I am a 67 year old male with some tough
health
problems.
For one I have severe copd and emphysema.
This has been an ongoing
problem for 6 years. I have been on
oxygen for the last 5 years, use
bronchio dialators, with nebulizers. Have
also tried steroids with no effect.
I also have a problem with cold feet.
Turns out, after a dopler exam,
it is neurological and not arterial and
probably a result of diabetes. I also
have a natal hernia, which I was told was
inoperable due to my copd. When I go into
a coughing spell, it irritates my hernia
to the point of severe cramps. I have to
use quinine sulphate to control these.
The bottom line is, I have suffered with
these problems for 6 years
with absolutely no relief. Every doctor I
have talked to says the same
thing. I have to learn to live with my
pain and suffering.
I made the mistake of saying to my doctor,
in an offhand way, that I
would welcome going to sleep some night
and not waking up. So, now I am labeled
mentally disturbed. That I need
phsyciatric help. Why does it
shift the basis of my problems off the
actual pain and place it into
another diagnosis.
I'm not the type of person to do myself
harm and these doctors know
it. So, how do I get back on track in
dealing with my pain and not a
wild goose chase looking for my mind?
I hope you can make sense of this, because
I certainly can not.
Thanks for listening,
radixlecti.
|
Nikia
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 27 Nov 2003 Posts: 74 Location: Wisconsin
I Don't Know Why They Just Focus On That Posted: 09-25-04 15:45pm
I think that a lot of us suffering from
chronic illnesses do develop some of the
more common mental disorders (anxiety or
depression). I think that it is
emotionally difficult being sick. We
might not be able to do some of the things
that we used to find enjoyable. Other
things we might be able to do, but might
be less enjoyable when we are feeling
nauseaous or in pain. We may worry about
how others see us.
When I was disagnosed with panic disorder,
my doctor attributed everything to my
anxiety. About a year later, I was
finally treated for my chronic sinus
infection and felt much better. That had
been attributed to anxiety.
For the past several months, I have been
suffering digestive problems which the
doctors keep on perscribed different
medicines while I am not getting better.
I am afraid to even mention that my
anxiety has increased lately and that I
think that I may be getting depressed
also. I might benefit by going back into
counseling therapy but I don't want my
doctor assuming that I don't have a
physical problem just because I have
anxiety and depression.
