Depression Due to unknown illness

[GoldFishy222]

Hi I’m 25 and have been dealing with an unknown stomach problem for the last 5 weeks were I feel to nauseas to really eat anything.  And I know from reading in the gastro forum on this site that many people have been going through similar if not worse problems for longer as well as people with other worse medical issues.  And because of that I feel like I shouldn’t complain about it, but it’s too hard to put it in prospective.  

Up until now I was fairly normal with maybe minor depression and a little bit of a sensitive stomach and now I just feel sick all the time and mostly I can’t really do anything but lay in bed trying not to vomit.  And if its not coming out that end it’s coming out the other.  So far I’ve lost 12lbs, which done any other way I’d be thrilled about because I’ve been trying to lose 10lbs for the past year.

And most of all I just miss “me”.  And I’m starting to get really, really depressed about it.  I miss food (witch is strange to me because usually I’m trying to avoid it, like I said I wanted to loose some weight, don’t worry I wasn’t starving myself) and I miss doing things like normal people do.  I hate it now when I see people smiling and having fun and doing things with their friends and I can’t anymore because I feel to sick and just don’t want to do anything.  I feel so bad for my boyfriend because he doesn’t have the normal me any more either, and I know he’s trying so hard to be supportive and do everything he can for me, and I know he gets so frustrated because he can’t make me better…but I don’t know when hell reach the end of his rope.

I keep having to call out sick to work and now their starting to give me warnings if my “behavior” of missing days continues their going to have to resort to harsher measures.  Which makes me so mad because its not like I’m skipping out on work to go shopping or anything, I’m at home curled up in bed wishing I would just die, believe me I would rather be at work.  We already have to move in with my BF’s mom because we can’t afford to stay in our apartment as is, which isn’t all that bad because she’s really nice…but still.  

I just don’t know how much more of this I can take and thought I would share what I was going thru with you guys to see if anyone was dealing with something similar…I just don’t know how to cope with something like this.  Autumn is my favorite time of year and I would love to be out and enjoy it and having autumn type foods.  I always look forward to thanksgiving and this year the thought terrifies me.  

And the not getting any answers as to what’s wrong with me is driving me crazy.  As soon as I can I'm going to make another appointment to go see my GI, but hes out of the office till the 9th and hes the only one my health insurance will let me see, since I basically don’t pay anything for it.  Sorry for my sob story… I just want some help….

[junglebook]

I had undiagnosed nausea and stomach problems for years....it was horrible, I'd miss work, got kicked out of college once for bad grades because I missed too many classes.   I had a gastro doc who couldn't figure out what the problem was. Then one day I figured it out - it was from anxiety and I had agoraphobia.  I started taking medication for it, I think it was a anti anxiety/anti depressant medication and I couldn't believe the difference. My whole life changed.

[GoldFishy222]

I'm actually not taking any medication right now.  Before I started getting sick i was taking Keflex for a skin infection and that's it.  The doc hasn't put me on any medication to help with the stomach problems yet ether.  He has scheduled a endoscopy and a colonoscopy for the 29th of December, that was the soonest appointment they had.  I think he wants to rule out it being anything structure related before he does anything else.  I may make another appointment to go in and see him before 12/29 though because i keep feeling like I'm going to pass out and its really scary.  

To: Sweetpea03

Sounds like you are much braver then I am about trying to keep doing what you do in everyday life.  I've been on work leave but i go back on Monday and I'm kindda scared about going back since I don't feel a whole lot better.  And my friends ( who haven't seen in a long time) are trying to get me to do things with them (like going to the museum tomorrow and i don't think me saying no is a option)  But I'm just too scared to do things because I'm worried i will start to feel really sick and/or get sick, and i really just dont want to do anything... I really just like trying to pass the time more with reading and playing games at home, it also slightly seems to take my mind of things.  My therapist says I should try and except that I feel sick and be ok with the fact that its there and not try to fight it.  So far it hasn't been helping any.  

Thanks for your help.  I'm not sure how I could posablely go and see a different doctor right now.  The money just ist there, especialy since I've missed over a month of work and don't get paid for sick leave.  We are moving out of our apartment and in with my boyfriends mom soon because we can't even afford to live here now, And we might have to sell one of out cars.  Just to add some more stress to my life which probably isn't helping my situation.

[ILADVOCATE]

First of the "unkonwn stomach condition" must be diagnosed and treated. What medication are you on? Some medications can cause problems of this nature. I know someone who was on Topomax which caused what seemed like some kind of minor reflux and it spiraled into Barrett's esophogitis. Topomax of course is known to cause problems of this nature. But other medications can as well. First of all, tell us what medications you are on. And look up the medications online. And look at the package insert too. Most people forgot that. It could be a medication interaction as well. That doesn't mean its not a standard g.i. problem. But perhaps one that could be treated but its important not to overlook this as well because if its caught in time the medications could be changed but if not then things could get serious.

[sweetpea03]

You really need to see another doctor, other than the one you have gone to before because it's obviously not working. Getting a second or third opinion is always good. Even if you have to pay, it's worth it, for your health.

I also have depression associated with my medical problems. I have a rare medical condition that has required a few surgeries. And now to add on to it, I am now having severe menstrual cramps as well as stomach issues. But no doctor wants to do anything because of the first rare medical condition and they don't know if a certain medication will affect it and cause me more harm than good. It's really frustrating.

All I have been doing lately is keeping myself very busy and not allowing myself to really think about it all. This last year was hell for me, so I'm trying to get my life back on track. I go to school full time, plus work 30 or so hours a week. Plus homework and my small social life that I have. I never used to talk to anyone about stuff, but have found it liberating. As much as you may not want to talk about it, it really is nice to do that. The very few friends that are still with me are awesome and I talk to them when I feel like I'm "slipping" and getting back to my depression state.

[GoldFishy222]

Does anyone have any sugetions on how i can keep sain????  I've been sick since august 28thish... i dont know what to do