[Nancy Lee]

Hi and sorry you are having such a rough go of it!
As dingbat said make sure you don't get dehydrated...
that alone can cause you to feel that way.

Do I believe in antidepressants?
Yes I most certainly do...there are times
and I think you are going through one of them
where a person feels they just can't cope with the running
to the bathroom and not feeling well all the time.

I am on one now and it really made a difference.
I hope I don't have to be on them for long bit
if I do....I do. It's worth it to me to be smiling more
and feeling less depressed and stressed about
having this disease.

You take care and do what's best for you,
Welcoming hugs~Nancy

 

[Dexky]

Hi again Clearwell! I think there are several on here who take a low dose of the anti-depressant Amitryptaline. At low doses, it treats pain by blocking pain receptors so perhaps you could ask about it. You might get a double benefit from it. You could do a search up top to find others on here who are using it. They may have more advice. Good luck!!

 

[Astra]

Hi clearwell

I'm a big fan of anti depressants! I don't see why we should just shut up and put up!
There are some great meds out there, they take the edge off things, and help with SAD too, (seasonal affective disorder)this can affect loads of people when the dark nights draw in, my sister takes SSRIs every year to combat this (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) cos of lack of the hormone serotonin. An ultra violet lamp works too!
I'm on Amitriptyline, this is an anti depressant, and in high doses helps depression, and in low doses, acts as a pain receptor. I feel so much better on it, I'm sleeping better than I have done in years, and it kept me calm whilst on Pred, (unbelievable!)
Talk with your doc about these options, you've got nothing to lose, but much more to gain!
good luck
Joan xxx

 

[clearwell]

Hi everybody,thanks for your advice.There does seem to be some benefits so I will go
and speak to the GP about it I am just a bit reluctant to take another pill but I do get
very depressed and tearful when diarrhoea won't stop whatever I take.The dehydration thing I get like that quite often and very very cold.I usually end up in bed till it passes
and sometimes that can be a few weeks.I am now going to bug the doc when this happens again.The response I got from one GP last time was if she had a tap she
would turn it off which wasnt very helpful.I hate this desease and now I have found
you lot I am not going to let it beat me.I did feel very much on my own.
Thank you x

 

[DustyKat]

I know I said it in your introductory post but in view of you feeling cold be sure to have B12, Folate and Iron Stores checked. Actually after reading your introductory post and what you said about MGUS and red blood cells, what are they doing as a treatment for this?

Dusty.

 

[clearwell]

Hi DustyKat,at the moment I am having blood tests it was every six months but
now it is two monthly and I have the blood test next Friday and go to hospital on the
2nd Dec to see the consultant.I have asked them about it but I got a shrug of the
shoulders as a answer.The only way I can get warm is to go in the bath and keep
running hot water into it until I get warm which can take an hour sometimes and then I
will be ok until the next time.
I am also at two different hospitals for the crohns and one for the blood and they are
not getting together even though I have asked them to.
If the blood count has gone up again it will mean another bone marrow test and if it
reaches a certain level they will start chemo.Last count was 7 it has gone up last
twice.I am not sure what it has to go up to cause different hospitals do it different.
Thats about it really but I have got a list of questions for next visit. x

 

[DustyKat]

Thanks clearwell, you certainly have a lot to deal. I hope more than anything all goes well with your blood tests and wouldn't be great if the docs could start communicating with each other! Please keep us posted on how you are going.

Thinking of you, :hug:
Dusty

 

[Nica]

Hi Clearwell,
I take zoloft, everyday and have for something like 5 years. I know for me depression will sneak in when I am even in a mild flare, a major flare sends me into major depression I have found keeping the anti-depressant in my system helps the lows that come with Crohns.
For me, keeping my spirits as high as possible is as important as managing the crohn's for quality of life.

 

[adb]

i am so sorry for what you are going through, i cant relate very much with being homebound and not wanting to leave the house for fear of having to go to the bathroom all the time. i couldnt even finish a meal without having to go. i found that using metamuccil or the store brand helps me with the "D". i talked to the pharmacy and she said instead of using 8oz of water or whatever drink you want to mix it with use only 4oz. and the spoon of metamuccil. i have found that it really helps me with having to go so much and it gives your bowel movements bulk. i drink it 2x a day. they have pills to if you didnt want to drink the stuff. hope this helps and good luck.

 

[Michelle]

Hi Clearwell..so sorry to read how difficult its been for you, I can relate to how youre feeling right now and its not a nice place to be, there is no defeat in admiting we need help with feeling low sometimes. I know for me, my pride kept me from considering anti-depressants much longer than i should have because i thought it was like admitting failure, that i couldnt cope. It stands to reason that when youre not retaing vital substances and minerals, the chemical balance of things is off, and our minds are not immune to that, factor into that the anxiety of not being able to manage day to day life and the side effect of steroids and its a hell of a lot for the mind to contend with. In the end, after a really bad flare and a spell in hospital some years ago, i finally went to the GP and asked for an anti-depressant, it really did help at a time when i really needed it. Its not something i wanted to stay on..and after a few weeks i felt much more like myself and tapered off again but they were a crutch i badly needed at the time. They may be a good idea for you and they may not, but dont suffer needlessly xxxx :hang:

 

[clearwell]

Hi everyone who have posted messages.I have felt a bit better in myself today
and I managed a jacket potato and a piece of toast and it's stayed where it's
supposed to so far.Fingers crossed for that but when something good happens
something else pops up and now it's a sore mouth which has suddenly split at the
side it was probably cause I got exited about having something solid to eat.I do have
to drink this stuff 3 times a day which is supposed to bulk everything up but in a
flare up period it does'nt work but normally it does help.
I have decided to go and have a chat with GP about anti depressants and will see
if I can try a mild one.I feel it helps me being able to discuss it with you guys cause
my hubby is quite supportive but he gets frustrated because he can't help and when
I get upset he gets upset and I have always like most of you probably been very
happy and bubbly held a full time job and now sometimes it takes me all my time to
get out of bed.I am determined not to let this beat me.
Thank you all once again x

]

 

[Misty-Eyed]

Glad you are trying to stay positive!

Are the splits in the corners of your mouth? I think that can be a sign of iron deficiency anaemia. Although it may just be the time of year, my sister gets it a lot.

Also glad you managed to keep something down. Good luck with the GP and let us know how it goes x

 

[clearwell]

Hi Misty,yes splits are on side of my mouth.I have'nt had them before,have got
bleeding gums and have ulcers in my throat etc but this is quite a big split.Hubby
said oh god it's made your mouth bigger.....I think he was trying to make me feel
better.He failed.Will let you know how I get on with doc x