Managing Lifelong Mental Health as a Senior

Posted by georgette12 @georgette12, Jan 13, 2017

I have just started using this site so this is my first message.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Mental Health Support Group.

@georgette12

Oh, just want to say something and then i will sign off. I gave my phone number to theresa and colleen. So i now can be contacted.
But i need to say one more time that i feel much safer than i did last week. To have our online community care so much and wonder if i was okay was not expected and it has so overwhelmed me with gratitude. I will definitely not do stupid things without checking in with you guys first! Blessings

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Hi jimhd....I hope you will consider to KEEP SHARING. we never know what we say that has meaning to another person. I have found that true so much in this life. Everyone's comment is beneficial, even though we might not know it. Hope to see you on here a lot. Even if it is just a few words.
PEACE & LOVE....JJ

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@georgette12

Oh, just want to say something and then i will sign off. I gave my phone number to theresa and colleen. So i now can be contacted.
But i need to say one more time that i feel much safer than i did last week. To have our online community care so much and wonder if i was okay was not expected and it has so overwhelmed me with gratitude. I will definitely not do stupid things without checking in with you guys first! Blessings

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JOHNJAMES......i cannot imagine how anyone can go through an experience like you and others are still having. I ache so much for those. I think of men and women who are parents,, children, brothers,sisters, aunts uncles......but the unbelievable fear that must be experienced is so hard to understand, how anyone survives. The mental has to be a bad as the physical to a person and those that love them. I am sure you here "thanks" and I pray that you will take this as true as I know how to be.."THANK YOU
PEACE AND LOVE ...JJ

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@gailb

Jjwest, my apologies, i didn't notice that you already said you have peripheral neuropathy in your post. I reread it this morning and said to myself, "Duh." I hope you find some relief. I know my nerve pain is the worst at night. Some nights I wanted to cry or worse yet I wanted to scream, out of pain and frustration that I could do nothing about it. The Gabapentin is helping the night pain, but I am beginning to suffer side effects that may mean I have to stop taking it. I don't know where the doctor will go next. I know I need major surgery to correct my L4, which has slipped out of alignment 7.3 mm. However, they want to put off the surgery until my other simpler surgery on my L5-S1 has completely healed. I am starting physical therapy next week and that should help. Then they will use steroid shots, which I'm not looking forward to, but are much less painful than major surgery will be. My brother had the surgery and he said the pain he had is gone, although his surgeon said he would still have pain, he was just helping him be able to walk. I'm not at that point yet, thankfully. I feel for you and hope you get some relief. Is surgery an option for you?

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wow....and the fall did not kill you......I am a firm believer in the Book of Eccel: "a time for everything"...I take it that it was not your time to leave this life...I have a spine stimulator and have had great results. Sometimes it helps with the neuropathy, but then sometimes nothing does. I am thankful that it helps sometimes. Good vibes your way, I neglect to say pray , because of issues i have with certain words that seem to be said but not really meant. so...
PEACE AND LOVE ALWAYS....JJ

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@jjwest

Hello,Kmhd and rspalding..... I too have peripheral neuropothy,for many years now.. I am told it is thought to be because of spine problems. With so many of us with this, it does seem that there has to be something that can bring us relief. I never know from one day to the next how my feet and hands are going to be at night. That seems to be the worst time. Although, If I forget to take a dose of meds, during the day it can be miserable. There are times I cannot feel my feet on the floor. I have a rolling walker for my spine problems and it helps when I cannot feel my feet. Sometimes, just driving to the store, I am not sure I will be able to walk. SURLEY there is something that can help. I take 800mg of Gabapentin 4 times a day, sometimes 5 times. I have been trying so hard to get the amount between doses longer, and less in mg. I also take Tramadol, I cannot lie down in my bed, and I have to sleep in my recliner. God I wish I could lay down. My feet usually wake me up with feet burning and stabbing bee sting like pains in my leg. I do crafts, paint, jewelry making, play the keyboard. And I have learned that staying busy is crucial. I send you my wish for ..........PEACE AND LOVE....JJ

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HI, thanks for responding.....yes I have thought about an adjustable bed, But I cannot afford it. Most of the money I get goes to Rent, utilities and RX's and medical bills. I wish our government folks would consider giving us a cost of living increase...but oh well...it is what it is.
PEACE & LOVE ...JJ

