Depression and anxiety - Interstitial Cystitis Network Support Forum

autumnheir · 11-01-2009, 10:56 AM

I get scared to go to the bathroom, scared to eat (I haven't cheated on the diet in about 4 years but eating itself hurts), I get scared to do SO many things and I have a lot of anxiety.

I also find I get depressed and I feel helpless because nothing seems to help with the pain.

Anyone else have these fears or feelings? How are you coping with them?

Thanks!!

Autumn

nottoc4 · 11-01-2009, 11:06 AM

What medications are you on Autumn? What does your Dr. say?

autumnheir · 11-01-2009, 12:57 PM

nottoc4,

Do you mean IC meds or psych meds?

I'm going to discuss anxiety meds w/ my psychiatrist tom.

I take cytra-k and gabapentin for IC as well as advil and tylenol. I can't take any narcotics and we're terribly strapped for funds atm.

I'm really wondering tho if the anxiety and depression I experience is a normal part of IC or if it sounds more like a chemical imbalance and not a normal response to being sick with IC?

Thanks for responding! I hope you have a pain-free day!

Autumn

Nonna · 11-01-2009, 06:22 PM

I had never had depression before until I had full-blown IC aobut 8 years ago. All of the things that often happen to you...the pain, the difficulty doing the things you used to do, explaining to friends and family, effect on your sex life, etc. etc....not being able to eat normal things...it all contributed to people getting depressed and anxious. I think there's a lot you can do once you begin to get it under control, find good doctors, and get support people like this network or others who understand. I have found that using meds on and off to help with both anxiety and depression has helped me a lot and is nothing to be embarassed about....and as things improve, and as you are able to cope better, you can go off of them. HOpe that helps, Nancy

Skynard · 11-01-2009, 11:56 PM

Autumn - if I am not mistaken Gabapentin is also Neurontin? If that is the case, it MADE me go out of my mind. You might want to visit this idea. Sometimes medications interact badly with each other. Are you keeping a diary of how you feel when, what you are eating, how many times you pee, etc? I would take this to the doctor. You also need to take someone with you that will vouch for your character.

I have never had anxieties or the "feeling down" until my diagnosis in July. Now when I need it, I take a 1/2 valium to calm me down. I understand this is normal and just trying to deal with a diagnosis such as this can really throw you for a loop. Now I try to stay in front of the bad days, they will come, no doubt, but I have a written plan as to what works for me and doesn't. Both my husband and son know what to do when this happens.

I wish you well.

God Bless

Skyn

***ICNDonna*** · 11-02-2009, 03:40 AM

I wish I could help.

Donna

WENDYK · 11-02-2009, 08:46 AM

Dear Autumn,

They are right about Neurontin, I consider that drug pure evil I swear I was taking part in the movie the Exorcist when I was on it. So ask your doc about that. I have had IC for about 10 years and am just now starting to have trouble with depression and anxiety. Mine is centered more around sleeping and eating. So it can happen at any time, just make sure you tell your Dr. so they can do some thing about it, because going through it can feel like hell,`and yes there are days that I have to take a Valium too, even though I am supposed to take them to sleep, since they don't help with that I will use them when I am super anxious. Gool Luck & warm Hugs.

Wendy

Snowden1 · 11-02-2009, 04:48 PM

Autumn,
It could be a medication as others have mentioned I would check with your doctor on that one. However, I had so much anxiety and depression I think I seriously had a nervous breakdown - I was scared of everything - including going to sleep because I would wake up in a panic because the IC was still there. I still stress and panic about going pee - it hurts. No one really wants to keep putting their hand on a hot stove and getting burned, but we can't stop urinating - so that's what it feels like to me.

Eating hurts too - some things more than others, but I will eat something that is fine for 3 or 4 days then I will have pain from the very same foods and wonder what I did. Eating is not enjoyable - I can't pinpoint all my triggers - I think everything except chicken and rice flares me.

