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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Re: Feeling so down after husband has left me for another woman after 30 years

978 replies

Hushabyemountain98 · 17/01/2016 22:18

I posted yesterday but was a bit too detailed.
I am feeling so down and tonight I found myself sobbing out load.
I am finding this so hard. Even though I have a supportive family and friends.

OP posts:
notonyurjellybellynelly · 29/02/2016 02:18

Husha, Im posting this link just to give you some kind of starting point to a talk with your Dr. You could say something like Im feeling awful and I think I might be depressed because after reading up on how Im feeling I can say this sounds pretty familiar/relevant etc.

And I would also mention the panic you feel sometimes when you wake up because it could be that your having a panic attack and those very often go hand in hand with depression.

www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Depression/Pages/Symptoms.aspx

Dont worry about medication and what you could and couldn't have. Thats what the Dr is for.

Im very concerned about you and not just because I know you're heartbroken, its also that your posts are just not sounding right. You go through the motions of a reply but they haven't changed from day one and by now you should have relaxed into them a bit and be engaging a bit more.
You don't make conversation and whilst that could be down to a person being quiet or shy etc I just cant get past the thought its because of something else.

You mentioned a few posts ago that I seem to have a lot going on, and its true that I do. But remember Im 3 years into this now and the life I have today is the one Ive had to make for myself. Its not been easy and it wont be for you either, but I can promise you this - you have a lot of great years ahead of you once you're back up on your feet and you can build your days into ones that are a lot different to what they are now.

I still get upset at times but I also have the most fantastic moments of clarity where I just sit and know that I now have a much better life than I would have had if my marriage hadn't broken up. Do I take consolation from knowing that my husbands life hasn't opened up to anything new and that the OW is now sitting alone whilst he goes off on his lads holidays every few months, and that he's out drinking in a certain Dubai pub every day? No, I dont. Even though it would be easy to. Instead, I look at all the new experiences that have come into my life because I made them happen or I left the door well and truly wide open for them to happen. I look at how Ive grown and how my relationships around me have grown. I take comfort from who and what I am now. I don't need it or want it from anyone elses downfall or misfortune and you wont either.

xxx

Kirk123 · 29/02/2016 06:15

What a great post noton , excellent advice x

Hushabyemountain98 · 29/02/2016 08:18

Good morning notonyurjellybellynelly.
Thank you for your message and the link.
I will give it a go with the Doctor next week.

I do like to answer all the messages. As I am so grateful for all the support and advice. I do not know what I would have done without you all.
I do have MN friends like you that I do private message. I am also a bit nervous of what I put on here incase someone sees it!
But I hope that no one thinks that I am only going through the motions!
I am also not a person who wants to push myself on to people, if that makes sense?

I admire you and the other MNetters on here for how they have got through this and what they have achieved. I realise that it has not been easy for anyone. Some have more to deal with than others.

I am so glad to hear that you have a better life now. I am just hoping that it will be the same for me and others eventually. Maybe I am doing something wrong on here as the ladies that originally supported me and pm me do not seem to now. Maybe they are busy in their own lives or maybe they are helping others that need them.

Oh I better close now as here come the tears again. Please do not think that I do not appreciate all of you because I do.
Take care xx

OP posts:
louisatwo · 29/02/2016 08:35

Good morning Hush,
Hope that you slept last night? Noton has made some very interesting points.

When I read some threads from women who have been left by their partners, I can see their struggle 'on the screen' so to speak as they move through their loss and grief and anguish, with their thinking being helped / challenged by responses from others. It's just that I don't 'see' that process on your thread.

Now, having said that, it doesn't matter what I and others see / think. It is really up to you to use this thread as you see fit and you mustn't feel pressurised by any of our expectations.

I know it's a challenge maintaining confidentiality on here but I do wonder whether there are some things that happen or some things you feel that, if you felt able to share them, you'd get some insightful responses. If you prefer the confidentiality of PMs, then carry on but you will miss the range of responses that can be so helpful.

None of this is any form of criticism - we're just trying to explore how you can get the best possible support on here as there are some very wise posters around and you have a lot of us on your side. xx

madamehooch · 29/02/2016 08:57

Hi Hush. You are grieving for a life you had for 30 years. It may have been rubbish at times but there were still good times. Because none of this was your choice you are probably still haunted by the good times. Your emotions have gone through a total battering and it's all still raw. There is no way anyone can expect you to recover from this any time soon.

Everyone copes with things differently. In your situation, as your children have left home you have no one apart from yourself to focus on. If you had younger children you would have to force yourself to get motivated and do the school run etc. This brings it's own traumas but at least you have to leave the house.

People do mean well but you mustn't feel that you are in any way inferior to other posters on this board because you may not be at the same stage they are. You don't know their exact circumstances and they do not know yours.

