My life sucks thread...

[LaZeR]

I don't mean to hijack the thread,...

This is all good information and much appreciated. Really puts things into perspective for myself and I'm sure many others. In no way has anyone hi-jacked the thread. Thank you all and especially johnsnuser for sharing your story and to all who've been supportive to those who are having a difficult time in their life.

[johnsnuser]

Thanks guys.Thanks Lazer.Sorry if I hijacked the thread.

[LaZeR]

Thanks guys.Thanks Lazer.Sorry if I hijacked the thread.

Nothing to be in the least bit sorry for my man. You have brought a whole new perspective to my life and problems along with reminding me of passed loved ones and the memories which you will once be able to appreciate more than that overwhelming feeling of loss you are experiencing now my friend. Hang in there and keep active posting. Heck, I'm glad I started this thread if for nothing else than to give you a chance to open up and let it out. Please feel free to share your grief. We got your back bud.

/Peace!

[johnsnuser]

It is coming up on one month since Jessica died.On the 9th it will be one month.Still having an extremely difficult time just getting through each day.

[PipenSnus]

Johnsnuser, many years ago I lost someone I loved in an automobile accident. I know how tough it can be, especially when people around you get impatient with your grieving process. But there's no schedule. It takes as long as it takes. But it does get better eventually. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other for now. The memories that are painful now will be precious later. Be thankful you had a chance to say goodbye to her, because not everyone gets that chance.

To some extent, it's natural to want to blame yourself -- it's called "survivor's guilt" -- but you're not to blame. As Tom and AtreyuKun noted, every life has it's share of pain, and none of us get through life without losing people we love. Try to imagine how you would treat your best friend, if he were going through the same thing, then treat yourself the same way. Hang in there, bud. You'll get through this.

[PipenSnus]

Maybe you should try SAM-e? Seriously. It's an over the counter supplement, but it works, for many people.

That's a good suggestion. Another OTC supplement that works for depressed mood is 5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan). It's the chemical precursor to the neurotransmitter serotonin, and most of the new antidepressants work by increasing the amount of serotonin in the brain. But 5-HTP does it naturally, without the side effects antidepressants can have.

Both SAM-e and 5-HTP are a bit pricey, but they're worth it, IMO. I take 5-HTP daily.

[LaZeR]

Well I got a friggen letter of denial from my shitty Health Insurance which is Highmark Blue Cross / Blue Shield on the Abilify which I can say has helped my moods quite well and i'm not paying $475 a month for the damn prescription out of my pocket so herbals here I come.

On a more positive note, girlfriend/fiance/*? invited me over for the day and we went to the mall and had a good time. Going to church and the flea market tomorrow hoping we can keep from tearing off each other's heads for another day.... Guess we are going to back down a little and just see each other on the weekends for now.

[bsd777]

That's a good suggestion. Another OTC supplement that works for depressed mood is 5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan). It's the chemical precursor to the neurotransmitter serotonin, and most of the new antidepressants work by increasing the amount of serotonin in the brain. But 5-HTP does it naturally, without the side effects antidepressants can have.

Both SAM-e and 5-HTP are a bit pricey, but they're worth it, IMO. I take 5-HTP daily.

I hadn't heard of 5-HTP before, but I hope LaZer, and others in a similar situation, will give these some consideration, but research them a bit, so they know what to expect. I seem to recall SAM-e takes a while to build up in the system, maybe a few weeks? Also, I like SAM-e because it's taken, in lower doses, for joint health. I can't say for certain, but I don't think any prescription anti-depressant has positive, or healthy, side effects. One more thought, everyone is different and somethings will work well for someone, but seem to have no effect on another, so it's conceivable that someone may benefit from 5-HTP but not SAM-e, or vise verse.

Good luck LaZer

[LaZeR]

I hadn't heard of 5-HTP before, but I hope LaZer, and others in a similar situation, will give these some consideration, but research them a bit, so they know what to expect. I seem to recall SAM-e takes a while to build up in the system, maybe a few weeks? Also, I like SAM-e because it's taken, in lower doses, for joint health. I can't say for certain, but I don't think any prescription anti-depressant has positive, or healthy, side effects. One more thought, everyone is different and somethings will work well for someone, but seem to have no effect on another, so it's conceivable that someone may benefit from 5-HTP but not SAM-e, or vise verse.

Good luck LaZer

Thanks. On a positive note, upon further review I got a call back this morning from my doc's and they got the Insurance company to approve the Abilify which seems to be helping rather well with the anxiety. There is a downside though. I'm always hungry, craving sweets more than ever, and I think I already put on 5lbs or so all in my damn stomach since starting on about 8 days ago.

