Feeling down due to fatigue & undiagnosed health issues

[Elizabeth CP]

I haven't been using the forums much apart from a couple of responses to others posts. I stopped as I was too busy & trying to keep up with the forums was becoming too stressful. In September My husband went to Europe which was great although tiring due to the pace of the tour we did. Unfortunately a few days before returning home I fell heavily on concrete steps hurting my right side. I continued on relying on icepacks to manage the pain. I couldn't sleep because of the pain when lying down. The last day I came down with a bad cold which developed into a chest infection later on. The pain eased after 6 weeks & I recovered from the chest infection but have ongoing problems with fatigue & abdominal discomfort. My GP arranged pathology tests. The blood tests are normal but urine isn't. Today I was sent for a ultrasound of kidneys & bladder. Next week I have a gastroscopy & colonoscopy. My stress levels seem to be escalating out of proportion each time I see the GP & get sent for more tests. Prior to my accident my mental health issues were settling down but the last week it is much worse. I have lost my temper a few times in the last week without much provocation. This is not normal for me. I have been on a diet for several months but I am now finding it really hard to stick to it I just want to go & eat food I know will make me feel worse. The diet is a healthy one which I normally find easy to stick to because the food is satisfying.

I just want to get back on track & feel in control of my life & not feel so stressed & down. I also feel guilty for feeling this way because There is no confirmation of a serious illness.

[Doolhof]

Hi Elizabeth,

Thank you for your very kind words. I do experience depression and other mental health issues. I realise that everyone experiences these illnesses differently, depending on their own personality and life experiences.

Recently I was talking to a Minister of Religion who stated he has assisted many people suffering from suicidal ideation, but has never experienced it himself. He said he has some understanding of the situation, but not how it actually feels in another person's mind.

Empathy is something I try to show people, along with acknowledging their struggles. Everyone's issues are issues! Hopefully we can help each other to either listen or offer suggestions that may help.

Sometimes we just don't have the answers!

For me, finding a sense of hope helps, even if it is sometimes miniscule.

Cheers to you from Dools

[Elizabeth CP]

Sorry I have not replied Dools. I was overseas for 5 weeks visiting my son & family & my daughter. Since arriving back I've been struggling to catch up on things & feeling jetlagged. My husband & I have come down with colds so I haven't felt very well.

I enjoyed the time away & saw some lovely things. Really enjoyed time with my children. Towards the end I was tired of driving around. We spent time driving to a few places with my daughter & on our own but although I enjoy travelling the stress of constantly packing/unpacking, driving, helping orient my husband to new places since he can't see builds up leaving me tired. Unfortunately our grandaughter as very sick at the end of the trip so the last few days with our son were far from relaxing because my grandaughter spent so much time screaming particularly at night as her parents tried to administer the medication she required. This kept everyone awake.

We arrived home to cold wet miserable weather. There are still problems with our kitchen so we are back in temporary accommodation. My son who lives nearby tried to hurry things along while we were gone but was unsuccessful. We have the NDIS review coming up next week to add an extra stress.

Last week I saw my psychiatrist who recommended me seeing someone else for EDMR & exposure therapy fot PTSD. I'm feeling overwhelmed with so many things going on & struggling to see how to deal with it all.

[blondguy]

Hi Elizabeth

You have been incredibly busy. I would be feeling the same after being overseas for 5 weeks...

I hope you have had some time to find 'your feet' so to speak when you came back home. I have a good psychiatrist...I have never heard of EDMR before...yet your specialist would know a great deal more than I do

Just sending you my kind wishes Elizabeth

You are spot on as usual....as in coming back to cold miserable weather.....brrrr....I hear you!

Paul

[Doolhof]

Hi Elizabeth,

Like Paul mentioned, you have a lot going on! I've not been on the forums much lately thanks to my own mental health issues!

Hopefully you can try and tackle one issue at a time Elizabeth. I know I would be overwhelmed looking at everything that is going on for you and trying to deal with it all at once.

Is there something you like about the temporary home you are currently in?

