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freedom27 Champion Author Calgary Posts:2,264 Points:284,300 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: May 13, 2008 7:47:43 AM Ignore freedom27 Report Abuse I'm on medication and I exercise and it is spring/summer now but I still suffer the blues and I'm sad. What more can I do?

freedom27

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Calgary

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Message Posted: May 13, 2008 7:47:43 AM

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I'm on medication and I exercise and it is spring/summer now but I still suffer the blues and I'm sad. What more can I do?

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freedom27 Champion Author Calgary Posts:2,264 Points:284,300 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Mar 27, 2013 9:01:41 AM Ignore freedom27 Report Abuse I made it to work both Tuesday and Wednesday.
freedom27 Champion Author Calgary Posts:2,264 Points:284,300 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Mar 25, 2013 3:05:56 PM Ignore freedom27 Report Abuse I need to confess. I stayed in bed most of Saturday, all day Sunday and I missed work today (staying in bed). I know my pattern so when I allow myself to stay in bed once I'm already on the slippery road down. Tomorrow I have to go to work for both my job and my mental health.
freedom27 Champion Author Calgary Posts:2,264 Points:284,300 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Mar 25, 2013 3:04:10 PM Ignore freedom27 Report Abuse Patty7841 have you tried staffing agencies? They may be able to get you entry level office positions. I'm sorry to hear work isn't available. If you are on Facebook I would let everyone know you're looking for work and I mean everyone.
Chulie13 Sophomore Author Pennsylvania Posts:112 Points:4,575 Joined:Mar 2013	Message Posted: Mar 25, 2013 10:48:28 AM Ignore Chulie13 Report Abuse Be very honest with yourself. Ty to find the undelying Thing making u sad. Sometimes we overlook it because we dont want to face it.
Patty7841 All-Star Author Boston Posts:630 Points:126,140 Joined:Sep 2012	Message Posted: Mar 23, 2013 9:49:40 AM Ignore Patty7841 Report Abuse I have been really down as I am super underemployed. I make $8.50 an hour at a 15 hour a week retail job. I have entry level skills in an office and cannot find work. I do have a bachelor's degree which was a mistake. I thought that by getting this diploma, I would have a slit edge over others competing in the job market. This was true 20 years ago but not now. I cannot survive and I am not sure what I am going to do. I look each and every day for employment only to find places that I have applied to or I am not qualified for the position. I cannot get further training due to already having a bachelor's. There are no grants once you get that.
freedom27 Champion Author Calgary Posts:2,264 Points:284,300 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 5:08:05 AM Ignore freedom27 Report Abuse I realized about my depression is that I will still have low days but they will pass. I'm always afraid of crashing but it doesn't have to be. I just remember that when I'm sad I can make it through the day and tomorrow will be better.
SmartShopper520 All-Star Author Ontario Posts:503 Points:72,245 Joined:Feb 2013	Message Posted: Mar 18, 2013 9:02:43 AM Ignore SmartShopper520 Report Abuse Lovely springtime is just around the corner coming to bring you a fresh bouquet of gardens to enjoy on your walk-about, chasing those blues away I sure hope for ya Freedom.
freedom27 Champion Author Calgary Posts:2,264 Points:284,300 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Mar 18, 2013 8:34:09 AM Ignore freedom27 Report Abuse Smartshopper520 I wasn't getting outside at lunch (working through it) but I decided to take at least 30 mins to walk outside and that has made a difference. Also, going to the mountains this weekend which is something I love. Thank you for the kind words.
boldrph Champion Author Topeka Posts:18,371 Points:3,450,665 Joined:Oct 2002	Message Posted: Mar 18, 2013 2:20:16 AM Ignore boldrph Report Abuse my own mood tends to decline in the late winter and early spring. the long winter has taken a toll on me. by may i think i'll be doing better
SmartShopper520 All-Star Author Ontario Posts:503 Points:72,245 Joined:Feb 2013	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2013 6:38:45 AM Ignore SmartShopper520 Report Abuse freedom I sure hope you are feeling a little bit better on your rise this mornin' .. thinking of you again, thought I'd just pop in to say "hi & wish you a good day"
SmartShopper520 All-Star Author Ontario Posts:503 Points:72,245 Joined:Feb 2013	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2013 4:56:04 PM Ignore SmartShopper520 Report Abuse hang out with a happy-in-soul friend would probably help give you a lift and, the blues would be no more. Wish upon a star, shining brightly above you, in the gorgeous Calgary sky .. take my blues away. A fellow-gb Canadian wishes you happy
MahopacJack Champion Author New York Posts:8,011 Points:1,582,995 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2013 11:35:11 AM Ignore MahopacJack Report Abuse Sorry to hear about the return of your "blues." Your August of last year's post was certainly upbeat and promising. With your blues coming back at the end of winter, I cannot help wonder if your blues might be due to a deficiency in vitamin D. I didn't read any prior posts so if vitamin D3 was not discussed, you may want to do a little research on this. If you've already done the research, please accept my apologies.
