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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by llrrrpp on May 6, 2006, at 23:46:22
It took a few months, but I couldn't deny my debilitating depression. My first step was to get a therapist at the Uni health services. I was still going downhill very fast, and I was really scared. And I was referred to a pdoc (this jargon still sounds really weird, like a foreign language), who started me with 30 mg cymbalta 4 days ago - next week I go to 60 mg. I've never taken anything before, and I feel very wierd: insomniac, and off balance, kind of blurry vision, a little high, and kind of intoxicated. maybe a slight headache, but that could be related to reading psycho-babble for the last hour. I'm so happy that I found this site, because I have so many questions. Aide from some college psych. classes, I have no personal experience with any of this. I was only diagnosed with major depression last week. In the last few weeks, I feel like I've gone from having an illusion of self-control to utter vulnerability at the hands of T, pdoc and life in general. I guess I will start with a simple question: I have not looked forward to anything in weeks. I don't even look forward to eating -- not even chocolate :( and despite the fact that the food tastes good, it just doesn't have any emotional valence. I am losing weight, and I don't like it. Do any of you have experience with this, and will my medication help it?
Posted by fallsfall on May 7, 2006, at 8:04:14
In reply to My first medication, posted by llrrrpp on May 6, 2006, at 23:46:22
Yes, I understand. Food is boring and work. You have to decide what to eat and then you have to cook it or put it together. And then you have to actually raise your arm to get it into your mouth, and chew. What a lot of work! And then if you don't clean up (like I don't) your house starts feeling very chaotic.
But, I have always been able to eat chocolate - and ice cream. I keep my calorie intake up that way.
Lack of appetite can be a symptom of depression. Hopefully the meds will help. And going to see a therapist will help.
Be good to yourself! You deserve it!
Posted by llrrrpp on May 7, 2006, at 18:12:25
In reply to Re: My first medication, posted by fallsfall on May 7, 2006, at 8:04:14
Yes, you're exactly right! Food is too much work... When I have energy, I try my best to cook or buy something healthy, but then it rots in the fridge, because I have no will to eat it. And then there are the days where I go into the kitchen, and realize that I haven't emptied the garbage in 2 weeks, and the dishes from last week are getting scummy in the sink. Also not so good for the appetite. Well, at least I had a little plumpness to spare, otherwise I'd be in bad shape. I'm eating beef steak for dinner. I figure I need the amino acids. Thanks for your advice. :)
Posted by fallsfall on May 8, 2006, at 7:25:49
In reply to Re: My first medication, posted by llrrrpp on May 7, 2006, at 18:12:25
TV dinners are good. Less than 10 minutes to prepare. No cleanup. More nutritious than candy.
Also try soup (I particularly like Lentil soup cold, straight out of the can - pretty healthy).
Frozen ravioli with jarred sauce.
Peanut butter and Jelly.
Those short carrots that come ready to eat, apples, bananas.
Real meats from the deli (Turkey, ham, roast beef) - eat them plain by hand.
You WILL feel better if you do eat. Try to come up with a default menu: Breakfast - apple. Lunch - PB&J. Dinner - TV dinner. Then when you aren't inspired you may at least get something into your body.
Paper plates are fair (especially if you don't have a dishwasher) - I did them for 9 months.
It is tempting to hope that you'll just lose weight, but it isn't good for you, and won't help your depression. I have completely given up on my weight - I figure it is more important for me to give my body what it needs to survive.
It does get better. Or you learn to cope with it better.
I found showering and laundry and vacuuming to be the same way. You can try to make a chart of these "activities of daily living" (ADLs) and check off when you do eat a (reasonable) meal, or shower or vacuum. Sometimes a chart can help motivation and you can see that you are trying. But if it doesn't help, and the chart seems like more (!?) work, then skip it.
Good luck.
Posted by muffled on May 9, 2006, at 23:12:08
In reply to My first medication, posted by llrrrpp on May 6, 2006, at 23:46:22
Hi,
Yeah Falls suggestions are good.
And you do goto eat something.
I'm big on carrot sticks for the kids. When i got spunk I make lots and put them inthe fridge.
I also try and eat 'greens plus' type supplements, they make me feel more energetric too.
There's always 'boost' meal drinks as well.
I think you goto trust you ownself w/the meds. and how they make you feel and when you ready to up them.
I think its diff. for lotsa people.
We all different.
It can be hard.
But try and trust your own judgement on how its doing for you.
Take care,
Nice to meet you,
Muffled
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