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Struggled to leave my bed for 3 days and counting

Bart_J_Simpson
Community Member

Hey everyone,

I am suffering from a pituitary gland disorder which cause nausea, vomiting, fatigue and disrupts general wellbeing.

The past two weeks have been extremely challenging. My mental health has deteriorated and I haven't been able to leave my bed for the past 3 days except when my partner physically escorts me to the bathroom.

I tried to go for a walk with our dog 2 days ago but made it a few houses up and started hyperventilating.

Basic tasks seem impossible and I am worried where this will lead. I have no desire to do anything. I'm forgetting what I used to be like.

I am very worried about the impact this is having on my partner. She says it is okay and that thinking about her wellbeing should be the last thing on my mind, but I am scared this will go on forever and cause huge issues in our relationship.

I don't know when this will end as it seems related to my condition. It feels like my body is betraying itself.

If anyone is familiar with chronic health conditions and ways to deal with mental health in conjunction with that - I'm open to reading your thoughts.

Thank you

9 Replies 9

Sophie_M
Moderator
Moderator
Dear Bart J Simpson

Welcome to the Beyond Blue forums we are so glad that you have made you way here and had the bravery to post. We want you to know that this is a safe space to discuss your thoughts, feelings and experiences and receive honest responses and suggestions from fellow forum users.
 
We are also here 24/7 on 1300 22 4636 or via our Webchat.  Our team who answer the phones are ready to have a supportive and non-judgmental chat whenever you need it.
 
We’re sure to hear from some of our lovely community members here on your thread soon. They’re a really amazing community, and will have understanding, advice and kind words for you.  Thanks again for sharing. It’s a powerful and brave first step towards feeling better.

Regards 

Sophie M
 

geoff
Champion Alumni
Champion Alumni

Hello Bart, this debilitating illness is no fault of yours, so you mustn't blame yourself, and it's no different than someone suffering from any type of depression, again, this is not what they should criticise themselves for, we are all oblivious to illness, although they may be triggered by a reaction that could cause this to happen, nothing we ever wanted to happen.

You have a good partner, and it would be no different than if they had this illness and you were looking after them, if you love someone, both of you handle a situation that is affecting one another to the best of your ability.

Laying in bed, much is going to go through your mind, that's understandable, but your body has to recover from this and appreciate the type of symptoms this causes, not favourable unfortunately, but try and keep your fluids up, as I was always told by my doctor, who I hope can visit you at home.

If I can suggest you hire a 'walker' this will help you move around, especially to the loo and some chemist shops are able to do this.

When we have an illness our body does betray us, but it continually fights against anything that's not normal, but please let us know whether or not your doctor can see you at home.

My best.

Geoff.

blondguy
Champion Alumni
Champion Alumni

Hello Bart

Thankyou for having the courage to post and welcome to the forum family too. I dont know much about the pituitary gland disorder you mentioned yet I hope you can help us understand how it effects your daily ability to function

I am a volunteer on the forums and I feel your pain/anguish re trying to walk our dog and then experiencing hyperventilation after a few houses up the street. The same with myself and its awful to experience Bart

Beyond Blue do have a thread that discusses physical anxiety symptoms that may be of some help

Its called 'What Physical feelings of anxiety do you get?

any questions are always welcome Bart

we are listening

Paul

Hey Geoff

Thanks for your response. It is helpful to remember that I would do the same as my partner is doing if our positions were swapped. I feel less guilt about relying so heavily on her.

I am still in bed. I don't feel as if there is any point in getting up and the idea of moving from my bed or going outside either scares me or makes me feel so sad.

My partner is helping me look into some inpatient services. And my doctor might be able to visit my home, I haven't thought of that before.

Thanks Geoff

Thank you Paul, I will have a read of that thread.

I appreciate it.

My disorder is called a Rathke's Cleft Cyst (RCC).

Sometimes RCCs don't affect people but mine is currently quite large and pushing on my pituitary gland and into my brain.

The pit gland is basically the master gland for important hormones and general wellbeing.

Because of this RCC I experience nausea and fatigue most days which has put me in a really low mood as I am so worried about eating food in case I feel sick, or going out with friends in case the nausea hits.

I got diagnosed earlier this year and since then it has been very stressful, mentally and physically draining. It is really debilitating and now my depression is so bad that I haven't been able to function properly and do simple tasks.

I can't take care of myself. I feel like if my partner wasn't here, I would just lie in bed and do nothing.

I am at a point where I just want to sleep until it is all over which I know is not realistic.

Hello Bart, you mustn't forget that you have at least 3 issues here you are trying to cope with,

-how this illness is affecting you physically

-also your MI aspects

-and appreciating what your partner is doing for you, which at the moment you can't do much at all

There are other issues associated with all of these combined which may crop up every now and then, but now you need to look after yourself.

Geoff.

Hi Geoff

What do you mean by MI aspects?

I had an appointment with a doctor today which made me feel bad and invalidated my feelings. I don't think they understood the severity of how I am feeling.

It feels really difficult to reach out when things like this happen

Hey Bart

No worries at all and thankyou finding the strength to reply...I havent heard of Rathke's Cleft Cyst (RCC) before. It sounds horrible Bart...especially being a physical illness it would be mentally draining as well

Can I ask if you have a caring GP that understands what you are going through?

please be gentle to yourself

we are listening

Paul

Hello Bart, MI aspects are 'mental illness aspects', which affects how we think, feel, and act and helps us determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices from the age of childhood and adolescence through adulthood.

Concerns such as anxiety, depression, stress, mood, fear of falling and self-esteem which also include physical, emotional, social, and intellectual and may include spiritual if you are committed that way.

If your doctor doesn't respect how you are feeling, then perhaps you should try and find another doctor who associates mental illness (MI) with what's happening in your current situation.

You could ring the BB phone line 1300 22 4636 and they will help you or scroll down to the bottom of this page where it says 'Get Support' and then 'Find a Professional', this is so important to have the medical help you need and not to be taken just as another patient, doctors need to take our condition as being serious, because invariably we have to rely on their support to recover through this.

Please ask any questions you'd like an answer to, we can only help as much as we can.

Geoff.