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Stress/depression/anxiety/physical problems
I sent this to Colleen yesterday I know she’s busy so I decided to post this. I haven’t been on this for awhile. Long story. Don’t know if I have enough room. I’m 68 yr old female. I suffer from the above. I was on an antidepressant for years. Stopped working about time pandemic started. I tried a number of meds. I see a psychiatrist and therapist. Been seeing a psychiatrist for years. A therapist for years. Started seeing a psychologist that deals with gastro problems. I suffer from heat in throat, loss of appetite and nausea. Meds don’t seem to help. Had a endoscopy and colonoscopy in June. Normal. I had bladder cancer surgery in June. Dr removed 2 tumors. One was cancerous. Injected chemo in bladder. Had a polyp removed and d and C in July. I have social anxiety. I’m not interested in anything. I don’t look forward to anything. I just go to drs appts and go home. My husband of 43 years takes care of everything. After d & c surgery I’ve been bleeding from bladder. Now urologist wants to operate again and see why I’m bleeding and clotting. He wants to inject Botox, a half dose. I’m scared about that. Don’t know much about it. Just seen him yesterday. The surgery is scheduled for next week. I’m also on Gemtessa for overactive bladder. I never had an overactive bladder. He thinks the bladder didn’t have time to heal. He also said stress makes people urinate more. I have urgency at times and pain. Been checked a number of times for UTI. I seemed to hv stopped bleeding. My pcp thinks I should cancel surgery since I’m not bleeding now. . I also suffer from headaches, insomnia and tinnitus. Meds I’m on are bp med, Nexium, Pepcid, gemtessa, .5 mg Ativan twice a day and Tylenol. If anyone can give me their opinion I would appreciate it. I’m so stressed out everyday. Thank you for listening. Flo
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Thank you. I’m sending you my prayers and hope you get well soon!
Welcome back, @flow65. I'm glad you thought of the kindness and support of members on Mayo Clinic Connect when you found yourself facing increased medical challenges.
As you deal with bladder cancer and its treatments, you may find it helpful to join the discussions in the
- Bladder Cancer support group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/bladder-cancer/
As you mentioned, the stress, anxiety and depression are causing you the greatest concern at the moment. So smart of you to seek professional mental health support to focus on you as you deal with these additional physical challenges.
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1 ReactionThank you. About the bladder cancer surgery, they removed 2 tumors. One was cancerous and the dr injected a chemo drug inside the bladder. This was the only treatment I needed. I have to go back every 3 months to be checked. Colleen, hope you’re doing well. Flo
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3 ReactionsIm listening! Seems like some of our Drs just want to experiment on us. I dont feel like the ones on my "team" listen to me or even talk each other, just refer us on to anoter. Very very frustrating! Im praying for you my friend!
Thank you. I feel alone in this journey of problems. Well wishes to you.
@flow65 - It can be isolating to have all this going on. It sounds like your husband is on board with you, in taking on things he can handle for both of you. I hope that provides some solace.
But individually the concerns mount up.
Depending on the particular situation, I've found two general approaches work for me, though they're only temporary: either
1 - start moving (as in doing things, anything, to address anything, small or not-so-small...and when I can get myself "moving", it creates a momentum that can be 'distracting', if not calming; or,
2 - I lie down and snuggle in bed with many pillows, my heating pad, and find I can fall asleep pretty easily most times.
(Oh! a 3rd: come here onto MCC and read others' contributions, and post something if I feel I have something to add, support or encourage fellow posters with :-).
The first two are very different, almost opposite approaches, and many times the 1st one is the hardest, as I've felt sort of "stuck" for a few years now, and any kind of regular momentum is lacking!!!
And I am going to 2 therapists now, trying to see if one or the other can provide the kind of "breakthrough" insight/s I feel I need to get beyond my internal struggles. Therapy is nothing new for me, but gaining tools or deep insights from it has been elusive.
Well, I hope maybe some of my run-on above might spark an idea or two. We're all so minutely different in our experiences and yet can share so much that blunts the blows...
Wishing you consolation, something to comfort you on this messy journey of life. Hugs.
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1 ReactionHave you tried EMDR?
You’re very kind. I need your support. Thank you. Wishing you comfort and hugs as well.
Also I posted in another section under digestion. I think I might have malabsorption problems. My digestion is all messed up. No energy with this. Constant nausea and loss of appetite. Then I feel hungry. Sorry. Just too much going on.
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1 ReactionNo. Very skeptical. But thank you anyway.