My doctor sent me to see a mental health therapist. The doctor told me if I had some counselling to deal with my anxiety issues and phobias my pain would not be as bad.
Has anybody else had this suggested to them?
I went to the appointments but felt no better for them.
I've had this treatment over the years however it was only to help me to manage being unwell and to mentally accept my condition, as many of us, I believe, struggle to come to terms with the changes that Fibro causes to us. Lou xx
It was supposed to stop me thinking about the pain. He told me that a lot of it was psychological and therapy would help me realise that.
I know when I have pain and believe me it is not all in my head.
No, none of this is in our heads, we have all come up against that nonsense at one time or another. You know how you feel as do we on this forum. Stick with us we all understand. Lou xx
I can perhaps understand the theory behind it as if you are less anxious and therefore more relaxed you might find that your muscles untense a little so you might be in less overall pain. How many appointments were you given?
I saw one person for 4 appointments he decided what he thought would be the best help for me.
Then I saw a woman for 6 appointments, she didn't seem to know why I had been sent to see her because a lot of my anxiety is about the future. All she kept saying was " I don't know how I can help with something that might not happen" .
Makes me wonder why, then, she didn't work on what she could do?
Am I cynical in thinking "Fees"?
Thanks I just wanted to make sure they had given you enough time for it to have started to make some sort of difference for you. I am wondering whether something like an Expert patient Programme or as Ian says a Pain Clinic referral might help. if we are all absolutely honest I think we all have fears about the future I know I do. Apart from my OH I have no close family and the majority of my close friends are older than I am. I know I fear the future in so much as I am a very independent person and would not like to have to rely on strangers to care for me. The way I have tried to cope with my illnesses is to try not to look into the future too much and take every day at the time and cope with whatever that day throws at me and in that way I find I cope better than I did before with the emotional aspects of the illness. I sincerely hope that you can find something that helps you. I find this site marvellous for the support which is given by every one on it. x
yes, I had CBT over a month period, it seemed to help at the time but I'm not sure if it would be that much benefit long term. I can access it again if I want to as it's self referral where I live. X
The woman I saw did say I could go back and see her, but where I come from you have to be referred by the doctor. To be quite honest I don't think I would want to see her again.
As an adjunct supporting coming to terms with chronic illness it may help but removing pain from a hypersensitive nervous system would be an unreasonable expectation from your doctor, that the female therapist recognises but has not voiced, beyond saying she cannot help with your anxiety over an uncertain future with a fluctuating condition. A pain clinic referral would be my suggestion though not as a cure only of finding a way of living with what you experience.
Anything physical affects us emotionally and anything emotional (anxiety etc) affects us physically. It is therefore good to try anything that will help with either. As Rosewine says if you are less tense your muscles will hurt less. Anything that helps you relax is good for you, all the best
If you don't get on with your therapist (or they don't get on with you as in your case) therapy must stop as it's useless or worse. I expect at some point at the start it was mentioned you have a right to say you dont think its working at any point, but we rarely think about it beyond signing the initial forms - I know I didn't. Hope things work out. {{{{{{{{{Bacaloca}}}}}}}}}}
Thanks for all your comments, I have read them all, several times so I could take them in. I am prepared to try anything to relieve the pain, I just wish I could find something .
Big, Gentle, Hugs, Bacaloca. Being in persistent pain is the worst thing, add in not knowing why or how to ease it and it's no surprise it leads to depression and anxiety. Of course you're going to be worried about the future - you can't see an end to the situation and therefore the future is a dark, uncertain place - there seems to be nothing to brighten it, no 'miracle cure' on the horizon, so it's no wonder you're r worried. It sounds like a very inept and blind therapist to me, in my humble, non-medical opinion, of course! Good luck, julie xxxxx
Hi Bacaloca
I sincerely hope that your therapy works well for you and that it has the desired effect and reduces your pain levels.
All my hopes and dreams for you
Ken
Thank you for your kind words.
Maybe a pain clinic might help, they do CBT to do with chronic pain which may help, sounds like ou need something less 'vague' I have got two books which have helped me with pain and anxiety. These are called "Full Catastrophe Living" (about illness, pain, anxiety and mindfulness) and "Change Your Thinking with CBT".
Thanks I will try and find those and see if they help.
I did, and had 6 sessions. I think it depends on what issues you have & how truthful you are. After 6 sessions I now know not to feel guilty if I'm not able to do something and be able to say no. When people judge it's their problem and not mine. (Sorry, I digress) What I'm trying to say is You learn how to cope with the pain and a little of life's intricacies. Gentle hugs.
I was honest and it has helped a little but some of the issues are not related to the fibromyalgia so I knew it wouldn't work miracles. As I said I am willing to try anything at least once.
Thanks again for listening and taking the time to help, I think this has helped me more than any therapy just knowing you are all there should I need a kick up the proverbial.
Ihave not been to a therapist, but my doctor gave me a prescription for Zoloft to help with the pain.
It has helped me some, and I don't worry as much as I did. Hope you feel better soon.
Well I went 3yrs ago and I'm still waiting for my first session,I'm laughing because that's the waiting list,never mind tomorrow is another day
Hi,
Like you I also wondered if it would help and decided I would at least give it a try. One of the best things I ever did. It really does help.
Hugs
Jillxx
I have just started with the psychology team doing CBT. they don't know about fibro, but they do think I have PTSD. I found out the two things are related. Now I'm wondering how to make the GP realise I have both, not just the PTSD. She is a bit like the GP in this post, x
Mental Health
mental health debate in westminster hall
GP told me my fibromyalgia is being caused by underlying mental health issues 
Medical records sent to the wrong address
