depression and MS

[BriannaReese]

I've been telling people I simply haven't adjusted well to having SPMS.  But I just read someplace that depression and mood swings can be part of MS.  I am limited as to what I can take for depression.  I can't take SSRIs and just tried a low dose of Wellbutrin which fiddled with my BP.  Had to go off it.  I inject Copaxone 20 mgs daily.  Any thoughts?  I just wish I could be happier and more motivated in spite of MS.

[HVAC]

I have been on most of the depression and anxiety drugs out there. I have tried a lot. I will get one combo that works for years and then it won't work. Then I have to try new meds until I get the right combo again.

Alex

[SarahL2491]

Heck, my BP was 154 over something before they put me on 2 drugs, I went off one, it made me too dizzy and am doing fine but the nurse practioner suggested Brindellix, which works very well.  I never considered myself depressed until I had an interview with her.  

Alex is right, sometimes you have to shop around for neuro's.
I think I went thru 4.  I won't ever leave the one I have now!

I find that sometimes when I look back, too much stress was the reason for my mini flares!  

[BriannaReese]

Tried Lamictal, but after 4 days at only 25 mgs it blasted my BP up to 135/80.  Had to go off.

[mikeysmom1995]

I'm sorry to hear about your MS diagnosis. Dealing with depression can be so debilitating. I started seeing a therapist that helped me deal with the diagnosis and also helped me to find a medication that agreed with me.
Best of luck to you. You have come to a great group for support.
Regards, barb

[HVAC]

Many of us have the same story. I went to neurologists from the age of two. I stopped going when they could not figure it out. My parents never explained the neurologists so I just accepted my symptoms as normal. My primary care thought I was a hypochondriac until she found MS and then missed my cancer even though I threw up for two years. I knew the cancer was bad when her nurse was nice to me instead of being dismissive and rolling her eyes at me.I think we all need validation. To be told what you are going through is real. Whether it is MS or something else.

Alex

[BriannaReese]

I was diagnosed with SPMS in April 2011.  I went to doctors for decades with complaints but they basically convinced me it was psychological.  When I started having problems with my hands, I dumped a second doctor and found a primary care doctor who immediately suspected a neurological disorder and sent me to a neurologist who did the tests for MS.

[HVAC]

There are two kinds of depression in MS. One is caused by the brain being altered. The other is situational. Ms causes a lot of stress. I take lamictal which is not really an anti depressant but it works for me. It also works on anxiety. The main thing is to have a creative doctor. It may take several tries. Therapy also helped me. Now writing helps.

Alex

[Corriel]

Hi there, I have not had much luck with antidepressants in the past but did have a fair bit of success with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy with a counselor, not sure if that is an option for you but I would highly recommend trying it out.

Alex (HVAC) had a thread here not too long ago about depression caused by MS but for the life of me I haven't found it yet.

Is the SPMS diagnosis new for you?

Corrie

[JaneyLee13]

I'm so sorry to hear of your struggle, i can't comment on medications that may help i just wanted to say that I'm thinking of you and i hope you find something that helps soon x