Worried

[audreywald]

Hi everyone. I need some input here. I communicate with several people via email about Hep C; via the "peggassist" site. I have been talking with a woman who is worrying me.

She tried the tx before, and attempted suicide, I do not know how far it went but it was with a gun. Now she is trying the meds again, and is STILL not on an antidepressant, she says she has a good psychiatrist, who understands these meds and what they can do. I think NOT, because anyone who has already attempted suicides on these meds is certainly HIGH risk. How could they possibly not start her on an AD a couple of months before she begun tx? I begged her to reconsider starting on an ad, because the depression can hit suddenly and overwhelm you. I had one friend who OD'd while on tx and another who had to go to a psych ward. My own doc would not start my tx until I was assessed by a shrink and I must be monitored closely.

What can I tell her? How can I help her to understand the gravity of her situation?

[lookin-up]

You're right - God gives us choice, but God didn't give us Hep C.  He allowed it to happen and God means to use ALL things for good.   We just gotta learn how to look...

God loves us all
Lookin' up  ( ! ! ! )

[LvdByGod]

i had serious deppresion for 8 years of my adult life. i was in so much pain mentally,emotionally,spiritually... i couldn't get myself out and i was even a Christian at the time. i kept looking for a way out but couldn't escape the dark thoughts.

i wasn't on an antidepressent and i finally tried a few. God led me to the right AD for me and used this in my life to help bring me into the light and heal the physical side of the depression, the chemical imbalance.

it cleared my head just enough so that i was then able to see what my problem was. basically, i had been lying to myself all these years and believing lies from the evil one. The AD helped me get unstuck, which enabled me to begin to see what was going on.

i had been telling myself so many lies...i am a loser...i will always be a loser... i am ugly...worthless...i will never be able to change... no one loves me...it went on and on...i really had been telling myself these lies sence childhood.

The AD and of cource the Lord helped me to see the light. i saw i had work to do. i began rejecting and rebuking the lies and telling myself the truth instead. i would read scripture and replace the lies with the truth of what God has to say about me. i began to allow myself to believe the truth.

The truth was awsome and i saw that i was precious to God and worthy i was not a loser but a child of God...i was not a failure but with God i could do anything...

i insisted to myself that i no longer will allow myself to believe any more lies. every time i would begin to lie to myself i was able to then fight back and replace them with truthful thoughts. i now truly have a whole new life and perspective.

i am no longer depressed over life. not to say i don't get apropriatly sad at times. but there is a major difference between that and depression.

i hope this will give someone some hope. things can change!!!

sorry so long, sandi

[audreywald]

Oh my. This has become interesting. I just have to kind of clarify what I am trying to say.

We are all different. I, like some of you, am a 12 stepper, and we learn early on the concept of getting whatever help is necessary. I KNOW that the kind of depression I am talking about should be called a "PHYSICAL" illness, because it is a chemical imbalance in the brain. It has nothing to do with your faith, religion, or how much you might normally cherish life. And I do not think we can say that all treatments for depression are equal. The right AD simply balances ones brain chemistry so they have to same chance as people without this imbalance to make good, healthy decisions. That is ALL the AD can do for us, give us that chance. If we really want to die, we will certainly find a way.

But I am talking about that moment of clarity, that moment to reach out for help rather than taking a gun or an OD. A moment to pause and make a good choice.

We for sure need friends, a good support system, in my case a great therapist. I have told all the people I am close to what could happen, what to look out for, I have given my psychiatrist permission to talk to my liver doc and vice versa.

I do not guarantee my getting through this just fine mentally anyway, but I am trying to stack the odds as much in my favor as I possibly can.

