Do I need to see the gp?

[Icantstopeatinglol]

I've felt quite down for a while now. It comes and goes. I've got inflammatory arthritis and apart from the odd aches and pains is under control thanks to meds. However, I'm struggling with fatigue. I'm shattered and have two small children. I know I get anxiety but I've mainly had it under control and I think I do get depressed at times. I think it is affecting me at times and I feel guilty when I've got no patience with the kids but what can the gp say? I'm scared to ring cos I know I'll cry if I have to explain how I feel but on the otherhand should I keep going if I'm struggling? I'm not in a bad way don't get me wrong but at times it's really hard. Feels like I'm trudging in mud just to get through normal chores etc.

Yes, go. I'm sure they can help

I have RA and totally get what you're going through. Depression and anxiety are linked so have a chat with your gp. Big hugs x

If you are struggling you should definitely see your GP.

What can they do though? I'm not keen on more meds x

I agree, see your gp. Have no experience of it but do you think talking therapy or some form of counselling may help? I know you have real physical issues but sometimes the brave face we all try doesn't work. I think you need some dedicated time for you with a practitioner. Ask your gp directly for this

I don't know what they can do icant, perhaps they could offer a re balance of medication, or a new therapy you haven't tried.

My Gran used to get very down with the onset of the colder weather as it made her arthritis so, so much worse. I think the anticipation of the cold weather (even in September when it wasn't that cold) could be enough to give her a really low day.

At the very least they can draw blood and check you aren't deficient in anything. It could be a simple supplement or change in diet will help a bit.

Yes please go and see your GP. You could have anaemia or a deficiency in something like Vit B12 or Vit D. All very easily sorted without medication but with supplements (or sometimes injections in the case of the B12)

GP would be best, but if you wont, then serious doses of vitD, iron, magnesium, maybe CQ10 if you can afford it - my 2p - and almost always time for cake

I agree with above poster, you may just be lacking in something. I personally had a very strange array of symptoms ranging from numbness in the face to feeling very low and being extremely tired. I went to the GP who have referred me to the hospital for scans as they suspected MS, ME or fibromyalgia. I looked on google and found out it could be magnesium deficiency. So I started taking magnesium tablets and within a week all my symptoms had gone. You can't check for magnesium in the blood as 99% of our magnesium levels are in the bones. So it's very hard to diagnose. It may be worth getting some blood tests done anyway to see if your anaemic. If not then maybe give magnesium a whirl. According to studies 80% of us are magnesium deficient (it's not easily stored and our diets can deplete it) and it can cause all sorts of issues from headaches to full blown depression. Get yourself some Epsom salts and have a bath in them. That's also a great way of getting your magnesium levels up. As well as drinking tap water (if your tap water is safe to drink) because there's more magnesium in tap water than there is in bottled. Hope you're feeling better soon and let us know how you get on :)

Thanks everyone, I'll make an appt with the gp but in the meantime I'll get some magnesium and see if that helps. Sick of feeling worn out. I know fatigue is part of my condition but my consultant doesn't seem to have any answers for helping it, just handed me a leaflet. Hopefully the gp may help x

Well I went to the gp but it was about something else and I just couldn't bring myself to say anything about how I'm feeling! I think I've put this face on for so long it's really hard to say how I'm really feeling face to face

write down how you feel, and send it in to GP. I did that 2 weeks ago, she phoned me, made an appt, my sis came in with me, I was checked over, prodded and poked, being referred to consultant, have new painkiller meds, and loads of bloodtests will be done. All because I wrote it all down, and my sis had the list, too - and she's awesome!

I've got an appt in a few hours. Hope I can keep it together so the gp can understand me!

I've lost it in front of GP's before. It's nothing to be afraid of and we all regain composure eventually. They need to understand just how much this is affecting you anyway.

Unmumsnetty hug.

Handholding! You can always try writing things down if you think it's going to be difficult.

I'm going through very similar and they did bloods to check vit D, B12, iron, thyroid amongst other things. They may offer antidepressants but that's up to you, also at least in my area I could self-refer to CBT through IAPT, they assess you over the phone and its a few weeks waiting for a short course of taking therapy.

Talking therapy!

Thanks for the replies. Think I'm best off writing it all down. I have a tendency to put a face on and say 'I'm great!' when this is the time I really need to be honest xx

Good luck with the Drs. If you do cry it won't be the first time a patient has done it and you certainly won't be the last. Even if you push the piece of paper over to the dr and sit there whilst they read it. I went in suffering with PND and she asked me if I'd thought of hurting myself or the kids- I burst into tears and said yes and she was so lovely. She said as well that everyone at one point gets those kinds of feelings- it just depends whether you actually act upon them or not and I'm pleased to say I never have. You'll probably feel relieved once you've got everything off your chest I know I did.

How did it go Ican't ?

Hi, yea it went ok I think. I wrote everything down and just gave it to him (whilst sobbing!). He's given me a number to ring to speak to someone regarding talk therapy? I said I didn't want meds as I'm already taking some for my chronic condition. He was lovely and once I cried I was able to pull myself round a bit and discuss things. Feel a bit lighter now. Came to my car tho after if left the drs and my lovely dh had left a note on my windscreen saying 'I love you xxx' He did this when we first met 13yrs ago! Made me cry again! Thanks everyone, hopefully this is a big turning point

to you and you dh

Thank you Ex It does make me realise how lucky I am and I don't need to feel like this

Well done Ican't I know how tough it can be to ask for help.

Thanks Likeasoul feel a bit better already knowing I'm not abnormal xx