Spoke to GP

[BraveButShaking]

He is referring me for psychiatric help.
What does this mean? I thought standard was counselling.

It has never been so hard to be honest. I need a hug...anyone?

Checking in.
I guess my progress/recovery might be useful for others to read.
I did start the Prozac. 20mg for nearly 6 weeks and just increased to 40mg.
Seen ED nurse quite a few times.
Seen psychiatrist again.
See psychologist end July for initial assessment, though they think I would not be responsive to CBT yet.
Been to drop in for survivors of domestic abuse. Hard. Very hard.

Physically I am no better, but I am slowly becoming more aware of why I behave as I do and learning how and why I react as I do, and thus how to deal with things.
BP still high. CK still high. K and Na low but not dangerous.
BMI below 18 (losing weight).
A good friend (who is a GP) worked out what's going on. She being very supportive, but I am wary about how much I tell her.
Also told my 18yo son I had some problems and that I needed him not to comment.
We are on holiday at the moment.

I was away for work a couple of weeks ago and really struggled. Spent lots of time sobbing in my room, and not wanting to get out of bed. Also had panic attack. Being away from my environment and routines was hard and I also had opportunity to be alone which isn't good for me.

Being in holiday so far is lovely - I have my boys with me.

I really am getting the support I need. I just need to be strong enough to face my demons and deal with them.

Brave

I don't have anything useful to add. It have just read the thread.

I'm really pleased you are having a good holiday and that you now have a support structure of specialists around you.

I just wanted to say well done and keep going

Thank you for asking.
Been back from hols a week. It's been hard. I have felt quite low and quite unwell. Sleeping badly. Over-exercising, eating (or not) terribly. Chaotic really. BMI is now 17.7 but I just can't see that I look too thin.

It is consuming me.

Always I did see your previous message, I am not sure why you asked for it to be withdrawn. It was OK. I can't see that the meds are helping.

I am trundling along. I saw the psychologist on Monday for my initial assessment and will see her again next week to talk more about whether CBT would be beneficial and if so, when to start (I need to be stable in mind, body and homelife).

Psychiatrist review today and he suggested pregabalin (25mg) to take alongside the 40mg prozac.
I am reluctant. Has anyone taken this combination.

Also, what I've read says 60mg helps with binging behaviour so I was expecting to work up to this. No mention though. I didn't want to be the "I read on the internet" person, though I am a scientist and know how to do proper literature searches.

Psychologist has left and position has not been filled.
Still losing weight.

Thank you. for you.

Just noticed some lanugo on the side of my face

I am still losing weight. Not rapidly but I'm not meant to be going down at all.

Yes, I have lots of practical things to try and lots of 'homework'. It all makes perfect sense. Some things help more than others.
They haven't talked about intensifying treatment, but then I haven't really started any therapy specific to the abuse which landed me here in the first place.

I start the Freedom Programme next week and have been assigned an outreach worker connected with that team to help me emotionally. I really am getting lots of support, I just need to be brave.

Hello Satin

I am sorry you can identify with me.

I have lots of support. I have started the Freedom Programme and I do it will be a big first step in me taking back control of my life in a more healthy way.

Hardly While my weight is low, it's not at the stage where interventions are needed. I need to make sure I don't spiral into that.

A psychiatric assessment is likely to lead to counselling, cbt or psychotherapy (all along the same lines but work differently).

Congrats on getting help. You've taken a very big step onto the road of health.

Miracle my OP was in Feb. I am a long way down the support road!

It was agreed that I wasn't ready for the therapies until my mood was more stable and (ideally) my weight higher, but everything's all tied into together so it's hard.

I get my weight up being strong! I am making small steps.

By therapy they mean CBT, which will be pretty intense.
We are hoping the that Freedom Programme and the intense outreach support will go some way to stabilising both my mood and weight so that then I can take the plunge with CBT.

I am sorry you are so unwell. What support are you getting?

@PacificDogwod
May I ask a question?

Well, of course I can, but would you be willing to answer? I understand if you feel you can’t.

I take 40mg prozac daily.
Past 2 weeks I’ve also take 25mg pregabalin twice a day. I am shattered. Like fall asleep standing up tired. All manner of other things making me tired, but this is something else.
Could I stop the pregabalin cold turkey, and if so would I notice improvement quickly? I understand it’s a tiny dose. Psychiatrist review 1st Dec (was 1st Nov but can’t make that and Dec is first available). Don’t want to see my GP as have never met him (changes at surgery) and don’t feel comfortable (have had run ins with staff snapping at me when communication between professionals has gone awry or I don’t understand things). I know that ED nurse requests bloods and BP but I haven’t been called since July and feel awkward.

Thanks

Satin what I mean is that I need to want to recover. No amount of therapy (drugs and talking) will make me better if I’m not ready to be brave and strong.

Yes I am purging. No one aside from professionals know the extent of my ED. A few friends and family know I am getting help with my eating.

Stopped the pregabalin and don’t feel 90% dead now.

ED nurse has suggested hospital day unit. FUCK. I am trying to accept how I am minimising my condition.

I can’t opt out of my job, parental responsibilities and everything to go to a bloody day unit. I feel such a failure that community support isn’t working.