Aa
Do I have depression?
I want to know if anyone with the following symptoms has been diagnosed as having depression:
chronic insomnia
aching muscles (particularly legs)
weak legs
tingling feeling over most of my body, which varies in intensity
unpleasant feeling welling up from abdomen
no enjoyment eating favourite foods, drinking tea (I used to be a tea addict), talking to people I really like, etc.
And, if they have, what did they do/are they doing about it? My QOL is really low in my present state.
Thank you.
chronic insomnia
aching muscles (particularly legs)
weak legs
tingling feeling over most of my body, which varies in intensity
unpleasant feeling welling up from abdomen
no enjoyment eating favourite foods, drinking tea (I used to be a tea addict), talking to people I really like, etc.
And, if they have, what did they do/are they doing about it? My QOL is really low in my present state.
Thank you.
Thank you very much for the response. I'm doing the breathing exercise you suggested and it seems to be helping. I think high costal breathing means you are only using upper chest muscles to breath; it's better to use your diaphragm too
It might not be just one thing like depression or lowered testosterone levels. It seems more likely that your symptoms are due to a combination of factors. Physical and mental health are so intertwined that finding the root of the problem one is having can lead to a frustrating trial-and-error search for effective treatment. Often a few small problems build together into a group of unpleasant symptoms, so I urge you to be patient with yourself as you explore different treatment choices to find what works best for you.
The "unpleasant feeling welling up from abdomen" does sound more like anxiety, which could have simply been brought on by worrying about the other symptoms you are having, or might be a deeper problem. There is something called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD for short) that is triggered by drops in temperature and sunlight. Based on your last post, this might also be a contributing factor. Many people are surprised by how they react to major new life changes (like retirement) so even if you don't feel unhappy about this change, your reactions to this change could combine with SAD and/or the conditions others have suggested in an unhealthy way. Add all this with the natural drop in testosterone most men experience at some point as they mature, and it could certainly lead to the group of symptoms you describe.
About the breathing question, I don't know what "costal" means either, but I do know that chronically having short shallow breathing (your chest moves, but your belly doesn't) or unconsciously holding one's breath and then gasping or sighing because of it can cause unpleasant mental & physical symptoms. There are many ways to teach yourself healthy breathing patterns, often based on meditative techniques and gentle exercises. Do a search for "breath therapy" and chose whatever technique comes most naturally to you, since you're more likely to stick with it.
Here's a simple one I've used to get you started: Loosen or change out of any tight clothing, especially around your waist. Lay or sit in a comfortable position with your hands resting gently just below your ribs. Start with 3 deep breaths. Breathe slowly and evenly without holding your breath in between. As you inhale through your nose, imagine the air going first to the bottom of your lungs, then gently filling them up to the top. Exhale through your mouth, and feel with your hands the diaphragm between the base of your lungs firmly but easily pushing the used air out starting at the top of your lungs and continuing all the way to the bottom. Feel your spine grow long & straight with each inhale, your back muscles relaxing with each exhale. After 3 extra-deep breaths, continue breathing with this technique, but instead of breathing in and out as completely as you possibly can, let your lungs expand and contract gently and effortlessly for at least five minutes. You may find yourself trying to do it "right", but overthinking it just leads to an unnatural rhythm. Relax your mind and let your body remember the most comfortable, natural breathing rhythm for you.
Once you've done this a few times, it will get easier to find and continue this rhythm. Then, whenever you feel poorly, taking just one deep breath, wherever you are, will remind you to breathe well with good posture. This often helps ease pain and unpleasant symptoms within minutes.
I wish you all the best, and hope this will be useful for you.
A
The "unpleasant feeling welling up from abdomen" does sound more like anxiety, which could have simply been brought on by worrying about the other symptoms you are having, or might be a deeper problem. There is something called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD for short) that is triggered by drops in temperature and sunlight. Based on your last post, this might also be a contributing factor. Many people are surprised by how they react to major new life changes (like retirement) so even if you don't feel unhappy about this change, your reactions to this change could combine with SAD and/or the conditions others have suggested in an unhealthy way. Add all this with the natural drop in testosterone most men experience at some point as they mature, and it could certainly lead to the group of symptoms you describe.
About the breathing question, I don't know what "costal" means either, but I do know that chronically having short shallow breathing (your chest moves, but your belly doesn't) or unconsciously holding one's breath and then gasping or sighing because of it can cause unpleasant mental & physical symptoms. There are many ways to teach yourself healthy breathing patterns, often based on meditative techniques and gentle exercises. Do a search for "breath therapy" and chose whatever technique comes most naturally to you, since you're more likely to stick with it.
