Comments on: The big D (and we’re not talking donuts)

By: Shaneequa

Shaneequa — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 09:13:52 +0000

I’ve been a longtime lurker. Your comment about pseudoephedrine brought me out of the shadows. I have never watched Glee, but I am entertained as hell at that story line. I have been using Claritin-D as my own personal crutch for 2 years now. If the kitchen is clean, thank Claritin-D. If the laundry is done, thank Claritin-D. Don’t thank me, because I am lazy as hell. It’s probably unhealthy, and you are most certainly right to think that contemplating abuse of cold medicine is a good sign you could be depressed. There was really no point to this comment, I was just amazed by the new light shining on my dirty little secret.

By: gypsy525

gypsy525 — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 04:30:43 +0000

@PastaQueen – I’m so sorry that your going through such a hard time. I wouldn’t wish depression on anyone. I have suffered from depression since I was about 9 or 10 years old and depression and anxiety run in my moms side of the family. even though 12 years of thearapy did not cure me, if you find the right thearapist it can help. That and find even one person or thing to concentrate on to pull you through the pain, lonelyness, and despair. Mine is my 4 children and my husband without them I don’t know what i would do. just remember you are special, grab on to life and fight like hell.

By: Heather

Heather — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 18:53:16 +0000

Word on depression = exhaustion. Mine hit during pregnancy and postpartum, and since I had never experienced it, I just assumed this is what everyone was talking about when they said they were tired. What I meant was I was TIRED TIRED TIRED. Like, 10 hours of sleep and FREAKING EXHAUSTED all the time.

Anyway, enough about me. I hope you’re feeling better soon!

By: Melissa

Melissa — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 18:11:22 +0000

Chronic illness is the pits, as is depression, its frequent sidekick.

Until I experienced this myself, I never understood it, and even at the worst of my illness I still felt guilty and down on myself for regaining 35 lbs of weight, and being a lazy slob.

It hasn’t been until recently, following the surgery that luckily cured my illness, that I’ve even really truly realized the degree to which my illness was the direct cause of all the crappiness of the previous year. Not how I dealt with my illness, but the illness itself. (I’m still alive, ain’t I? So clearly I dealt with it just fine.)

I hope you find a way to manage your illness, treat your depression, and get back on track to feeling like a fully-functioning human again.

That’s what’s important, even if you never lose another pound.

By: Johanna

Johanna — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 18:04:59 +0000

Could it be this kind of depression: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atypical_depression

By: anji

anji — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 23:40:41 +0000

I had chronic pain for 6 years. I still have pain now and again…but, it finally subsided enough to allow me to have somewhat a normal life.

I’m even joining the army now, haha! So… things have the potential to get better. One day, I just had to say f#&@-it, and live my life.

I was tired. Exhausted. Drained… of being tired, exhausted, drained and in pain.

I absolutely UNDERSTAND.

By: Lora

Lora — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 13:53:17 +0000

Hi, Jeannette,

I haven’t read your blog in quite some time and I see there is a lot of catching up to do!

I am sorry you are going through a rough time and I hope you will find the solution.

Take care.

Your Beantown Buddy,

Lora

By: Karen

Karen — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 04:46:46 +0000

OMG this is uncanny… I’m a 29 year old Australian girl and reading this post the further I got through the more I just kept thinking “this is me!”

The tiredness all the time, the depression, the struggling to stay motivated even when I KNOW what I should be doing to get where I want, even the headache (although thank god mine aren’t constant, but have been known to go weeks at a time without a break from them).

If you ever find the answers I’d love to hear them!

Anyhow, I got my “somebody else out there gets it!” moment reading your blog, so thought I’d let you know it really isn’t just you. And Thanks :)

By: budicca

budicca — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 08:52:29 +0000

@Monster Soprano – Please, please tell me where these volunteer nurses and doctors are who work as a team to help people with difficult-to-diagnose/treat illnesses!!

I have surely never heard of them, and if they exist, imagine they would be the most sought out group of people on the planet.

The idea that there are diagnostic Dr. teams (House, MD, anyone?) that will work until they correctly diagnose you, for either the amount your insurance is willing to pay them, or something the average person could afford, seems an unrealized dream.

By: Anon

Anon — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 01:49:47 +0000

Hello there,

i used to read your blog obsessively, like, I read the whole thing from day one at work two years ago when I was eating out of control, deeply depressed, and paralyzed to take any action aside from thinking about and promising to do something later, Monday, new years, etc. I did end up finding a solution in 12 step recovery that went beyond losing weight to finding th tools to change how I deal with life and myself. I had been on meds for years, and am now off them for six months, have lost significant weight, and am not spending all my mental energy worrying about my weight, wanting to eat, etc. If you ever want to hear more about my experience please do get in touch.