(Before you read any further, it is a MUST you listen to Alanis Morissette above...the song is from an old album of hers called, "Jagged Little Pill"...you'll get the picture! LOL)
I'm sure all y'all have seen those dayumed CYMBALTA commercials...heck, for all I know, some of you may be TAKING Cymbalta. And I'm certainly not here to say the drug does or doesn't work on depression and/or neurological pain...but their commercials just make me want to kick my TV! Especially when I'm feeling somewhat situationally depressed myself. LOL
The commercials start out with 3 or 4 sad sack individuals who can hardly get out of bed, let alone play with their dog/children/spouses..."Depression hurts" is the motto. The commercials go on to say there is "hope" on the way...Cymbalta. And the next thing you know, those 3 or 4 previously sad-sack-individuals are out having the time of their life all because of Cymbalta. Sigh...now don't YOU just wish it were that "CYMPLISTIC"?!?
Well, depression DOES hurt...so does Multiple Sclerosis and a vast assortment of other neurological diseases that have depression as one of the disease's primary SYMPTOMS. Depression is not the forefront issue...the neurological disorder is. In other words, the "depression" came second.
In my own, personal case scenario, "depression" is definitely a secondary symptom...the MS and all its glory came first...and all the difficult situations MS brings with it. My response to these "situations"/stressors leads me to feeling depressed/down/blue. So, unless I can treat the primary issues (MS and stress response), my "depression" will most likely continue to rear its ugly head.
My biggest life stressor right now is facing the impending idea I may not be able to continue to perform the functions of my job in the manner I have grown accustomed to. Let's face it...I WORK in a fast-paced, stressful occupation! And my MS is constantly reminding me of its presence in my work...whether it be via fatigue, cognitive issues, pain, mobility issues, etc. Unless I can figure out how to treat THESE symptoms first, my "depression" will no doubt just continue to affect my MS.
But hey...wouldn't it be nice if it really WERE that "Cymplistic" to just take a pill and suddenly be the life of the party...with my dog, my spouse, and my 2.5 American children?!? LOL...
18 comments:
well seeing as i don't have a telly over here & haven't seen american tv in a long long time, i almost feel like i'm missing out on this cybalta comercial (that was sarcastic)
just keep reminding yourself there is a silver lining on all situations, we just have to look to find it . . . for instance you're not starving or homeless (i know that's a bit extreme, but it's true)
keep smiling, cyber hugs from l'town
I understand your dilemma. I was forced out of my career long before I had a solid diagnosis.It hit me hard and I physically could not even fake it. I was done. My depression came with a serious grieving period over the identity I lost that was associated with what I did. Personally I avoided the many scripts that were offered me at the time. My feeling was that the pill wasn't going to change the facts that I was going to have to learn to deal with regardless. So since, I have been in a period of adjustment to my new self with MS and reinventing who I am and what I do and what's important. It's a challenge everyday..and this blogging stuff seems to help.
I think I have narrowed down the root of the mother of all these stressors: FEAR. I'm aiming to be fearless....yeah, right :)
got a picture of that .5 kid of yours?
Exactly... Nothing in life is that simple. Doctors prescribe all of the depression meds knowing full well they won't help half the people they send the pills home with but all those new customers sure look good to their pharmacutical reps. ::shrug::
Guess we need to swallow unnecessary medications so that our doctors can get a free trip to Scotland to play golf...
I am hearing your concerns loud and clearly as I once was a psych nurse too (not on your level of stress though). After my diagnosis and with a limp and fatigue to deal with, I was quickly repositioning myself to less stressful jobs. The difference is that I could do that because I was married and my husband had a good job--I can see now that that was a luxury-not everyone has those options. I am aware of the situation you are in and all you have to think about to survive. I'll try to be there with ideas for you as you deal with this.
I'm with you girl! I hate those Cymbalta ads. In fact, I hate all ads for anything medicinal. Especially Viagra (or Cialis). I mean, is nothing sacred anymore? And the comment about the 4 hour erection always gets me rolling my eyes. What guy wouldn't want one of those?
SARA:
You are so right...I just don't want my silver lining to be made out of tin foil, thus attracting lightening strikes! LOL
LD
BUBBIE:
Being a "bubbie" carries with it the wisdom of the sages...you are absolutely right about the "fear" aspect. I learned a long time ago there are really only TWO feelings: Fear and Love. All others are just a biproduct of the first two. Thanks...and thanks for your support/wisdom as well.
LD
BUBBIE:
Hehe...I always love that statistic. "American families have 2.5 children per household. My mother had three girls...I think I was the .5 actually! LOL
LD
PEEJ:
ROFLMAO! I used to accuse one of our psychiatrists of being "one Depakote pill away from a new color TV" because he prescribed so much of the crap!
Do "they" know we are on to them?!?
LD
HARKOO:
Unfortunately, I DO believe in Darwin's theory, "Survival of the Fittest"...and I'm just not feeling very "fit" right now. Having one, yes...a fit, that is...but being "fit"? Well...we'll see.
LD
MISS CHRIS:
I think MANY guys would like to say they could have a four hour woody...few would know what to do with it, however! LOL
LD
so true, but ya never know you might discover something cool, I mean isn't that how they discovered electricity with a kite & key?!?!?
I paid a terrible price by having to work only part-time after I was dx--It is no fun being supported by a husband.
If you're a Cymbalta Commercial, then I'm your competitor- Celexa. Shall we fight for air time? *evil grin*
All I can say it saved my sanity and now I can sleep without counting all the popcorn bumps in my popcorn ceiling. I take mine with a klonopin shooter too so I'm out like a like. The lives of MS'ers seeking sleep....
SARA:
And I've discovered a hella lot of mental illness hidden under foil caps and head gear...but I digress! LMAO
LD
HARKOO:
When all choices look grim, I guess we have to just pick the one we think we'll at least live through...
LD
HAVE MYELIN:
Sounds like a book title to me..."The Lives Of MSer's Trying To Find Sleep". This could be your big break into the literary world!!! LOL
LD
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