This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge & Support Community

Still being new to this disease, I have been having increased Fatigue. Muscle weakness is getting worse. My headaches have moved to the back of my head and I have found myself to be more depressed and I can't figure out why the hell I'm depressed in the first place. I am trying to stay positive about everything and keep my mind busy, but I can't get passed this depression. Has anyone else been experiencing similar things?

My depression comes in spurts. Somedays I'll be feeling really sorry for myself and that my life sucks and asking myself "why me?" and all that junk. I think a little depression here and there is understandable giving our current situation. If you have thoughts of suicide and are constantly in a state of depression, I think you may need to talk to a professional about it.

I personally feel the depression is caused by the MS, not because you feel bad that you have MS.

I think that's totally true. The only time I get depressed is right at the beginning of a relapse, even before I feel any of the symptoms.

I feel the same as Loobie and Whyrwehere - MS causes depression. I got a very bad bout of depression long before I knew or even suspected I had MS, but looking back MS started years before, then I got depression, then about 4 years later I was diagnosed.

Really gentle exercise might help you a bit - especially with fatigue and weakness, and maybe help your depression too. Sometimes when you start exercise at first it seems you're tireder but if you stick with it, it can actually lessen your fatigue in a few weeks. Gentle aqua-aerobics, tai chi, hydrotherapy, pilates, and even just walking are all fairly good exercise methods for me, maybe others on the board might have other suggestions.....

.

Laurennicholson wrote:Still being new to this disease, I have been having increased Fatigue. Muscle weakness is getting worse. My headaches have moved to the back of my head and I have found myself to be more depressed and I can't figure out why the hell I'm depressed in the first place. I am trying to stay positive about everything and keep my mind busy, but I can't get passed this depression. Has anyone else been experiencing similar things?

For me, there have been many events and reasons to have become depressed throughout my life but each time it has been action, doing something, that has one step at a time get myself out of the pit. Perhaps that means that my own brand of depression has been situational and not "organic." Two bad marriages, five kids, got myself out of those and found a way to earn a living at home to support them and be mom. Those were difficult but not unsolvable mountains to conquer.

Lots of the MS depression is situational - I can't get a "grip" on it to conquer it because it keeps changing, not for the better. A lot is from frustration. I've only had MS two years and at age 52 I remember what it was like to not have MS, very fresh in my memory. Instead of my home being ruled by the needs of my children it is now dominated with how I feel, hour by hour changing. I don't look forward to the future any more and try not to think about it except in hoping my children don't get MS and that they have a better life than I have had.

Fatigue is depressing and I'm always tired. I think it is very hard for anyone to be hopeful, optimistic and look on the bright side of life when they are tired and weak. I think the MS has changed my sleep pattern in general and that alone affects one's ability to see and deal with challenges.

Lots of the MS depression is situational - I can't get a "grip" on it to conquer it because it keeps changing, not for the better.

well said wendi , not just this sentence but your whole post.

robbie wrote:

Lots of the MS depression is situational - I can't get a "grip" on it to conquer it because it keeps changing, not for the better.

well said wendi , not just this sentence but your whole post.

I hope it wasn't too depressing My family doctor put me on Prozac for a couple of months, a fair trial I think. It didn't seem to help and I didn't want to experiment with other antidepressants. Xanax helps with the anxiety caused by grinding brainstorming, trying to figure out how I can get all the things done I need to do, let alone what I would like to be able to do.

It appears doctors are pretty willing to experiment with drugs for depression in MS patients - who cares what the depression is from or what the drugs indications are as long as it works. There is no pill that will give me what I'm looking for - to wake up in the morning and feel strong and capable of handling whatever the day throws at me.

There is no pill that will give me what I'm looking for - to wake up in the morning and feel strong and capable of handling whatever the day throws at me.

Again Wendi well said, being depressed because of a life long chronic illness is hard to change with a pill.Not really life long i had a good start

Sorry for taking so long to post back. Thank you all for your own stories and advice. I also appreciate the article. I will stay updated with that. I amd trying to do a little bit more exercise to try to keep my weight down. I quite smoking when I was pregnant with my last baby (late last year) and I put on a lot of pounds that wasn't baby fat. I will keep that up and try a few other things as well.

The things I am trying to do more of as well is stay positive. I try not to think about my MS factor and I am thankful I don't have a disease that doesn't allow me to live a semi-normal life. Think Cancer or AIDS. Those people dont really have a lot to be happy about. I have my kids, my husband, and Fashion school to keep my mind occupied, also the army as well since I am still working for the Army right now. But again, thank you for all the encouraging words. I didn't think I would find a good MS community....but I must say I feel right at home here.

....but I must say I feel right at home here.

welcome Lauren

Laurennicholson wrote:Sorry for taking so long to post back. Thank you all for your own stories and advice. I also appreciate the article. I will stay updated with that. I amd trying to do a little bit more exercise to try to keep my weight down. I quite smoking when I was pregnant with my last baby (late last year) and I put on a lot of pounds that wasn't baby fat. I will keep that up and try a few other things as well.

The things I am trying to do more of as well is stay positive. I try not to think about my MS factor and I am thankful I don't have a disease that doesn't allow me to live a semi-normal life. Think Cancer or AIDS. Those people dont really have a lot to be happy about. I have my kids, my husband, and Fashion school to keep my mind occupied, also the army as well since I am still working for the Army right now. But again, thank you for all the encouraging words. I didn't think I would find a good MS community....but I must say I feel right at home here.

Lauren, removing the MS issue, are you getting enough help? You had a baby not too long ago and I get a sense you have at least one other child. I don't remember and there probably is no normal for hormones to balance out after childbirth, too. I've had five kids and you need help to get some time for yourself. Children are a joy but it is stress. My most muttered expression was "the patience of God," because that's what was required

I don't know how old your other child (or children) is but they all love to be outside - as much as you can, keep moving and take walks.

I have a 3 year old daughter. She comes back from her father's Aug 23rd, so I definitely look forward to someone to talk to. My husband is currently on deployment to Afghanistan. So it is just me here. My mom can't afford to come here cause she is going through some marital issues right now. but my unit is being very supportive so I at leasts have them. i am thankful my son is really easy to manage and we have a ver good time together. Once Amethyst gets home, we will be taking walks and she can ride her bike. So I am gonna try to find as much sstuff to do as possible. My college keeps me very busy with two classes and I start my next semester in September for another two classes. I get some free time while the baby naps and I play world of warcraft. I am a super geek lol. But thank you. I will keep all that stuff in mind.

I think we all get depression at times, it's only human. We have something wrong with our bodies that no one can answer the future about. I am one of those people who believe that "Positive thoughts draw positive thoughts, likewise negative thoughts draw negative thoughts". So I try, no matter what happens, to think positive. I have this crazy disease, but I still "Love Me". I cant stop whats happening in my body, so I just deal with it. Easier said than done I know, but I try to maintain positive affirmations about "me". I dont know if I am making any sense, but I understand it, and it works for me.