I have been dealing with depression for 5 years. During this time I have switched medication a few times, today I stopped Paxil and started cymbalta. I can’t really sleep but at least I stopped crying. I’m having a rough time, I’m dealing with a recent breakup and issues with family. I have spent the last few days in bed crying and unable to eat. I feel foolish because I go to couseling and take my medication and still I feel as if I will never be okay. I’m not crazy, I am just depressed.
Jade
Thanks for your support, I read your reply earlier in the day and I was pleased to read it. I’m trying to purge myself of the hurt of emotionally draining relationships, I spent some time with friends this evening and was able to really talk about some issues that had bothered me. I’m very reluctant to ask for help or lean on others but it really does make the situation better. I have tried writting in journals before, I find it does help but I don’t keep up with it the way I should. I also read self help books, I recently finished codependent no more. I am still trying to work on my coping skills and a strong support system. Thanks for your encouraging comments, its nice to get feedback from someone who gets it.
Quinine is known to help leg cramps. It worked very well for my mother. I broke out in hives and ended up in ER. I just googled this to confirm it…
Hi Katie,
I have never wrote to you before, but your post made me feel for you, as I know exactly where you are coming from.
I also am in a depression, it’s not as bad as it was, but it is still there. Pdoc put me on Lithium and Trazadone, but I started having a bad reaction to the Lithium. So now I’m just on Trazadone, however, I know I can’t just stay on an antidepressant, or I go manic. It has helped a little with the sleep issue, but I’ll find out as the days come and go I’ll find out if it is going to work for me.
As far as family issues; I have my share. I’m taking care of my Mom, and my two younger sisters does most of the care for mom. The Lithium made me loose my balance, and I have been light headed; so wasn’t able to take care of her myself. She is total care. She’s in a w/c and has dementia.
But learning to get along with family members that I have striven to stay away from because of their own dysfunctional behavior has not been easy for. When my Dad died, the family split as they got older. For 15 yrs. they lived across the street from me, and we had no problems getting along. But when I left my ex-husband, as he was sexual molestor and abuse, I lost my whole family, including my kids. I have never been able to retain that relationship I once had with them. So it has been a learning experience. One twin I can get along with, but other one, is something else; she sets on the pity pot 24/7 and expects you to feel sorry for her. (which I don’t). She’s single and thinks only of herself.
Any way, I do understand where you are coming from. (I was married the first time 19 yrs. to that guy) Now I’ve been married for 21 yrs. to a wonderful guy. Not that it has been easy, but has been well worth the efforts. Thanks to AA and NA it taught me how to put up with difficult situations!
Any way, enjoyed your post
Ike
Maybe it is this time of the year, but sleep does NOT come easy, and right now it seems to be even more illusive than ever.
I find myself lying away every night for ever it seems, and that is when the demons come in and every thing that you don’t want to think about comes creeping around and into your brain to toment you. I used to be so good at blacking out the night and falling asleep by putting up a sound in my head, but for some reason i can’t do it right now. So I lay down and I think, and I think and I think…
I hate thinking!!!
I HAVE NO PROBLEM SLEEPING BUT AS SOON AS I WAKE UP MY STOMACH START CAUSE I THINK OF MY SITUATION AND WHAT AM I GOING TO DO. IT STINKS AND I HATE IT. EVERY MORNING. BUT ONCE I AM UP AND MOVING IT EASES UP A BIT. NOT MUCH THOUGH. I THINK OF THE FUTURE, IF I CAN FIND ANOTHER JOB. NOW I NEED ANOTHER CAR. OF COURSE THE CREDIT CARD PEOPLE START TO CALL ME AT 8AM. IT NEVER STOPS AND I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO.
I have a relaxation cd given to me by my PDOC. It has really helped me out alot! The physical relaxation doesn't help much at all, but the mental relaxation has worked wonders for me! If anyone is interested send me a pm and I will tell you more about it.
hugs and wishes for sweet dreams,
Dream
I have my CD player next to my bed and I play soft music to fall asleep and keep negative thoughts further away and if I could, I’d like to wake to music so as the first thoughts are better.
Wishing you few sleepless nights.
I WISH BETTER MORNINGS RIVER. TOO MUCH FOR ME.
I suffer from Restless leg syndrome, I am going mentally crazy for almost four years as it's worsened. I was dx with RLS when I was 17 years old {way back when dr's weren't really calling it RLS}
I've experienced countless sleep-ness nights. I am at a loss and emotionally suffering daily. My dr told me patients have a higher rate of having RLS if they're depressed or have anxiety, I have both .. including severe panic attacks!
