Use of Anti depressants

[Siam]

Could anyone comment on how wide is the use of antidepressants and if so which ones and in what doses. How affective are they. I am having great difficulty dealing with still the early stages of muscle wasting having been a keen sportsman this is an unbelievable experience watching my body waste almost daily and still with the worst to come I fear. For now I can at least still walk (albeit on rubbery legs) talk and eat.

Controversial perhaps but I have frequent thoughts of "finding an early exit" (we live on17th floor as one option) but common sense tells me this is no way to leave a 36 year old wife and 2 sons aged 2 and with all the stigma attached to it for them.

Still if wasting continues at its present rate I will find myself incapacitated and unable to make any such choices apart from PEG Vent and Trach assuming I can still speak or make a living will.

Do antidepressants help in this case can anyone comment please?

I can't think of a disease that could be any worse than this one! Someone must have been pretty p......d off when they created this one for sure.

 

[ottawa girl]

Siam,

Your post saddens and alarms me. I thought you had been told that you do not have ALS. Obviously you have something going on, but since it's not ALS, once your condition is identified, it may well be curable. The most urgent thing, I think, is for you to seek immediate help to help you deal with the new reality in your life and the diagnosis process.

Believe me, all of us here are facing a grim future, but most of us make the best of the cards we've been dealt. Every thing on the planet expires at some time or another. It's what we do with the time we have, that really counts.

There are medicines to help you through this. Please contact your GP. Or, consider seeing a counsellor or contact your church for help. Print a copy of your post and bring it with you to the appointment. Siam, are not alone in this and your little children are counting on you. You must dig deep.

In every situation, one can be hopeful. With hope comes the promise of another sunrise tomorrow. Please do not despair.

 

[Siam]

Many thanks for your prompt and pertinent reply.

We have ruled out most of the other possible causes and await a blood test for MG and a remote second opinion from a specialist in London. In fact I am actually living in SE Asia where I must say facilities at the better hospitals are excellent however it seems that this area of medicine is not so well understood nor come across.
I am also aware that ALS is difficult to diagnose despite what I have been told by the neuro here and i am gravitating my thoughts towards the worst outcome. Hence the thoughts continue to manifest themselves. Yes I am somewhat ahead of my skis to coin a phrase however I have always been the planning type and am actively trying to understand the what when how in all senses.

I am seeing a psychiatrist for the 2nd time but I did not feel that I got much out of it apart from Remeron sleeping pills. Which I did not take yet. I will take up your idea of seeking out a councillor though.

As for my church I am not a churchgoer and therefore don't have a faith per say to turn to for solace. Having said that I am setting up a meeting with a US clergyman here just to see what it might produce.

I am not working so that means more hours of the day to ponder the what ifs.

I agree we are all dying and from the moment we are born its just a matter of how and when. I am struggling with exactly the how and the when and at 51 fear I will fall short of making the average life expectancy of the population and in that sense feel Very angry after an otherwise very healthy existence until now.

Still your points are all very valid and give me good for thought for sure and thank you once again.

 

[poppies]

Hi Siam, I'm so sorry to see you are feeling so hopeless. I completely agree with Ottawa girl. There is plenty of help out there. Speak to someone, like your GP as soon as possible. My husband was also a very keen sportsman, competing up until early last year. He has been through the dark place you are in and has come out the other side, finding happiness and joy in his life that he hadn't expected. You can still embrace life, just in a different way. My thoughts are with you and your family.

 

[Flyby]

Siam, I am sorry to hear life is so hard for you now. I felt very much the same when I got this disease. I found it was very important to embrace the things I could do and accept the things I can't. Every time something else becomes impossible I have a little cry for it but I make myself look at the "cans" and carry on. It is also important to keep busy and spend hours cheerfully and not brooding on the "can'ts". I have this ugly old troll lying down having a great belly laugh and when I am feeling really down I just spend time looking at him. I can't help but laugh and feel better. You have your children. They are wonderful to watch and enjoy. The best to you. Hope this helps.