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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Hi @flow65 . I didn't want to "just" click the Hug icon to give you a hug, so I'm posting a few words here.
I'm afraid I have no insights or experience to provide, but just wanted to let you know you've been heard...and more will hear here on Mayo Clinic Connect, so welcome (back).
If anything, I would go with what your PCP advised, especially if you're comfortable with them, and have had a good history with them.
I did have a cystoscopy over 15 years ago, and something went wrong because my urinary tract became blocked with blood clots - on a weekend, of course! Had to call the hospital, speak with the Dr. on call, and got a ride in to the emergency room where I still had to wait over 45 minutes to get my bladder emptied - what an excruciating experience of another kind! I then was admitted to the hospital for 3 days until the clots cleared, and I finally said I had to get back to work, and fortunately that was - and has been - all.
Can you talk again or further with your PCP asap about your concerns & then decide or postpone the procedure?
Best wishes.
Thank you. I certainly do need hugs. I seen my pcp on Thursday. She stated if I can avoid surgery to do it. When I had the bladder surgery the urologist had injected a chemo drug in the bladder. My pcp and urologist stated the bladder got inflamed from it. The Gemtesa is making me nauseous. My pcp told me to take half of it. Plus she gave me an anti nausea med. Both of them makes me constipated. Now I’m taking Miralax which isn’t doing much. All of this is producing more anxiety and depression. Thank you so much for your concern.
Flo
Hi again, I should of told you in the previous message…I’m glad you’re doing much better.
Best wishes to you as well.
@flow65 - Aw, geez!
In terms of constipation, can you take "Colace"? An Over-The-Counter pill that works pretty well in my experience...but not a fun experience, is it?! Maybe you could check with your pharmacist to see if the Colace could work if the Miralax isn't?
Hugs again!
Do you have grandchildren close by? When I feel down I see my grandchildren and they really lift my spirits up. I also pray for God to help me, and He does! Hope this helps.
I’ll try to look into it. You’re right. Nothing about this is fun.
My pcp told us to cut Gemtesa in half so it doesn’t make me too nauseous. It helped for a tiny bit but I started urinating more in the night. I can’t win. Like I said in first post, its the nausea, constipation, urinating at night, constant stress, anxiety and depression.
Thanks again!
Hugs back to you!!
I have a granddaughter. Long story. Our son is divorced. He lives with us on the weekend. Over the road truck driver. We only see her every other weekend. His relationship with ex-wife and ex-in-laws are strained. Yes, I do pray to God! Thank you so much.
@flow65
You are dealing with so many situation at same time, it is not surprising that you have anxiety. Many specialist, many illness and after reading your post, sounds like you are getting conflicting recommendations from your providers.
I am glad to hear you are seeing a therapist. It helps to talk to a professional about what you are going through. Though therapist may not solve you medical issues, they should be able to help deal with how you handle situation and maybe how you can advocate for yourself in medical situations.
Do you feel you have one provider who is looking at the entire picture, looking at all your conditions together?
Have your consider getting a 2nd option?
My pcp is internal medicine. I e been with her for many years. She knows all of my health problems including my mental health. I trust her. It’s been a tough road. I appreciate your post. Thank you.
I see a psychiatrist, psychologist and now a therapist. I have really bad anxiety and I am on Gabapentin and Clonazapam. I have been son steroids which really affect my moods and almost nonfunctional, do what makes you most comfortable.