When you think about it there are lots of fearful things that go along with IC -where to use the restroom, pain, and not getting to a restroom in time. Is the pain going to get out of control? Will I need to go to E.R.? Will I get to sit by a bathroom on the plane? Then there are the loss issues that bring on depresssion. Not being able to do what we once could do. Sometimes loss of friends, jobs, nice clothes (tight hurts), sex, eating, sleep (this in itself makes you crazy), driving, doing normal things like being with friends (and watching them still live happily). It seems like IC interferes in everything that was once enjoyable - when you take all that away and remember how you once were it is depressing. I personally take Lexapro now for anxiety and depression and Clonzapam (hope I spelled it correctly) for anxiety attacks. You are under extreme stress now. Do what you need to do to make yourself happy. If I need to rest now - I let the dishes go. If I need to buy things on line rather than try to make it to a store I do. Whatever it takes to get through this and get better - I focus on the fact that others have gotten better and are leading good lives - I can too. This by far is the hardest thing I have had to go through in my life - and I have been through a lot. Take care of yourself - do what you need to do to get through this.
Teresa

musiclover · 11-02-2009, 05:36 PM

Hi there. It sounds like you aren't on a lot of the usual meds like hydroxyzine and Elmiron. I know Elmiron can be expensive. I take it but have actually found more improvement from Desert Harvest aloe and Cystoprotek. I know that getting my symptoms a little more under control over these past weeks has helped me to feel less anxious in general.

Also, I was on Neurontin but switched to Elavil. Maybe that's an option?

autumnheir · 11-04-2009, 07:30 AM

I went to my psychiatrist Monday and she took me off gabapentin and gave me a script for Cymbalta for anxiety, fibro, and we hope it helps the IC pain as well.

In the meantime, I'm in my worst flare ever.

I got a script for Darvon (generic actually) and it isn't touching the pain. I'm also taking advil and tylenol. (I triple checked with the pharmacists and they said it's fine, though I have to admit, I'm not happy about taking all these meds!)

I have to wait to start cymbalta until the flare passes enough to stop taking advil since they interact.

I have some hydrocodone at home and I spoke to the pharmacist about taking that later this afternoon and he said it's fine so I might try that (although if I remember right, it gives me migraines!)

I've read a lot of your stories and it can take ages to get the meds all figured out and I'm

ing I'll feel better soon. It's SOO good to know I'm not alone...and it helps to have patience when you've read other people's stories about how it takes time to find a treatment plan that works.

In the meantime, I'm thankful for the meds at least taking the edge off the pain for a couple of hours so far today!!! It's such a relief I'm not even upset I'm flaring!

I AM anxious to drink as peeing causes the pain/burning to start all over again. I'm trying to drink though because I know it's important!

I spoke to my uro about a TENS unit. He's only interested in meds

I begged him and he finally agreed to send my insurance company a prescription for it. I wish I knew of someone else in town to go to....he didn't even listen to me very much and spent a large portion of the appointment trying to convince me to do bladder instillations. (Talk about anxiety!! I have a phobia of catheters!)

Phew! I really needed to vent, I hope no one minds!!

I'm SO glad I came to this site and posted here....it's SO important to have support!!! You're all my IC

Hope everyone is having a pian-free day!!

Autumn

autumnheir · 11-04-2009, 11:41 AM

musiclover,

What types of music do you like?

Hydroxyzine made me too sleepy to drive, elavil made me gain too much weight and it made me sleepy, pyridium didn't do anything to help, and I am planning to start elmiron asap. Right now we're starting with the pain meds just to get me through my current flare, then the anxiety med, and then the elmiron (we don't want to add too many meds at one time). Aloe vera caused me a lot of pain! I'm glad it helps you though!! :-) Oh, I take cytra-k for the IC as well to help with alkaline balancing.

I know lots of folks have their meds and things in their posts...how do you put that there? I'm not super computer-savvy...

Thanks for responding, hope you're having a pain-free day!

Autumn

Skynard · 11-04-2009, 12:46 PM

Autumn - did you use the DH Aloe Vera? You shouldn't have any problems with it. It is all natural and an anti-inflammatory.

I use 1/2 Percocet for out of control pain. A whole one (codeine) caused my not to be able to pee, but the 1/2 is perfect.

I would encourage you to re-visit the idea of installations. I wasn't in the least bit excited about it, in fact I was terrified. When I first started, I took 1/2 valium just to calm my nerves. They now use a pediatric cath and Lidocaine to numb. I actually just came home from having a Marcaine installation. When you are in a monster flare like I am right now, they help calm things down. I would highly recommend them.

I hope you start to feel better soon.

For your meds listing, just click on your name and then edit your signature (left side of screen).