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Posted 3/1/2009 4:41 AM (GMT 0)
hello everyone,its been awhile since i visited this site been in and out of the hospital for pancreatitis and gallbladder removal.I am so thankful and grateful to be in this site when everyone is helping each other and knowing that you are not alone but sometimes i dont feel like doing anything even to turn on the computer all i just want to do is lie down , sit cry  i am so sad  and easily cried . I am on a disability from work and time to time they assessed me if i am able to go back to work, this stressed me out and now they want me to see a psychiatrist i am scared dont know what to do but i am not insane all i have is a lot of pain all over my body, they know that i have fibromyalgia ang myofascial pain ,etc. and my doctor told them that i am disable to go back to work and now they pressuring me to be in another sedentary job as what they called.does anybody here been sent to a psychiatrist ? How they assess you or evaluate a patient with fibro. need help and thank you.
Posted 3/1/2009 4:51 AM (GMT 0)
Well, I'm on disability from work, too. I know that between living with chronic pain and missing being around my co-workers and clients, and just plain more comfortable at home than being out, I'm depressed as well.

I have not gotten to the point where they want me to see a psychiatrist, so I can't help you with that.

I do know when I quantified for my claim rep exactly what I'm able to do or not, that seemed to help - actually, it's what got my claim approved.

For instance, just saying "I'm too tired to even turn on the computer", isn't very helpful. But, if you say, "I cannot sit at a computer for more than 20 minutes before my pain level goes up to the point where I have to get up and move and I can no longer concentrate", now you have given them something they can measure.

Also, ADLs (Activities of Daily Living) are important. For instance, do you need help with getting dressed? How do you get groceries to your home? Do you need help with bathing or showering? How far can you walk before you need assistance? How about driving?

If you document your pain level (on the 1-10 scale), your fatigue, and your activities for a week, that gives them a really good picture of what you are or are not capable of doing.

I hope this helps a bit.
Posted 3/1/2009 2:07 PM (GMT 0)
sinderella,

You have been (and it sounds like you're still going through) an extraordinary amount of stress and pain. Then, your job tells you that you need to see a shrink. Wow-THAT must make you feel better! wink I know nothing about your job or the head honchos you work with, but in my opinion, seeing a psychiatrist is a good thing-for you.

I can't tell you what will happen with your job after you see the doctor, but maybe he/she will be able to help you with your stress. Good luck and we are here if you need us. yeah
Posted 3/1/2009 2:56 PM (GMT 0)
I think Julie has some great ideas about keeping track of what you can and can't do. Of course your work doesn't want to pay the disability. My GP did suggest I see a psych but only cause he feels they know more about anti-depressants than he does.

 

Fibro alone is enough to deal with but then having other health problems on top of it like you have had has to be hard. I really hope you start feeling better soon.

 

luv and hugs

Marlee

Posted 3/1/2009 2:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Sinderela, and welcome back.  I don't have experience with disability, but it sounds like you've gotten some good advice from Julie and Kelly.

 

What I do want to ad is that I know being sent to a psychiatrist can be quite a shock, but it doesn't mean you are insane.  Most people with fibromyalgia experience anxiety, depression, and/or chronic stress from dealing with pain.  The visit with the psychiatrist won't be any scarier than just a normal doctor's visit.  He won't be trying to "trap" you into saying the wrong thing, and he won't treat you like you are crazy.  Most psychiatrists daily see patients with depression, anxiety, or just the stress of dealing with a chronic illness.  It sounds like you have a lot on your plate, and you may find the psychiatrist visit to be helpful. 

 

I hope you are feeling better soon.

 

Hugs - Austen

 

Posted 3/1/2009 3:33 PM (GMT 0)
First your first appointment its mostly going to asses mostly things like memory and things like that then the rest of it will be how your doing, how your feeling, and how are you coping. They are more there just to listen then anything. Think of it like an added support system. Just be honest with him,or her, and remember they are there for you. I worked in Mental health, believe me when I say no one who needs help is crazy or insane. We all need someone who understands what we are going through. Someone outside your family to talk to, and who better than a professional who deals with people in pain on a daily basis.
Posted 3/2/2009 12:25 AM (GMT 0)
thanks for the welcome and for your support and advice. i forgot to mentioned that i am a caregiver looking after elderly and disabled people and am working from home to home basis , i had a lot pain for more than ten years but just diagnosed last 2006 by a rheumatoid doctor and now the myofascial pain syndrome last 2007. i have a lot of pain from head to toe , c4-5 disc c-spine protrusion and spondylosis on my neck and spine. torn rotator cuff in my shoulder,  had parotidectomy, cholecystectomy, inguinal repair i dont know what next.. had IBS and bladder, muscle twitching on my upper corner of the eyes legs and back and i had burning sensation on my shouder and leg, pins and needles on my fingers and feet and more.....i felt so alone even though i have a husband that works so hard to pay our bills and needs. compaint alot i felt sorry about it. i just keep it to myself whatever i felt so i guesss thats the reason when i had an interview i cried and mentioned to them that i dont want to be a burden on my husband and i said i'd rather be dead. sometimes i am thinking bad but i am scared to do it. anyway thanks again for your kindness.
Posted 3/2/2009 2:57 AM (GMT 0)
Sinderella,

I see a psychiatrist who is mind and body. He understands fibromyalgia and even gave me adderall for the fatigue of it. Plus I am a little add too. But it was basically for the fatigue. I have a very good relationship with him and everything works out good. His nurse is my psychotherapist. So I get talk therapy with her, also she does massage as part of her therapy. Which is cool.

But some pdocs can understand physical pain. And there are antidepressants that help with physical pain too. So I think like the others said, this could be a good thing. Mental health problems can be disabling too.

I really hope that this works out well for you. Keep us posted, okay?

Hugs, Karen
Posted 3/2/2009 4:30 AM (GMT 0)
Karen,

I am on disability for fibromyalgia and depression and was sent to another psychiatrist for evaluation as well.

First of all, Julie is right on target, you have to quantify and measure your details related to your illness, ie, how far you can walk, the assistance you need at what times etc. She put it very elequently. I had help filling out my paperwork because I couldn't concentrate well enough to fill it out myself. Remember too, that antidepressants will help you feel better physically as well and some are designed to do that specifically.

Try to stay positive and know that you have a whole support system here anytime you want to write in. We are here for you. My email is available as well if you need to talk to me specificcaly. Just press the email button on the side of my post, OK?

Keep us posted, because we care about you.

Gentle Hugs,

Lindaloo
Posted 3/2/2009 4:19 PM (GMT 0)
Hi! Just wanted to chime in. I have been going to a psychiatrist for years now. They are not scary, but can be so uncomfortable if you feel that you are being forced into seeing one. If you suffer with depression (which it sounds like it) look at it as an opportunity to get more help. They may prescribe meds to help you sleep, cut down the anxiety in your life, help get you out of the "blues" so you can focus more on your life, and not only that--its someone you can trust and talk with about what is going on. So, dont be afraid or worse-ashamed about it. They may just be the one to help you deal with the transition of possibly not being able to work. That alone can cause an enormous amount of guilt on a person, and we dont need that. Wish you the best of luck and hope to hear how it goes with you.

Suanne
Posted 3/5/2009 4:32 AM (GMT 0)
been to a psychiatrist today and she said that i am too depressed and she increase my prescription zoloft 25mg to 50mg and give me tramacet for pain, and sugested for counseling. thank s for support..
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