New here. Struggling

[Guitar]

Hi

Im not sure why I'm in here doing a post. Tough day today I saw my GP and he wants me to get some help with a psychiatrist for depression and anxiety. I'm already on a high dose of medication and have been for a long time. He was very nice but firm in his opinion that I'm very unwell and have been for some time.

Last week he gave me another script ( I went in for my usual script renewal) for an additional tablet to try and lift my mood. He also sent me for bloods and scans. So today I went back for results hoping to be told my thyroid was off which would explain my mood. Thyroid was OK. I told him I hadn't started the additional medication because I didn't want to be dulled and was wanting to get off meds not add to an already high dose. He's now asked me to see another Dr in his practice for a second opinion on seeing a shrink and extra meds.

I want to feel well. I'm so tired and sad. I don't work and haven't done for a long time (13yrs)apart from a six month stint which just ended as I wasnt strong enough. How do I tell my family I need to spend $$$ on a shrink. I feel so bloody guilty.

I'm 50 mum of a pre-teen and partner of 25yrs to a hard working hubby.

I'm feeling very unhealthy in every way.

[white knight]

Hi, welcome

If you are under financial stress then that feeds worry. The best answer to worry is - nip it in the bud as soon as possible.

So, I suggest ringing the psychiatrist secretary to ask him/Her about payments.

• Is part of it covered by Medicare?
• If so how much is is the gap?
• How often will they want to see me?
• Do you have a payment system?

The other issue is guilt.

Can you Google the following and just read the first post

Beyondblue topic guilt the tormentor

Beyondblue topic worry worry worry

Beyondblue topic the financial world of snakes and ladders

I hope they help. Please reply with your thoughts.

Although not a replacement for professional medical people we do offer support in between your appointments and information to help you learn more.

Repost anytime

TonyWK

[Guitar]

Thank you for your reply. It's funny I'm cautious of how to reply because I'm worried what you'll think of me. Crazy right?!

It's not financial hardship but it's guilt for spending on myself.

My hubby is a firm believer in natural health and diet. He struggles with the concept of a shrink and meds. He wants me to completely change my diet and get off all grain and dairy and see if that works.

Anyway I'm rambling. My head hurts and I'm not thinking well.

Have a good weekend

[therising]

A warm welcome to you Guitar 🙂

So disappointing to hear nothing obvious showed up in the blood test results. Can't help but wonder whether some of your levels were perhaps borderline, within the 'normal' range. Everyone's 'normal' is different. For example, the low end of normal B12 range is 200. Personally I start to feel brain fog and lethargy around 300 or so. I get a top up shot of B12 every 4 months to avoid it getting low. Also, wondering if you've ever had a sleep study done, to see if there's a lack of energy restoring sleep. Maybe the lack of energy you're feeling might simply relate to the meds. I can understand your wish to have them assessed in a way that leads you to simply find the right one.

Guitar, never never never feel guilty for wanting to find the best in yourself. That is nothing to feel guilty about. Finding our best can be expensive at times. I can remember throughout all my years in depression saying to people on occasion 'If it cost me a million dollars to find my way out of depression, I would raise the money and pay in a heartbeat, without a second thought'. I've spent thousands of dollars over the years on my quest to find the best in myself. Throughout my depression, whether it involved professional help, self help books, meds etc, I found the money as I wondered if any of it would make a difference. Now, outside of depression, I still have my 'wonder budget'. I can spend a lot on wondering whether this or that will make a positive difference on my quest to come to know myself better. My 18yo daughter and 15yo son occasionally say 'Mum, you literally can't afford to wonder about whether this will make a difference'. They keep me in check 🙂

I too am 50yo gal who has been with my other half for about 25 years. Relationships definitely come with challenges, hey. While my husband was basically supportive throughout my years in depression, which I'm deeply grateful for, (now this is going to sound super harsh) he has also been deeply depressing at times and anxiety inducing. I never realised this until about a couple of years ago. It's kinda like I woke up one day and it just hit me. This led me to a major assessment of all the people in my life, which led me to wonder 'Who inspires me in ways that are mind altering? Who truly excites me? Who leads me to be my natural self?' The list goes on. From health professionals to some of our closest companions, sometimes it can pay to wonder. Is this something you've ever considered?

🙂

'

[Guitar]

Thank you therising,Our husbands sound the same 😉

Gosh its hard when your in the thick of it again and again. I just can't see the light coming easy and im scared.

So tired all the time.

X

[therising]

Hi Guitar

A lot of people misunderstand the true impact of serious fatigue. Can remember going to one GP begging him to give me answers. I felt like he was almost laughing at me, as he advised 'Life can get exhausting at times, being a mum'. Grrr! Dude, you've obviously got no idea how debilitating this is. I did not settle for his 'professional' assessment. Believe it or not, on my way back out through the reception area I spotted a poster for sleep apnea. I organised my own home sleep study and presto! Thanks to the amazing staff at a sleep apnea clinic and an oral appliance for my SA, I found the difference I'd been searching for. Whether it's SA, b12 or iron deficiency, chronic fatigue syndrome, hypothyroidism etc etc, professionals can overlook how depressing these conditions can be. Not only can they impact the chemistry in our brain (leading to depression), they can be naturally depressing too. You know what it's like, 'What's 'wrong' with me?! Why am I so 'lazy'? Why am I so 'hopeless'?'. This kind of talk (wrong, lazy, hopeless) also messes with our chemistry.

I hope you don't mind me using the P word (Peri-menopause). Personally, I can't stand it as it tends to box women into being labelled. I much prefer to live outside the square. Give you my take on this stage of life. Imagine the Universe says 'Okay you beautiful creature, for all the hundreds of painful periods and for all the incredible work you put in when it comes to bringing life into this world, your reward is to be free from this pain. YAY! As an added reward, I'm going to give you the gift of hyper sensitivity. Use it wisely'. Yes, I'm a quirky one 🙂 So, gradually you become hyper sensitive to a lack of restorative sleep and a lack of all the other things that come with productive energy restoration (nuclear power that comes from the earth/a good somewhat plant based diet, solar power/vitamin D, hydropower/water, kinetic energy or power/exercise and so on. You become hyper sensitive to feeling the thoughtlessness of people, people who bring you down and people who aren't raising your spirits. You become hyper sensitive to your feelings. You feel just about everything, esp the feeling that comes with going into hyper mode: It's like you can feel energy surges, 'Whew, here comes a burst. Who turned up the heat in here and why is my heart suddenly racing?!' Yes, I've a romantic take on 'Peri-menopause'. In other cultures they actually manage the energy issues in empowering ways.

🙂

[missep123]

Hi Guitar!

I'm so sorry to hear that you have been going through such a challenging time.

When I was reading your post I was thinking you are worth it and your mental health and wellbeing is definitely worth it!

I know that it can be so hard to tell someone that you need to see a psychiatrist but I think that if they can see you feeling better afterwards they may see the outcome too!

Please keep us updated -we are definitely here for you!