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@jjwest

Hello,Kmhd and rspalding..... I too have peripheral neuropothy,for many years now.. I am told it is thought to be because of spine problems. With so many of us with this, it does seem that there has to be something that can bring us relief. I never know from one day to the next how my feet and hands are going to be at night. That seems to be the worst time. Although, If I forget to take a dose of meds, during the day it can be miserable. There are times I cannot feel my feet on the floor. I have a rolling walker for my spine problems and it helps when I cannot feel my feet. Sometimes, just driving to the store, I am not sure I will be able to walk. SURLEY there is something that can help. I take 800mg of Gabapentin 4 times a day, sometimes 5 times. I have been trying so hard to get the amount between doses longer, and less in mg. I also take Tramadol, I cannot lie down in my bed, and I have to sleep in my recliner. God I wish I could lay down. My feet usually wake me up with feet burning and stabbing bee sting like pains in my leg. I do crafts, paint, jewelry making, play the keyboard. And I have learned that staying busy is crucial. I send you my wish for ..........PEACE AND LOVE....JJ

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Does Medicare not cover it? I would think that if your doctor knows how much you need it, he could prescribe one as hard medical supplies.

Jim

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@gailb

Jjwest, my apologies, i didn't notice that you already said you have peripheral neuropathy in your post. I reread it this morning and said to myself, "Duh." I hope you find some relief. I know my nerve pain is the worst at night. Some nights I wanted to cry or worse yet I wanted to scream, out of pain and frustration that I could do nothing about it. The Gabapentin is helping the night pain, but I am beginning to suffer side effects that may mean I have to stop taking it. I don't know where the doctor will go next. I know I need major surgery to correct my L4, which has slipped out of alignment 7.3 mm. However, they want to put off the surgery until my other simpler surgery on my L5-S1 has completely healed. I am starting physical therapy next week and that should help. Then they will use steroid shots, which I'm not looking forward to, but are much less painful than major surgery will be. My brother had the surgery and he said the pain he had is gone, although his surgeon said he would still have pain, he was just helping him be able to walk. I'm not at that point yet, thankfully. I feel for you and hope you get some relief. Is surgery an option for you?

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@jjwest Share as you are comfortable. Teresa

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@johnjames Offers us all a good suggestion about finding our safe place. Let's think about his idea and share thoughts with one another (as we feel safe, or course) @georgette12 @safetyshield @jimhd @rspaulling @lesbatts @overwhelmed @ihatediabetes @johnhans

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@georgette12

Oh, just want to say something and then i will sign off. I gave my phone number to theresa and colleen. So i now can be contacted.
But i need to say one more time that i feel much safer than i did last week. To have our online community care so much and wonder if i was okay was not expected and it has so overwhelmed me with gratitude. I will definitely not do stupid things without checking in with you guys first! Blessings

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@jimhd Thanks for this important idea, Jim.

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@hopeful33250

@johnjames Thanks for your post about your fox hole. It doesn't sound silly at all! A safe place is anywhere that we feel safe (or safer) during a crisis. Thanks for that great insight in finding a safe place even during a war. As I think about it, I realize that we all have our “war-like struggles” and to find that "safe place" is very important. Just a message to the rest of our group, @georgette12 @safetyshield @jimhd @rspaulding @lesbatts @overwhelmed @ihatediabetes @johnhans, please share with the group, if you like, where your "safe place" is. Thanks to you all for your wonderful kindness and support to each other. As I've said before, you all really bless me! Teresa

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I am not religious, but I agree with you that the immence peace and love I fand awe I experience while out in nature feel like what has been called the holy spirit. This truly lifts me up in ways nothing else can. Thanks for your posts and expression about nature as a healing force.

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@georgette12

Oh, just want to say something and then i will sign off. I gave my phone number to theresa and colleen. So i now can be contacted.
But i need to say one more time that i feel much safer than i did last week. To have our online community care so much and wonder if i was okay was not expected and it has so overwhelmed me with gratitude. I will definitely not do stupid things without checking in with you guys first! Blessings

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Jimhd, is there a reason you want to stop being part of this group that you are willing to share?

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