Long read, so if you don't like long reads, please don't read, rather than complain about a long read. Please be kind, I'm at the edge.
Name changed for this, as outing, but if you've ever had your child put into care temporarily, could you tell me how it went or give me some words of comfort?
I've just called social services and told them I don't think my child should be at home with me right now. I asked doctor for a referral to them about 2 months ago as reached the end of my rope and had spent a whole night unable to sleep and crying, at not being able to cope, but never heard anything back, and then I asked her school for help and they referred to Early Help, but they haven't done anything for me- just want to go through parenting strategies with me, when they truth is, I know how to parent by the book, my daughter doesn't respond to any of it and I'm struggling physically so can't meet her needs each day. Sorry, that was a long sentence!
I've been struggling with my health ever since she was born, but couldn't get anyone to listen or take me seriously. They always seem to imply that I just need to exercise more, or it's all in my head and caused by stress. I've seen three different physios, and the issue hasn't gotten any better, and despite diagnoses, I can't get any help or support with my needs, and when applying for a bus pass, the doctor even said to me 'You're too young to be disabled', and refused to sign the form for me. My physio emails me workouts to do, and when I tell her about issues I'm having, she just implies I'm not trying hard enough. Some days I literally cannot walk.
So yes, I am stressed, but the stress began when the physical disabilities began, and the stress is as a result of not being able to do the things I was able to do before. It's definitely not in my head. I had started to believe that maybe it was all in my head, and really did try with journaling and therapeutic techniques, to try and 'heal' these things away, but yesterday I was finally believed by a doctor, when I went into the walk in centre with arms which were going into spasms whenever I lifted them, or moved at certain angles. I'm okay with typing, because I'm sitting up straight and making sure I barely move my shoulders.
She said she could see my back muscles spasming as she touched in certain parts of my back, and gave me some anti-inflammatories and codeine. I haven't started them yet as I'm worried about being drowsy around my dd. She advised me to get a second opinion from a different rheumatologist. Rh diagnosed me previously with fibromyalgia and mild hypermobility spectrum disorder, and referred me to a terrible physio who just gave me bum clenches to do, but I believe I have EDS, or more than mild hypermobility, and that I'm deteriorating since giving birth, breastfeeding and solo parenting a very high needs, violent and angry young child who doesn't sleep very well. I don't dislocate (only once ages ago) or have stretchy skin, but my feet are constantly rolling over side ways and everything feels crazy loose, all over, and the physio exercises are making minimal differences. I had six months where I could barely swallow food, but docs just wanted me to have thyroid tests- all fine. It's sorted itself out now, but there are still times I choke for no reason.
I'm trying so hard to get better but my daughter is with me all the time, has massive meltdowns after school and refuses most of the time. She's 4. She won't eat any food I make for her and asks for chocolate all day constantly. I don't give in, she can have a little bit every day, or every other day but she's relentless and refuses to eat. I literally cannot meet her constant need for stimulation and try to get my health sorted. Let alone getting more and more into debt trying to meet our basic needs on UC, trying to fill in disability benefit forms, with no support, and feel as though I'm neglecting both of us. Last night, my spasms and arms were so bard that every time I rolled over, I woke myself up in agony and crying, and with my daughter attacking me violently when I refuse her chocolate, I can't defend myself at the moment, as I'm too weak.
I've tried every door and avenue, trying to parent her alone and keep her with me, but I don't think I can do it anymore, or my health will just get worse and worse.
I'm waiting on a call back from out of hours social services.
Btw, dd was referred for autism pathway by health visitor 18 months ago, but just had results of assessment back, and they've said no ASD as they did her observation in school where she masks, and school argued back with their observations of abnormalities and said 'it was unusual for her to act that way'. Which it isn't, so I don't know why they've said that, but I haven't the energy to fight back.
I feel like I need a few month of DD in care, so I can get my health sorted, chase up for second opinions and help, get out of my debts, get the ball rolling with disability benefits, and take control of my spiralling health and life, and home, which has become chaotic and dirty.