Endo & mental health - Slip and slide?

Hi, my lovely pen-pals!

I'm having one of those morning where I feel as though I've had an insight, but not quite sure. So, I was hoping to "think out loud", and maybe I'd find out if it's just me, or if this is real.

Here goes...

I think of myself as a robust and capable person, but it's dawning on me that mental health may be a very real aspect to endo.

I tried amitriptyline to try to manage the pain, but had a reaction to it yesterday ( pounding, fast heartbeat, shaking, dizziness, nausea, extra pain).

So, I called the GP to make an appointment. Just as the secretary was booking an appointment for me for that day, the line dropped. I called back, and she told me that they had booked all of the remaining appointments, and they could not give me the appointment. I squeaked again that I was having one of the "red warnings" from the leaflet, where you must speak to a GP, and she allowed that the on-duty GP would give me a call. After the call, even though I knew a GP would contact me at some point, I just started crying because I was tired, sore, scared, and had no resilience.

That was a tiny moment! In the regular run of things, I would have no reaction really, because I would have remembered I could always go to a hospital... But in that moment, I had no idea what my alternative could be, or how I could get there while feeling so weak and disoriented.

In the end, the GP did see me and advised me to stop the amitriptyline immediately, so I should be ok in a couple of days.

But, oh my gosh, that was major in terms of mental health - as in my mind was not functioning in a normal, resourceful way. That's worrying.

So... I think mental health is a real issue with endo - something to try to be aware of, and something to try to plan for somehow.

What do you think? I really wonder how we are ment to plan to handle this kind of thing?

[Bespp]

Give yourself a big hug as this journey is long. Sharing with you some highlights from my book readings

[Hidden in reply to Bespp]

Thanks Bespp, It was interesting to read that page from your book. Thank you. 🙂

Learning to say No - wow, that's a whole different large topic.

And allowing time and space to experience our emotions instead of trying to "turn them off" is another huge topic.

Lots to think about there! 🌿🌼🌿

[Bespp in reply to Hidden]

This is the best book i have found that has helped me with the mental side of endo. When the body says no by gabor mate. My endo journey has started 3 yrs ago, the first 2.5 years I tried to tackle it physically only which added a lot of load on the mind. Is only one the last 6 months i have started taking extra extra care of the mind and has started to work wonders. Pain reduced massively, wellbeing improved and what not. I am also seeking profesional help as well in the form of therapy as i think we need that extra help as the journey is tough. And on a tough journey no one should be alone.

[Hidden in reply to Bespp]

Hi Bespp, I've looked up the book now, and decided to get a copy to read. Thanks for the reading recommendation.

[Bespp in reply to Hidden]

Awh I am so glad, hope it helps as personally was the book that gave me that gentle reminder of mindbody is a whole thing. And if the mind is not in a good place the body will start talking. And this is how i see my endo. As my body talking to me about what my mind has. As I am going through my therapy sessions I am finding out that a lot of things were buried and that needs dealt with so i am seeing that connection 1st hand. And the more I deal with my mind the less pains and aches i have in my body.

[Hidden in reply to Bespp]

Hi Bespp, I think you're onto something. I noticed myself feeling angry about something - which my body decided to express as cramps. I'm sure the book will be a good read!

[Hidden]

Hi LushaI thought 111 was only for the night hours when the medical practice is closed. I didn't know you could call 111 in the daytime