freedom27 Champion Author Calgary Posts:2,264 Points:284,300 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2013 8:59:05 AM Ignore freedom27 Report Abuse My life has been going quite well over the last year, however, I've found that since March I have been down again and I'm struggling to sleep at night. I'm afraid my depression may be coming back.
boldrph Champion Author Topeka Posts:18,371 Points:3,450,665 Joined:Oct 2002	Message Posted: Oct 4, 2012 6:12:18 PM Ignore boldrph Report Abuse tru dat. financial stress can make a pre-existing depression worse or trigger an episode
BigHorne1 Champion Author Missouri Posts:1,492 Points:295,800 Joined:Jul 2012	Message Posted: Oct 2, 2012 6:34:06 AM Ignore BigHorne1 Report Abuse try to keep your finances where you can still pay your bills, because that is a major depression factor. Pills that doctors prescribe just water it down.
boldrph Champion Author Topeka Posts:18,371 Points:3,450,665 Joined:Oct 2002	Message Posted: Sep 14, 2012 9:39:46 AM Ignore boldrph Report Abuse many folks get some benefit from participating in various group sessions. these can range from therapy under the auspices of a professional clinical staff to support groups led by a fellow sufferer to just getting together with a pal or two on a regular basis.
BMRR Champion Author Maine Posts:2,666 Points:1,463,755 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 10:54:55 AM Ignore BMRR Report Abuse Agreed. I've seen the results of ECT firsthand (a family member)... I'm not gonna do it, no matter how much the neurologist and the psych doc keep nagging me to give it a try. They don't have to live with the consequences; I do. I may have to try MAOIs at some point in the future if things get worse, but for now I'm able to live with the depression. I wouldn't say I'm thriving, but I'm surviving.
boldrph Champion Author Topeka Posts:18,371 Points:3,450,665 Joined:Oct 2002	Message Posted: Aug 31, 2012 9:36:11 AM Ignore boldrph Report Abuse a more technical term for poop out is 'tachyphalaxis'. so, poop out it is. it's left me in dire straits several times. i agree that the ECT is to be avoided if at all possible. i've seen the results in several people and it isn't pretty. MAOI's are a bit tricky but i have seen several people do pretty well with them and they report that the reported risks with maoi's are rather over stated. of course, if you can maintain an even keel, so to speak, without meds, that's perhaps the best way to go. i can't keep that up very long.
BMRR Champion Author Maine Posts:2,666 Points:1,463,755 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Aug 10, 2012 10:28:29 AM Ignore BMRR Report Abuse Yup, my doctor called it "poop-out syndrome." We both laughed and I agreed that that's a good name for it. I'm not on anything these days because the last one pooped out, and it was the only one that didn't cause intolerable side effects for me. I've pretty much exhausted all the options except for MAOIs and ECT... not ready to go down that road yet.
boldrph Champion Author Topeka Posts:18,371 Points:3,450,665 Joined:Oct 2002	Message Posted: Aug 10, 2012 9:00:15 AM Ignore boldrph Report Abuse my medication was changed a year ago and all is well now. i had been on the old med for over five years and it seemed to have stopped working. this has happened enough now to me and others that it is called...poop out! really! poop out! just switch to a different anti-depressant.
MahopacJack Champion Author New York Posts:8,011 Points:1,582,995 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Aug 3, 2012 8:08:13 AM Ignore MahopacJack Report Abuse You may want to ask your doctor about any side effects of your medicine. If one of the side effects is depression perhaps he could prescribe another alternative? Additionally, you may want to ask him of any non-drug alternatives such as orthomolecular therapy. I have included this link to help with a discussion with your health provider.
boldrph Champion Author Topeka Posts:18,371 Points:3,450,665 Joined:Oct 2002	Message Posted: Aug 2, 2012 7:13:24 PM Ignore boldrph Report Abuse !! freedom27 !!
freedom27 Champion Author Calgary Posts:2,264 Points:284,300 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Aug 1, 2012 8:36:05 AM Ignore freedom27 Report Abuse 4 years later I'm much better. Changed jobs and my living situation. I'm happy and healthy again.
boldrph Champion Author Topeka Posts:18,371 Points:3,450,665 Joined:Oct 2002	Message Posted: Jun 21, 2012 4:25:48 AM Ignore boldrph Report Abuse lisae, keep on the sunny side!
lisae2960 Champion Author Dayton Posts:2,115 Points:447,820 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Jun 15, 2012 4:59:57 PM Ignore lisae2960 Report Abuse I've been taking 400mg of SAM-e for about six weeks now, as menopausal symptoms were getting me down(started with 1 per day, then 2, & now 3). I must say that I do feel more positive and energetic, yet calmer.
boldrph Champion Author Topeka Posts:18,371 Points:3,450,665 Joined:Oct 2002	Message Posted: May 10, 2012 12:38:52 PM Ignore boldrph Report Abuse thanks, bmrr. it doesn't matter that we will lose the battle one day. all do. what matters is that we play it out to the end.
