[phaset]

I have an appointment with my doctor tomorrow night, and I plan on talking about how I've been feeling and ask for a referral. I don't know if I can actually do it though... I have a hard time asking for help and admitting something is wrong.

Over Christmas I had gout in my foot and couldn't walk. I couldn't bring myself to make an appointment. It's happened a few times since then. Last time, about a month ago, I made an appointment and we changed my blood pressure meds so I'm no longer taking a diuretic (hydrochlorothiazide) which may have been causing it. Previously I was taking the diuretic in a pill combined with another medication (remipril), but now the other one is a different generic in a capsule form.

Almost immediately I felt more energetic. This is one of the reasons I feel strong enough to deal with my depression (see my previous post). I used to get winded walking to my car every day. Since then I've experienced intense anxiety symptoms and haven't been sleeping much. I don't think that I am worrying or thinking about anything when it happens, it's just the physical sore feeling of my holding my chest and stomach muscles tight like I've been shivering. I've also had some periods of shaking. I've tried breathing exercises, relaxation, etc... Nothing makes it go away. Sunday I felt fine most of the day, then I went to the grocery store and it started in the car.

I suspect that my new anxiety problems are related to this change. It could be this is due to my decision to talk about my depression. I'm scared though that it may be the new reality for me and that the increased energy is getting turned into anxiety. This is all very different from what I'm used to. I'm used to being able to sleep for 12 hours, though I did have problems falling asleep from time to time. I'm used to having some sort of reason for being anxious. I definitely preferred being depressed and not having the physical energy to do anything rather than being depressed, in pain and don't want to do anything.

I have no idea what is going to happen if I bring it up. I want the referral right away... I hope any medical stuff can be checked while I'm waiting for that to happen. I don't know if I should accept any medication that my doctor would prescribe right now... I'm not against taking medication again, but that can wait. Then again with all the changes I want something to change right now.

I desperately want to be in therapy again. I've spent a lot of time lately thinking about what went wrong last time, but I feel really motivated to deal with those problems. I need to talk to someone out loud. I haven't told my wife how I've been feeling. I told her about my depression many years ago, before we started dating, and it's not come up since. She's been making comments lately, and asking if I'm ok, so I suspect she knows something is going on. It's not that I don't trust her, or don't want her to know... I just can't do it. I freeze up and nothing comes out. This was one of my problems in therapy. I couldn't communicate what I was thinking or feeling.

I need help asking for help. If I don't do it tomorrow, I don't know if I ever will.

[lostinbooks]

Please ask for help. I know it is hard, but it will pay off in the long run. It might even alleviate some of the anxiety immediately.

Good luck tomorrow.

[Pierro]

Hi Phaset, You will feel so much better in yourself when you ask for help. It's hard but when you do you will benefit greatly from it. Best wishes to you.

[happy 2 b here]

Originally Posted by phaset

I have an appointment with my doctor tomorrow night, and I plan on talking about how I've been feeling and ask for a referral. I don't know if I can actually do it though... I have a hard time asking for help and admitting something is wrong.

Over Christmas I had gout in my foot and couldn't walk. I couldn't bring myself to make an appointment. It's happened a few times since then. Last time, about a month ago, I made an appointment and we changed my blood pressure meds so I'm no longer taking a diuretic (hydrochlorothiazide) which may have been causing it. Previously I was taking the diuretic in a pill combined with another medication (remipril), but now the other one is a different generic in a capsule form.

Almost immediately I felt more energetic. This is one of the reasons I feel strong enough to deal with my depression (see my previous post). I used to get winded walking to my car every day. Since then I've experienced intense anxiety symptoms and haven't been sleeping much. I don't think that I am worrying or thinking about anything when it happens, it's just the physical sore feeling of my holding my chest and stomach muscles tight like I've been shivering. I've also had some periods of shaking. I've tried breathing exercises, relaxation, etc... Nothing makes it go away. Sunday I felt fine most of the day, then I went to the grocery store and it started in the car.