As for previous posters no longer commenting, well it could be that they find this board very tough to deal with and prefer not to look at it sometimes. I know I posted relatively recently about wanting to hide relationships. It was depressing me but I couldn't stop myself from looking at it.

Life seems bleak at the moment and I do agree with other posters that you may need some antidepressants.

Your real life friends and family are who you need at the moment. They know you and will support you. You're probably like me and think you're boring them by keeping going on about it but they're actually wishing they could take your pain away and wave a magic wand. If you find anyone who makes these wands , put an order in for me will you?

You have had a lot of support on here but it might sometimes make you feel worse to keep checking in to see if anyone has posted - a bit like seeing how many people have liked your Facebook posts. You're obviously a person who is very caring but has had a huge blow to their confidence and self esteem. Sometimes mumsnet is not the place when you're feeling like this. Maybe it's worth continuing to private message those of us who you're currently in touch with?

I know people say they know how you feel but nobody knows exactly. Just keep taking it day by day, keep getting up, looking after those dogs, eating regularly and keeping in contact with your real life support network. This is what I am trying to do xxx

Hushabyemountain98 · 29/02/2016 11:48

Good morning Louisa,

I did sleep last night thanks.
I do not really know what to do as I cannot help the way I feel.

I am trying to get through this in the best way I can.
Just when I think I am getting a bit stronger someone does something to bring me down again.

The last time this happened, I know then that it took me more than 3 months to see beyond the misery. Also last time I was 10 years younger and my boys were still at home.

I don't really know what else to say xx

OP posts:
Hushabyemountain98 · 29/02/2016 12:05

Hi madamehooch,

Thank you for your message.
You are right. I was married for over 30 years. It was rubbish at times but we did have some good times. I feel asthough I have been emotionally battered and beaten.
I have the love and support of my boys but they are not here with me going to school and relying on me to do the normal everyday things.

I am an ex military wife. I am used to being on my own and dealing with all sorts of problems. I have been abandoned a couple of times before and so I already know what this feels like. But this time he has just been so cruel.

I have been to the Doctor twice and they are not keen to give me pills. A lot of that is to do with my heart medication. But I will see what they say next week.

My dh is living the high life with the OW travelling all over the world to be with her. He is quite happy to commit adultery but will not admit to it and then makes up stories about me being unreasonable!

I cannot be what I am not. I am still in bits and cannot see my way out of this yet. I know if he has his way it is going to get worse before it gets better.
Sorry but here come the tears again.

Take care xxx

OP posts:
Kirk123 · 29/02/2016 12:30

Oh hush I want to private message you my mobile number so you can ring me tonight if you want , I want to help you so much , your heart is in pain

Hushabyemountain98 · 29/02/2016 12:35

Thank you Kirk. My heart is in pain xxx

OP posts:
WTAFF · 29/02/2016 16:24

Flowers Hush. You don't need to reply if you don't feel able. Just know that you will be fine. You will get through this although it may take time.

How are you feeling generally? Obviously you are devastated after what has happened but can you see a way through and can you imagine that eventually you might feel a bit more positive?

notonyurjellybellynelly · 29/02/2016 17:31

I do like to answer all the messages. As I am so grateful for all the support and advice. I do not know what I would have done without you all. I do have MN friends like you that I do private message. I am also a bit nervous of what I put on here incase someone sees it! But I hope that no one thinks that I am only going through the motions! I am also not a person who wants to push myself on to people, if that makes sense

You dont have to be grateful Hush, really. We're happy to help you in anyway we can. And no, I don't think you're going through the motions in the traditional sense of going through the motions but there's a mechanical sense to your posts and it worries me. Now please don't take that the wrong way because Im not/we're not here to be entertained by you and your posts but the fact is I read your posts and I think Husha really isn't very well, she's struggling massively. I never get the sense that you're having a better day or couple of hours and I worry because there isn't even the briefest glimpse of an upbeat half hour. Its not right, its gone too far even for someone with a broken heart.

And you're not pushing yourself on to people but even if you were, its ok, just push away!

I admire you and the other MNetters on here for how they have got through this and what they have achieved. I realise that it has not been easy for anyone. Some have more to deal with than others

Getting through it has been the pits, the absolute and utter pits, and what you see of us now is a far cry from our reality a while back. We've all had our moments, bloody loads of them, too many to mention, and whilst we were living our worst times there were ladies here to help us the way we are trying to help you. There's nothing we haven't seen, or heard, or done! And there's more than one of us who ended up clinically depressed and had to be treated for it - even more than once.