BMRR Champion Author Maine Posts:2,666 Points:1,463,755 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: May 7, 2012 7:14:00 PM Ignore BMRR Report Abuse Yes, it has been a lifelong battle. Somehow I'm still here. Thanks and best to you as well. :-)
boldrph Champion Author Topeka Posts:18,371 Points:3,450,665 Joined:Oct 2002	Message Posted: May 7, 2012 11:45:42 AM Ignore boldrph Report Abuse thanks, bmrr. that you understand this suggests you suffer as i do. for that, best wishes for you.
BMRR Champion Author Maine Posts:2,666 Points:1,463,755 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Apr 26, 2012 5:11:18 PM Ignore BMRR Report Abuse Good analogy!
boldrph Champion Author Topeka Posts:18,371 Points:3,450,665 Joined:Oct 2002	Message Posted: Apr 26, 2012 2:52:37 PM Ignore boldrph Report Abuse the blues are to depression as a loose one is to cholera
jwalkerh Champion Author Louisiana Posts:6,129 Points:1,368,885 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Apr 20, 2012 10:30:17 AM Ignore jwalkerh Report Abuse Not anymore, working full-time and going to school plus helping with the grandkids.
PurplepassionNC All-Star Author North Carolina Posts:838 Points:157,310 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Mar 24, 2012 12:54:11 PM Ignore PurplepassionNC Report Abuse I take fish oil and B complex to keep the blues away. Also sleep is very important to help you feel better. Boredom and stress will bring on the blues. Must keep busy. Must exercise.
notezbngreen Veteran Author Detroit Posts:395 Points:3,900 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Mar 3, 2012 9:09:25 PM Ignore notezbngreen Report Abuse Lack of sunlight can cause depression. If you are from Calgary, I would imagine your winters are very long. Having pets, hobbies and praying are all good for depression. Hope you feel better soon.
boldrph Champion Author Topeka Posts:18,371 Points:3,450,665 Joined:Oct 2002	Message Posted: Feb 15, 2012 1:22:47 PM Ignore boldrph Report Abuse taking my medication. staying upbeat.
boldrph Champion Author Topeka Posts:18,371 Points:3,450,665 Joined:Oct 2002	Message Posted: Feb 10, 2012 1:05:02 PM Ignore boldrph Report Abuse yodudebc, your recommendation of light therapy to Gemmasoa is a good idea. i refer to this a 'luxapro', a play on the name of the antidepressant 'lexapro' which i took for five years. getting 10,000 lumens five hours a day is not easy. popping a tablet once a day is too easy. controlling stress sounds easy but isn't in a fast faced work life. getting good sleep, solid nutrition, regular exercise and above all else maintaining a supportive social circle of family and friends rounds out my regimen. one hard lesson for me was learning that my coworkers are not my friends. btw, be careful with that tanning bed. tanning is a response to extreme stress on the skin.
yodudebc Champion Author Vancouver Posts:5,588 Points:542,850 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Feb 9, 2012 8:23:39 PM Ignore yodudebc Report Abuse Hi Gemmasoa. My experience (60 years) tells me that almost everything that truly makes me happy involves giving something to someone else. Maybe to a baby. Maybe to a clueless teen. Maybe to Homeless Joe or Josephine. It's that look on their face when they get it: a child's delight, the sudden click of understanding in a teen, the real hope of the homeless when they are recognized as human and not mere detritis. The joy of others becomes my joy. Yes, I had to look this far for happiness, but I still find it for moments at a time. For now I enjoy the vision of you on a Harley colliding with the very air you breathe. We all have sorrow. It's just that some of us are too distracted or too stoned to know. We all have joy, but again we may be too stoned or too distracted to notice. Ride in peace, my lovely.
Gemmasoa Champion Author Louisville Posts:3,475 Points:526,375 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Feb 9, 2012 6:21:28 AM Ignore Gemmasoa Report Abuse Thanks yodudebc ! Yes, I know the Tanning Bed itself is different than the Light Therapy. But tanning does feel good! warm & sometimes I grab a 10min catnap. Oh, the harley.... Yes, that is MUCH needed!! & SUN!!!
yodudebc Champion Author Vancouver Posts:5,588 Points:542,850 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 11:41:21 PM Ignore yodudebc Report Abuse Hi Gemmasoa. Light therapy does not involve tanning beds. The desk light shines on your face, and is effective for SAD (seasonal affective disorder). One of my colleagues uses one. But she is still pretty ragged by the end of a Vancouver Winter, especially if 30 plus consecutive days of rain is a feature. There is wisdom in taking a Winter vacation in say, Hawaii, or Carmen de Playa, or anyplace sunny where they serve drinks with umbrellas. I don't have a price on a desk light, but the Internet does. Full-Spectrum flourescent bulbs are a little more expensive, but not THAT expensive. Good self-care and reasonable stress-reduction techniques go a long way toward preventing a crappy mood from becoming a disability. Find out what makes you really happy and do bunches of that. My son goes to Vegas, rents a Harley, and burns up the desert this time of year, before his mood thickens up. Good luck to you.
