New by saying Hi

[Mumof3_1]

Hello. It has taken a lot of strength to join and write a thread. I have been diagnosed with Adjustment Disorder, Depression and Anxiety. I am 41 years old with 3 kids and 1 grandchild. I had a fall in December 2016 and fractured my pelvis and stuffed my right hip. Have since had 2 surgeries on the hip last one being a total replacement in which I am not recovering as I should be. I’m in constant pain. Have lost some mobility and now lost myself. I was once an outgoing person that lived to chat to anyone and now only leave the house to go to work and even then don’t work like I used too. I work as a swimming instructor and I also worked in hospitality. Have now been told physically unable to return to my hospitality work and that sux. Anyway popped in to say Hi. Hoping to get some support and tools to go on with living as normal as possible. I am on medication but not sure it is helping. I’m under the care of GP. Psychologist. Pain clinic and Physio. Guess I’m looking for people to chat with that get it and won’t judge or tell me to just get over it and get on with it. Thanks for taking the time to read my spill. X

[james1]

Hello Mumof3+1,

A massive congratulations and good on you for joining and writing. There are so many other brave people who also take a huge step in even trying to get help by reading what people like you have written, so a big pat on the back as well.

I'm so sorry to hear about the injury and the pain you have to deal with, let alone the mobility. I can barely begin to imagine how it must feel to lose your autonomy and not be able to do the work you used to do.

I have another friend who manages chronic pain for other reasons and it is incredibly debilitating, both physically and mentally as well.

You are doing the right thing by getting the different specialists around you. Can I also ask if you know any others with similar problems or if there are any support groups you could try?

James

[geoff]

hello Mumof3+1, it takes a great deal of courage to post your first comment so well done.

I can relate exactly to how you are feeling because I've had 3 operations on my hip, caused by a car accident, my fault until the last op was a total hip replacement, so I understand what you are saying and feel sorry for you.

I still need to use a walking stick for mobility, and by the way, I'm 63.

There is no judgment on this site, we look after everybody who posts in, with support, help, advice, and care from any experience we have had to go through ourselves.

Another hospitality job may turn up because it's always a busy industry later on, but at the moment get all the care, support and help from your doctors, but perhaps if you could copy and paste this link:

www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/anxiety-and-depression-checklist-k10

it's a depression test to see whether or not depression is a major factor in your recovery, can you please do it several times, not one after the other, but at different times of the day to give you results which you can take to your doctor.

Would love to her back from you. Geoff.

[White_Rose]

Hello Mumof3

Welcome to Beyond Blue. So good you are able to write in here. Many people find it difficult to talk about themselves as you have done, and you are safe here.

It is difficult to get around when you are in pain. I have had several injuries which resulted in surgery in the hip area. At the moment I am nursing my leg which was injured in a car accident and getting around with the help of a walking stick and treatment from my physio. Painful, frustrating and exhausting. I appreciate why you feel so down.

It's also good that you are getting treatment for your pain. Pain can impact your psychological health quite significantly. While it may appear obvious I was surprised at how much effect my pain has on my psychological well-being. It pervades everything you do and often stops you doing some activities you once enjoyed.

May I ask if your medication is for pain or depression, perhaps both? Again using my experience I found the prescribed pain relief did not appear to work very well. I now take an over-the-counter medication, with the encouragement of my doctor, and manage better. Depression meds can be complicated. There is no one-size-fits-all and it is often a trial and error process. Perhaps you can discuss this with your prescribing doctor or the pain management people, whichever is appropriate.

Have you thought of keeping a diary to record pain? When and how it feels, severity and loss of ability. It may help your pain medication team to adjust your meds to better help you.

You do not mention a spouse so I presume there is no one like this in you life. If this is correct it is sad as you do not have immediate help and support. This means you rely on friends, and presumably family, to take a bit of the strain off you. Please keep talking to these people. They cannot cure you bu it helps to have someone (s) in your corner.

I would never tell you to"get over it". I think it's unkind and unhelpful. You are doing the best you can. Hopefully you will have improvement in the future.

Would love to hear from you again.

Mary

[Mumof3_1]

Thanks all for the reply. Not sure what I was expecting by posting but feels good to have people reply that understand. Geoff I have done that test number of times and score was always between 31 and 39 and said my results are high???