How do you get a GP to consider something might NOT be depression?

[Grockle]

For 2 years, on & off, I've had various minor problems. None terrible in themselves but I feel like it's had a cumulative effect to the point where I now feel depressed. GP agrees that I am probably depressed but says all the issues are because of that and feel worse because I'm not coping well. But what if the symptoms have caused me to be depressed rather than symptoms of being depressed iyswim? Because, for the most-part, other than feeling generally mildly unwell, I've actually been very happy. Til now...

well, maybe he is right that the things seem worse now because you've got to the point of depression?

i guess if you are feeling depressed now then you could try some anti-depressants. if they other symptoms disappear you will know it was that. if they don't you can say to the GP "i feel better, but i still have these other issues, can we find out what is causing them now?"

Maybe. But I know they've been bad before because I've talked to him about them before. And they're not particularly bothersome at the moment - no more than usual. I don't know... I'm trying the ADs and maybe they'll help but I really believe that I am miserable now because I haven't felt properly well for so long (in part, there are other contributing factors too).

oh yes, i don't doubt that the health problems existed before any possible depression. but if you are depressed now because of it then it's worth trying the AD's iyswim?

also though, could you see a different GP?

Thanks Thisis... I am treating the depression. That is now a priority. But, once that's sorted, I'd like to figure out why I have all the other problems and what I can do about them. I just wish I'd been able to sort it all out before it came to this.

grockle - I could have written your post. In fact I think we have spoken about this before.

I have given in and started the ADs again. Got to see GP tomorrow. And yes I am depressed, very much so. Now! I wasn't a few months ago when I first went to see the GP about my tiredenss and lethargy and general aches and pains. She suggested I was and in fact was fairly unwilling to consider anythnig else. So actually I am quite angry about it.

What are your symptoms OP?

Please bear in mind that you may be depressed, but that may be a symptom of an undiagnosed physical issue.

D

Hi Orm - I did think of you when I wrote this. Rocking, symptoms include:

Dizzy/ spacey/ vertigo & nausea/ Pressure in my head/ ears - it is being investigated as possible Meniere's Disease. It comes and goes and is wearing but manageable & is better now than it used to be. Also, loud constant tinnitus which makes me want to shove my head through a window to block out the noise . Very bothersome.

2 years ago, I had shingles then swine flu, within about 8 weeks of each other & I feel like I still haven't recovered. I have:

aching muscles (especially my lower back (anti-inflammatoriesdon't help))
aching joints when tired (hips, knees, elbows, fingers)
appalling memory (everyone laughs and DS finishes my sentences for me)
incomplete thoughts & sentences, difficult to communicate
Frequent sore throat (6 ? 10 a year)
Constant silly little irritating cough, fairly constant
Chronic insomnia but often don't feel better when I do sleep well
Wearing sunglasses all the time, always squinting - light hurts my eyes
Always cold/ shivery
Weeing all the time! 10-15 times a day but not much each time ? better with diuretics (for vertigo)

Not all symtoms all of the time but always something - it's irritating and frustrating but I was happy, confident, work was good, life was good, lots of hopes & plans ? I haven't been depressed TIL NOW. I have big emotional problem going on which has tipped me over the edge, I think.

I did write all of that out and gave it to my GP whilst I sobbed. he just said that it all seemed worse because I'm depressed, have some ADs and counselling.

And also, night sweats - like when you have a temperature and shiver and sweat in the night, except I haven't had a temperature.

Grockle maybe you should go for a second opinion as your immune system sounds impaired - have you been screened for autoimmune diseases? Not wanting to frighten you, but I have had almost the identical experience to you but am a few years on. Had an antiphospholipid anitbody blood test by a neurologist which was positive, was put on low dose aspirin and most of the problems went away... Also take ADs as well as years of odd symptoms made me really low and anxious. Your GP may never have heard of that blood test, so you might need to ask them to refer you to a specialist?

I've not been checked for anything this time - usually, I get tested for thyriod problems/ anaemia and it's all fine. I hate having this sinking feeling when I do something, that I'll pay for it later. We went for a short walk (about 4 miles - ordinarily I can do 10-12 without bother) and I had to go to bed when we got home and the next day too. Now, I feel like I'm paying for going away last week - only 3 nights and didn't do anything particularly exerting but I knew at the time that it'd take me days to recover. But should it really take me 4 days in bed to get over a short trip?

CFS? Sounds like it from what you've just written. Not that that is much comfort as there isn't a conventional treatement for it atm.

Sorry I cant help you with diagnosis. Only thing I can think of is ,are you able to have a mini break, even for 3 days, away from your normal life? Even better if you could go on holiday for a week or more. I have found, in the past, that a change of circumstances can make some symptoms a lot better , but some symptoms do not disappear wherever you are.

I had a break last week and that's left me in bed for 4 days! Saw GP this afternoon - 'lets do some blood tests and see how you are in 2 weeks' so that was helpful. Come home to crisis so this is all irrelevant now

CFS is a 'dustbin' diagnosis. It was offered to me when I actually had quite obvious health problems staring at them if they only interpreted my blood test results properly.

I had very similar symptoms to you, including the cognitive ones. I was famous for not being able to complete a sentence and not being able to remember anything.

Turned out I had a Vitamin D deficiency, a Vitamin B12 deficiency, non anaemic iron deficiency and a problem further up the thyroid/adrenal axis that means I need thyroid replacement meds although my TSH was well in the normal range. I am probably 75% well now and working full time.

Doctors are notorious for relying on bloods and saying they are 'normal' because the result has come back in range. It might be an idea to get the exact figures and the reference ranges, which you are entitled to, and do some research.

D