I suspect that my new anxiety problems are related to this change. It could be this is due to my decision to talk about my depression. I'm scared though that it may be the new reality for me and that the increased energy is getting turned into anxiety. This is all very different from what I'm used to. I'm used to being able to sleep for 12 hours, though I did have problems falling asleep from time to time. I'm used to having some sort of reason for being anxious. I definitely preferred being depressed and not having the physical energy to do anything rather than being depressed, in pain and don't want to do anything.

I have no idea what is going to happen if I bring it up. I want the referral right away... I hope any medical stuff can be checked while I'm waiting for that to happen. I don't know if I should accept any medication that my doctor would prescribe right now... I'm not against taking medication again, but that can wait. Then again with all the changes I want something to change right now.

I desperately want to be in therapy again. I've spent a lot of time lately thinking about what went wrong last time, but I feel really motivated to deal with those problems. I need to talk to someone out loud. I haven't told my wife how I've been feeling. I told her about my depression many years ago, before we started dating, and it's not come up since. She's been making comments lately, and asking if I'm ok, so I suspect she knows something is going on. It's not that I don't trust her, or don't want her to know... I just can't do it. I freeze up and nothing comes out. This was one of my problems in therapy. I couldn't communicate what I was thinking or feeling.

I need help asking for help. If I don't do it tomorrow, I don't know if I ever will.

Hi

If it helps, I am struggling with the same thing right now-- which is -- asking for help for my depression, etc -- my medication needs some change -- I am taking meds where one of the side effects is excessive sweating -- I have tolerated it for the past 3 months -- but can't anymore. I am concerned, too, that I won't get the right meds for me -- boy, after all the years I have lived with depression and anxiety, and the fact that I have had the same doctor for over 30 years, still makes asking for help so difficult -- don't you agree!!

So, you ask for help tomorrow -- and I will ask for help on Friday -- wish I didn't need to wait til then.

You will know that I will be "with you" in thought -- and, perhaps that will help.

Please follow through with your request -- and I will do the same, o.k.?

[phaset]

Thank you for the replies everyone. I'm leaving for my appointment shortly, and I'll post something when I'm done. I plan on bringing it up.

It's a deal happy 2 b here. If I can't do it for me, I can do it for you.

[happy 2 b here]

Originally Posted by phaset

Thank you for the replies everyone. I'm leaving for my appointment shortly, and I'll post something when I'm done. I plan on bringing it up.

It's a deal happy 2 b here. If I can't do it for me, I can do it for you.

Aren't you sweet -- that's how I see it ,too

[phaset]

Ok. I did it. That went nowhere near according to plan. I also learned (again) that I don't really like or trust my doctor.

I told him that I've had a lot of anxiety since the med change, he didn't really respond to that. Later he said he thinks the anxiety is due to increased blood pressure (140/90!) so I am doubling one of my blood pressure meds.

I brought up depression... It was very awkward. I was shaking the whole time and had a hard time talking. He asked some questions about it, but wasn't exactly confidence inspiring. He asked how it was affecting my life, and who diagnosed me before. it was my previous doctor who works in the same office who I have no idea why isn't my doctor any more. Then he said he was going to refer me to a psychologist and wants me to go to 2-3 sessions with her. So that's what I'm going to do I guess.

What was weird is he didn't ask me any other questions. Not that I'm suicidal but he didn't even ask. When I went through this years ago every person I talked to asked me that, most of them every time I saw them.

[happy 2 b here]

Originally Posted by phaset

Ok. I did it. That went nowhere near according to plan. I also learned (again) that I don't really like or trust my doctor.

I told him that I've had a lot of anxiety since the med change, he didn't really respond to that. Later he said he thinks the anxiety is due to increased blood pressure (140/90!) so I am doubling one of my blood pressure meds.

