New here... Just want to be well again!

[Kesh88]

Hi all

I'm a newbie here. Having been living with depression and anxiety since I was 14 (now 27). Over there years there have been ups and downs. I was diagnosed with Generalised Anxiety Disorder and panic attacks about 2 years back, mostly bought on from the stress of moving overseas and dealing with homesickness.

About 6 months ago I decided that I had been feeling great for a few months so made the decision to start weaning off my medication. My body did NOT react will to this and I ended up with chronic fatigue like symptoms and an impaired immune system. On top of this I've also had IBS for about 5 years now. I had very little support from my doctor (they were a get them in and out in 5 minutes type of practice) so I changed doctors, my new GP said despite weaning off my medication it didn't seem I was ready. So for the last few months I've been taking a new medication which has helped alleviate my withdrawal symptoms. Perhaps I'll try wean off these in another year or so.

Seeing a psychologist and regular sessions of yoga have vastly helped with dealing with my anxiety. I'm glad to say I haven't had a full blown panic attack for over a year! But (there's always a but!) despite the improvements in my mental health, my physical health is still a major cause of stress for me. Over the last year I've been plagued by near daily headaches, aching muscles, migraines, fatigue, weight gain (due to the fatigue and resulting inactivity) and countless colds. I managed to get most of this under control with acupuncture, improving my diet and herbal medicine. My headaches have come back in the last month, and I'm finding my energy levels dwindling despite trying to get more exercise, my digestion is playing up again and I just generally feel rubbish. I don't know why this is happening... I eat really well, exercise, have greatly reduced my stress levels, no longer drink alcohol and do everything that the doctor and therapists tell me to, yet I'm starting to feel worse every day! All my blood tests come back showing normal levels of everything and a recent MRI came back clear. I asked my doctor about seeing a sleep specialist as I don't sleep brilliantly, he basically rolled his eyes at me The acupuncture/herbal medicine seems to help me feel better for a while, but then I crash back down again (I've been getting this treatment for a year now and this is my third 'crash').

I'm at my wits end. I just want to be well again but I don't know what I can do to get well! What am I doing wrong here? Everyone says stress is a big cause of my health issues, but I've reduced my stress levels and my health issues are my main cause of stress!

I don't know what to do anymore Resign myself to a lifetime of feeling like cr*p?

[Pearwig]

So sad to hear your story! When my depression was at its worst, everything seemed to make everything else more painful to deal with, the classic vicious circle. Continually asking friends and family for help and support may seem difficult, but getting the observations of those close to you may expose self-injuring actions or thoughts which you are not aware of. Food allergies seem very common as well, so it might be worth asking your doctor for a reference to a specialist. The best advice I received, although it was of no great help at the time, was, "This won't last for ever. You will get better." Amazingly, I discovered that this was true!

[shoppaholicsue Star]

Anxiety is well known to be a major trigger in IBS. Like getting dodgy tummy before exams. Its a vicious circle. Try relaxation apps/cds, not only before bed but at convenient times throughout the day.

I went for CBT and the leaflet they gave me before had some useful websites on. I'll try and find them and post them.

Sue

[shoppaholicsue Star]

Found it!

moodgym.anu.edu.au - Mood Gym

ecouch.anu.edu.au - E-Couch

llttf.com - Living Life to the Full

Sue

[shoppaholicsue Star]

This is useful for info too I found.

kcl.ac.uk/ioppn/depts/pm/re...

[Kesh88]

Like I said, I asked to see a specialist and my Dr basically rolled his eyes at me. He made me feel like an absolute fool. I have no support there.

I've tried CBT four times over the years, honestly it never really worked for me, my psychologist agreed that it's not the right approach.

I'm basically feeling there's no support, nothing more I can do to get my health back. I just wish I knew what I'm doing wrong, I'm trying my hardest to be strong and positive, why isn't my body responding well to all the good things I'm doing?

[Jayannie1]

I am having the same kinda health problems as you write about.

I heard about the parathyroid glands and what can happen if they go wrong.

I am almost convinced that I could have hyperparathyroidism but my GP says it's all in the mind because I have been suffering with anxiety and depression. He put me on anti-depressants which I cut down the dosage as I felt I had side effects. They seem to have stopped my night time panic attacks but all my other symptoms come and go. I have terrible aches and pains, kidney stones and a cyst on one kidney.

I have been asking for a Parathyroid hormone blood test for months now but cannot get any joy from my Dr. or the Endocrinologist he referred me to. They both tell me it is not necessary. I worry about throat cancer as I get a feeling like my digestive system is going crazy and a terrible burning sensation at my breast-bone which makes my throat so sore. I also get a feeling like a lump in my throat and I can't swallow liquids very well. All these are symptoms of hyperparathyroidism. I don't know what to believe anymore.

I am 59 but feel like I've aged 20 years in 6 months.

To learn more about this disease go to parathyroid.com