[When the Walls Fell]

I am vision impaired and this forum is almost impossible to see on my tablet.
I am depressed, but it's caused from physical issues that my doctor won't seem to address. Oh I have lots of psych issues, but currently I am contemplating going on a hunger strike with the exception of juice for my diabetes just to keep my blood sugar up.
My problem is extreme lethargy. Complete immobilizing lethargy. I'm in chronic pain but the lethargy is worse. I've spoken with my doctor many times to no avail. He keeps saying my blood work is fine, he is the only doctor within 150 miles of me who will take me. Believe me, I've looked. Seeing another doctor is out of the question. The lethargy is so bAd, I just want to die. This is no life. I'm thinking rapid weight loss might get his attention. I'm going to have to do something drastic because he is simply not hearing me.
I tried calling the Samaritan hotline but nobody answers.
How do I get my doctor to listen to me ? I'm fairly sure it's a horomonal issue. I know it's something physical because it all coincided with a hysterectomy and being on several new meds for a heart condition. I think it's either horomonal or medication related. I've been complaining about it for almost 2 years now. It's to the point I can't function at all.

I am very glad you called a hot line. I am also sad that you are not getting the medical help you need. Is there any chance of getting mental healthcare for yourself?

Lethargy, I believe, is a big sign of depression. I'm pretty sure as you are that the medications you are on might cause or exaggerate this mood. I've had some success with keeping depression at bay. I've scheduled activities. Yes, making a commitment to activities beforehand is I think important. Spontaneous activity seems to rarely work for me. I plan in advance when I am going to do things like chores, things I have to do that cause me to leave the house, and social occasions (even things like having a family member drop by). The commitment is a big part. But so too is the factor of looking forward to something. I recommend getting out your calendar and start with scheduling a few things out for yourself.

As for the doctor and their not paying you attention... Would it be hepful to lead off by listing those things that are working out in addition to trying to point out your concerns? Of course, I'm grasping at straws here.

[When the Walls Fell]

this isn't like that. I've had clinical depression. Not the same thing. I just took a shower and I am exhausted like I ran a marathon. I don't sleep all the time like with clinical depression. I'd rather deal with clinical depression than this. The hotline didn't do any good, nobody answers. I was hoping they could give me pointers on how to get my doctor to pay attention to this. It's physical exhaustion not clinical depression...although it may lead there if I can't get some help.
I have about every reason in the book to be depressed. It's funny, if it were depression at least that would be something...id have a reason for it. I know this is not that though. I probably shouldn't have come here. I just didn't have anywhere else to go.

[Gus1234U]

i am always astonished when doc's treat me that way, but they do, and more than just one doc. it's like:
"why waste time on someone i don't know how to help ?"

what i have done in the past that works best is to write down my concerns and take that to the doc, and ask for a signed copy saying it was received (the receptionist can do it, and enter it in your medical records).

docs feel very threatened by activist patients, but lethargy should 'dampen' your affect enough that you won't be discharged (as i have been). there is always some risk: either get no help, or get punished for persisting. it's the devil's choice. i hope you find some other way.

one time i did find an advocate, a case-manager supervisor, who intervened and saved my bacon (so to speak). you might try your local MH clinic or county Health Dept. or even call the Mental Health Assoc. or NAMI for support. i live with the lethargy you talk about, and my new pdoc ran blood tests (while my GP sat on his wallet), to see if i was vitamin deficient. i wasn't, but it was a compassionate gesture, that no other doc had made in over 8 yrs. i'm now taking vitamin B12 just for the hope it might help. so far, not so much.

best wishes~!