Depression

[Skeet]

Well, I talked with my doctor today. She upped my prescription for Celexa to 20 mg from 10 mg to help with my depression and sent me outside to sit in the sun. I live in Oregon and we don't get a lot of sunshine this time of year so many of us suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (lack of sunshine). I spent 30 minutes outside with the three dogs and I feel much better. Maybe just knowing I can increase my dosage of meds helps, too. I hate being in a funk. So, now I am hot from the sun and heading in for a nice long shower and then relaxing with an ice bag (while in the sun I went up and down our front stairs over and over and over).

Love you all. Thanks for those who suggested I contact my doctor. It seems so obvious I'm sure, but sometimes when you get depressed the obvious isn't very visible. So, I thank you, and I'm sure my famiy and husband will thank you, too!

You all rock!
Skeet

 

[Doug]

Skeet,
Very important question. What type of dogs do you have???

 

[Skeet]

I have two black lab brothers - about 90 lbs each - big guys, and a German short haired pointed (he's small at about 44 pounds). The labs are 3 years old and the pointer is 1.5 years. We also have a black cat that keeps the pointer busy pointing!

Do you have animals?

 

[Josephine]

Just a thought - if you have S.A.D. why not invest in some pure light bulbs? I have then all over my house since when my winter times have been much less depressive. They are energy saving as well.
broken link removed: https://www.naturallygreen.co.uk/biobulb-sad-daylight-bulbs-100w-screw-fitting-p-76.html

 

[referee54]

Skeet--I have chocolate lab, a black lab, and a yellow lab. I also have a choco/golden mix that we rescued at 8 weeks--was going to be PTS. My yellow boy is also a rescue---we drove from Cleveland, Ohio to Missouri to get him when the rescue transport fell through. Great dogs---I love my four boys dearly.

Hang in there, the sun doesn't shine much around here on the North coast, either.

Tim C.

 

[Doug]

I have a female 8yr old boxer and a 3yr old male boxer we rescued one year ago. They are both constant companions around the house and love to ride in the truck with me. The female has cancer and has to get operated on next week. Cost allot but she's my baby girl and worth whatever it costs.
As for weather, we had a tornado come by about 10 miles from the house last night. Typical N. Fla. In a few months we get to have a new hurricane season...Joy.

 

[Skeet]

My husband drove all the way to Kansas to get our two black labs - they were abandoned. We adopted the pointer from a couple that was about to have a baby and didn't want to deal with a new baby and an energetic dog. The cat came from a local shelter. He was a stray. Love them all regardless of their beginnings.

Josephine, I do use a light box - one from Apollo Health, a Go Lite with bluewave technology. It helps, but there comes a point when I need more than light boxes can provide. It is usually around late Feb or early March. I forget each year, but my doctor remembers for me You are right in that I don't know what I'd do with out this. it sure makes a difference.

I start work in the morning. Pray for me!!!!

 

[Josephine]

Glad to hear you have a box but that is just one part of your home. Try putting these bulbs in all your light fitments and even having extra table lamps where you sit. I have two floor lamps and the central light fitting in the lounge - all daylight bulbs, plus they are in the bedroom , light fitting and bedside lamp, the landing, hall and kitchen, even in the bathroom and downstairs loo! So I get good exposure everywhere. And the outlay in bulbs is half what a box costs.

 

[Skeet]

Great idea. I hadn't thought of that. I'm not sure what we call these kinds of light bulbs in the US. Does anyone know what I would buy??

 

[beachcomber]

I think they are called full-spectrum light bulbs here....not sure of any brand names.....

 

[Josephine]

The Bio-bulb link I put in post #4 will ship worldwide.

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[Weezl]

Re; your dog. i have always had Afgahn Hounds. They are not just pretty they are real dog dogs. Anyway i had two diagnosed with inoperable Lympho Sarcoma and told to put them on chemo. They would go into remission and would continue on chemo until the cancer came back and then they would die. About a year. Uh, common sense. And medicine being a science has to make sense. My husband is a Surgeon, and I am a PA, but that has nothing to do with our decision. It was pure common sense. Why keep a dog on chemo if it's in remission so that if the cancer comes back there's nothing that can be done. Why not take the dog off of chemo when it's inremission. This way, if the cancer comes back they will still be candidates for chemo.

Zak was 5 yrs when he was diagnosed. I took him off chemo after 3 mos and it never came back. He lived to be 13. Now my Hannah who is 10 was diagnosed and had two chemo sessions. She was in remision right after the first. Her tumers all disappeared. I took her off and it has been 4 months and she is still OK. If it comes back I'll put her on chemo again. So far, I'm 2 for 2. Just wanted to let you know that. I spent a fortune on Hannah after she got hit by a car when she was 4 yrs old. She had lots of surgery but is perfect from that. So I know what it's like to spend on your dog. What I am saying is that the protacol didn't make sense to me so I followed my head. I don't know what they told you but make sure it's logical. Medicine is supposed to be.

Keep that in mind for yourself too. People medicine should also make sense.

As for your depression. Oh yes. This proceedure can depress the heck out of you. I certainly have struggled with it too and I still do but the better you get the better your head gets. It just takes so damned long and you get to thinking it may not get better, that you'll remain where you're at. But everyone tells us that we won't. So you've got to go with that. There's no reason not to. Everyone say's it. Must be true. You have to keep doing your exercises just in case everyone is right. That's why we all do it.

Good luck with your pooch [and your head].

 

[Josephine]

Weezl - what's a PA?

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[Pattipoo]

I'm not Weezl...but, here in North Carolina, a PA is a Physician's Assistant.

 

[Josephine]

oh I see - thank you - but surely it should be SA - surgeon's assistant!!

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