[phaset]

I don't know what I want from this post. It's probably too long for people to read.

I'm really overwhelmed by all that is going on in my life right now. We had a baby 6 weeks ago and she may have a sensitivity to something my wife is eating, probably dairy. She's stuffed up and not feeding/sleeping well. My wife's parents spent a month in town and were very rude and inconsiderate, doing things like complaining we aren't feeding them after they show up unannounced, gossiping to the rest of her family, etc. They went home last Saturday.

1) Saturday I had to drive my wife's son and her nephew to meet my wife's parents closer to their house because they wouldn't come pick them up. The baby was overtired and fussy and the trip which would normally have taken 6 hours took almost 10 due to stops for feeding, etc.

2) Yesterday (Monday) when I got home the deadbolt on my door fell apart in my hand. I had to rush out to the store to replace it.

Later, the psychologist that did my Asperger's assessment showed up at my door canvasing for a political party. I was a bit shocked and my dog got out, and then rolled around the feet of the woman that was with him while we talked for a bit. Then my dog ran off and I had to go catch her... When I got back in the house I was shaking. I have mixed feelings about him, he was likable but had a habit of talking too much, putting words in my mouth and forgetting important stuff.

3) Tonight (Tuesday) I see my doctor. I have kidney disease (IgA nephropathy) and recently had an ultrasound of my kidneys. A few days later my doctor's office called and said I had a CT scan scheduled. Tonight I will be getting the results. I had an ultrasound 8 years ago and wasn't sent for a CT scan so I am scared that something has changed.

I am also going to ask my doctor if I can see someone else at the same clinic. I don't trust my doctor all that much. I have had several issues with the way he has been prescribing medication (side effects not taken seriously, combinations that should not be used, reluctance to treat things), not following through on what he said he was going to do, etc... My therapist has been pushing me for a long time to find a new doctor. I am more scared about doing this than the results of the CT scan. The first words out of my mouth will likely be some version of "I was wondering if I could switch to see Dr. xxx instead".

4) Tomorrow (Wednesday) my wife has an appointment to see someone at the local children's hospital about postpartum depression and she is taking me. She had really bad depression after her first child and the hospital arranged for her to have contact with the maternal mental health clinic at the hospital. She's been really anxious since the baby was born and her sister and I both suggested she contact them early. She wants me to tell the person she is seeing there why I thought she should see them.

When I was in highschool I was seeing a therapist provided by the same hospital, I want to ask if she is still working as I have some questions I'd like answered, but I may be too scared. I also don't know if it is appropriate.

5) On Thursday I have an appointment with my psychiatrist. I have a lot to talk to her. I've reduced my therapy down to once a month as I can't afford any more than my insurance provides now. I've talked about this in another post... I will be asking her if she thinks I should have more than 12 and if so if she could refer me to the community mental health clinic. I have reservations about this as I feel guilty about not paying and taking away from someone who potentially has more serious problems. Also I really like my current therapist and would miss her quite a bit. I also will ask if there is anything else she can help me get to provide some support.

I messed up the time of the appointment the last time I saw her and I had things I wanted to talk about. She saw me anyway, even though I threw her schedule off, but I didn't bring up anything I wanted to talk about. I likely have some mild brain damage and I am wondering if that is a factor in any of my symptoms, other than ones that the psychologist from #2 above identified.

Before the baby I was sad a lot and almost crying when I was in the car, after the baby I am overwhelmed by everything going on. I wasn't as sad for a few weeks but the last few days it has come back and I think it's worse than before. She will likely increase my medication again, which also worries me as it is quite expensive (Cymbalta, no generic available here apparently), even with my insurance.

[*Laurie*]

Hi phaset. Your life does sound pretty darn overwhelming right now. No wonder you feel frustrated. In my experience, there isn't a person in the world who is not overwhelmed with a new baby in the home. They are precious, they are a delight, and they also leave their mom and dad exhausted! And often depressed. And anxious. It sounds like your in-laws were of no help at all and putting up with them for a month...yikes

I'm really glad to hear that both you and your wife are seeking help for your depressions. Good for you!! Do whatever you have to do to get the help you and your family need.

Your kidney problem is no doubt a huge stress, physically and emotionally. I truly hope your CT scan brings only good news. As for switching doctors, do it! Remember, you've hired your doctor and just like any employee you hire, if it's not working out go ahead and give yourself permission to take care of your health and make the necessary changes.

Best of luck to you...seems to me you're doing all the best things. And remember - 6 weeks is often a rough time for an infant as it adapts to the world. Honestly, by 3-4 months things generally smooth out as far as food and such.

[phaset]

#3 is done. I have a cyst on my kidney that has grown since an ultrasound in 2007. My Dr thinks its not going to be a problem but he is going to refer me to a urologist.

He also is going to talk to the Dr I want to switch to.

I did it!

[Angelique67]

Originally Posted by phaset

#3 is done. I have a cyst on my kidney that has grown since an ultrasound in 2007. My Dr thinks its not going to be a problem but he is going to refer me to a urologist.

He also is going to talk to the Dr I want to switch to.

I did it!

Congratulations on getting done with the appointment for now! I get so frightened before I have to do anything like that. I think you're very brave.

Paying for Cymbalta can be tough. I don't know if it will make you feel any better, but at the moment in the US, the generic version is only a tiny bit cheaper than the name brand (like $20-$30/month.) The projections that I've seen say that it should be a lot cheaper in another couple of years.

I don't know how much Cymbalta costs in Canada, but right now in the US, it's typically in the $250 ballpark for thirty 60 mg capsules.

[phaset]

#4 is done, the meeting went well. Unfortunately there is no record of my old therapist in the hospitals contact system.

[possum220]

Yup life by numbers. When things are as hectic as they are now all we can do is take one day at a time. Or even one hour at a time. Breathe..........

[phaset]

Originally Posted by possum220

Yup life by numbers. When things are as hectic as they are now all we can do is take one day at a time. Or even one hour at a time. Breathe..........

#5 is done. She is referring me. Thanks for the replies