Help!!

[Belsey1]

How do I move past just sitting and staring into space??  I am talking for hours on end.  Yes, it is occasionally interrupted by glancing at TV or short periods of time on the iPad...still in same seat.  I swear I could sit here and never eat, drink water, anything if my husband didn't make me get up.  It is mostly just blank mind/ blank stare. 

I already take medication for depression and this doesn't really feel like that.  I do it when in pain and when there is no pain.  I have been on Spring break from teaching for 7 days and have done nothing but sit here, interrupted by 2 meals a day, a little laundry (the load in washer now has been in there 2-3 days.  I rewashed it around lunch time and it is still setting in washer)....haven't washed a dish and neither has anybody else.

I feel like I cant move forward.

I am supposed to pick up my granddaughter from my daughter-in-law on Friday evening and didn't go and didn't bother to call until about 3 hours after I was supposed to be there.

[vacumme83]

Belsey,

I have days like this, less often than I used to, but I still have them. Have you recently changed your medication for depression, or another medication? It seems like such a simple suggestion, but maybe it is related to your meds. I wish I had some grand advice to offer, but I don't. The best I have to offer is my understanding of what you're going through.

[Belsey1]

Thank you for your reply, vacumme83... I have recently changed depression meds, but thought this one...Cymbalta....was helping me more....plus I didn't really think this felt like depression, but maybe it is...

I will mention it all to my doctor on Monday.

[warmwaters]

I'd have to go check my notes, but I think it was Cymbalta that made me the way you described. (I went through trying quite a few different meds to attempt to relieve pain, some of which were anti depressants.)

I remember sitting there just being a zombie, and my boyfriend coming in and asking "Did you have lunch?". And I kind of looked at him, and realized it was after 2 (and I usually am very punctual about meals), and saying "Oh, no, it was too much work".  And him making me a sandwich and telling me that I needed to eat now.  And me staring at the sandwich.... and finally eating a little bit.

It was just like I wasn't there.

Anyhow, do touch base with the doctor, and describe how you are feeling.

It is also possible that you're just very tired, but this feels more medicine related.

[Joe S.]

start by figeting. then add more movement. it takes conscious effort.

[eye2dry]

I am sort of like that today. It is dark and cloudy with light rain and I just cannot get up and do anything. I am still on the couch, in my jammies (of course on this forum). I have loads of stuff that should be done today...groceries , housework to name a few.

I don't suffer from depression but I can get in these funks but they seem to be connected to whats going on outside . My husband told me a few minutes ago  "I would think you'd want to clean house while it's nasty outside instead of leaving it for later when it may be nice out".

I have had a few days strung together with what your experiencing (at least i think you are)where I am immobilized, disinterested in things and feel everything takes too much effort.

Please take care and if it persists...call your doctor.

eye2dry

[Belsey1]

Warm waters,  thank you for the heads up for he possibility that it my be Cymbslta...I will ask my doctor about that.

Eye2dry,  I definitely believe weather affects the body/mind in many ways.  I weather has been beautiful, another reason I should want to get up and do something...just feel so mentally immobilized and as you said, feel everything is just too much effort. 

I have appointment Monday pm...hopefully he will have some advice.  Thanks to you all for your suggestions.

Joe, glad you are able to be back in the Sjogrens World.

[Seeker]

Howdy Belsey1, sorry you are having such a time of it.  Have you ever been tested for Gluten intolerance?  Some of what you are going through could be attributed to Gluten problems. 

Since you already have one autoimmune disorder, the probability of having a Gluten intolerance is higher.  Anyway I hope you find your answers soon.

Seeker   

[cece]

Hi Belsey1,
I had the exact same thing you're describing happen to me when I took the antidepressant Effexor.  At first I thought it was helping, but then I turned into an emotionally dead slug.  I couldn't do anything to pull myself out of my zombie-like state.  I stopped the Effexor and within a couple of days I could tell things were starting to return to normal.
It's hard enough dealing with a chronic illness, but it's brutal trying to do it without emotions, or desire.  I hope you start to feel better soon.
Cece

[Belsey1]

Seeker...I have not been tested for gluten intolerance, but have often felt gluten was one of things affecting my health/weight.  Is that a blood test? Can my Rheumatologist check for that?

Thanks for your input.  I m going to research that this afternoon.

[Belsey1]

Cece,

Thank you for sharing about your experience with Effexor...I am definitely going to question my use of Cymbalta and symptoms with my Rheumatologist tomorrow.  Hopefully I will get some answers.

[season]

It could simply be BURN-OUT as in "Ive had enough and I need to rest."

Been there.

[THE BRIT]

  I agree that it may be the Cymbalta it did work for a while and my rheumy liked it as it helped the neuropathy pain too, but it wore off.  It may even be that your body has gotten used to the dose and it isn't managing your symptoms so well.  I newest happy pill is Latuda and when I was on the max dose I have never been so dead as I was then, it was awful all I ever felt was anger, but no other feelings.  Having it cut down helped that part a lot.  Happy pills can really play with your mind and I have been through a lot of them.  I have been high as a kite, paranoid and have had horrible hallucintaions.  The person who prescribes my meds now taught me that your body gets used to the meds and instead of changing to a new one to add another one in to help the first one out.  If you felt that the Cymbalta was working this could be another option.  Hope you feel a bit more lievely soon, it is a miserable experience.

[quietdynamics]

I am going to go with the "less is more"....and agree with Season.
It is probably burn out. Which is why a number of people take a real vacation during spring break. Perhaps in your own way you are taking a break and closed shop.
But, the problem is you don't FEEL good about it. You are not have fun/living... you  really are too tired for your granddaughter? When that happens to me I feel Guilty.... negative cycle. At least by being at work you are saying to the world ....see I'm OK. Ever, notice how your body hurts more at night when everything is quiet? I do not believe it hurts so very much more...it is just that with less distractions we are more aware of it.  Break from work----> less "noise", distractions------> crash.
Instead of being outside in the nice weather...you have created a "cave" (I do that ...and did you know when people don't move around we build up toxins)
Try going into the "O" Zone (Oh really, ok, ...) outside with a book, let your legs gets some early morning /late afternoon sun VitD. A short stroll with hubby after he helps you with the laundry. 

[anita]

I would look at all your meds.  You've got quite the combination.  Have you considered interactions/combinations with cymbalta and your other pain meds or muscle relaxers?