[saywhat?]

Hi,
I'm looking for suggestions on how to best explain to my PCP that my symptoms aren't all due to my diagnosis of Bipolar/Depression. Or stories from folks that have gone through this themselves!

Been to pdoc and T this week, first time since my 3 weeks in intensive group therapy for severe depression. My mood has elevated and motivation has returned along with that, but the fatigue, joint aches, headaches, confusion/memory loss is the same if not worse than before group therapy/med changes. Everyone (myself, pdoc,T) all thought that all of these other symptoms would improve when the depression lifted, but I still can't get out bed! When I try to shower, I get lightheaded and weak, like I need to sit down. There's no strength at all. When I force myself to perform tasks as simple as dressing my son for school, I have to take a break in the middle to be able to finish. I can't concentrate (tried to put my son's shirt on from the bottom up instead of over his head a few days ago, forgot that a close relative has passed away, couldn't figure out the door lock on my car, and MORE) my memory is shot, and not for just little things. I STILL can't sleep despite the fact that my meds could knock down a horse.

Pdoc pooh poohs all of this, T says I should get my PCP to check me for some of the autoimmune disorders. My PCP is a meat factory, I never see the same one twice and I'm at a loss as to how to approach this without sounding like a crazy person (haha). There's got to be another reason my body isn't down with the plan of doing even the basic activities of living!

[madisgram]

i kind of agree about you seeing your gp for possible blood work. thyroid could be out of whack or some other conditions to create the symptoms. has this been going on more recently or longer duration?

[Soul Quake]

Are you eating properly? Have you looked up the symptoms of fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome?

[eskielover]

It does take some time for the body to get back to normal after the depression lifts....3 weeks is really not a lot of time......but it's also good to have a baseline knowledge of what's going on with your body such as blood tests & everything else they can do.

I went through a trauma with the home care person when my mother was dying of cancer....ended up causing my weight to drop so low it was considered anorexia.....my gp stuck me in the hospital.....in & out for almost 2 months because I was so sick from the stress that I couldn't eat. He did every test possible in the hospital to prove that it wasn't something physical......even though I told him what was going on in my life. Nothing showed up to be physically wrong.....but it was good to have the tests to prove that also.

Blood tests can show up a lot of things that can cause problems.

If you are on meds, some of what you describe I have found to be side effects of meds.

One never knows until we sort through the facts about our bodies & blood tests are a good place to start....then go from there.

[lonegael]

If your Pdoc feel that this is a somatic rather than a psychiatri illness, than he or she should write a letter or call the gp office on record to request that you be checked for a physical malady. They might well take the other physician more seriously than they will take you, and having a real doc's voice on the other end of the phone will have more punch than having you just saying, "my pdoc said for me to tell you..." because a psych patient generally isn't taken very serously. This is just the voice of experience speaking. HUGGGGSSS S and good luck. Also, Depression can predispose you for a lot of the chronic fatigue and pain type problems, so please don't let them put you off.

[saywhat?]

Originally Posted by madisgram

i kind of agree about you seeing your gp for possible blood work. thyroid could be out of whack or some other conditions to create the symptoms. has this been going on more recently or longer duration?

Thanks for the post Madigram, I've decided to go ahead and make the appt with my GP...Basically I just need to "grow a pair" and stop letting these folks intimidate me. The fatigue/other symptoms started in July of this year. I've been dealing with Depression since 1991, but I've never had such severe physical symptoms, Arrgghh!!

[saywhat?]

Originally Posted by Soul Quake

Are you eating properly? Have you looked up the symptoms of fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome?

Hi Soul Quake....I couldn't exactly say my diet is ideal
so that could defininitely be a contributing factor. As for the Chronic Fatigue and Fibro; I've done some research on both of these and my symptoms seem to follow those of Chronic Fatigue. In my reading I ALSO noticed that there's a common theme regarding these two diagnoses: Doctors aren't taking them very seriously and there's no definitive tests for either of them. Jeeez, could it BE any more difficult?!?

[saywhat?]

Originally Posted by eskielover

It does take some time for the body to get back to normal after the depression lifts....3 weeks is really not a lot of time......but it's also good to have a baseline knowledge of what's going on with your body such as blood tests & everything else they can do.

I went through a trauma with the home care person when my mother was dying of cancer....ended up causing my weight to drop so low it was considered anorexia.....my gp stuck me in the hospital.....in & out for almost 2 months because I was so sick from the stress that I couldn't eat. He did every test possible in the hospital to prove that it wasn't something physical......even though I told him what was going on in my life. Nothing showed up to be physically wrong.....but it was good to have the tests to prove that also.

Blood tests can show up a lot of things that can cause problems.

If you are on meds, some of what you describe I have found to be side effects of meds.

One never knows until we sort through the facts about our bodies & blood tests are a good place to start....then go from there.