I brought up depression... It was very awkward. I was shaking the whole time and had a hard time talking. He asked some questions about it, but wasn't exactly confidence inspiring. He asked how it was affecting my life, and who diagnosed me before. it was my previous doctor who works in the same office who I have no idea why isn't my doctor any more. Then he said he was going to refer me to a psychologist and wants me to go to 2-3 sessions with her. So that's what I'm going to do I guess.

What was weird is he didn't ask me any other questions. Not that I'm suicidal but he didn't even ask. When I went through this years ago every person I talked to asked me that, most of them every time I saw them.

Sorry to hear all that -- some doctors aren't as empathetic as we would hope -- took me a long time to train mine!! Seriously, though, when I first was looking for help for my anxiety -- and that was back in the mid-eighties -- I always felt I was not been taken seriously. When I was about your age, I had raging anxiety -- it is no fun -- right? But now, everyone has so much more knowledge on mental health issues.

You did accomplish the fact that you wanted to go back to therapy -- right? Or is that just short term?

Also, are you on any med besides blood pressure? I have been on effexor xr for over 7 years -- it has been a blessing for me -- but not everyone has had good results with it. I am also on wellbutrin and alprazolam. I would think you would want to be on something for your anxiety, right? If you feel very strongly about needing/wanting some med, stick with it -- MAKE your doctors take you serious -- I have had to fight for pretty much what I think I need -- so, on Friday, I have to say, that the side effect from my med is making me sweat too much, and I can't put up with it anymore -- which may mean, I will have to find something else -- that I hope will do me some good and keep me from getting so hot

Please don't get discouraged -- it really is important that you get results for you-- but sometimes, it can seem like too much work -- but you are worth it!!

[phaset]

Yeah, this is pretty much what I wanted for right now. I want to figure out what's going on before trying meds again.

No, I'm not taking any other meds.

[happy 2 b here]

Originally Posted by phaset

Yeah, this is pretty much what I wanted for right now. I want to figure out what's going on before trying meds again.

No, I'm not taking any other meds.

High blood pressure has been in the news lately -- maybe having a possible connection with depression -- I did read that.

I do have hbp -- get it checked every few weeks when I go to the rec centre -- started going to the gym 6 months ago -- one more thing to keep the depression away -- 140/90 is borderline hbp -- I believe -- don't want it any higher, that is for sure. Hopefully a physical check-up will let you know some answers. I have had a thyroid test done -- high/normal --blood sugar -- high/normal and even my b12 levels -- normal. So, physically, I am quite healthy, but my emotional/mental health needs a bit of help!

[phaset]

Yeah, I know it's not super high, but high blood pressure is a concern for me as I have kidney problems. They don't need any more stress than normal.

I got a call from the thearpist's office this morning and have an appointment for July 3rd.

[lostinbooks]

Originally Posted by phaset

Ok. I did it. That went nowhere near according to plan. I also learned (again) that I don't really like or trust my doctor.

I told him that I've had a lot of anxiety since the med change, he didn't really respond to that. Later he said he thinks the anxiety is due to increased blood pressure (140/90!) so I am doubling one of my blood pressure meds.

I brought up depression... It was very awkward. I was shaking the whole time and had a hard time talking. He asked some questions about it, but wasn't exactly confidence inspiring. He asked how it was affecting my life, and who diagnosed me before. it was my previous doctor who works in the same office who I have no idea why isn't my doctor any more. Then he said he was going to refer me to a psychologist and wants me to go to 2-3 sessions with her. So that's what I'm going to do I guess.

What was weird is he didn't ask me any other questions. Not that I'm suicidal but he didn't even ask. When I went through this years ago every person I talked to asked me that, most of them every time I saw them.

Or your high blood pressure was because you were so anxious to bring up your anxiety and depression. Strange he wouldn't think of that. My blood pressure soars when I am at the doctor or dentist, but when I take it other times and fill out that card for my doctor, it is almost always fine. He did refer you to a psychologist, which is what you really wanted. Let him/her decide if you need meds. I hope you feel better soon.