POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: LatinAlexander on October 01, 2006, 03:35:21 pm
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I mean. I have been taking my meds (with NO side effects now), and I have a nice career, and moved into my place, and I have stuff going...But I am feeling like my life is shit...Like if I have no reason to keep going. Feeling very down today, and I have no reason (well, besides the fact of having a disease without known cure). I simply do not wanna talk to any of my friends, and I am not in the mood to go and visit my family...
HIV is playing with my mind, in an emotional way?
Any ideas?
Alex
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Alex, sounds completely normal my friend! ;)
You are aware of it, now address it..
Love you Sweetie!
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Poz for 3 months, and on meds for only a month?
You've had a helluva few months, Alex.
Bad days are going to happen...they happen to everyone.
I would sit with the feelings for now, but if it lasts for more than a few days...I would talk to a doctor.
xox
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Hi Alex,
I was feeling the same way as you last weekend I posted something similar and got some really good advice in return:
http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=4217.0 (http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=4217.0)
I'd be lying if I said I was feeling completely back to normal again but I am getting better you've got to ride it out really it's just something you've got to get used to with a HIV diagnosis I think.
Chris
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Hey Alex,
People feel what your feeling w/o HIV. You've had some big changes happen - feel good about how much you've gotten under control in the last few months. I'll send some good karma your way.
Razorbill
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After 18 yrs of being poz myself, I still have times like your having right now. You just have to hang in there, vent on the boards here and know that life will go on for you. After awhile you'll realize that it wasn't as bad as you thought it was.
The only way to go now is UP with your emotions and feelings. Hang in there, your doing fine.
Rev. michael
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Hello Alex,
You have a lot to be thankful for. Try not to focus on the negatives. Instead try to focus on the positives.
Make the BEST of each Day!
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Alex, sounds completely normal my friend! ;)
You are aware of it, now address it..
Love you Sweetie!
Well said! :)
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I believe alot of people living with Hiv experience these feelings, however, mine over time got completely out of control so i had to do the antidepressant thing...if your feelings continue it would be very wise to speak to your doctor about the feelings and let him/her decide if you may be depressed to the point that u need medications to help...Good Luck man and keep on living.
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By all means, in my humble opinion, try to wait the low mood thing out before turning to more meds as an answer. I've done a number of them and when the low mood just doesn't go away for weeks it might be time to take that step. My biggest concern is that once you feel like you don't need the meds any more and you try to get off of them you could be in for a very unpleasant experience. I last took Lexapro for about 1.5 years and when I quit taking it (slowly stepped down the doses as required) I went through weeks of VERY unpleasant side effects... it was like constantly walking in and out of a time warp - just exhausting!
Anyhoooo, good luck with the mood issues... I can totally relate at the moment!
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Hi Alex,
Like others have said, you have gone through some recent life changing events, and it's normal to be feeling a bit down. Give yourself a good cry, love. It's food for the soul. But..... DON'T stay there... keep your mind moving, and busy yourself with projects, or with work. Remember... you are going back to work, right??
I have to agree with Stevevaboy.... wait it out before you turn to antidepressants. I have a friend (negative) who recently started them and watching her go through the side effects is just plain torture.
Just remember you are loved, my friend.
Now.... get to work!! :) :) :-*
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Hi Alex,
You've known your HIV+ for only three months and expect to feel normal? Give yourself a break and some time to adjust to things! People without HIV in their lives have those feelings quite often, too. What I've found that helps is keeping busy.
I'm working on a few projects at home and often have no time to even think about how I feel. I started getting that worthless feeling last Thursday and went back outside and got busy. Next thing I realized, it was 9:30 in the evening, I was tired as hell, but I didn't have those feelings again. I think, for me, that part of the feeling worthless when I think about having an incurable disease comes from my feeling like I'm not in control. I mean, I can do things to stay healthy, take meds (soon, I'm sure), etc, but I still don't feel as in control of my life as pre-HIV. In time, I'm sure I'll adjust a bit more.
You didn't mention any exercise in your post. I use my stair stepper every morning for 30 minutes. If I get up late and miss it, I really don't feel as up all day. After about 17 minutes on the stepper, I get that 'runners high' and feel really good for duration of my exercise and throughout the day. There are a lot of good reasons for exercise: general health, helps with blood pressure, keeps weight down, and, in the case of a stair stepper, gives one a nice, firm butt!
Of course, if you start to feel this way often, or experience a good bit of anxiety too, it might be time to consider talking to your Dr. about them. From what I've noticed from others, it's better to catch depression early on and deal with it. Good luck and take care.
David
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Hey Alex,
You have been through some big life changes. That takes it toll. I can safely say the first year is hard emotionally because of these many change and adjustments you are making.
I know it was for me.
As others have said, try to ride it out. For me, these feelings last a few days then are gone. They still happen, mind you.
Also, what David said regarding exercise to being active. I find when I begin feeling this way, getting out of the house and doing something really helps. Go to the gym, or a walk. Go to the zoo, a museum, or someplace or somewhere you like or would like to go.
Another idea would be to locate and take part in support groups in your area. You would be surprised how getting together with people in your same situation can help.
Of course, this site is a great support for people too, albeit a cyber one.
Hang in there. You aren't alone. We are here with you.
HUGS,
Mark
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Hey Alex! I felt the same way the first three months, I was diagnosed on 3/13/2006, and have been on meds since the end on March...
There have been times I felt as you do and I really cried a giood one Easter Sunday to a damn Cyndi Lauper song, I forgot which one....and then I picked up my pants and moved on.
It is something I have to deal with, and move on.
My suggestion to you is to call your best friend(s) and take a vacation...get out and have fun.
I went to San Francisco for a week with my partner and we met up up with friends from Chicago and 2 from New York and had a great time...
I hope this helps, take care and good luck!
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Hi Alex. I agree with the suggestions on music and fun little trips. I find sniffing essential oils (aromatherapy) is a great mental/emotional pick-me-up. Citrus blends are wonderful generally
Luv, Alex