I am so glad to hear that you have a better life now. I am just hoping that it will be the same for me and others eventually. Maybe I am doing something wrong on here as the ladies that originally supported me and pm me do not seem to now. Maybe they are busy in their own lives or maybe they are helping others that need them

You will go on to a better life, and I don't know if its good to be able to say this but you don't ever have to be singing and dancing happy about your new life. You dont have to be happy you got rid of a bastard. You don't have to shout it from the rooftops. I know I never will and Im not going to pretend otherwise. But thats not to say I pass my time by living in misery because life really is too short. So I live with my sadness tucked away in a secret place inside me, and sometimes it comes out to show its face, but for the most part I live in peace and Im happy, and I do all that I can to let that be bigger than my sadness. Thats how it is for me and if others think its no great shakes because Im not ranting etc, that its nonsense I still have some sadness in me after everything thats happened - then so be it.

And as for the other ladies who no longer contact you. I wouldn't read too much into it. They probably felt very genuine concern for you when you first started to post but I think when it comes to a lifelong marriage going wrong it really does take others who've been in the same situation to understand how very different it is to other marriages going wrong and offer the continued support needed.

xxxxxx

madamehooch · 29/02/2016 19:31

I whole heartedly agree with jelly belly's post. I'm not in any way belittling anyone who's marriage has fallen apart after a couple of years. However, to lose your significant other after 20, 30 years is also losing a way of life and sometimes a second family. The people supporting you on here Hush may not have the exact same circumstances but have experienced the same loss at a time in our lives when our children have left home and a new chapter should have begun. Often we have put our working life on hold to bring up our children and the thought of getting back in to the workplace is overwhelming.

Having said all this, you are an ex - military wife who has survived on her own in the past. You may have been 10 years younger but you have done it and come through it.

The only bit of practical advice I can give is for you to go back to your solicitor and take one of your more aggressive friends with you (the ones who you feel are trying to give you a kick up the arse!) Take the wind out of his sails the bastard!

madamehooch · 01/03/2016 05:32

Hope you're OK Hush?

Hushabyemountain98 · 01/03/2016 10:44

Sorry I have not been on here. I had a bad day yesterday.
Today has not started that well but I am off out for a few hours.

Will update later xx

OP posts:
Kirk123 · 01/03/2016 12:44

Don't worry about us on mn , we are here when you need us , we understand you have lots to sort out just take care of you hush and your boys and dogs ❤️❤️

Hushabyemountain98 · 01/03/2016 15:47

Thank you WTAFF.
I am trying to feel a bit more positive.
I have had a really nice lunch with my sons today.
I am so proud of them both.
Thank you for your support.
xx

OP posts:
WTAFF · 01/03/2016 16:40

I am glad you've had a good lunch Hush. WineFlowers

You take your time. Xx

madamehooch · 01/03/2016 17:10

I'm really pleased that you had a nice lunch with your boys. My DD is stropping because tonight's menu doesn't meet with her approval. I'm biting my tongue but she's getting it anyway! Xx

Kirk123 · 01/03/2016 19:35

Well done Madame , I am glad you are spending time with people that really matter in your life hush ❤️

Hushabyemountain98 · 01/03/2016 20:42

Hi notonyurjellybellynelly,
Sorry that I did not answer you yesterday but I had a bad day.
This morning was not great either but it picked up when I went out to lunch with my sons. It was really nice and made me feel a lot more positive.

I have been busy since with the dogs, cooking etc etc.
I am watching Holby. Then I am going to watch Happy Valley. I know you are not a fan of that this series.

I have read and re read your post and it makes a lot of sense. I know you say that I should not be grateful but I am. I have been in a rotten place day and night and MN friends have always been there for me.

I am trying to lift myself out of this. I will go to the Doctor next week and see what she says. I will tell her how I really feel.

I will close for tonight.

Take care xxx

OP posts:
Hushabyemountain98 · 01/03/2016 21:06

Thank you madamehooch.
Yes I did have a really nice lunch with my sons.
I am sorry that your DD is stroppy because tonights menu does not meet with her approval. I hope you got over it without too much hassle?

Take care xx

OP posts:
Hushabyemountain98 · 01/03/2016 21:08

Thanks again Kirk for all your support.
Had a great time with my sons.
Take care xx

OP posts:
notonyurjellybellynelly · 02/03/2016 11:49

Lunch sounded great Husha. Smile

Hushabyemountain98 · 02/03/2016 12:37

Hello notonyurjellybellynelly.
Lunch was really good.
It was really nice to be together for a while.
The food was good too. Not that I could finish mine but it wasn't wasted!

I hope you are enjoying your sister in laws visit?

XXX

OP posts:
PiscoSour66 · 02/03/2016 12:51

Ha ha! At what point do you stop eating their leftovers and they start stealing the food off your plate?