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TerryG

Active member
Joined
Mar 25, 2011
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50
Reason
Friend was DX
Diagnosis
10/2010
Country
AUS
State
WA
City
Perth
This one has been nagging at me for a while - I was wondering how common depression was amongst those with ALS prior to symptoms first onset. Nat was on medication for depression for a number of years, are there others who were in the same position or even felt depressed. I’m not pointing the finger at medication.
 
Yep, I had been treated for depression off and on for almost 20 years. During the year prior to my first symptom we had added a new medication as an adjunct to my regular med. one of the first things we did when exploring my developing condition was to stop the medication. Unfortunately the symptoms continued and progressed and I received the ALS
diag no sis. In hindsight, I wonder if the overwhelming fatigue and lack of energy that I was experiencing was NOT caused by worsening depression, but the beginning of this dreaded disease.
 
I have never suffered from depression. In March 2011, I left my job under stressful circumstances; it was very emotional (unreasonably so). The ensuing months, I was plagued by growing fatigue and slept a lot, which for me was totally out of character (menopause). Also had the hand cramping (surely arthritis!), muscle spasms (aging,) and I cried easily (new habit). I was diagnosed 1 year later.

In retrospect, I believe I had the beginning of ALS, and my neuro concurs. It was not depression (felt like it), and I strongly suspect my decision to suddenly quit a job I really enjoyed after 15 years, my impaired/clouded judgment in other issues, should have been a sign that something was wrong... but I bet had I seen my dr then, I would have received a script for meds and sent on my way.
 
I am looking af.ter my husband and his depression is getting worse. Although searcing for the diagnosis was a long process, when the specialist finally gave it to him the depression has deepened, and not to make this about me, but I find I'm finding it hard to keep my spirits up as well. We have lots of family and friends to help us but the hours when we r here alone r dreadful. He stays in bed longer and longer, I deal with all the drs, therapists, and even family.He's on cipralex any suggestions on another choice
:?::?::?:
 
I am looking af.ter my husband and his depression is getting worse. Although searcing for the diagnosis was a long process, when the specialist finally gave it to him the depression has deepened, and not to make this about me, but I find I'm finding it hard to keep my spirits up as well. We have lots of family and friends to help us but the hours when we r here alone r dreadful. He stays in bed longer and longer, I deal with all the drs, therapists, and even family.He's on cipralex any suggestions on another choice
:?::?::?:

Hello fellow habs fan,

I am sorry about your husband's diagnosis. Is it recent? I ask you because, for the first six weeks, after my own, I too wanted to hide under my duvet. No amount of cajoling, bribing, tickling or tenderness could make me want to move on. It's something one has to decide for one self. So, in many ways, it is about you. Depression and ALS are not islands and in fact affect the entire immediate and extended family. I recently started on Wellbutrin and so far so good. The change is subtle, but I do have more energy and more zest for life- more like my old self. Maybe you ought to see to your own needs first, otherwise you will sink and it'll be worse all around. I don't know what stage your husband is in, but maybe the social worker and/or chaplain at the clinic could help you both. If he doesn't want help, please get some for your own self. The short dark days of winter are not helpful either and likely compound the bad situation. I do hope that he moves on a bit and rejoins you in living well ASAP. There's nothing lonelier than being alone when another person is in the same room.

Feel free to pm me any time, we are all in this together and having a safe place to vent is super helpful.
 
My husband has ALS and was never treated for depression.
 
I would suggest that if he is on medication for depression (not at all uncommon for PALS) and it doesn't seem to be helping, speak with his doctor. It could be that a change in dosage or a different med could help. As with many things ALS associated, there is no one answer that works for all... treatment is more of an art than a science sometimes!
 
I think you should involve in another activities and try to forget past because we cannot change past but we can change or we can make it batter our future.
 
my husband never suffered from depression before his diagnosis. He does take anti-depressants now.
 
Before diagnosis, I had rare occasional mild depression. That is quite normal. After diagnosis, sure I get depressed sometimes. I'm about 2.5 months from diagnosis and progressing fast. But not on any medication for it yet.
 
They say depression comes in many forms, reading your replies plus from the ‘similar threads’ below shows just that.
I think it’s fair to say depression is not rare amongst those who go on to develop ALS and is certainly common after
diagnosis which I think we know comes from the resulting emotional turmoil of a helpless feeling and from what I’ve
seen and read here, immediate family/caregivers suffer also. Thanks to all who have responded, Terry.
 
Hi All,
I had bi-polar disorder / manic depression 20 years ago just once. I have been on Lithium/ Tegretol ever since. Was diagnosed with ALS in March 2012.
This question has surfaced before in the last few months. As I recall no definitive conclusions.

Mohan.
 
Has anyone tried amino acid supplements for helping with mood? I ask because i have used L-Tyrosine off and on (as needed) for many years. Was diagnosed with ALS in Aug. and it still seems to help me. I quit taking because i couldn't swallow the capsule; however, i was really going down hill ( mood and energy). I find if i mix them with food i can't taste it and i am starting to improve the last couple of days. I take 1000mg the last couple of days and will increase to 1500 tonight,which is what i usually take. Take at night on an empty stomach. Linda
 
Thank all of u for your replies. I find them very helpful. I am jst learning this cyber life so have been trying to get back to this site since the day after I asked for help. I'll talk to our dr re the meds. see what happens. I also believe in getting out to activities is important and will get back to pushing for this. It's great to talk to u all and I'm trying to get Alf on this site as well as it may help him to communicate with the outside world. We need to make some new memories instead of reliving the past
 
That's a good point about the potential for depression in caregivers. I worry that my wife tries not to show the strain although I see signs.


They say depression comes in many forms, reading your replies plus from the ‘similar threads’ below shows just that.
I think it’s fair to say depression is not rare amongst those who go on to develop ALS and is certainly common after
diagnosis which I think we know comes from the resulting emotional turmoil of a helpless feeling and from what I’ve
seen and read here, immediate family/caregivers suffer also. Thanks to all who have responded, Terry.
 
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