Sarahsmom (Jen's) Journal (feel free to comment)

[Strings]

So tell me about this bootcamp. I don't get the opportunity to watch Oprah anymore.

I hope your doctor's appointment goes well.

Take care,
Beth

 

[sarahsmom73]

Well... the Dr. appt.... My thyroid is being tested... My diagnosis is a bit of a shock for me.. I have been diagnosed with depression. My doctor feels that because my life is good (I have no marital problems, etc... ) that this is a purely chemical imbalance... So I am now being treated for that imbalance....
I almost fell off my chair as I never considered myself depressed, but then again, I guess I never really knew that sleeping problems, mood swings and irritablilty among a few others were warning signs...(I've never been down in the dumps daily, or had suicidal thoughts or anything like that!!!)

My doc did tell me they have seen a huge rise of depression here this winter.... Yikes! She did do the blood test for thyroid as my weight is up from the fall and she can't find a reason that I am not losing weight with the exercize and diet.. Apparently depression is another sign of hypothyroidism as well...

This certainly has been a wild couple of weeks... I am sure it will be an interesting couple more as we wait to see if the medication is a good fit for me..(This is hard... I'm not much of a pill popper unless they are vitamins)

 

[septbride2002]

Wow! I have a friend who has a chemical imbalance and suffers from depression. She always says it is worse in the winter then it is in the summer. It is good for you to have this information because now you have the tools to help yourself.

Are you going to be doing Oprah's bootcamp?
~Amanda

 

[swilphil]

Jen--If you've been cooped up inside a lot this winter, you might have some sort of seasonal depression. I tend to get the blues in the winter, and I've taken anti-depressants before to get out of a funk. Let me know if you have any questions. It could all be explained by a hypothyroid. I feel the same way about taking medication, but you can take anti-depressants for just a few months until your body chemistry evens out.

I saw part of the Oprah boot camp show too. It sounds like a great way to really trim down. The people didn't lose as many pounds as I expected, but they sure did tone up and lose inches. I need to go look on the website for specifics. It sounds like it's all weights and treadmill work, which might not work for me since I like to go to classes. I did love the part about Pilates though, and I may start going to one of those classes.

 

[jay-nee]

wow, things have been a bit crazy, huh? Hasn't life twisted around a bit this winter.

Honestly, my life has been a total shocker of late, argh!

Sleeping problems can be a BIG indicator of depression, that was how DH got diagnosed too. He has been clinically depressed for years though, it just finally caused him to do something about it 2 yrs ago when it started to affect his sleep.

Good for you to get things checked out... Happy days to come...

 

[pettyone]

I almost fell off my chair as I never considered myself depressed, but then again, I guess I never really knew that sleeping problems, mood swings and irritablilty among a few others were warning signs...(I've never been down in the dumps daily, or had suicidal thoughts or anything like that!!!)

It's a sneaky booger...

I got a diagnosis of "situational" depression in '99 & was placed on the same meds that Mom takes for depression maintenance ...the doc weaned me off the meds during my pregnancy & watched me closely to see if I was okay...I haven't been back on the meds since then, but I have my friends/family watching closely to make sure I'm "in check"...I truly didn't think anything was wrong with me in '99...DDs Dad got concerned (but didn't know what to do)...my Mom actually sat me down and encouraged me to make an appointment...glad somebody said something, I was a royal pain in the rear & thought I was fine...

I hope that you feel better soon...

 

[Alysa]

Hi Jen,
Can I ask you something? How do they know? Is there something they can check? I mean if I went to the doctor and said, I can't sleep at night, I am sometimes quite grumpy for no reason, I am unhappy and can't seem to shake it even though I know I am a blessed woman. Is there an actual test or do they just say "Hmmm, you sound depressed." I also worry about letting something chemical help me feel better. I have sometimes wondered about this but thought I should just learn to snap out of it. When you described your thyroid worry I though it sounded just like me and now I think maybe I should go and talk to my doctor...

 

[DisneyEnthusiastic]

Wow Jen...that was a shocker of a diagnosis. I thought for sure it would just be the thyroid. Good luck to you. Just keep up with the meds, as much as you don't like to take pills.

Take care!

 

[Strings]

Jen,

It does sound like you may have a mild calse of seasonal depression. The meds can help tremendously. Just be aware that they are generally not fully effective for 3 weeks. I know you don't like taking pills, but please make a committment to take them for 1 month before you would decide to stop them. Doe is open about her bouts of depression, and would be a great resource, if you have questions. You are doing everything right. The fact that you are exercising and eat a good diet probably have helped minimize the symptoms of depression.

Take care,
Beth

 

[sarahsmom73]

Hi Jen,
Can I ask you something? How do they know? Is there something they can check? I mean if I went to the doctor and said, I can't sleep at night, I am sometimes quite grumpy for no reason, I am unhappy and can't seem to shake it even though I know I am a blessed woman. Is there an actual test or do they just say "Hmmm, you sound depressed." I also worry about letting something chemical help me feel better. I have sometimes wondered about this but thought I should just learn to snap out of it. When you described your thyroid worry I though it sounded just like me and now I think maybe I should go and talk to my doctor...

