Diagnosed 2 days ago with ALS

[lrandolph73]

I'm 41 years old. I was diagnosed 2 days ago at Vanderbilt with ALS. I have known in my heart for awhile that this is what it was but hearing it said out loud was obviously difficult. My husband and daughter were with me and this was only the third time I have seen my husband cry in our 23 years of marriage.
Of course I'm very depressed over this recent diagnosis but also my mother passed away in November and my father passed away in January so I feel like I have amplified depression. A couple of weeks ago my PCP prescribed me generic Celexa and after taking it for 2 days I felt like I was going to fall on my face. Any suggestions for an antidepressant that won't affect my balance because I have major balance issues?
I'm supposed to start going to an ALS clinic in Knoxville as that is closer to me than Nashville but I have an appointment with my PCP in a couple of days and I'm hoping to get some relief for this depression.

 

[gooseberry]

It really is a trial and error thing. If you haven't found something with your pcp when you go to clinic, talk to your neuro.

 

[GregK]

It is trial and error. I went thru 2 (Welbutryn and Zoloft) before settling on Mirtazapine.

You'll want something that will not impact your breathing during sleep as eventually your diaphragm will be affected.

 

[skipper66]

I suffer from clinical depression and I have probally tried at least 20 different kinds of antidepressants in the last 20 or so years. What works for one won't work for the next person. It's a trial and error process. I am now on Prozac which works the best for me. Make sure you report any unusual side affects to your primary physician right away. I had a serious side affect from one that gave me muscle stiffness and stroke like symptoms. It was caused tardive dykenesia. So, have your family report any unusual things they might notice about you as well when you on your meds. It was my family and friends who noticed my face drawing and things. Sending you a huge hug, Kim

 

[MaxEidswick]

>I was diagnosed 2 days ago at Vanderbilt with ALS.

a 2nd opinion by an als specialist is a good idea. if your'e a vet contact pva asap.

like all the others, sorry to meet you here but welcome!

The next weeks, months will be an emotional roller coaster. Try to go with the flow, expect fear, anger, bitterness, and a new awareness of life. I have found that being active here on these forums has helped me in way I cannot explain, but you will see.

before trying miracle cures, etc., ask here, go to alsuntangled dot com.

Lastly, anxiety can be debilitating so beware.

Lastly, lastly DON'T FALL, take vitamins, keep your calorie intake up, and stay away from sick people, especially w/ respiratory problems.

Kind regards and warm welcome,
------

> I do know it is healthier to be thankful for what still works than to resent what doesn't (easier said than done )




Max - Sunday, April 19, 2015 12:11:19 PM

ALS sucks, but It Is What It Is ... and someone else has it worse so I'll try not to complain today!
onset 9/2010, diagnosed with ALS by Stanley Appel 8/29/2013


.

 

[4tloml]

Sorry to meet you here, but welcome to this community. Max's wisdom is priceless, as are the stickies on this forum. When it all felt so overwhelming, they helped me stay focused and proactive.

There are so many antidepressants out now working on different brain chemicals and receptors, that a knowledgeable doctor is the best place to start. And even then, sometimes it takes a few tries before landing on the right combination. But some reactive depression and grief are normal responses to what you are going through, and "talk therapy" has also been proven to help with those. So keep coming here to rant, rave, vent, question, hope, dream and whatever! We are all in this together.

 

[anderkling]

I'm very sorry to read what you are going through. You have been under incredible stress with the passing of both parents in a short time, and then your diagnosis to deal with. I can understand a little because my father, whom I was very close to, passed away a month before my sudden onset of symptoms and subsequent diagnosis. What I found was that my experience of grief over my Dad, and the grief over the multiple losses of an ALS diagnosis, eventually gave way to acceptance and moving forward in positive ways. So many others here have experienced the same. There is life to be lived after diagnosis, joys to be shared, memories to be created. An anti-depressant that works for you will help. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of grief and depression, so understandable, so hard, yet not impossible to rise above it in time.

 

[lrandolph73]

Thank you all for the replies, especially your kind words anderkling. I am trying generic Wellbutrin now. I haven't noticed a difference yet, still crying too much, which is embarrassing, but at least it's not making me feel like I'm gonna fall on my face. Trying to be thankful for daily blessings. I work from home which is good but my job is pretty stressful. Conference calls and deadlines. Waiting on the doc to fill out an accommodation request for speak to type software. I was diagnosed by the ALS clinic at Vanderbilt but they seem to be taking their time getting my info to the one closest to me. I did find a local support group through the ALS Assoc. Looking forward to the first meeting.