I will definitely keep the off-prescription supplements in mind though. My goal right now is to get off the damn Prozac completely and let the Abilify take over.

[bsd777]

Thanks. On a positive note, upon further review I got a call back this morning from my doc's and they got the Insurance company to approve the Abilify which seems to be helping rather well with the anxiety. There is a downside though. I'm always hungry, craving sweets more than ever, and I think I already put on 5lbs or so all in my damn stomach since starting on about 8 days ago.

I will definitely keep the off-prescription supplements in mind though. My goal right now is to get off the damn Prozac completely and let the Abilify take over.

Great news! One more thing to consider, Effexor XR is an antidepressant often prescribed for anxiety. Because it has stimulant qualities, weight loss is a common side effect. Generic equivilents are available in the US, so it should be cheap and your insurance shouldn't give you any shit.

Good luck LaZer, hope you are doing well.

[LaZeR]

Great news! One more thing to consider, Effexor XR is an antidepressant often prescribed for anxiety. Because it has stimulant qualities, weight loss is a common side effect. Generic equivilents are available in the US, so it should be cheap and your insurance shouldn't give you any shit.

Good luck LaZer, hope you are doing well.

Thanks for the heads up on the Effexor XR. I should look into switching back to this from the Prozac. Was on it some 3+ years ago for awhile actually and had just switched to Cymbalta or whatever to help with back pain at the time then my now EX left me soon after the switch (after a 24 yr marriage) and I flaked out. Never did think to go back to the Effexor but thinking back, it did do me rather well for nearly a year I think. I didn't realize it came in a generic. Hrmmm. That + the Abilify might be the ticket and to keep my damn stomach from growing. I just ate nearly a pound of cherries....

[bsd777]

Thanks for the heads up on the Effexor XR. I should look into switching back to this from the Prozac. Was on it some 3+ years ago for awhile actually and had just switched to Cymbalta or whatever to help with back pain at the time then my now EX left me soon after the switch (after a 24 yr marriage) and I flaked out. Never did think to go back to the Effexor but thinking back, it did do me rather well for nearly a year I think. I didn't realize it came in a generic. Hrmmm. That + the Abilify might be the ticket and to keep my damn stomach from growing. I just ate nearly a pound of cherries....

Yes, it JUST came out as generic. If they say no, ask again, or ask someone else. One more piece of advice...protein and fat make you feel full. Carbs spike your blood sugar and make you feel hungry again, real fast. Eat lots of chicken, reduced fat cheese, low fat yogurt (no high fructose, no sugar), some nuts, low fat milk etc. avoid rice, potatoes, twinkies and chips etc.
"south beach diet" is for real and is healthy long term. Run or at least walk, nothing crazy, a mile or two will do, eat well and chain snus and you will look and feel better. stick with it, in a month you will see a difference.

Good luck!!!

[LaZeR]

Yes, it JUST came out as generic. If they say no, ask again, or ask someone else. One more piece of advice...protein and fat make you feel full. Carbs spike your blood sugar and make you feel hungry again, real fast. Eat lots of chicken, reduced fat cheese, low fat yogurt (no high fructose, no sugar), some nuts, low fat milk etc. avoid rice, potatoes, twinkies and chips etc.
"south beach diet" is for real and is healthy long term. Run or at least walk, nothing crazy, a mile or two will do, eat well and chain snus and you will look and feel better. stick with it, in a month you will see a difference.

Good luck!!!

Good advice and thanks again. My family doc says about the same thing due to my cholesterol levels being elevated. Hard to change a life style when you are used to doing it a certain way though = the toughest of all battles.

Can you point me to that 'generic' Effexor XR linkage? All I can seem to find in google is: Venlafaxine which appears to be non-XR.

[tom502]

I have a follow up Dr appt on the 19th. He needs to give me something, I feel like I am walking around all the time with a 200 lb quilt over my head. It makes it hard to do anything, I just wanna lay on the floor. I believe I am depressed, and have been most of my life, of course I try to enjoy what I can. But I really believe my bad eating habits and addictions are the root of the problem, which have also led to some other health issues, plus I am very unsatisfied with my job. I'll see what the doc says, he took 3 big vials of blood. If I can make it till then.

[xrt]

Good advice and thanks again. My family doc says about the same thing due to my cholesterol levels being elevated. Hard to change a life style when you are used to doing it a certain way though = the toughest of all battles.

Can you point me to that 'generic' Effexor XR linkage? All I can seem to find in google is: Venlafaxine which appears to be non-XR.

I am on Venlafaxine (Effexor) & Anti-Anxiety, It's wierd... one single error in life and you are ****'d for life.
My brain is basically dead. I have no feelings, no joy... nothing. So yeah... my life sucks.