I'd love to find an over the counter / or herbal remedy, I've tried so many sleep aids and nothing works well !!
SAMMI IT’S NOT A CRAMP IT IS LIKE YOUR LEGS ARE RUNNING BUT YOU ARE STILL. FINALLY THEY REALIZED IT IS AN ACTUAL ISSUE. THANK GOD. HAPPENS TO ME NOT TO OFTEN BUT WHEN IT DOES IT FEELS LIKE YOU CAN RUN A MILE BUT ARE SO TIRED. LEGS ARE JUMPY. PRETTY MUCH UP ALL NIGHT.
My Mom has RLS but I have body cramps, not just legs, feet, and toes. But cramps in my chest, my arms, fingers, my rib cage muscles. Everywhere and most aren’t the kind of muscle you can “bend” the other way to get them to leave. if that makes sense?
It’s from the liver damage.
Thanks for the better morning wishes Dreen!
Jade I thought you had your panic attacks under control. They have returned? How awful for you, are you stuck in the house?
sending wishes for better and healthier tomorrows for everyone!
Sorry Dreen. You’re right…
i sometimes get chest pains, usualy if i cant sleep either way i write … only way to rid of some of it either that or listen to music …
Hi everyone,
Leg cramps and RLS isn’t the same. Quinine does work for leg cramps, but not restless legs. When I get the restless legs, it goes all over my body, my arms, legs, head, and shoulders. It is horrible! I am so sensitive to meds, that even Benydril makes me go nuts!!!
There is a herb that works for my Mom, it is called CALMS put out by Hyland Herb company.
My doctor was telling me Thursday that some studies have shown that a defiency in Iron can cause RLS; and stress and anxiety, because when you stand up they go away, bkz more blood runs down to your feet and legs. He doesn’t know how much truth there is in this, but he is going to do an iron panel on me an see if I’m low in iron.
I don’t know if this will help any one, but if it is more help and can do something for you, all the more power to you! I just wish they would work for me.
Let me know!
love,
Ike
SAMMI YOU DON’T HAVE TO APOLOGIZE. ALOT OF PEOPLE GET THE 2 CONFUSED. I KNOW I DID BEFORE I FOUND OUT AFTER SEEING A COMMERCIAL ON TV.
RIVER YOU ARE WELCOME. I WISH THIS FOR THE BOTH OF US.
Hi Sammi,
No you don’t have to apologize Sammi; there is a lot of people think that they are the same. But some don’t listen very well when you correct them. So don’t apologize.
Also, it isn’t unusual for people that are bipolar to have RLS.
Some of the seizure meds actually work for this. Neurontin worked for me for a long time; but it didn’t work for the manic, in fact it didn’t stabilize me at all. But I’m sure tempted to go back on it.
Any way,
love you all,
ike
IT DOESN’T HAPPEN THAT OFTEN WITH ME SO I AM NOT TAKING ANY MEDS FOR IT. I NOTICE OVER THE COUNTER MEDS DO THIS TO ME. BENADRYL FORGET IT. I COULD RUN 10 MILES. I HAVE TO WATCH WHAT I TAKE. WITH MY HEART ISSUES WHICH ARE UNDER CONTROL AND WANT TO KEEP IT THAT WAY AND THE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE WHICH I HOPE IS UNDER CONTROL I TRY NOT TO TAKE OVER THE COUNTER PRODUCTS.
Hi dreen1,
OTC meds doesn’t work for me either, The CALMS don’t work for me at all, even though they work well for Mom. If OTC does any thing for me, they make my RLS worse!!! That’s when it goes all over my body. The meds he gave me this time, Risperdal and Visteril, one is actually, well something for allergies. NOt sure what the Risperdal is. But I’m not sure they are going to work.
But will try this week and see if they even out.
Any way,
love you all,
ike
WHEN IT HAPPENS TO ME IT’S ONLY THE LEGS. IF IT WAS MY ENTIRE BODY I WOULD GO CRAZY. LIKE I SAID IT DOESN’T HAPPEN THAT OFTEN SO I DON’T KNOW IF IT’S CAUSE OF ANXIETY, STRESS BUT I NEVER TOOK ANYTHING FOR IT AND I WATCH WHAT I TAKE OVER THE COUNTER. CANNOT HAVE ANYTHING