Better mentally & physically
Hi everyone!
I haven't posted for a little bit--been going through some stuff. I wanted to stop by with a reminder to take care of mental as well as physical health.
I had been feeling too tired to do anything & really wondering about the cause as well as the cure. I was sure it was my meds. Then, when my annual pulmonary function tests were coming up (I also have COPD), I was certain that they'd see a decline in lung function. The tests were the same as past years, so I actually went to a COPD forum to ask, "Why do I feel so rotten when they say I'm OK?" Guess what they said--exercise, eat better, look into therapy to deal with the anxiety...Sounds familiar, right?
Well, I have been doing all of the above. Full disclosure, I also spoke with my PCP & he increased my antidepressant--I know some people find that exercise and/or therapy does the job without drugs, but my form of depression really seems to require meds. It has been a process, but in the last week or so I have felt better. I have quite a bit more energy, and I no longer feel that my physical condition must be worsening. I still get tred & sleepy, but that's OK, sometimes a nap feels pretty darned good.
We keep such a close eye on our physical health, but we can't neglect mental health--they are so interconnected! Do something that makes you happy today!
4 Comments
Good for you
by Gotrhythm - 2022-02-17 18:41:57
Nobody should take medication they don't need. But to refuse to take meds, particularly psycho-active ones because of the mistaken belief they are "bad" or a sign of weakness is just silly. If the depression meds help, by all means, take them.
That said, heart and lung issues frequently bring with them psychological-seeming symptoms like depression and anxiety. It can be really hard sometimes to tell if we feel terrible because we are depressed or if we are depressed because we feel terrilbe.
Glad the meds are working and you're feeling better.
Feeling Well
by MinimeJer05 - 2022-02-19 23:18:00
Hello,
Glad to hear you seem to be doing better. You are so right in saying that it's part mental and part physical. Sometimes, one "off" aspect can cause the whole deck to collapse.
It's so important to celebrate the small victories and to appreciate all that you have been through. You're doing great and only going to get better.
Take care
Jer
Great to hear
by Persephone - 2022-02-21 18:12:57
Thanks for sharing your message, TLee, and overall encouragement for acknowledging that the emotional side of the health equation is just as important as the physical. Gotrhythm put it so well - it's hard to know what is driving the way we feel. Hope each day is brighter for you - today's bright sunshine and warmth where I am is so uplifting and brings hope.
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The experience of having a couple of lengths of wire fed into your heart muscle and an electronic 'box' tucked under the skin is not an insignificant event, but you will survive.
So nice to receive a post from you
by Gemita - 2022-02-17 17:58:34
Hello TLee, I have missed you popping in to see us and I wondered how you were getting on. I hope you will continue to join us when you feel able. You have made such progress with your AF and I had no idea you have had to fight depression as well which makes your achievements all the more remarkable.
Although I have an anxious nature which is difficult to control sometimes, I have never suffered from the "emptiness" of a depressive illness and I can imagine there will be times when you need help with medication and there should be no shame in asking for help.
My husband has recently completed an online pulmonary rehab course to help with his COPD. I even joined in and it was truly inspiring. We get stronger with exercise and weaker without it, don't we. Will you come back more often for a chat and tell us how you are please ?
Gemita xx