Anyone else had this experience?

[ChucksKat]

Hello-
I have had IC for twenty-five years, diagnosed just since 1997. I am very depressed right now, and have had the past experience of not being able to take anti-depressants. They make the IC much worse, and I have tried almost all of them out there. I know I need to do something about the awful depression, but I don't know what to do. I have an understanding dr., but she doesn't know what to try. Has anyone else had this experience with anti-depressants? I feel really alone... Thanks.

ChucksKat

[miasowell]

I am so sorry you are so sad. I can sympathize with your feelings. I wish I could give more advice than support. Have you tried actual Therapy like a shrink. If you get a good one they can sometimes be helful. Its a different perscpetive not emtionally invested in the situation and can sometimes provide clarity when you are feeling foggy and like I guess a good one is hard to find but someone here might know someone in your area. That is how I got the name of my URO/GYN. It can't hurt to try if you are at your bottom. Hope you feel better soon Message me anytime for support.

[leelee88]

Have you tried Cymbalta? They have just found new research where it helps with depression.. It was invented to help with nerve pain but seems to help depression to.. I know it has helped me..

[Trishann]

I am so sorry that you can't take anti-depressants. I also have this problem too. Sometimes it is so hard dealing with all the problems that goes along with IC.

I have learned that if I can get a good night sleep that I feel so much better and able to tactle the low times. But when I don't get enough sleep it is so hard to conqueror anytime.

I don't know if you can sleep well or not, but if not, there are things you can do.
Someone made a list before, if you like I will try to find it if I can. You still will have your days but it does help. Maybe your doctor can help with it too.

Sending hugs, Trishann

[Trishann]

If you are interested go to the top of the page in the blue section, CLICK "Search" then type in "sleep hygeine routine", this will give you the information about getting a good night sleep.

The only thing that I would not do is to get on the computer right before you are getting ready for bed. Something about your eyes being on the computer before bedtime will sometimes mess you up.

Hope you start feeling better and your spirit will be lifted up.
Sending hugs, Trishann

[amartaingirl]

re

look into ATARAX
its anti-anxiety & helps w/ IC
i have been on it 2 weeks...it has helped my anxiety greatly

http://www.ichelp.org/TreatmentAndSelfHelp/Hydoxyzine.html

my bladder is ok too..but i attribute that to CYSTOPROTEK
but maybe its both combined

[tigger_gal]

so sorry you are feeling down. I am glad you are to be able to talk to us, as we understand. I take wellbutrin xl, have you tried that one yet?
Please keep posting, it will help you greatly.

[Trishann]

Just thinking about you and hoping you were able to get help so you can start feeling better soon. I know sometimes it is so aggravating to try to fine out what will help us. Sometimes that help comes from doctors or sometimes even from people. Hope you keep searching for what you need until you are satisfy.

Sending hugs, Trishann

[ICNDonna]

Sometimes it takes many tries to find an antidepressant that works well and is also tolerated. There are lots of them out there.

Warm encouraging hugs,
Donna

[blue]

Cymbalta is a good suggestion. It works on depression and nerve pain. My doctor took me off because I couldn't pee. I kept insisting it was the IC, but she wouldn't listen. Sure enough she was right. Not long after I was removed, I could pee a little easier. I'm not trying to discourage you, just make you aware of one side effect. It does work for pain and I would give it a try.

I suffer from depression, also. No one understands how debilitating it can become. My husband is always angry because he just doesn't get it. He's even suggested he doesn't want to be with me anymore. He says I'm not happy, he's not happy, and the kids aren't happy. I tell him that my depression is seperate from my marriage. But, I guess it affects everyone else.

It's so important to try to control the symptoms if you can find something.

If you want to talk message me.

[swarr]

I took prozac and birth control pills and it helped.
That has been a while ago.

[Angeles]

I also can't take antidepresants, not becasue of IC but because of my eyes are so sentive to medications. Right now I'm on a very small dosis of Elavil, started with 5 mg, uped to 15 mg and 20 mg. It gives me eye pain (bad) so I'm decresing it again to 5mg to figure if this is the cause of my eye pain I'll have to come out of it for a few days. I take it mainly for V V and I'll probbably have to start using Elavil cream (compunded) which is more expensive but it doesn't have the side effects...

before Elavil I as thinking to take a SSRI antdepresant to take care of the sadness that I've been dragging for over a yr, but I chose Elavil. If I come out of it, I'll give a SSRI antidepresant a try...not sure.

On the other hand, There are a few things that help me feel better:
Work (believe it or not, b/c it keeps me busy)
French Language Class
Music, reading and painting.
Boyfried, Friends & my dog.
Sunlight

I recently joined a Yoga class : Kundalini Yoga, it is the most spiritual of the yogas and it focusses on healing and breathing. It is said to help with depresion and restore the balance. The excercises can be a bit challenging for ICers but in yoga you can go at your own pace. I just went to 2 classes I felt so good after the class. I'm reading the book by Gurmukh, The 8 Human Talents, about Kundalini Yoga (less than $20) Please check it out.