How to treat depression

[sugar]

I'm pretty sure I'm officially "depressed", but have no idea of what to do about it. I had my 3rd hydrodistention about 2 weeks ago, and although the pain has decreased, it's still not gone. I can't seem to get it together to get my energy back and get up and going and out of bed. I thought it was fatigue from the surgery, but I think I'm having more problems from being depressed than from the IC, if that's possible.
I know from reading the posts that the IC and depression can often go hand in hand, so I'm open to anyone's advice and suggestions. Right now I need to get a handle on things so I can go back to work and get on with my life. But I feel so overwhelmed by everything that it's just not happening. I just don't care about anything. I'm going to see my GP tomorrow and see if I should try an antidepressant. Not even sure which one to try. Should I try counseling? Thanks for any suggestions!
Sugar

[Yogajo37]

sugar
I am sorry to hear you are feeling so overwhelmed. I do suffer from anxiety/depression to some extent. I am on a low dose of Zoloft just to take the edge off so I can do my thing with out my emotions takinging over. I think it is a great thing that you are going to see your doc. A therapist is always a good thing if for nothing else you can share your frustrations with someone not so intamately involved. I have found that by doing this it helps puthtings into perspective. Being depressed can be overwhelming but so can the ups and downs of IC. Maybe ther therapist cna help you find ways not to ride the rollercoaster. Be kind to yourself and try not to neat yourself up for not being better from the treatment you had. Healing takes time and I believe it is more than a physical thing, To truely heal we need to look at our whole self not just our bladders....

Please feel free to PM if you want to chat or vent!
Joelle

[SharonA]

I am very glad that you are going to talk about this with your doctor. While you are there, ask if a recommendation for counselor can be given. (((hugs)))

[dverba]

My life is amazingly different thanks to Paxil. My husband also takes it. It is not a secret weapon agains hard times, some how it just keeps me reasonable. They say it is the saratonin levels. No side effects that I have seen.
good luck

[ICNDonna]

One of the biggest fallacies I know of is that people can defeat depression without help. Hopefully your doctor can help you with this.

Warm hugs,
Donna

[mbhbarb]

Hi. I agree with Yogajo that "To truly heal we need to look at our whole self not just our bladders...."

I was depressed for a year and a half after I quit my job because of health problems (only a year after my husband died), my father died, I had a catastrophic flood loss of which insurance covered very little, I moved out of my house after the burglary of many meaningful things, and I continued to suffer worsening health.

I am not depressed now; it's like waking up! What I did: I saw a counselor and I changed my life by starting to exercise, developing a hobby, and exploring new spiritual and intellectual pursuits. Exercising was difficult when I started because I was in so much pain. There were days when all I could do was to walk very slowly on the treadmill and do a few floor exercises. Now nearly a year later I'm working out 5 days a week doing 20-50 minutes of aerobics each time (depending on my pain level) and weight training 3 times a week. It is gratifying to see the positive changes in my body and in my life.

When all I was doing was focusing on my health every time I didn't feel good I felt like I was failing. Now I have a lot going on and even when I'm not successful one place, there are others in which I am successful and I focus on those.

I wish you the best and hope you will soon be feeling better.

barb