Overwhelmed

I eventually became so depressed that I could barely function at all. I think the depression came from the pain and the fatigue stealing my life away from me. I have recently been given a diagnosis of depression, and the rhuematologist I had been seeing told me I have chronic fatigue, but she did not put it in my file as a diagnosis.

I have applied for disability and have been denied twice, so I am waiting for a hearing date to be set... I do have an attorney. I don't know quite know what to do from here.

I am not happy with the rhuematologist, and I can't get much from my GP. I do not have any doctor backing me up on disability,

and I haven't been able to muster up the energy to find a new doctor, much less gp to one.

How do I find the enrgy? The motivation?  The right doctor who can diagnose the cfs officially? where do I begin? I am tired and I am weak and I am very sad  on top of it all.

I am presently on cymbalta for depression and anxiety, but I am not sure I like it. I have started therapy for the depression but I'm not sure I like that either...LOL...The meds for depression are really what I am taking to help the fibro.

I just don't know what to do next... any advice?

Allison

Allison

Post Edited (Aljosangels) : 9/5/2005 11:58:37 PM (GMT-6)

Allison

Allison - I'm sorry to hear about what you are going through.

I typically post in the arthritis forum, but I wanted to reply to you. 10 years ago, I was in horrible pain and was not getting the treatment I needed. Depression took over, my ability to function between pain, fatigue, and depression was unbelievable. I am just now applying for disability...I don' t know what the doctors have in their files to know if it'll hurt me or help me with my claim.

But, keep fighting with the doctors, disability to get what you need...it's hard, boy do I know! To do this when you feel tapped out 24/7 physcially and emotionally.  Do your best to find the right doctors you need to see - you can't and don't need to do this all in one day. Because your doctors now are not helping, you may want to think about finding a specialist (psychologist? psychatrist? I don't know which is which) whose main focus is pain management and depression. If you can find a good one to talk to and diagnose you - this could help YOU deal with this better AND possibly your CLAIM if they can diagnosis you with depression from chronic pain/fatiuge at a minimum.

Take it day by day. There is a lot of support here to help you out, HW has been such a life saver for me.  There is a depression forum as well as arthritis - you might find some help and support there as well. Make sure you have a lot of YOU time to get the care, rest, and pampering you need right now. 

Good luck!

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