[jonihs]

Being a recovering junkie and alchy, there are many time I thoght, just for a moment, of suicide, and I believe suicidal people don't want to die, they just want to quit hurting. The pain and guilt get unbearable for some. But My second thought was always, what would that do to my children.  A big percentage of suicidal children and other family members blame themselves and children of suicidal parents are at very high risk of suicide themselves. I always thought that no matter what, I couldn't do that family. My pain was not worth inflicting all that on others. I don't know how to tell someone considering suicide that gently, but maybe they don't need gentleness, but a good dose of reality. Suicide is self-pity and/or selfishness any way you look at it. Just  my opinion, Joni

[glamazon]

As a faithful Twelve Stepper I have a strong support group and an abiding faith in God, yet I still found ADs necessary. I have never been given to suicidal depression in my 45 years, even when I was a strung-out junkie who hated herself with a passion, so when the doctor suggested I take an AD as a preventative measure I said I would only if I felt like I needed to. And when I found myself fantasizing about suicide seven weeks into Tx, I started Celexa. Waiting the three weeks for it to take full effect was a nightmare. I wish I'd listened to him in the first place!

Christine
38 weeks - 10 to go!

[cindee]

Hi and I don't want to scare anybody. I love you all soooo much! I went thru worse depression after I finished tx. Shoot I thought about suicide many times, and my shrink knows this....BUT MORE IMPORTANT: SHE KNOWS I AM A CHRISTIAN AND I WOULD NEVER TAKE ME LIFE. That is a very selfish way out. Look at all the people you would leave behind, that need you sick or not. Anybody who has that mean ole spirit of suicide come on ya, but turn to God. He does understand.

Okay I'll stop preaching...lol

I just want you all to know how very much you mean to me. I WANT US ALL TO GET WELL !!!!!!!!! Much love @ many prayers, Cindee

[thanbey]

Ditto everone else, plus:

Is there anyone or anyway to communicate with the Pegassist people and let them know about this?

Don't the people who go there share information like who their doctor is?

Do you know what community she lives in? Maybe they have a helpline or a crisis line to call.

If there is any possible way to communicate with anyone in this poor woman's immediate environment or to communicate with her physician or to get her to communicate with a helpline, please try.

It isn't just suicides, sometimes people can hurt other people if they lose touch with reality and have a gun.

In this situation, I just wouldn't take chances.

I hope this helps,

thanbey

[jonihs]

Sorry Cindee, I didn't mean to put your name on there, but Audreywauld. I Know that compassion is pretty much the unsaid rule on this forum, but maybe in some cases reality and bluntness are compasssion in disguise. Joni

[cindee]

Not a problem girl, it shows me you are thinking of me....or is it still brain fog?????? I love ya girl, Sincerely, Cindee

[lookin-up]

Honey is right - and she is blessed to have you.  The main thing is to tell her the importance of talking to someone...talk, talk, and talk some more.  This will all end up being just a memory for her someday and she has tremendous value as a human being. She needs to believe that!!!  Can you help her find hope and something to hang on to in her life?  We never see ourselves as we really are, but her life IS IMPORTANT to somebody in her world and She needs help past the "hump".  HOLD ON!!

Mainly, she must tell someone close to her - RIGHT AWAY &  she must call her DR. now.

I'll be praying-
Penny

[honey1616]

You are doing the right thing now by being there for her.  That is wonderful that you are helping people via email and I admire you for that!  I think by letting her know that if she is having some rough times,,,,that you will be there for her to talk to.  Alot of people that do try this...sometimes have absolutely noone to talk to and therefore nowhere to turn.  If she feels that the old feelings of depression are coming back...guide her back to calling her dr immediately!  The great thing about support groups whether in person or internet is knowing that there are people out there that care and are going through the same thing as you are.  This board is perfect example...at times I have been down and by the time I left the board..I have felt so much better or often am laughing.  Hope this helps somewhat with your friend!

[cuteus]

I agree with PB Ad's are not a magic wand for mental disorders, in fact the higher rate of suicide in major depression, comes 6 to 8 months after ads start and the patient feels better(narsad.org). she is been monitored closely by her psychiatrist and it is ultimately her choice.  Support her as much as you can and keep a close eye on her. Get her psych phone # in case you see changes she has failed to notice. Some of us have made 30+ weeks without the ads.
Peebee, I guess we'll be in the same list.