[waterknob1234]

I have suffered depression for about a year now. I have had numerous physical ailments recently, frequent respiratory infections, stomach problems, arthritis, dizzy spells, blackout spells, and today I am having a migraine headache. My medical doctor has run numerous expensive tests on me and can't find anything wrong which is good I suppose. But does anyone else experience physical discomfort or other physical ailments along with depression? What I am wondering is if the depression is causing all these other ailments. Maybe I'm just a hypochondriac but I wish I didn't have the migraine headache that has plaqued me all day.

[Travelinglady]

Hey, waterknob. I have been told that depression can cause pain, so I would think it could cause other health problems, too.

[ThisWayOut]

depression has a high correlation with physical ailments. teh sentiment that "depression hurts" refers to the emotonal and physcial pain that often accompanies the depression. I develop debilitating joint pain. It keeps me up at night, and nothing alleviates it... if your doctor had found nothing physically obvious, then it may well be the depression playing a role in the physical symptoms.

[TheOriginalMe]

My guess, is some of it will be bad luck (respiratory infections) and maybe due to being generally run down. Other things especially somatic pain will be aggravated or even triggered by depression. I am prone to vague dizziness episodes especially combined with fatigue. Migranes also become more frequent too. I get horrible aches in my shins and hips that keep me awake at night too. I am having a hard time figuring out which symptoms are triggered by depression and which by peri-menopause. I know that I become very fixated on all these symptoms when I'm depressed, I just don't have the resilience to shrug them off.

Usually, my doc will put anything new that I start complaining of down to depression. I have an uphill battle getting tests sometimes, maybe that is because the NHS pays and not the patient

[waterknob1234]

Originally Posted by TheOriginalMe

My guess, is some of it will be bad luck (respiratory infections) and maybe due to being generally run down. Other things especially somatic pain will be aggravated or even triggered by depression. I am prone to vague dizziness episodes especially combined with fatigue. Migranes also become more frequent too. I get horrible aches in my shins and hips that keep me awake at night too. I am having a hard time figuring out which symptoms are triggered by depression and which by peri-menopause. I know that I become very fixated on all these symptoms when I'm depressed, I just don't have the resilience to shrug them off.

Usually, my doc will put anything new that I start complaining of down to depression. I have an uphill battle getting tests sometimes, maybe that is because the NHS pays and not the patient

I have the opposite situation with health care. I have a wonderful medical doctor who also treats my depression. If I have a physical complaint he wants to order every test in the book to see what's wrong with me. My problem is I cannot afford all these tests being I have to pay for them out of pocket. I have probably $1000.00 dollars in medical bills at this point so some of the tests he wants done, I will not be able to do. Not sure which health care system is worse, USA or England's.

[Davyblues]

Unfortunately some doctors are **** just like some joiners.
Try another doctor and yes depression affects everything from waking through the night for toilet at same time each night to irritable bowel to ciatic nerve pain.
It affects the central nervous system and the brain seratonin and dopamine levels.
Healthy body healthy mind? Well actually healthy mind healthy body is more like it. Seratonin and Dopamine need medication to sort as some people have depression since being born so don't be ashamed to get anti depressants.
Goodluck

Davy

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[tokiwartooth]

I've had physical pain because of depression, especially my stomach, irritable bowels, aching muscles and joints, and I also have chronic fatigue syndrome so sometimes the two of them together make it horrible. I can't remember a day recently where I really felt good. And it's hard to tell sometimes which is causing which symptoms. I'm always tired, even with my CPAP on. I never get a good night's sleep, I never wake up refreshed, ever. I was told by a quack that it was all in my head and she wanted to send me to a psychiatrist. That's when we switched docs and they performed blood work and found out that I have Epstein-Barr virus, which is what causes chronic fatigue syndrome. All because I had mono when I was in elementary school. And to make it worse, chronic fatigue can cause depression. So I really don't know if the depression is separate or if it's a symptom as well. And, there's no cure for chronic fatigue or Epstein-Barr. I always feel some sense of malaise, and I know my family is tired of hearing about it. I can't tell you how many times they've told me that they'd for once like to hear that I'm having a good day and that I feel well. Well I'd love for that to happen as well.

[Fuzzybear]

[Nammu]

I get what your saying the physical stuff makes it hard to do the things that might help the depression and it feels life a never ending circle.

Yep I experience that too.

[profound_betrayal]

Waterknob, try to distract yourself.
I had Fibromyalgia type pain a few months ago. I began 'walking it out' - don't have it anymore. I do have a new ailment - a twitching eye. My ears turned red in the past - all outward signs of inner turmoil. I am trying to distract myself - cleaning, organizing my life, gardening, walking, listening to music, looking at movie (if I can focus), sometimes th enervous tension requires 'action' - needlesstosay, some days are good, others not so good.
Good luck to you

Originally Posted by waterknob1234

I have suffered depression for about a year now. I have had numerous physical ailments recently, frequent respiratory infections, stomach problems, arthritis, dizzy spells, blackout spells, and today I am having a migraine headache. My medical doctor has run numerous expensive tests on me and can't find anything wrong which is good I suppose. But does anyone else experience physical discomfort or other physical ailments along with depression? What I am wondering is if the depression is causing all these other ailments. Maybe I'm just a hypochondriac but I wish I didn't have the migraine headache that has plaqued me all day.

[blackmagic]

Dysthymia has taken it's toll on me after a while. I always feel tired- even when I go to sleep early, I wake up exhausted. I am plagued by constant headaches, usually 4-6 days a week, with migraines every 5-6 months.

Today I woke up with the usual head pounding and aching knees. There are absolutely physical components to depression, and it's difficult to explain to someone who has not gone through it.