Gemmasoa Champion Author Louisville Posts:3,475 Points:526,375 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 9:28:56 AM Ignore Gemmasoa Report Abuse Light Therapy?? I would very much enjoy the tanning bed!! I'm sure there is health risk vs Desk Light Therapy. Ideals of cost? Kentucky rainy weather is not helping my mood, along with Stress!!
boldrph Champion Author Topeka Posts:18,371 Points:3,450,665 Joined:Oct 2002	Message Posted: Jan 17, 2012 2:22:53 PM Ignore boldrph Report Abuse the blues is to depression as a loose stool is to cholera
julesmiller Champion Author Iowa Posts:2,641 Points:352,240 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Jan 11, 2012 10:24:50 PM Ignore julesmiller Report Abuse I was reaading these posts about depression and the people who want to stay drug free and need to know what they can do to help themselves need to read up on what the CAUSE of the depression is. This helps you understand what is going on INSIDE yur mind and your body, then with that knowledge you are informed and can make better choices when talking WITH ;your doctor. There are many things to try to help yourself without having to medicate.
boldrph Champion Author Topeka Posts:18,371 Points:3,450,665 Joined:Oct 2002	Message Posted: Jan 10, 2012 8:54:41 PM Ignore boldrph Report Abuse regular medication and fish oil and exercise
Sneakers55 Champion Author Houston Posts:51,297 Points:2,143,175 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Jan 9, 2012 5:30:54 AM Ignore Sneakers55 Report Abuse I ran out of Zoloft but I have been reduced to transport by ASICS ever since my car got totaled. (Happened in October, but I've been sick with probably unrelated problems that kept me as an inpatient until Wednesday before Christmas.) Anyway, I haven't missed the Zoloft. Before, when we tried to taper off it, I got bitchy at best and suicidal at worst. I even got out and got my five gas prices lugging around a 17" MacBook Pro and a Verizon 4G LTE wireless modem. [Edited by: Sneakers55 at 1/9/2012 8:34:41 AM EST]
lkt Champion Author Akron Posts:5,624 Points:791,525 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: Jan 9, 2012 12:11:23 AM Ignore lkt Report Abuse My SAD hit the week before Christmas so I've been going to bed a little earlier and being careful with my diet although the holiday season foods threw a wrench in those efforts for a few weeks. I do have a special light that I use about an hour a day next to the computer. Before I had it I would be a basket case by the middle of February. Due to other stress factors in my life the SAD started earlier and is worse than the past 3 years. I have had to take a week off my part-time job to deal with those things but will have to deal with the income issue soon as well.
boldrph Champion Author Topeka Posts:18,371 Points:3,450,665 Joined:Oct 2002	Message Posted: Jan 6, 2012 9:45:53 AM Ignore boldrph Report Abuse it's been warm, dry and clear here. great time to get outdoors so i am doing fairly well
nayla2011 All-Star Author Toronto Posts:587 Points:13,365 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Dec 22, 2011 12:23:18 AM Ignore nayla2011 Report Abuse Yeah light therapy is great.
boldrph Champion Author Topeka Posts:18,371 Points:3,450,665 Joined:Oct 2002	Message Posted: Dec 5, 2011 9:15:42 AM Ignore boldrph Report Abuse it would be nice if the sun was shining
boldrph Champion Author Topeka Posts:18,371 Points:3,450,665 Joined:Oct 2002	Message Posted: Nov 20, 2011 11:13:08 AM Ignore boldrph Report Abuse taking my medication regularly for several months now. my mood has stayed pretty level at a good level
boldrph Champion Author Topeka Posts:18,371 Points:3,450,665 Joined:Oct 2002	Message Posted: Nov 9, 2011 10:17:34 AM Ignore boldrph Report Abuse these illnesses can be relapsing and remitting. there may ba periods of time when we are symptom free only to see the problems reappear, especially under stress.
ReddevilNO Champion Author New Orleans Posts:3,371 Points:581,190 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Nov 2, 2011 2:32:25 PM Ignore ReddevilNO Report Abuse I had a problem for a while, and I was on medication that helped me. I'm better now, and I'm not on any medication at all, Thank God.