- Beyond Blue Forums
- Mental health conditions
- Depression
- Where is this coming from? Is it really depression...
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Mark Topic as New
- Mark Topic as Read
- Pin this Topic for Current User
- Follow
- Printer Friendly Page
Where is this coming from? Is it really depression or depression from something else?
- Mark as New
- Follow Post
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Post
Hi All
I had my first bout of depression over 20 years ago from an Hormonal Injection. I recovered well and had never had another episode until May this year. I started not feeling well and not sleeping well. I started working because all the symptoms of depression were there and I am perimenopausal. I gave myself anxiety just dreading falling into the dark hole. Bam......next thing depression. A depression far worse than before.
Back to a psychiatrist who gave me medication and the journey began. But this time weeks went by and I wasn't really getting anywhere. I had used both medications before but this time my body just didn't feel right. Weird side effects and the fatigue was awful. I was no longer the woman I was multitasking and getting everything done. I couldn't concentrate couldn't think what to have for dinner everything that was once simple became my nightmare.
I went to my GP often as I trusted her more than my psychiatrist! She ordered full bloods yet again and Bingo there it was! My calcium as well as parathyroid levels were higher than they should be. I was then sent for an Ultrasound of the thyroid. Bingo there it was again. An enlarged parathyroid gland. Believe me when I tell you these little glands control the hormones in your body and when they malfunction can rock your world. One of the most common side effects is depression and generally not feeling well.
I am booked to see a surgeon in the new year to get rid of this enlarged parathyroid gland. All it takes is 20mins. Within 2months I will be able to wean off my medication.
If you don't feel right and you are being treatment resistant, keep pushing until you find the answer. I'm so overjoyed to finally get to the answer that caused this depression. I hope you are able to get to yours. Will repost after surgery.
Merry Christmas
Possum Magic
- Mark as New
- Follow Post
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Post
Hi Possy
Great post. Uplifting post. We have few posts on this forum that has a happy ending.
Thanks
Tony WK
- Mark as New
- Follow Post
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Post
Hi Tony WK
Thanks for your response. Yes it will be a happy ending for me. But it will be for many others too. I just wanted to let the community know that the first diagnosis isn't always right. Luckily I had suffered previously with depression and had been through treatment and recovery and new how it felt and how I reacted to medication. This time it just wasn't right , right from the beginning.
I want the community to know to never give up and to keep searching for a cure, whatever it may be. My endocrinologist has told me how many patients he has seen that have been misdiagnosed with depression when in actual fact it was their parathyroid gland. Exact same symptoms but overlooked.
May there be a cure and hope for everyone. Never settle for just being OK. You deserve to feel well, to feel like you and enjoy your life. The past 6 months have been hell but I now know my future is full of all the things I love to do.
Possum Magic
- Mark as New
- Follow Post
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Post
Hi Possum Magic,
Thankyou for sharing your story with us enabling others to find out if it is a physical symptom after all & then possibly cure their illness earlier. Magic.
Love Monkey Magic.
- Mark as New
- Follow Post
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Post
Hi All
Well it is now 3 days since having surgery to remove an enlarged parathyroid gland, I can't begin to tell you how relieved I am. Since being diagnosed I already started cutting back my medication and will hopefully be off everything within 2 months. All my symptoms ached and pains with disappear as the weeks pass by and I look forward to feeling myself again.
Im so glad I listened to my own intuitions and continued to search for a solution. I hate to think where I would be if I listened to the psychiatrist, who suggested ECT , MRI , as well as a myriad of different medications.
Don't get me wrong, psychiatrists are extremely important if you are suffering and can help you immensely. I just think that they need to think outside the square a bit more and really listen to what your complaints are. As for my psychiatrist, the last visit for me was Nov 30 , 2017. She wanted to put me on yet another drug that would possibly mask the problem but not cure it. I was to see her again the week later. The receptionist advised me she was booked out and she would put me on a waiting list and call me. Well that call never came!!!!! I have NEVER heard from her since. So much for the CARE factor.
Anyway I have a new lease on life ahead of me. A new puppy to pick up in a week and lots of money in my pocket instead of the psychiatrist! I wish each and everyone of you the very best. Never give up on yourself, push to be well and if your doctor isn't working for you , move on a find someone who will. We all deserve to be well and happy ☺😘☺
Possum Magic