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Original poster

I have an appointment with doc tomorrow but dont know what to say!

22 replies

AnnaInManchester · 29/06/2005 18:08

I ahve an appointment with my doctor tomorrow because just lately I am feeling so down and depressed and can't stop crying and thinking bad thoughts, so I am going to see her but I really dont know what I am going to say. I am afraid I will clam up. Also, I dont want anti-d's so can she recommend other ways of dealing with it, or is it just her job to adminster drugs?

OP posts:
jangly · 29/06/2005 18:16

You'll be surprised how it all comes pouring out once you start talking. You can make a list of things you want to say, but you probably won't get round to looking at it. At least making the list will get it clear in your mind. You may be offered some kind of talking therapy, depending on your particular need, but it will probably come with a six week or more waiting list. I wouldn't dismiss ADs too soon. Fluoxetine makes you feel happier quite quickly, and no side effects to speak of. Its not addictive either.

Sax · 29/06/2005 18:16

Annainmanchester (gosh what a mouthful) - i'm really sorry to hear you are feeling low. I can only empathise and say that I know how you are feeling about that appointment. It isn't til tom you say so tonight you must scribble some thoughts down on how you've been feeling lately and take them in on a postcard so you can refer to them if you clam up. I wrote my dr a letter becasue I couldn't make that vital appointment so you've done really well making that first step. I hope the appointment goes OK for you. They won't just suggest anti Ds - there are herbal alternatives you may wish to explore (lots of advice on here from others) and also hopefully you will be referred for counselling to get to the route of your depression.
How are you feeling right now??? If you want to talk!

Sax · 29/06/2005 18:20

I agree with Jangly too, do not dismiss anti Ds if you have been feeling like this for a while because they really can help get some relief from those horrid dark feelings!!!

crystaltips · 29/06/2005 18:26

I felt the same when i went into my GP ... and if you say exactly what you just said to us ... then the GP is likely to take over - with questions .... like ....

  • Loss of appetite
  • disruptive sleeping pattern
  • Loss of concentration
  • Headaches
  • loss/gain in weight
  • Lethargy The list goes on and on .... and you might not neceesarily answer yes to all of them ....

My GP was great and very understanding and although I was prescribed Fluxotene I felt that I did not need it as I felt that just talking to the GP was a huge help to me ...

Good Luck and I hope that it goes well tomorrow xx

spidermama · 29/06/2005 18:33

I remember being unable to even write down what I wanted to say to doc as I was too scared I'd lose control and give in to the depression. But after I took the plunge and talked to GP it felt better. It was like the stopper coming out of a bottle. Sometimes you have to hit the bottom before you can start the climb back up. But if you take the plunge you'll come out a stronger person.
All the very best of luck tomorrow and in the coming days and weeks. x

lilaclotus · 29/06/2005 18:38

i was scared when i went to my gp about it the first time. i thought he wasn't going to believe me. the gp was actually weird to talk to about my progress though. when i felt better he smiled and seemed genuinely pleased. but if i felt worse he got really kinda upset. not angry, just sorta disappointed and sad.
also, counselling has been brilliant for me. she can put you on a waiting list for one in your area.
anyway, i think you'll be ok once you're there. good luck {{hug}}

Original poster
AnnaInManchester · 29/06/2005 19:05

Thanks all for your replies. The thing is, does she ask what you are feeling so low about because I know I may be embarrased to discuss them in detail with her. I called the Good Samaritans, or whatever they're called, today and at first I did feel a right wally telling the listener everything and kept apologising but she was really nice and it felt good to talk.

OP posts:
spidermama · 29/06/2005 19:06

She won't make you divulge details. It's up to you if you'd rather keep it general.

Original poster
AnnaInManchester · 29/06/2005 19:14

but what if I do go into details? Will she think i'm wasting her time?

OP posts:
Sax · 29/06/2005 19:23

you are not wasting her time - you have every right to be there and discuss what you feel comfortable discussing

luckylady · 29/06/2005 19:35

Annainmanchester- I know how you feel, I have been feeling like this for sometime. I posted on the CHAT threads last night re this and one person responded and made me reliase that I needed to go back ontot he anti ds, I really wanted to try and get through with out them. As I have been anti d free for 2 years. I have been put back onto Fluoxtine (aka prozac).

