Depression, Work, Health...How Do You Cope?!?

I've been dealing with a lot lately, and I just don't know how to deal with it all. Within a month and a half I was diagnosed with diabetes, pancreatitis, and an enlarged liver. I've had a bunch of tests done; an ultrasound, a CT scan, a colonoscopy, and an endoscopy. They found nothing from any of these tests. The doctor told me that the pancreatitis was likely caused by stress, and the enlarged liver is because I'm overweight. He even took biopsies during the last 2 tests, and they all came back normal.

I feel depression creeping back on me. Well, not so much creeping as pouncing on me. Besides all the health stuff, work has been stressful. I feel some animosity because of all the time I've taken off for appointments and because I was sick. I generally just feel unhappy with my job now, though it's been suggested that I might just be worn our after everything else that's happened lately. But I don't feel happy with my work, I feel like I'm always fighting to keep on top of things. Even worse, I feel no satisfaction or enjoyment in my job. But I don't know what to do about that yet, or even how to decide what to do.

I just don't know how to cope with all of this. You'd think after so many years of depression I'd have some way of coping, but I don't know what to do. Nothing interests me, nothing is fun. All I want to do I'd stay home and sleep. I'm out of ideas. Help?

I don't have any ideas either, at least helpful ones. I suffer from the same lack of interest on things going on around me. Just want to say you have been listened.

I wish I had some good advice. The only thing I can think of is to pick just one issue to deal with and put all the other issues on the back burner. I really feel for you with those health issues. I also had pancreatitis back around 2006. Ouch! There was so much pain. And you have pain from your liver too. I had pain from my gall bladder but I never followed up with it. Anyway, why not work on "just" these illnesses first. Are there dietary changes that could help? Find healthy things to do to control the pain and feel better.

I've been working on some diet changes to help. Cutting down on fat was suggested, and I've found it really reduces the sickness. I've been trying to eat healthy in general to lose weight as well. And I've cut out alcohol, even though I rarely was drinking anyway.

I guess I worry about putting things on the back burner, they always seem to affect each other. I worry that I'll let something go too long too, like with work, and ending up worse off because of it.

Having so many serious health problems can really drag you down. That’s depressing enough as it is. Maybe right now what you need to is sleep a lot to heal. I hope the diet changes help you as well.

It’s understandable your struggling with many areas of life. This would cause anyone to “tailspin.” It’s a question of if you’ll allow these changes to depress you? Be fortunate the medical news was “good news” and your test weren’t negative. There are people; who got the same news but it was negative. You have the upper hand.
Try to “re-focus” toward the positive. Be grateful your not dealing with serious medical issues. Think on the great news, though work may be a bit crazy it’s not “permanent” things can get better and so can you!

When I was overweight and near diabetic, I had no life and was very sad too. I decided to make life changes. I quit my stressful job and started walking about 1 to 2 hours a day. I also went on a diet and ate mostly salad and chicken. I lost about 60 pounds in about six months. I am now doing much better and am enjoying life because I am not in a stressful situation. I also take my medication daily. I also try to exercise daily by walking and taking the stairs. I'm in much better shape. I also care about my appearance and wear makeup daily. I dress nicely. All of this has helped me to become happier and healthier. I hope you find a solution to your situation also. I was at the bottom when I was overweight but was motivated to change my lifestyle which affected my health. I am now doing much better! Best wishes!

Again, thank you all for your replies. I feel better knowing that there are others out there who care.

I may have identified a large part of my stress. I've been taking trazodone for sleep for a couple of months, and I'm having nightmares more and more. They leave me depressed and anxious ancillary day. I contacted my pdoc this morning to taper off. Hopefully this helps.

Of course we care. So many of us have been there.

And I agree-traz is a killer. Any of it in high dosage is bad.

You might also try eating organic as much as possible and eliminate
meat.

And you might try journaling. Sometimes it is easier to focus and
find workable solutions when things are down on paper.

And please be easy with yourself. As long as you are still questioning,
you are still fighting. And you are still winning.

Please send me a message if I can help.

Flower

I care. I don’t have any solutions that haven’t already been covered here (other than not berating self for “not coping well” .. (I don’t know what that means anyway - I don’t have that word in my vocabulary )

I also think that as long as you’re still questioning, you’re still fighting (and are winning..)