I'm not doing very well...
For the last year now, it's been really bad. A little over a year, actually. I think it was last February when it got worse again and it hasn't really gotten much better since then. There have been brief periods (like a week or so) when it's lifted a little, but not very much. This is by far the longest episode of really severe depression I've ever had. Normally it gets bad for a couple months, then gets a little better for at least a couple months.
I have tried just about everything to treat the depression. I have been on more than 30 medications for it, in various doses and combinations. I have been in therapy for years, both individual and group therapy. I have done ECT. I have tried herbal remedies, homeopathic remedies, aromatherapy, Bach flower remedies. I have tried hypnosis, meditation, prayer, art therapy, massage therapy... um, probably some other stuff I'm forgetting right now.
Some things do help a little. Just not enough. It's kind of like, if you were in pain and rated your pain a level 10 and someone gave you some pain meds that reduced your pain level to an 8, that would be nice, an 8 is better than 10. But that's still too much pain to live your life effectively, you know?
There are things I haven't tried, but I think I have tried everything that is really accessible to me and likely to be effective. For instance, I haven't tried accupuncture, and I wouldn't be opposed to trying it, but I cannot afford it. If there was a study that showed it was highly effective in treating the most treatment resistant cases of depression, I guess I'd try harder to come up with the cash, but if there is such a study, I haven't seen it.
I don't know what I'm looking for here. I'm not expecting someone to give me some magic answer I haven't thought of. Maybe I'm just tired of trying to look like everything's OK when I'm really not doing OK.
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
Aimee
RNY 3-1-12
RNY Revision 10-4-18
I don't think an 8 or a 6 is enough. I might need to live with it, that might be as good as it gets... but it's not enough.
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
Have you thought about or tried light therapy? It's something that I am looking into my husband doing, but of course now that it's nice out we might wait until next year. His is more of a seasonal thing.
Have you looked into the benefits of raw foods? I know one person who started eating high raw (over 90%) and that helped her a LOT.
I'll be thinking of you and sending positive energy. Depression hurts and you don't deserve it.
Follow my vegan transition at www.bariatricvegan.com
HW:288 CW:146.4 GW: 140 RNY: 12/22/11
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
There isn't a lot of scientific data, studies, etc. I just know that I belong to a lot of raw food/vegan communities and I hear a lot of their personal experiences. I know it's not the same as scientific data.
I am so sorry you are having to go through this.
Follow my vegan transition at www.bariatricvegan.com
HW:288 CW:146.4 GW: 140 RNY: 12/22/11
I'm so sorry you are struggling and I honestly wish I could make it better. You do so much for us every day.
I'd sing you a song, but that would probably make things worse (or it could give you the best belly laugh ever, who knows?). So please accept my virtual hug, understanding and offer of an ear if you ever need to talk.