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.

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Apr 11, 2017

In reply to @georgette12 "Hi again. I never mind anyone asking, teresa, as i really think a large part of..." + (show)

@georgette12

Hi again. I never mind anyone asking, teresa, as i really think a large part of my mission or reason on earth is to share. For me, anyway, i personally don't want to just take up space. But that is only me.
My grief counselor is named celia. She and the staff of Axis, which i believe is only located here in colorado, connect with dr. Andrew Rosenbach in tele viv once a week by skype. So that way they can discuss each person and how to proceed. Dr. Rosenbach sees me, at least, on scheduled appts once a month. His scheduled appts are difficult to get, he says, so he asked me to be sure to schedule ahead of time. He emphasized to me on skype that at any time i feel worse...to tell the office or celia...and they will call him that day. He prefers not to have me (his patient) wait.

Celia, i see once a week. Because she specializes in complex PTSD and EMDR ... I am going to her as opposed to a counselor working with other mental health issues. Interestestingly. Though, based on past trauma catching up to present trauma and complications of it all, she is checking with dr. R as tonhow to approach it. I kind of thought i was going because my son killed himself and i couldn't save him. But i forgot that i tried to save my youngest son's father also. He, his father, died when he was only six. I guess i just figured that stuff was in the past.

I got my youngest son the best help possible. But when he became 18, i had no control over how he chose to live his life. Anyway, his dad killed himself. when his dad was 40 years old. So when my youngest son passed that 40th year, and he himself was still alive, he had a vision of his deceased father and a conversation as to why his dad killed himself...and what my son was to do now with the rest of his life. So my so is following a path that he thinks his father planned for him. It's disturbing. But, again, maybe that is what happens as a result of suicide and the people left behind.

Gonna go get a hair cut. Love to all.

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@georgette12 Thank you for your honest and thoughtful sharing. You are very special to this group on Mayo Connect and I feel privileged to get to know you. You certainly seem to have a great group of caring professionals in your corner right now and I'm sure that you appreciate all of their work on your behalf. Thank you for keeping in touch with us at Mayo Connect and sharing your story and your strength! Teresa

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Apr 19, 2017

@jimhd Hello Jim. It has been a week or so since we have heard from you. How are you doing? As I recall you were planning on having an implant to help deal with pain, have you had that procedure yet? Keep in touch with us. Teresa

Jim, Volunteer Mentor | @jimhd | Apr 19, 2017

In reply to @hopeful33250 "@jimhd Hello Jim. It has been a week or so since we have heard from you...." + (show)

Sorry, Teresa, for not writing to this group. I reported to a couple of others.

I had the spinal cord stimulator implanted last Tuesday. On the drive home, I told my wife My feet don't hurt! I had the implant pulled yesterday, and during the week it was in, the pain was down by around 90%! Some days, my feet didn't hurt at all, and the day we went to town shopping, they only got up to 2 or 3. Amazing! I'd forgotten how it felt to walk through a store without pain.

Unfortunately, the permanent implant won't happen for around a month. I had cataract surgery on my right eye yesterday, and will have the left one done on May 2. I have a cardiac ablation scheduled for April 27, and then an MRI on the 4th. The brain and spinal scans are part of the MS assessment a neurologist is doing. The implant surgeon wanted to wait until after the MRI, so swelling or anything else from the implant wouldn't skew the scans. It's all happening at once, which is kind of overwhelming. The new therapist started a few weeks ago, and I'm counting on his help to survive the next 30 days. Meanwhile, I just have to deal with the pain, but that's made easier knowing that eventually the spinal cord stimulator will be in place, and the pain will be greatly reduced. I'm incredibly thankful to God for the doctors and researchers and the staff who developed this and make it possible for me to get one through Medicare. My wife is looking forward to seeing me reduce the amount of morphine going into my body every day.

Jim

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Apr 19, 2017

In reply to @hopeful33250 "@jimhd Hello Jim. It has been a week or so since we have heard from you...." + (show)

@jimhd I'm so happy to hear from you and glad to know that your pain has been reduced with your "new hardware." That must be a real blessing to you! I also appreciate your attitude of "thankfulness" in the many different areas that you mentioned. You do have a busy medical schedule coming up and I will pray that all continues to go well for you. Keep us posted as you continue on! Teresa

JK | @contentandwell | Apr 19, 2017

In reply to @hopeful33250 "@jimhd Hello Jim. It has been a week or so since we have heard from you...." + (show)

@jimhd It sounds like a lot is happening for you, who wouldn't be overwhelmed?
I had a liver ablation due to malignant lesions in my liver but what is a cardiac ablation?
JK

Jim, Volunteer Mentor | @jimhd | Apr 20, 2017

I'm glad you're @contentandwell , Jk.

The doctor threads leads up to the area that isn't firing right, and zaps it so it no longer functions - or malfunctions. I have SVT (supra ventricular tachycardia), which means somewhere in there will cause the heart to speed up suddenly, usually not lasting very long, at least for me. It's a very unpleasant feeling. I took Ativan one time, and BP went up to 180bpm.

I googled it to see what it was, after the cardiologist told me he needed to do one. I think it's pretty straightforward, and will cure the problem, plus, I get to drop one med.

Jim

JK | @contentandwell | Apr 20, 2017

In reply to @jimhd "I'm glad you're @contentandwell , Jk. The doctor threads leads up to the area that isn't..." + (show)

@jimhd thanks for the explanation. It sounds like it nothing like my liver ablation then, where they basically burned out the malignancies. I'm getting to learn all kinds of new medical things on these boards.
JK

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Apr 22, 2017

@tallygirl Hi Lynn: It has been a while since we have heard from you. I hope that indicates that all is going well for you. When you have time, drop us a note and let us know how you are doing. Teresa

janharris0306 | @janharris0306 | Apr 23, 2017

First time for me too. I am looking into Anxiety and Corticobasal Syndrome. I have both.

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Apr 23, 2017

@janharris0306 Welcome to Mayo Connect, we are glad that you joined us! How did you find Mayo Connect? You mentioned Corticobasal Syndrome. Is this a new diagnosis for you? Here is a website with some information on this rather rare disorder: https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/corticobasal-degeneration/. Teresa

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