Did you take some photos while you were away? I have started to take photos on my mobile phone to help me capture nature, something unexpected, a different perspective or to make me feel better about my day.

Driving home for a specialist appointment yesterday I decided to take the scenic route and saw some kangaroos amongst a vineyard. They looked stunning against the bright green grass growing between the vines.

This was right on a large bend in the road so not a safe place to stop for a photo.

Hope you manage to find some peace in all that is happening Elizabeth.

Cheers to you from Dools

[Elizabeth CP]

Thanks Paul, EDMR is mainly used for PTSD rather than other MH issues. As for finding my feet I'm still trying to work through the long list of essential tasks since coming home from OS. Dealing with the house/insurance issues has been essential. We have the NDIS review next week so trying to prepare for that can't be put off. This has also involved catching up with health professionals to ensure we have all the information & reports we need. A lot of things we tried to do before the trip were left till now due to lack of time & other issues. I am trying to make time to list the other essential things which I don't have time to do now. I worry if I don't have it at least written I will forget with possible long term consequences.

My husband & I have come down with a cold so that is making it harder for me todeal with all the current stressses.

Dools. I'm sorry you haven't been well. I hope things start to improve. You asked if there was anything I liked about my temporary home. That was a useful question because it reminded me about the importance of thinking of the positives to keep things in perspective.

Positives are:

• It is close to our home so relatively easy to get to appointments, shops & to the house to pick up things or let trades people in
• There are a number of places we can walk from here including some nice parks when the weather is suitable
• My son lives fairly close so we can catch up with him & the grandkids
• The manager is very nice.She is sympathetic to our difficulties so kept the apartment for us even when the insurance company have not let her know when we needed the stay extended.
• The apartment has nice comfortable furniture & most of the essentials. (I try to think of this when really missing the sunlight & views of the garden that we miss here.)

I did take a lot of photos but haven't had the time to go through them because of lack of time.

[Elizabeth CP]

I am struggling this week. I'm still not well physically. GP is concerned about the risk of me passing it onto my husband This concern really worrys me particularly after the his last stint in hospital where he almost died a couple of times from what started as a mild illness. Still in temporary accommodation. & trying to deal with insurance The NDIS review on Monday meant lots of stress leading up to it & left me even more stressed with a number of issues to be addressed. . I feel very tense with frequent headaches & other signs of anxiety. Every way I turn feels like more things to do or plan or organise but my mind is not working properly. I'mnot sure where to turn to get on top of things to regain some control

[quirkywords]

Elizabeth,

I am sorry to hear you are not well and are struggling.

I realise you are stressed and have so much to do.

Do you have any people who can support you even for a short time?

Would it help to make a list in order of importance.? I realise everything you have to do is important but making a list sometimes helps.

I hope your health improves.

Quirky

[Elizabeth CP]

Thanks Quirky, I feel a little better but still coughing a lot & blocked up. A few times over the last few weeks I think I'm improving only to go downhill a short time later.

I usually rely heavily on writing lists to keep on top of things. Over the last few weeks I've tried to keep track by writing lists of what needs doing & prioritizing things. Unfortunately I don't seem to be getting through my list because so many new things seem to come up each day. This gets very frustrating. I then get more stressed when my husband asks me to do something about other things which I agree need doing but I'vehad so much to deal with all day I just can't face anything else.

[Elizabeth CP]

I seem to be recovering from the respiratory infection finally but feeling very angry, stressed & down. I've had so much on my plate & things keep going wrong. Last night my husband kept insisting we needed to do more re the insurance claim. I'd already spent ages on the phone trying to get some answers without much success but now my husband insists we need to do even more. I became so angry when he refused to consider my concerns I told him he could arrange it all himself. but then he insisted he needed me to help!!!! He won't/can' make a phonecall on his own. I ended up unable to sleep last night Today I've been really tired & wound up. I went to the house to do some weeding but now feel really sore as well as tired & stressed

[Guest_1055]

Just letting you know Elizabeth that I am listening to you. You are heard by me.

Shell