I bit off more than I can chew....

Last week when I was in my "I can do anything" modes, I decided to finally see my regular GP for a list of things that have been getting worse and worse. I always thought my aches and pains were related to the BP and depression, among other things. But my body was really getting out of whack and I was in pain constantly and most specifically of all things my arms. I would wake up and they would be like in a rigor mortis state where I couldn't move them. Then they started feeling weak, to the point where I wouldnt' have even been able to type this far. Neck, shoulders, knees, etc. I have all the symptoms of fibromayalgia (sp?) and am on a new med Tramadol which helps some but I'm at a low dose. I get my bloodwork results this week for keeping tabs on levels of everything and am a bit nervous about it. Then it occured to me that I have an appt with my pdoc on Thursday, and a new T on Friday. What's even worse is that the last two appointments are out of town and I need to take the shuttle bus, it usually turns into an all day affair. Why oh why did I schedule myself so thin this week? I am already a wreck just thinking about it. I don't want to cancel the pdoc or T because both are very necessary right now and my T is new. I have a lot of anxiety issues and do not travel well at all. I don't really have any friends in the area as I have isolated myself so much since I moved here a year ago. My family is hundreds of miles away, and my daughter is too. Right now I could really use a friend to go with me to these appointments. I am kicking myself right now. Any suggestions?

Well , I would go with you if I could and so would any here. I am glad you made the appt.'s though. Think of it as the appt's will be over after that.You were feeling good and you arranged stuff so now its stressful. I have done that.

Find the strength again that you had and use it now to go. Anything symbolic you can take? Like something that means something to you. Can you stick it in a bag or pocket? Just a though.

You CAN always see if you can change one till the next week. Just explain why and maybe they can fit you in. Nothing is set in stone you know! It's again about choices that you still have available.

Let me know what you decide

Hugs;

Hello, porcupine2. As you well know the proper choice of action rarely is the most convenient. I wish you well.

Hello, you are not alone. I get a ton of anxiety when I have too much going on-too many appointments and things going on. Blood work and results are agonizing. A lot of people don't get that, I do.
If both appts are in the same place can you change one of them so they are both on the same day?
If not try to breathe through it, and tell yourself by Friday afternoon it will all be over.
Bring a calming CD or music to listen to, or a nice book. Look out the window when you are traveling and try to find some joy in the things passing by. Try to stay in the moment that will help stressing over unknown things.
Maybe you could text your daughter when your anxiety gets high? I do that. Chatting calms me down.

sometimes it's good to remember that we are not in control of the world, and to stop blaming ourselves for what goes on, or not. i liked that suggestion about looking out the window of the shuttle, and remaining in the now. it has always served me well. best wishes, and good health,, Gus

your prob,s may lie with tramadol , its not a good drug to take when on shrink meds.

Hi , I have scheduled my appts to close like that too. It does feel good the next week when you can relax and say I made it though! I wish I was there I would go with ya too! I would talk with the gp doc about your pain meds. Hope all works out what ever you decide. Will be thinking of you.

Thanks everyone! I'll imagine all of you on the bus with me And you are right - by Friday night I will be very proud if I make it through the week. Or WHEN I make it through the week right? One day at a time. One hour at a time.

Yes, it does concern me a bit. When I went to look it up on Drugs.com I saw the high risk with antidepressants. Plus I take Xanax. I don't want to be overmedicated and have also been very sensitive to meds and their side affects. Have you had experience with this med? Thanks for the heads up!

YES I HAVE, I have had tramodol for pain when in hospital, an it reacted badly with my ssri sertraline. it was quite scarry an is now on my med records as a must not take med.

Good for you for taking care of yourself, porcupine2. Sometimes all it is is a med change. Good luck. Hang in there...

You no all the aches an pain,s are a symtom of depression for most depressive, me included,so dont get them mixed up with a real phsyical illness even though it can feel like it. Takeing pain meds for depression induced pain can be a bad move.

I agree - it's hard to tell what are the causes of all the aches and pains. Over the last 20 years I always assumed it was just another symptom of the depression and BP but it finally got to the point of being debilitating. When I found some cyst like lumps on my arms and was on the verge of tears from the pain, I finally went to the MD. I don't think they will ever know what is what but right now are concentrating on helping the symptoms. Glad I have an appt with my Pdoc this week to discuss...................

Thanks for this - your message reminded me that I COULD change things around and make the week more manageable. And I did change the new T to another date. Funny how when you are in the middle of a freak out you don't see the options in front of you. And it's usually so simple! Thanks again!