Please speak to your doctor they will not think you are wasting there time, last time I led it get too bad before i went to see anybody and I was seriously contemplating the unthinkable regularly, so I decided to get help. It took longer for me to feel better as I left it too long. Hence why this time I have gone on the anti ds quicker to try and nip it in the bud so to say , before i start dropping any further.

I hiope everything goes ok for you.

Take care and remember we are all here for you.

x

essbee · 29/06/2005 19:37

Message withdrawn

luckylady · 29/06/2005 19:39

Sorry also ment to add, that depression is a multitude of things and people seem to think it is what is going on or gone onin your life at the time. However it can alsobe/is a chemical inbalance in the brain which makes things seem worse etc than what they are and make you feel like you can't cope. Hence why anti ds as these help to correct the inbalance. ( Iam sure someone will come along and correct me.)

Original poster
AnnaInManchester · 29/06/2005 19:40

aww thanx for all your replies, I will let u know how tomorro goes!

OP posts:
Sax · 29/06/2005 19:42

If you managed to speak to the samaritans then those are the things you need to say to the dr - the feelings you discussed then are the ones which you are obviously feeling now.
Good luck and let us know how you go - we are all with you and are genuinely concerned and interested to hear how you get on.
Well done for getting this far and recognising you'd like some help!

suzi2 · 29/06/2005 19:51

Glad you're taking the step. It took me several months to go to my GP - eventually my DH made the appointment. I was too embarrassed I think before then and in a bit of denial. But trust me that this will be nothing new for the doctor and they will be sympathetic.

I found it helpful to write down my 'symptoms' and how I was feeling. When i got into the office, I just started crying and couldn't talk. I handed the doctor my scribblings and she said "don't worry, we can fix this". From there on is history.

Please don't dismiss the Anti Ds if the doctor feels that's the way forward. I had to try out a few types but eventually they lifted me enough to see clearly and start counselling etc. Counselling or trying to make decisions without the support of the Anti Ds would have been very difficult.

Hope your appointment goes well.
Sus, x

Original poster
AnnaInManchester · 30/06/2005 16:09

I went to see doc and she was nice. She told me thats shes going to put me on anti's and I took one about 5 hrs ago and I feel quite ill, but maybe just tired. Also I'm going for a blood test to see if I have an under active thyroid and diabetes because she weighed me, but I think thats more of me being the pig that i am!

OP posts:
Sax · 30/06/2005 16:44

So you obviously found the right words to say? Well done for going to that appointment, they are hard aren't they? Your anti Ds will take a little time to get into the system so you may feel a little unwell initally but so long as the symptooms reduce or stop thats just your body getting use to them. I hope you begin to feel better now you are on them

Sax xx

Original poster
AnnaInManchester · 30/06/2005 17:03

Thanks Sax....it was bloody scary waiting in the waiting room, and then seeing my name for my turn but when I went in the doctor was so nice it just came pouring out naturally.

OP posts:
QueenEagle · 30/06/2005 17:05

AIM - I went to my gp a few months ago as I was feeling irritable and down. I ended up talking to him for about 20mins (on a 5min slot) and came to the conclusion I wasn't depressed, just needed to get out and do a bit more for myself. He also sent me for a blood test to check thyroid but that came back ok.

Hope you are feeling better soon.

Redhelen · 30/06/2005 20:18

Hello ladies

Sorry to gate crash - your stories read familiar - are you all new mums+.

I'm in late pregnacy but I'm having a very low time these last 4 weeks - my doctor tells me to cheer up as there is little in the way of treatment I can have!

I as far as I can see there is no one on the pregnancy threads that seems to understand - feel very alone - DH thinks I've lost it - which is very unfair - as I'm just down (& tired & hormonal)! Love Helenx

Original poster
AnnaInManchester · 30/06/2005 20:39

I'm really sorry to hear that helen, post a new topic of your own and i'm sure ppl will be able to help, maybe with herbal remedies. I hope u feel better soon, and can enjoy your pregnancy
xxx

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