caught in the purple circle

[paulypop]

hi gang new member her been trying to deal with issues with surgeons doctors and good old Centrelink since 2014 and b honest im at wits end I even got myself referred to counselling by a doc not long ago they never fronted for my first 2 sessions and on the 3rd told me it was her last day and she could refer me to another counsellor so that was a total kick in the butt, I have a medical record from a surgeon who I have never seen has me as a daily ice addict never touched it in my life or even met this surgeon

and another surgeon who has put me as x ethanol drinker seems my doctor worked in the same hospital b4 as shye said its just a fancy name for alcohol lol is it me or is it them I haven't seen or heard from daughter since she 5 she is 12 now my wife left me for a younger guy good luck to her but thinking of my daughter rips me apart my surgery for spine compression has been cancelled twice due to angina and last yr to high risk ,tried 4 injections but still live in daily pain this has been going on fort 3yrs and it just gets worse my lung collapsed 1 time in 2014 and 2 times in 2015 im really at a loss what to do now and will have to start reporting for job search at the end of oct at the age of 63

I have lost 11 kg in 5 months and gone from 72kg down to 59 kg at present have no inclination to eat and never get hungry im not after sympathy I was a tuff nutt in my days and always seemed to get up every time I got knocked down somehow im just ready now to lie down and stay down and let life run its course any views would may b give me a way out would help thnks

[Soberlicious96]

Dear Paulypop,

Welcome to Beyond blue and well done for reaching out.

It seems you have had a lot going on in the last five years or so; what with your health and the breakdown of your marriage.

I am also a little confused as to what it is exactly you are after help with, because to be honest, I'm a little concerned about the part where you said "im just ready now to lie down and stay down and let life run its course any views would may b give me a way out" ...... are you wanting a way out of life, or just a way out of the physical pain and frustration with Centrelink? By the way, I am quite certain that you are not the only one frustrated with Centrelink!

Unfortunately I cannot help you with Centrelink. Nor am I a trained pain management specialist. But what I can tell you is that Beyond Blue is a great place to debrief and connect with others who are battling the harder parts of life, and that you can certainly keep coming back here for as much or as long as you like.

I am sorry that you are feeling like you are stuck in the rut. Perhaps you could get in contact with Relationships Australia and get some advice from them as to how to reconnect with your daughter? Do you think that might help? The number for them is 1300 364 277. At least it might be worth a try.

In the meantime, as you said, you're a 'tuff nut' ..... which means you can do this!

Anyway, sorry I wasn't a whole lot of help? Although I do hope I helped at least a little bit.

Take care. I'll be thinking of you. xo

[Nurse_Jenn]

Hi paulypop,

Welcome to the Beyond Blue forum. It's sounds like you have had a really tough few years with several losses and challenges with chronic pain. I am sorry to hear you are going through such a difficult time. I know that you didn't have much luck with your first attempt at counselling but I wonder if you have tried again? Another option that you may have already explored is getting a referral to you local pain clinic as often they will have counsellors available. Soberlicious also makes a good suggestion of contacting Relationships Australia.

With so many different challenges and the more recent weight loss and reduction of appetite, I would highly recommend that you go back and visit your Doctor (GP) and discuss prioritising some of the issues you are facing. I wonder if there is anyone who can help you to get support to get to a GP? Getting a medical practitioner involved in your care can sometimes help find the most direct pathway to starting your healing journey.

Another option to get you through today is to contact a support number. There are many available and sometimes having a chat can really help you find the strength and encouragement you need to get back up and get through this tough period.

Beyond Blue has a support line on 1300 22 4636

PainLink has a call back service on 1300 340 357 or visit https://www.painmanagement.org.au/what-we-do/support/helpline.html

LifeLine Volunteers are always there to offer an ear on 13 11 14

There are several online options to learn more about pain management strategies like at the Mindspot Clinic. There is a free course there on pain management that is available b going to this website. https://mindspot.org.au/pain-course

I am providing you with several ideas as I wanted you to know that there are many different options to get support. You have taken the brave first step of reaching out on the forum. There is a lot of support here for you and you are not alone is feeling heavy under the weight of many different life challenges. Getting your appetite up and improving your mood with the support of health professional (like a GP) is really important. Once you get some support in this area, you may feel as though you have more strength to tackle Centrelink etc. One step at a time. I always encourage people to focus on the basics first such as food safety and shelter etc...

Keep us posted on how your going,

Wishing you the best possible outcome,

Nurse Jenn

[paulypop]

the mental heath system is a joke refered to a counclir who never came to work first time I went second time they called in sick 3rd time I got to see her and she said it was her last day and could refer me to another one I shook my head and left tried again 6 months later refered to another councling service rang the number on the referral form 4 times over 2 months no reply back so sent a email to there email and no reply I give up

[Soberlicious96]

Dear Paulypop,

Sorry it's taken me a week to reply. I'd like to ask; have you tried any of the suggestions made by Nurse Jen? And if so, how did they go? And if not, is it because you are still feeling some of that hopelessness? If you are still feeling that way, then at least try to remember this; help is always there, but sometimes it takes more seeking than other times. And yeah, I know that sucks. It's hard to keep trying when life feels so heavy.

Maybe you could just tell us about how your week has been? If you have made any headway on your pain issues, for example? In the meantime, please don't up on getting the help and support that you need. If one doctor or councilor is not helping, then keep looking until you find one who will. Remember, J K Rowling sent her manuscript to something like 27 publishers before one said yes. Lucky Publisher number 28 said yes, hey?! I bet the other 27 publishers are now kicking themselves!

Anyway, I know you're situation is not a publishing issue, but hopefully you get my drift; that perseverance pays off. Just keep going with finding the right help for you. I'm sure it's out there somewhere.

Take care. Still thinking of you. xo