Here's a simple one I've used to get you started: Loosen or change out of any tight clothing, especially around your waist. Lay or sit in a comfortable position with your hands resting gently just below your ribs. Start with 3 deep breaths. Breathe slowly and evenly without holding your breath in between. As you inhale through your nose, imagine the air going first to the bottom of your lungs, then gently filling them up to the top. Exhale through your mouth, and feel with your hands the diaphragm between the base of your lungs firmly but easily pushing the used air out starting at the top of your lungs and continuing all the way to the bottom. Feel your spine grow long & straight with each inhale, your back muscles relaxing with each exhale. After 3 extra-deep breaths, continue breathing with this technique, but instead of breathing in and out as completely as you possibly can, let your lungs expand and contract gently and effortlessly for at least five minutes. You may find yourself trying to do it "right", but overthinking it just leads to an unnatural rhythm. Relax your mind and let your body remember the most comfortable, natural breathing rhythm for you.
Once you've done this a few times, it will get easier to find and continue this rhythm. Then, whenever you feel poorly, taking just one deep breath, wherever you are, will remind you to breathe well with good posture. This often helps ease pain and unpleasant symptoms within minutes.
I wish you all the best, and hope this will be useful for you.
A
Thank you all for your responses with helpful suggestions. I live in Japan and have a language barrier with medical matters.
Hi ParamedFlorena: Are you saying high costal breathing is bad? Is low costal breathing better? Is there a website with the exercises you are doing? I do exercise, walking, etc., when my weak aching legs allow.
Hi skin_kin: I'll look into the testosterone angle. I'm 62, so if there is a deficiency it could be age-related.
Hi Anonymos: I have the opposite problem to you, I can't eat enough. I'm trying to get my weight up; for my height my ideal weight is 73kg but I fluctuate between 57.5 and 59.5kg. My appetite is OK, although occasionally I can't face breakfast. Don't think about suicide. I did once but couldn't think of a way that was foolproof, and then like you thought of what my family, friends and cat would do.
I don't have any real pain. My main symptoms are:
Insomnia: I cannot sleep at all, a Lendormin 0.25mg tablet gives me at least 5.5 hours sleep; if I try to take a nap in the daytime, which I used to be able to do easily, just as I'm about to fall asleep the unpleasant, uncomfortable feeling wells up from my abdomen
Weak and aching legs: Prevent me from cycling and hiking that I used to do before March this year
Unpleasant, uncomfortable feeling: Stops me enjoying many things that used to be very enjoyable
I've recently been diagnosed as having moderate depression, but don't really believe it. The only thing I have to be depressed about is the above symptoms. That diagnosis was based on the results of a questionnaire and the fact that I retired at the end of March 2007. I had something similar the winter before as I was preparing to retire, which the doctors could not give me a diagnosis, I recovered completely. I don't know if it's something to do with a drastic temperature change; in 2006 the first bout started as the abrupt seasonal temperature drop occurred in November; I didn't have the same problem in November 2007, but this second bout started after I returned from Cambodia at 32 centigrade to Japan at 4 centigrade.
Anyway, I'll let you know what transpires. I hope all your health problems can be resolved soon,
Cheers, vectis
Hi ParamedFlorena: Are you saying high costal breathing is bad? Is low costal breathing better? Is there a website with the exercises you are doing? I do exercise, walking, etc., when my weak aching legs allow.
Hi skin_kin: I'll look into the testosterone angle. I'm 62, so if there is a deficiency it could be age-related.
Hi Anonymos: I have the opposite problem to you, I can't eat enough. I'm trying to get my weight up; for my height my ideal weight is 73kg but I fluctuate between 57.5 and 59.5kg. My appetite is OK, although occasionally I can't face breakfast. Don't think about suicide. I did once but couldn't think of a way that was foolproof, and then like you thought of what my family, friends and cat would do.
