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Lyndsey

Active member
Joined
Dec 18, 2014
Messages
89
Reason
DX FIBRO
Diagnosis
04/2014
Country
CA
State
British Columbia
My rheumatologist, who diagnosed me with fibro and CFS in May of 2014 has referred me to a psychiatrist. This referral was sent back in May and I am seeing this Psych tomorrow. I am very nervous about this and wonder if anyone else has had this experience.

I know that she is sending me as I had expressed that I was feeling depressed as a result of my health. She asked several questions to which I responded that i was experiencing depression and anxiety as a result of my situation and also being off work now for the past 8 months.

I am so scared that the psychiatrist will diagnose me with something with regards to being mentally ill, and then the rheumatologist will discount the fibro and CFS which is very real to me.

I realize that anxiety and depression can go hand in hand with fibro. Are my concerns reasonable and legitimate or am I completely out to lunch? I am afraid, will they stop my pain medication, will she stop treating me for fibro, and if I do have some sort of anxiety disorder or depression will that be the first thing that they look at now? I know that a lot of this has to do with the fact that I feel ill the majority of the time, and who really wouldn't be brought down by that?

My pain medication is the only thing that allows me maybe 4 hours of relief at a time and I take this medication very conservatively. I recently saw a pain specialist who stated that he felt the pain meds I am on are suitable for what I am dealing with.

Sorry I am rambling. I guess I am just apprehensive. My counsellor that I see regularly told me to be honest and give full disclosure of my symptoms to the psychiatrist.

Anyone had same experience or have some words of wisdom I would really appreciate it.

Lyndsey
 
My rheumatologist has suggested the same for me. He explained that he feels that people with chronic pain conditions can benefit from seeking some sort of therapy, that it's part of learning to cope with the diagnosis and the issues that come along with it. I can see why you are concerned, but just try to remember that voluntarily going to see a psychiatrist is the same as voluntarily going to a doctor. If you don't like the psychiatrist and feel like they're going to give you a bad shake, you can get a second opinion. It sounds like you have the support of your pain specialist which is very good. Try not to go into your appointment feeling like they're already not 'on your side'.. I know it's easier said than done, I go into all my appointments feeling this way, but it usually turns out well. I have such bad anxiety about seeing doctors, shrinks included, so I always work myself into a frenzy about it.

I've been trying this new thing where I sit down and write up, diary or journal style, what the worst case scenario is going into an appointment. Then I write up the most likely scenario, then the best case scenario. (I also do this before making important phone calls, it's part of my anxiety/ocd behavior.) It sounds wacky but then I read it and tell myself, "do I really believe that the worst case scenario is going to play out? how likely is it that everything will be fine?" I also write up a list of things to say in the appointment, because if I don't have some things written down, I don't feel like I got to the points I wanted to get to.
(On a side note, my best case scenario is usually really wacky and full of rainbows and unicorns, that has yet to happen! but it makes me feel better to laugh about the whole thing..)

I hope this helped some and didn't just come out as rambling. You're not alone, I really related to what you wrote.
 
I'm pretty sure that your sessions are Private and will not be shared with the doctor. Mine were never shared with them. Only what I shared about my vist. If your medical treatment is working why would the doctor change it. Think of your appointment as a way to get things off your chest.
Tell they psychiatrist you don't want anything shared with your doctor. Get that answered first. Then make you informed decision. You can always leave and not share. Its up to you what you do,not the doctor. He's sending you there because he feels it will help with your treatment. Not stop it. Good luck be strong!
 
How did your meeting go?
Thinking of you.
 
Hi Lynds,

I hope all went well. I take an antidepressant. Living in chronic pain day after day would make anyone depressed js. I see a psychiatrist and she helped me get on a medication that helps me feel less crabby. For a while she gave me some meds to help make me less anxious but I have learned to control my anxiousness in other ways now without medication. I see a therapist too. She has helped me find my voice in this mess of FMS and CFS. I don't care what others think and most people do not know I even see the a psychiatrist or therapist. I did tell my medical doctor and I have signed a release for them all to talk to each other. My therapist has called my general practioner (only with a signed consent form from me) to help my doc understand that I needed some pain relief and NOW! I got it thanks to her that day. I looke at them as a team in my corner. I take Paxil and it has helped me a lot with my mood. If you ever want to talk more one on one feel free to private message me. I hope things went okay for you! Hugs!
 
Hi everyone and thanks for your responses and helpful words. The appointment went ok. It was very fast and alot of questions but it went relatively well. The guy seemed to be nice and down to earth. I expressed my concerns about my rheum still treating me and he said that of course they would still treat me and not to be concerned about that. So that is good although I still stress. In my nature I guess lol. Thanks for everyones advice it is helpful to get things off my chest on here and bounce things off others in the same boat. Thanks Vellybean, I will message you sometime to talk as well :)

Hope everyone is well tonight!

Lynds
 
Same thing happened to me -- my rheumatologist referred me for a psych consult and I completely understand why. It is not because I am imagining my symptoms or that he think's "I'm crazy". But fibromyalgia is closely linked to depression/anxiety and needs to be treated by a physician who is an expert in this field. In addition, anti-depressants are often successful in treating fibro pain. You are on the right track with this course of treatment and no need to worry. Supplementing your treatment plan with a psychiatrist is reasonable and can be very effective. I hope it helps you!
 
Lynda! That's good news. I'm glad it went OK as you say. They do get better each time you go.
As you trust him move you will relax. Its like when you didn't know us and you were just reading posts. Then you trusted yourself and us and began sharing. Give him time.

You can Private message me too.
 
Thanks again guys. And thanks Cmetryme I will message you sometime as well, and feel free to message me whenever you want to talk.

Lynds
 
I'm see someone this month, and my dr is told everything,they work hand in hand over here, when u have pain 24/7 the depression can be so bad, and even if u did have a mental illness they will treat both , they won't cut u off your pain med and drag u down even more.
Xxxx
 
lynds. a journal may help you.i think it was said up above too.
 
Thanks Cmetryme and forgetmenot,

what do you mean about the journals? Like just documenting symptoms and appointments?

Lynds

Hope you all are well tonight hugs xo
 
no. documenting how each days is. low pain high pain. what you think is giving you these days.what topics you want to talk about with the Doctor.
what you did that day. what you wanted to do and couldnt do it and why you couldnt do it. what triggered something, what made you feel good or bad.
things like that.

example for me would be: when i woke up this morning i was feeling _____. took this med at and it seamed to help for 2 hours. wife wife said this to me and it pissed me off or made me feel_____. i want to share with the doctor or phyic this________.had appointment with the phyic today and we talked about this. i felt this after talking to him. my next appointment i want to discuss these things. my overall pain level today was_____>

i hope this helps you.
i dont keep one of these because its to scary. mine would say: my eyes opened, i woke up screaming in pain, my wife freaked out and couldnt do anything. she went to work crying..... you see what i mean.

may you have many good days ahead of you. you will see talking with help you in many ways.
 
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