Living with Depression, OCD & Chronic pain.

By pwaldo Friday, September 19, 2008

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I have suffered form depression most of my life ( a I am a 58 year old female), but was not diagnosed until 1992. I also have OCD with major anxiety attacks. I take medications. 5 years ago came down with Shingles and now have PHN from them, which is permanent nerve damage, so life is pretty much miserable. I am mostly homebound because I cannot have clothing touch the affected part of my mid section and back. So I mostly stay in bed. I am married with a 25 year old son. They put up with me, but as most of you know, one cannot “snap out of it”. Some days it is just not worth it. Anyone out there that has chronic pain can understand how it is hard to cope with along with depression.

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Anonymous

9/20/08 8:23pm

I understand. I also suffer from depression and OCD, but instead of having PHN, I endure chronic skin disorders that cause itching. Unless you have these kinds of problems yourself, I don't think people can really identify or understand completely. At least this has been my experience. So you are not alone. I try everyday to stay positive, but it is difficult. Good luck to you.

Tension of the Opposite

9/25/08 9:33am

Geeetings dear sufferer. I am very sensitive to your dilemma having some of your diagnosis, plus others. I am 75 and have been living with nerve damage from different sources for at least 7-8 years. It can depress me and does at times, though I have never taken to my bed, even though the soreness to my thighs and butox is also sensitive to the touch (can you imagine sitting?)

I know the idea of keeping moving is essential to my survival. And I know I DO want to survive to enjoy the futures of my children and grandchildren, as well as see this country find its was through this economic catastropy. I will not give up. I take pain relievers as well as neurontin for my nerve damage. This damage rose to a greater proportion when I had extreme back surgery. It is said to have been a 'failed' surgery so that I remain with back pain and a deteriiorating condition. Nonethelss, I urge you to consider all that is at stake and do all that is possible to get yourself out of bed to start with. That is the beginning. Then walk each day. Wear loose clothing. sometimes I wear no underwear under a loose dress or coat. Do whatever you must to rise beyond the physical. I do have a strong inner faith in my bodies ability to heal. But it needs the Me that is courageous and willing to risk in order to do what I must do to be all that I can be to those I love and mostly - to what I owe myself.

Tina Crotty

9/25/08 10:50pm

I have suffered from chronic pain for over 27 years now. I also am treated for depression, rheumatoid arthritis (which came on from lyme disease), OCD, PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder, brought on by an overdose of dilautid that was given to me post surgery in the hospital.), TMJ, fibromyalgia, a rare eye disease (which isn't curable but corneal transplants are a temporary fix.) and 3 failed back surgeries (the last of which I had 2 bone graphs and titanium implants from L5 to the tip of my tailbone). I truly know what you're going through. I have no family support system. They all think , "you're on all of that medication and you look fine. Put on your big girl panties and deal with it." I've just recently decided to go back into counseling. At least then someone will listen to me and at least try to understand how I feel emotionally and physically. I spend a big part of my time in bed also because of the pain and depression. I'm 52 yrs old and so tired of it all but I keep on pushing along, hoping for a miracle.

lunatik

1/13/09 10:57pm

Will you tell us the story of your Lyme infection. Please include details, thank you.

Living with Depression, OCD & Chronic pain.

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