I don't have any real pain. My main symptoms are:
Insomnia: I cannot sleep at all, a Lendormin 0.25mg tablet gives me at least 5.5 hours sleep; if I try to take a nap in the daytime, which I used to be able to do easily, just as I'm about to fall asleep the unpleasant, uncomfortable feeling wells up from my abdomen
Weak and aching legs: Prevent me from cycling and hiking that I used to do before March this year
Unpleasant, uncomfortable feeling: Stops me enjoying many things that used to be very enjoyable
I've recently been diagnosed as having moderate depression, but don't really believe it. The only thing I have to be depressed about is the above symptoms. That diagnosis was based on the results of a questionnaire and the fact that I retired at the end of March 2007. I had something similar the winter before as I was preparing to retire, which the doctors could not give me a diagnosis, I recovered completely. I don't know if it's something to do with a drastic temperature change; in 2006 the first bout started as the abrupt seasonal temperature drop occurred in November; I didn't have the same problem in November 2007, but this second bout started after I returned from Cambodia at 32 centigrade to Japan at 4 centigrade.
Anyway, I'll let you know what transpires. I hope all your health problems can be resolved soon,
Cheers, vectis
YES the creepy, nervous feeling welling up in the abdomen and achy all over are my symptoms also. I try everything to get rid of it! I wish I would lose my appetite... because I eat. I am too sensitive at work and cry. I have been on Zoloft but it seems to have quit working. I am thinking some of this has to do with hormones.
Riding my bicycle and walking, working in the yard and my artwork and pets help me feel better. Sometimes think about suicide by injection of the stuff they put you to sleep with in the hospital but when I think ,"What would my pets do if I were to go?"...I won't do it.
Riding my bicycle and walking, working in the yard and my artwork and pets help me feel better. Sometimes think about suicide by injection of the stuff they put you to sleep with in the hospital but when I think ,"What would my pets do if I were to go?"...I won't do it.
Hi,
I used to think my body was too complicated to understand at all and did seek medical attention primarily for the backache. It left me on more and more medical leaves because my job included too much lifting for me to even dream of hippe-ti-hoppe-ti joyous to work...
Living with "chronic pain" and insomnia does something to one. It is disabling at times. It was a relief to get proof that exercise even helped on the fatigue. I was for a while addicted to exercise. All is good in the right amounts!
Very much is connected with how we breathe. Anxiety did for me become more copeable with the relaxation techniques I taught - and to jog in the morning helped me wake up and breathe with the entire system.
To find the right way, seek a physical therapist as the starting basics are quite important.
For me it costed quite a bit since I was on rehabilitation for it, but asking your GP to refer you to a physical therapist won't cost half the shirt I paid...
Skin_kin, yep I'm living in Europe. More specific Scandinavia, the land of the real trolls and mooses....
Florena
I used to think my body was too complicated to understand at all and did seek medical attention primarily for the backache. It left me on more and more medical leaves because my job included too much lifting for me to even dream of hippe-ti-hoppe-ti joyous to work...
Living with "chronic pain" and insomnia does something to one. It is disabling at times. It was a relief to get proof that exercise even helped on the fatigue. I was for a while addicted to exercise. All is good in the right amounts!
Very much is connected with how we breathe. Anxiety did for me become more copeable with the relaxation techniques I taught - and to jog in the morning helped me wake up and breathe with the entire system.
To find the right way, seek a physical therapist as the starting basics are quite important.
For me it costed quite a bit since I was on rehabilitation for it, but asking your GP to refer you to a physical therapist won't cost half the shirt I paid...
Skin_kin, yep I'm living in Europe. More specific Scandinavia, the land of the real trolls and mooses....
Florena
Dear Vectis,
I also suffer from similar problem for the last six months, in particular:
-Insomnia (all night long), often accompanied with anxiety/difficulty to breath
-Abdominal discomfort, that may persist for hours or days, but is not intestinal in nature
-Tingling sensation in the back, when walking
-Difficulty to concentrate
-Loss of energy
-Loss of interest in prior joyful activities
-Very poor QOL
I did not buy the depression case, because I have been super-optimistic for 45 years of life. Recently, I had my testosterone level tested. It was found very low (140), which could be related to a previous fertility treatment with Nolvadex. I am now 1 month on T-replacement therapy with very good results. I have more energy and interest, NO back pain at all, still some insomnia and abdominal discomfort, especially during periods of immense stress (I am not easily stressed, but lead a very demanding job and lifestyle). So, I suggest that you check your hormonal levels.
I also find the breathing recommendations of Florena very useful and will seek professional help to apply them to me, as well.
P.S. To Florena: Just curious, are you living in Europe, like myself?