My doc asked me a TON of questions... The sleep thing was big... I have not slept through the night in I don't know how long..... I was able to keep my emotions in check at school but I seemed to have very little patience at home... I got irritable very often. I have said to my DH a thousand times that "I couldn't help " some of my responses... We could be having a normal conversation and he would say something and it would rub me the wrong way and I would snap at him.... I was exercizing to get that runner's high to help my mood. On sunday I went into the bathroom and just started to cry. I think I knew there was something wrong... I came out in tears and told DH I was calling my doc... That something wasn't right.. I really thought thyroid and it still may be part of the problem.

I am committed to this for at least a year. My Doc told me she will never take me or anyone else off meds in the fall and winter. At this point we are trying this to see if it works. If it does great, if not we try something else. I HAVE to feel better. I have to admit I am nervous and am trying to sort all of this out as I would have never considered to be in a depression, but having family members on both sides beign diagnosed as depressed and were hospitalized in the past couple of months (1 was last week!) I am staring to think there may be a heredity thing...


Time will tell! I can do this and I can get better!

 

[keenercam]

Oh, Jen, sweetie, I am so sorry you are going through this. It must be so reassuring though to have your doctor take this seriously and try to figure out exactly what is going wrong. Validating, I guess. Just not to have people say "what is your problem? your life is great. you have nothing to complain about" and yet a chemical imbalance induced depression or hypothyroidism is nothing to be taken lightly. I know someone very close to me who I really think would have committed suicide if a doctor had not intervened, put his foot down, and said "this is a serious medical issue and needs to be treated just as aggressively as if you had diabetes".

I am glad your doctor listened to what you had to say and is looking for a resolution. We can only give you cyber and support , so we are all glad someone is looking out for you.

 

[toystoryduo]

Oh Jen,

I am sending you a great big today! Please know that your WISH friends are here for you, okay? Take good care of you sweetie!

 

[Alysa]

Thanks Jen
Sending lots of hugs and your way.

 

[lizdotcom99]

Jen, {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

Sounds like you have a great doc that is really willing to help you get this all sorted out! You are a smart lady to really give the meds a chance to do what they need to. It is amazing to see what a feel little properly prescribed pills can do to a person. I have seen such a change in my mom since started taking her meds properly.

You have a very level head on your shoulders there. Keep up with being positive. It can only get better from here...right?

Big hugs and hope you are feeling better lickity split!!

 

[sarahsmom73]

Thanks guys!

I actually slept until almost 4 am ! That is almost an hour more than yesterday! I am slowly sorting my diagnosis out. You know, at first I thought, OMG I don't want anyone to know what is wrong with me... The more I have thought about it and have read ( a fellow teacher at school lent me a very interesting book) I have decided to be very proactive an not be ashamed... I have an illness... an illness that CAN be treated. I also want to be proactive because if this is happening to me, it can happen to anyone.. There are probably MANY people out there who have felt or are feeling the way I do and are being told to "snap out of it" when the truth is, they can't.. They don't even know they can't.... I sure didn't.... I am going to get better and I am going to be even better than before!

Enough of that!

I did decently yesterday. Could have had more water.... I only did 35 minutes on the tredmill, but I also did 30 minutes of dancing! It was a lot of fun!!!!

I am religiously not allowing anything through my lips past 7:30..... except water that is!!!

Here is to a wonderful day! I am in the midst of putting on a Welcom Home assemebly tomorrow for our soldiers who have just returned form Iraq so there are lots of details today!!! It will be nice when it is done though!

Have a great day!

 

[jay-nee]

Sounds like you are on the right track. When I have alot on my mind, I can't sleep (like lately) so I can appreciate that part. I get all excited if I can get 6 hrs in a row! That's like a huge step in the right direction for that day!

Keep up your great work. Sounds like you have support at home and with your Dr and, of course, here!



Happy Thursday to you!

 

[plutosmyfav]

Hi Jen,
I just got caught up with your journal. I'm so sorry you are struggling. Your perspective on depression is really great. I think so many people suffer in silence because it is somehow taboo to talk about. And yet, something like 1 out of 5 people will experience some form of depression in their lifetime. Its time we start talking!

Keep exercising, you need those endorphins

Sunny

 

[Strings]

Hi Jen,

Yor decision not to be ashamed is a good one. You have absolutely nothing to be ashamed about. It is a chemical imbalance that is treatable.

I hope the assembly goes well.

Take care,
Beth

 

[crzy4pooh]

Hey Jen! Your outlook on the depression is awesome! I know you will get this under control, and will most likely help others understand the disease in the process! Hugs for you!!! I hope your welcome home assembly for the soldiers goes well - that is a wonderful thing! Have a terrific weekend!!!

--Lynnda

 

[kelyn39]

Jen! You are doing great! I'm hoping to stop eating late at night, you're an inspriation My mom should probably be diagnosed with depression but is seeking no help, I commend you for what you're doing! Also with the assembly you are putting together for the troops. My brother is in Iraq and I can't wait for him to come home. Hopefully only 6 more months.