Thanks so much for the input! It's so terribly aggravating when you feel that something is wrong, but no one can say what it is. I'm kinda anxious in general, so this type of issue just cranks up the anxiety. In my perfect little alternate universe there would be a clear cut cause and cure for EVERYTHING~! I'm going to make that appt with my GP so I can at least make sure my blood work is normal to satisfy my morbid anxiety. Then I'll go from there...
Oh, and I did ask my pdoc about all the side effects of my meds, including possible interactions b/c of how MANY I'm taking together. She assured me that there aren't any significant correlation between my symptoms and med side effects. Well I can google Ambien and see that alot of my symptoms are listed. Even better, MOST of the meds I'm on can cause alot of my symptoms, so who knows which one could be causing the problem. I'm seriously going to wind up with some balds spots thinking about all of this!

[Soul Quake]

Hello again. My suggestion is to go see a specialist; namely a rheumatologist. They are the ones who diagnose fibromyalgia type illnesses such as CFS, and you mentioned joint pain, which is also something they can help with.

If all else fails, take better care of yourself by eating better. I had wide-spread pain, insomnia, and memory problems which were result of a poor appetite.

[saywhat?]

Originally Posted by lonegael

If your Pdoc feel that this is a somatic rather than a psychiatri illness, than he or she should write a letter or call the gp office on record to request that you be checked for a physical malady. They might well take the other physician more seriously than they will take you, and having a real doc's voice on the other end of the phone will have more punch than having you just saying, "my pdoc said for me to tell you..." because a psych patient generally isn't taken very serously. This is just the voice of experience speaking. HUGGGGSSS S and good luck. Also, Depression can predispose you for a lot of the chronic fatigue and pain type problems, so please don't let them put you off.

Thanks for the support Lonegael, the hugs are always appreciated!
I've about had it with my pdoc...My T is VERY supportive and outspoken in giving me ideas;I wish SHE could manage everything instead of having to go to two different people, especially when those two people don't talk to each other to coordinate care. I'm going to get into my GP's office and not leave until someone takes me seriously.....hahahahahahahaha.
Sorry, crazy person moment. But I AM going to go to the GP and give it the ole college try. I'll keep everyone posted!

[sandy4029]

Originally Posted by saywhat?

Hi,
I'm looking for suggestions on how to best explain to my PCP that my symptoms aren't all due to my diagnosis of Bipolar/Depression. Or stories from folks that have gone through this themselves!

Been to pdoc and T this week, first time since my 3 weeks in intensive group therapy for severe depression. My mood has elevated and motivation has returned along with that, but the fatigue, joint aches, headaches, confusion/memory loss is the same if not worse than before group therapy/med changes. Everyone (myself, pdoc,T) all thought that all of these other symptoms would improve when the depression lifted, but I still can't get out bed! When I try to shower, I get lightheaded and weak, like I need to sit down. There's no strength at all. When I force myself to perform tasks as simple as dressing my son for school, I have to take a break in the middle to be able to finish. I can't concentrate (tried to put my son's shirt on from the bottom up instead of over his head a few days ago, forgot that a close relative has passed away, couldn't figure out the door lock on my car, and MORE) my memory is shot, and not for just little things. I STILL can't sleep despite the fact that my meds could knock down a horse.

Pdoc pooh poohs all of this, T says I should get my PCP to check me for some of the autoimmune disorders. My PCP is a meat factory, I never see the same one twice and I'm at a loss as to how to approach this without sounding like a crazy person (haha). There's got to be another reason my body isn't down with the plan of doing even the basic activities of living!

Dear saywhat?....
I agree with eskie 100%...the other thing is while you're (i'm) depressed i can't accomplish much of anything and physically you get "outta shape" for the simplest daily activities so fast...especially if you haven't been active...and I don't mean chasing the kids and doin' chores...I mean workouts, bikeriding, hiking etc... If I push myself to do an hour walk, no matter how bad i feel, the next day is ALWAYS better...
Jus' sayin' maybe your bod needs O2...especially to clear away cobwebs...jus put one foot infront of the other! Easier said than done.
xoxxoooo's Hang in there!
pam

[ECHOES]

If it feels like you are beating your head against a wall, stop.
Try out a new pcp doc. Some are better listeners than others. Some are less dismissive than others. Some have fewer prejudices about mental health issues, the female gender, etc.

[yellowted]

I totally understand where you are comming from, there is nothing more frustrating or stress inducing than not knowing what is wrong with you and on top of that having un professional professionals who do not share information, it is the confidentiality code gone mad in my oppinion!!

[JAZZY10]

They have got you darling.

Watch 'The Changeling" and 'One flew over the cuckoo's' nest' for clues.

1. Do everything they ask.
2. Be nice.
3. Don't analyse every other person.
4. Be exceptionally polite.
5. AND, never, never, assume you know more than them.
6. And never invite your friends in for a party - Nurse Ratched hates that.

That way they will think your normal like me

Sorry we have to have fun occasionally.

Love and best wishes Jasmine