I have now been told that I have PTSD! Why?

[Danni54]

I have had anxiety and depression since I had a breakdown 16 year's ago when a woman I thought was a friend, stabbed me in the back ( not literally!) because she wanted to be me ! Goodness knows why ! Long story! I fought hard with the help of an OT and I would not be here but for him and people here. I have been ' labelled ' by the medical profession as having mental health issues and I know that 7 year's ago this was the cause of a misdiagnosis for lung cancer when I felt extremely ill but a couple of Dr.s told my husband that it was all in my head. 15 month's later I got pneumonia and the Consultant asked me why I hadn't had anything done about the tumour on my right lung! I said that I didn't know that I had one. It had shown on an Xray 15 month's previously but our hospital omitted to tell anybody! I had biopsies etc. and a Lobectomy for Adenocarcinoma tumour in my right lung and have been left a wreck on Oramorph every day and Fentanyl patches and now have RLS which is a nightmare! I saw a Physio last week who told me that I had PTSD because I got upset about the misdiagnosis. I am angry about it because I used to do so much but now I have a half life. I still push myself but being chronically ill is a lonely life though I have good friend's and my husband doesn't really know how to cope. I'm lucky that he has stuck by me ! Now there might be another misdiagnosis so, more test's. Why is my mental health always the first thing to be brought up ? I have genuine health problems with Osteoporosis and 2 fractured vertebrae, Diverticulitis ++ so is it surprising that my anxiety and depression is still there and yes, sometimes I haven't wanted to be here and it's a constant battle but I think that all of us here are fighter's and brave . Don't label us please!

[GlowingDarkly]

Your post resonates with me so much. I too struggle with a form of PTSD when it comes to certain medical professionals. For me it is mostly Psychiatry and the Pharamagology industry built up around treating symptoms of clinical depression and anxiety. I was mis-diagnosed or perhaps just not given the right treatment for my depression when I was a teen and it spiraled into some pretty disastrous life long mental consequences for me.

Simply put, I am having a very hard time now looking into finding some sort of prescribed relief for my own physical symptoms of anxiety and my daily mental struggle with depression.

So my heart goes out to you as you are having to confront the things you have to do deal with right now. I am blessed to have the support of my family and it sounds like you have much the same. But when it comes to confronting these things, I found having to put in the extra leg work of becoming my own advocate and doing a lot of painful research has helped me find a better leg to stand on when it comes to dealing with the possibility of dealing with a subpar medical professional. With in that space, I think if i can learn to begin to forgive them for being human, then perhaps I might be more willing to give others a chance. But I must stay vigilant because, despite the years of study and medical training, the human mind and body is an incredibly complex machine, and we’re each just built differently.

At least my two cents.

[Danni54 in reply to GlowingDarkly]

You have had a long struggle and I agree with what you say though at times I find being my own advocate exhausting! We have to keep battling though because our voices are as important as anybody else and we have every right to be heard and not judged...don't you think? The human mind and body are so interconnected but a lot of the medical profession don't seem to realise that even now . Why don't they just listen to what we have to say because we live with depression etc. so we do know what we are talking about. My misdiagnosis started off as being psychological because the less they believed how ill I felt the more depressed I became and then, of course, they saw the tumour...for the 2nd time. So, to battle mentally is bad enough and then to find the strength to battle cancer affects your mental state so, a circle ! I was told last week that if the medic's are looking at 1 area of an Xray then they don't focus on another area and that's what happened with my cancer. I was so angry and was crying and when the medic asked what I wanted done , I said that I wanted to make sure that they tighten their practices and make sure that NOBODY else goes through what they have put me through. She said that she would pass that on to her boss...we will see! I'm sceptical!

I am so sorry for what you have been through but please know that you have so much support here from people who, completely, understand how you feel and to know that your family loves you is more important than any opinion of people who don't ' know ' you .

Take care please. Make the most of every minute of every day because life is incredibly precious I feel although when thing's are dark that's hard to see. I had another breakdown many year's ago when my first love broke me so there have been quite a few times in my life where I have felt battered but I have fought through. You will too especially when you are loved.

Take care please and all the best.

Danni

[Danni54]

Thank you. The battle is exhausting and we shouldn't have to fight but what will happen if we don't?!! I , SO , agree with you and I never thought that I would growl at medic's because I'm not a growly person...or I wasn't! I am now ! Their attitude stinks and you are SO right...especially with females! By the way, I love your name ! We have always had dog's and cat's but when our last beautiful Goldie died , I had cancer and because of the misdiagnosis we couldn't have another dog which breaks my heart. However, we now have 2 , 9 year old , rescue RagDoll cat's who have been hit and ignored. We have only had them for 5 month's as our darling cat died at 18 ,7 month's ago. They hurt your heart when they go don't they ? These 2 are now so spoilt but 1 still flinched when we try to stroke her but she is beginning to come on the bed for a quick cuddle!

I have found the forum's here more supportive than any medic although I know we need them too ! Am fighting to get attitudes to change where I am but what a battle ! I , now have 1 female Dr. who has been supportive...so far ! Please take care.

All the best.

[Danni54]

You too . 🐈😺 xx

[CLB1125]

you have been through so much but yet you keep fighting, I applaud you! I just wanted to say I like how they tell you, you have ptsd and then let you figure out why. I'm still trying to figure it out. I have mine thought to be from not grieving my father's death 33 years ago. who knew? anyhow I want to tell you I totally understand the nightmare of RLS!!! I have been on mirapex forever, it keeps it calm. doctors keep wanting to try something else, NO just leave it alone! If you haven't already figured it out, some meds and otc stuff can trigger it. When I had surgery they put a patch behind my ear for nausea, it made my legs crazy! Imagine coming out of surgery and your legs are going nuts and you can't tell anybody!