Hello,
I was curious if due to PSC people have turned to anti depressants or anti anxiety and if any of those types of medications work for you! I told my doctor that I was curious if an anti anxiety would be ok for me to take for when I have ER visits. Every hospital trip I go to due to complications of PSC it’s getting a little harder each time to cope with the anxiety and stress of the situation. She said she would have to be more careful about what to put me on and suggested therapy as a first route then message her back if I felt that I am in need of anti anxiety. I feel I like I am at that point now and am waiting to hear back from her.
Does anyone take any anti anxiety or anti depressants when an “event” happens with your disease? Or do you have daily anti anxiety that you take? Do you prefer therapy over medicine? What works best for you? I’d love to hear any and all opinions on the matter.
Currently searching for a therapist and with my insurance they are all either on a waiting list or not accepting patients. I also messaged my doctor asking if there were other ways to look for therapists besides trying online. Apparently the therapists through my doctor only do two to three visits and that’s it.
Thank you for your time! Merry Christmas and happy holidays to everyone!
Randall
Randall,
Anecdotally, there are a number of comments here and on other support websites posting about either being on anti-depressants or inquiring about it.
I can’t say that it is due to living with PSC or a completely issue.
But I can say that you are not alone in needing some help with it. I hope that helps and that you get the therapist you need.
Jeff
My daughter had been on anxiety/anti-depressants about 1 yr before her diagnosis. She has no plans to stop taking them in the near future, especially after these diagnosis
I am a mental health worker and so I will always advise to take care of your mental health and dont ever feel ashamed about needing to. I wish you the best!
I have friends with other chronic disease who take lorazepam on the way to the ER if not vomiting.
I have bipolar disorder, anxiety, and PTSD as well as PSC. My medication for bipolar I and therapy are helping me daily and weekly, respectively.
No, you are not alone. Mindfulness breathing and practicing safe space help me during clinic and hospital visits. Having a good therapist help teach such tools is key. There are good youtube self help videos, too.
From my perspective (I had suffered from depression for decades even before being diagnosed for other reasons), it may prove to be of minimal benefit.
Often they help only a fraction of people, take awhile for benefits to come to bear, and may require switching dosing or meds
I know when you are waiting for the help from a psychologist it can be very disconcerting when you are not in a good place.
I would highly recommend looking at getting a meditation app like insight timer, and find a guided meditation that you like and do that daily if you can. Start with 5 minutes and work to maybe 20 min. Do not get discouraged with your wandering mind. It takes a lot of practice but will come, it is normal. Don’t beat yourself up about not getting it at first.
Meditation may sound airy fairy but there is true science to back up how it changes neural pathways. It truly does help. Breathing meditation may be the best place to start.