I also suffer from similar problem for the last six months, in particular:
-Insomnia (all night long), often accompanied with anxiety/difficulty to breath
-Abdominal discomfort, that may persist for hours or days, but is not intestinal in nature
-Tingling sensation in the back, when walking
-Difficulty to concentrate
-Loss of energy
-Loss of interest in prior joyful activities
-Very poor QOL
I did not buy the depression case, because I have been super-optimistic for 45 years of life. Recently, I had my testosterone level tested. It was found very low (140), which could be related to a previous fertility treatment with Nolvadex. I am now 1 month on T-replacement therapy with very good results. I have more energy and interest, NO back pain at all, still some insomnia and abdominal discomfort, especially during periods of immense stress (I am not easily stressed, but lead a very demanding job and lifestyle). So, I suggest that you check your hormonal levels.
I also find the breathing recommendations of Florena very useful and will seek professional help to apply them to me, as well.
P.S. To Florena: Just curious, are you living in Europe, like myself?
Hi Vectis,
I hope that I can with my experience shed some light on "what to do". With disturbance of sleep, a lot can happen in the body, I've taught. Muscles start to ache, you get more and more aware that your body needs a proper night's sleep and so forth. The body is an amazing machine. When it is in balance, we usually only have one or two aches here or there that won't last so long.
I've always had a pattern of sleep that means I sleep best from 3-5 in the morning until late morning. I love night-work because I function so much better. Don't ask me why it is that way - I don't know.
Now to the physical side of it! In 2005 someone finally suggested that my backache came from tensions in breathing musculature. I had been on medical leaves on and off and 50% for a year. My primary care physician was stuck in one set of thinking. Thanks to a replacement as she had vacation that summer, I got a second opinion. The physician had worked a longer while within psychiatry. He took one look at me and said: "Forget the backache. You're breathing wrong".
Pain-management program it was. 8 weeks, daily exercise. I had the weekends off to be at home.
For me, that was the start of finding a way to help myself through the depression. The back-ache was gone, my hips didn't bother me. It was ALL about posture and activity. For me at least. At this moment I'm procrastinating exercise because of a troubled knee, but I'll get back in motion as soon as I have talked with my PT about how to get it done.
That doesn't mean that exercise is the solution for you but what I usually say, is that if you haven't tried it already: Try adding 3-4 walks each week, swing your arms and let the stress drop off your shoulders. Walk untroubled, de-stressed and as if you had no issues.
It can of course sound like a depression, but the danger about self-diagnosing oneself is that it is wrong. The physicians all around the world have a great education and lots of more practice in diagnosing - it is their job. Maybe your quality of life can improve if you get the right diagnosis?
I know that the day the diagnose changed from "Chronic backpain" to "High costal breathing and muscular tension" I was really relieved even if I knew I had a tough job ahead.
Please check back! We appreciate updates in this forum :-)
Good luck,
Florena
I hope that I can with my experience shed some light on "what to do". With disturbance of sleep, a lot can happen in the body, I've taught. Muscles start to ache, you get more and more aware that your body needs a proper night's sleep and so forth. The body is an amazing machine. When it is in balance, we usually only have one or two aches here or there that won't last so long.
I've always had a pattern of sleep that means I sleep best from 3-5 in the morning until late morning. I love night-work because I function so much better. Don't ask me why it is that way - I don't know.
Now to the physical side of it! In 2005 someone finally suggested that my backache came from tensions in breathing musculature. I had been on medical leaves on and off and 50% for a year. My primary care physician was stuck in one set of thinking. Thanks to a replacement as she had vacation that summer, I got a second opinion. The physician had worked a longer while within psychiatry. He took one look at me and said: "Forget the backache. You're breathing wrong".
Pain-management program it was. 8 weeks, daily exercise. I had the weekends off to be at home.
For me, that was the start of finding a way to help myself through the depression. The back-ache was gone, my hips didn't bother me. It was ALL about posture and activity. For me at least. At this moment I'm procrastinating exercise because of a troubled knee, but I'll get back in motion as soon as I have talked with my PT about how to get it done.
That doesn't mean that exercise is the solution for you but what I usually say, is that if you haven't tried it already: Try adding 3-4 walks each week, swing your arms and let the stress drop off your shoulders. Walk untroubled, de-stressed and as if you had no issues.
It can of course sound like a depression, but the danger about self-diagnosing oneself is that it is wrong. The physicians all around the world have a great education and lots of more practice in diagnosing - it is their job. Maybe your quality of life can improve if you get the right diagnosis?
I know that the day the diagnose changed from "Chronic backpain" to "High costal breathing and muscular tension" I was really relieved even if I knew I had a tough job ahead.
Please check back! We appreciate updates in this forum :-)
Good luck,
Florena
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