Sign in

or Register now

MyDepressionConnection.com

See all of our health sites at www.HealthCentral.com
Tuesday, November, 24, 2009
  • Font size

Should i go on an anti-depressant? Maybe 1 i used yrs ago?

Snooze
Snooze
Close
Snooze is blechh
Married, 1 child, he's in military. like guitar, Nature Cratfs,La

06/27/08
Snooze
Topics:IBSDepression

Undecided I suffer from IBS.and it has consummed me. I have 1 son in the military and family here is samll with few friends. It seems i get on track one day, the next all outa wcc. coffee, spices, cheese products and more, i have to stay away from.

 

I am very lonely, and feel at times my life will be without m grandchildren or son near us. my husband is a good support, and my sister and ex mother in law. Howevr if i have a IBs flare up, i am just at my wits end. seems like i cannot think straight or concetrate like i use 2.

 

I have tried i think 3 anti-depressants which did really nothing. One i could not tolerate. I have been down this path b/4 after a truck accident, and i started drinking. This was yers ago. 18 or so. i hve hd 5 drinks in 18 years!!! . However since i was diagnosed with IBS, this is a whole new bllgame for me.

 

I take klonopin now, and prilosec, and an anti-spasmotic...belladonna-?.

 

It just seems i cannot get folks in my life because i always have a flare up. I am so alone with this. I just would like a fuller life. I am trying to work on this alone, however have since scheduled a counseling appointment. Back to the basics. I also belong to an online support group and tr to help others outside on days i feel well.

 

your thoughts are appreciTED

Answer This
Answers (1)
Jerry Kennard
Jerry Kennard
Close
Jerry Kennard is a psychologist
Chartered Psychologist

Dr. Jerry Kennard is a psychologist, freelance writer & consultant....

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Hi,

 

IBS alone can make you feel pretty grim so if you have depression alongside this I can understand why you are feeling the way you do. In some ways the conditions feed off one another, so you can go in a kind of vicious circle. The good news is that if you focus on the IBS you may find some benefits with your depression.

 

It sounds like you are very aware of the fact that things like coffee, spices, alcohol etc irritate the bowel but it also sounds like when your mood is low you turn to some of these. I think this really isn't helping and while it will take a real effort on your part to try and stay away from these products I'm sure you will start to feel some benefit.

 

I would also recommend that you build in a little daily exercise. This is good for you both physically and psychologically. Again, you may have to dig deep to get started but the alternative is that things stay the way they are - which is what you don't want.

 

Loneliness can be a terrible burden to shoulder and your mood state is most certainly affected by this. People won't just come to you however, so you need to find ways to meet others. I'm not sure of your age but it is surprising how you can meet people just by being in places where they are. A shared activity can be useful in this regard as it gives strangers something to focus on when they cross paths.

 

So, whether you go on antidepressants is something for you and your doctor to decide. My own view is that your lifestyle sounds a little stagnant and if this is the case only you can start to turn things around a little at a time. If you choose to, I believe you will find that you feel better perhaps a little more quickly than you even expected. Life is never perfect but we all have it in our gift to makes things a bit better for ourselves.

 

Good luck

Answer This

Ask a Question

Get answers from our experts and community members.

View all questions (2359) >

Important:
We hope you find this general health information helpful. Please note however, that this Q&A is meant to support not replace the professional medical advice you receive from your doctor. No information in the Answers above is intended to diagnose or treat any condition. The views expressed in the Answers above belong to the individuals who posted them and do not necessarily reflect the views of The HealthCentral Network. The HealthCentral Network does not review or edit content posted by our community members, but reserves the right to remove any material it deems inappropriate.

  • Font size
  • Bookmark
  • Save