Chronic pain AND Depression

Hi Tamarind,

I wish I could offer more help! I believe personally depression for me was allowing myself to drop into an uncontrollable spiral of doubt or hope and once that became normal everything immune system energy etc. was affected whether this was due to the in-balancement I probably will never know however I would say maybe when your chronic pain is at its worse the serotonin takes a hammering? finding the right balance between medication for one and the other is the real task? I wish you the very best of luck! Stay strong!!

In answer to your question about chronic pain and depression, i suffer with both. I do think there is a connection, thou you can have chronic pain without depression or depression without the chronic pain. My depression started from my chidhood experiences and abuse and that continued into my marriage. I have had chronic pain due to chidhood arthrtis so have suffered most of my life with pain. There is also the ongoing debate about nature versus nurture, i think both these have a part to play. You mention neuralgia, i have nerve pain which is on the same lines as neuralgia. It is good to have these forums and get support, at least we know that we are not alone.

Elizabeth.   

I have chronic pain have had for a few years now,had a complete breakdown, just disappeared for over a year have been told it caused amnesia ,I started to remember things but am unsure what is real and what is actually nightmares or dreams still feel like that now ,was in a relationship for over 20 years also had custody of my first 2 children was a workaholic (so I have been told)my depression does stem from my frustration I am sure of that. I often feel like giving up I tried once but did not succeed! I have a deteriorating Spinal/skeletal problem diverticulitis amongst other things like Tia's weakness of my left hand side and apparently PTSD ,seems Drs pick little labels stick em on you then leave you to try to live as comfortable as you can! Be strong and don't succumb to any dark thoughts try to think of your most enjoyable time in life or the place you love the best and imagine you are there, pills do nothing apart from make you more reliant on them and the Drs who at the end of the day do not listen they just give you more pill's and hope that keeeps you away for a while ! I stopped the meds and now can see things as they really are ! Perhaps pills are better if you don't want to face reality and just stay in the darkness of Depression? I don't but just now can't escape from my feelings of doom death and sorrow .sorry I am most likely not the right person to respond to you today as I am truly slipping into my dark place feeling very low and in hell of a lot of pain physically today sorry