Physical Symptoms?

[CharleysAngel']

I was wondering if anyone else has a lot of physical symptoms that are caused by depression. I had so many tests done because they thought I was 'physically ill' rather than mentally ill. I get extreme tiredness and poor appetite, though I think nearly everyone with depression will experience both of these at some point during their illness. I also get all over body aches (like when you have flu but not as bad), headaches, poor body temperature control (always cold), muscle weakness, dizzy spells, sore throats, poor immune system (I literally catch everything) and bad stomach pains?

If anyone else has or is suffering from a number of physical symptoms like me I'd love to know what you do to cope with them x

[Buttercup]

Don't really have a coping suggestion Icelolly but I always get a sore throat when I've been doing too much. I often feel nauseous ( anxiety). I tend to eat more when I'm bad and generally the wrong types of food. I do feel tired a lot of the time.

This is just me, I know that some people experience physical pain when depressed. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.  &*(

[Zaf]

I wonder if its worth looking at the symptoms of ME IceLolly?  I dont know much about it but its something that could be considered with all those physical symptoms

Z xx

[Buttercup]

Now that Zaf's mentioned it I agree. I don't know a lot about ME but I do know someone that suffers and those symptoms do sound familiar

[CharleysAngel']

Thanks guys x

That's funny because I have sort of beeing suspecting that I could possibly have ME or Fibromyalgia. They both have a lot and very similar symptoms. The only differnce is a lot of people with ME suffer fatigue so severe they can't get out of bed for days. I get so tired I feel weak and shaky but I have never stayed in bed for more than one day. That may be because I don't actually get a choice to stay it bed though haha :)

[Sweetpea]

My sister suffers with ME as well as depression.  From what I remember I think it can be quite common in teenagers.  Some dr's still don't think that this condition exists, my sister went through a rough time with dr's.

S x

[CharleysAngel']

I think I will have a chat with my doctor about it when I next see her, if it is ME that would explain a lot of my symptoms

[smirfy21]

has Chronic Fatigue syndrome ever been mentioned in your meetings with your GP icelolly?

be careful not to make it sound like you have diagnosed yourself as most GP's hate it when you do their job for them  although I diagnosed myself way before a doctor ever did.

does anyone know if you can go to your GP and ask them to run a test even though it has never been mentioned and I may have hidden it for quite a while?

smirfy

[Char]

I could have written something very similar IceLollyx. I was diagnosed with depression intially three years ago and have recently suffered my third mini breakdown in that time. I too am very tired all of the time. I generally sleep loads, both at night and during the day. Although never feel rested from that sleep. I think it is the depression that stops me getting out of bed - not the physical effects of tiredness. I get an awful lot of headaches, sore throats etc - cold like symptoms basically. I just thought I had a low immune system as I have a chronic illness. In fact I have recently had a blood test to check my immune levels and am awaiting the results. I also get IBS symptoms. I completely lose my appetite when I am feeling low or ill - but then I always have done. I lost half a stone in a week when I got ill again 3 weeks ago and havn't re-gained that weight (I am very slight anyway so that s a lot to lose!). I also get back pain but have always contributed this to my chronic illness.

Having read these posts it has made me consider whether my diagnosis of depression is just part of my illness. Because I ahve a chronic illness anyway and the depression it is hard to distinguish what symptoms arise from where. My mum suffered with ME - is it hereditary?

In terms of managing these symptoms these are ideas that I have used....

I try and keep my sleep to routine - I find it easier to monitor then whether I am more or less tired than normal and helps me sleep at night - otherwise I sleep all day and am then awake from the very early hours of the morning. Obviously hasn't worked for me today since I have been up since 2am!! I include a daytime nap in my routine.

Perhaps try writing a food diary and monitoring your IBS symptoms? I did this and realised it was both hot food and dairy products that made my IBS symptoms worse. I now have minimal hot food (I still think hot food is essential so wound't want to cut it out completely) and avoid dairy products although lactose free products are available. I also try and eat little and often but again in a routine.

In terms fo cold like symptoms I just suffer. I occasionally take paracetemol if it's really bad but avoid it as this conflicts with the treatment of my chronic illness.

For the general aches and pains I'm not sure but.... I was treated with Amitriptyline (a form of anti-depressant but from what I can gather it more commonly used for sleep walking, pain, amongst other things) for my back pain. I had tried normal pain killers and nothing had worked but they worked a treat. I only needed a very low dose. It may be worth some research?

I hope this helps. I would be interested to know how you get on and if you find any further information out if you're happy to share.

Char x

[CharleysAngel']

Smirfy, no I won't just barge into her office and declare that I have ME :) I will just say that I have been speaking to some people as they asked me if it had ever been considered as I suffer a lot of the symptoms. She does normally ask me what I think anyway, which I guess is nice as it gives me the oppptunity to tell her what I need to say.

Char, I'm sorry you have been feeling the same way. I do have some sort of dairy intolerance as I can't have milk(on its own) or yogurts, I never really discussed this with my doctor I just avoided those foods. Thanks for your advice, and I will let you know how I get on with the doctor, don't know when I'm going but hopefully sometime next week.

[smirfy21]

Ice lolly it sounds like you have a very considerate GP which is really good, My GP doesn't ask me anything which I find very frustrating. I hadn't considered that I could have chronic fatigue Syndrome until a couple of weeks ago when I started to realise that the diagnosis of Bipolar disorder doesn't actually fit my symptoms and I have never experianced a manic episode.
I really need to figure out how to bring this up with my GP so let me know how it goes if you manage to talk to your GP about it.

Char I feel like I could have written a lot of what you just wrote although I don't tend to get colds all that much but the headaches, muscle aches, changes in appetite I do get and it drives me mad do you have any coping strategies or anything that you want to share?
smirfy

[Char]

Smirfy, I'm afraid I've not got any more advice than that that I have already given in my previous post. I have only really just started thinking that my physical symptoms could be something like ME / CFS as have always put it down to other things. In terms of coping strategies I don't really think I am coping well at the moment. But if and when I learn anything new or have any other ideas I will definately share it here.

I too am considering if and how I should mention it to my GP. Like you Smirfy I have a GP that doesn't really ask any questions or listen much to my concerns so feel it's up to me to connect the dots. I am considering keeping a diary of my symptoms as feel this may be something tangible I can show the GP and see where it goes from there. Just an idea.

Sorry I can't be much more help but am happy to talk and just share thoughts and ideas. Helps a little just to know I'm not the only one as been thinking it was all in my head and I was just a hypochondriac!

x

[CharleysAngel']

My doctor said that there is definitely a possibility that I could have ME, but there is no proper treatment for it so she wants to treat me as having depression first to see if that helps me.

[Sweetpea]

What is she doing in the way of treating you for depression.

S x

[CharleysAngel']

She is sending me for an assessment to see what treatment I need. She thinks I will need counselling anyway even if they tell my I don't have depression.