Posted by Grifflet on June 10, 2001, at 23:07:12
Hi...
I don't really know where to start this, since I don't really have a clear question to ask... :) There's too much history to tell you all of what's led up to how I'm feeling now, but basically...
I was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder two years ago... I can't even remember all of the symptoms, but basically, nightmares, anxiety, depression, near-fainting spells at work where the traumatic event occured... I was put on Paxil, whcih gave me worse nightmares, but alleviated many of the other syptoms... Still didn't alleviate the syptoms enough to go back to work, find new work, or continue school (I'd had to drop three courses due to lack of concentration). When the nightmares became so severe that I was feeling intensely sleep deprived, my doctor switched me to Effexor-XR. After rather wicked side effects, it seemed to be doing it's job... But I've never bounced back to my old self, and now things are going downhill... I've been on Effexor-XR for about a year I think, at 150mg once a day (I think my doctor would have preferred that I take it in seperate doses, but I'm too forgetful, at least right now :) ... Lately I've been feeling more depressed (I take no interest in the garden that I was totally gung-ho about two months ago). Being outside on a cheerful (sunny) day seems to make me feel better, but I think that the heat affects me quickly... I can very rarely tell when I'm hungry... Until I start shaking. It can be two hours since I last ate, and my energy will be rock-bottom, and my hands shaking... Or I can go more than sixteen hours without even noticing that I haven't eaten. Very little appeals to me, except, I've noticed, cold foods, specifically ice cream :). I often feel sort of dizzy and fuzzy in my mind... As though my brain were wrapped in gauze, and held slightly aloof from my ... what I don't know... perception, maybe. My sexual drive is very low, though I should note that I am in a steady relationship with a very supportive man. When we do have sex, it is quite often painful, a new occurence (in the last five months or so) as we've been sharing sex for over a year. It feels as though he penetrates me too deeply, although I'm sure both he and I would have noticed, had his penis grown! :) I have not been able to wear my contact lenses for the past month as I get what appears to be a pink eye infection. It should be noted that I've been wearing contacts for six years, and use the disposable kind (I disoposed of my contacts when I had what I thought was a pink eye infection, and made sure my eyes were fully recuperated before I put in a new pair). I have been experiencing what my doctor thinks is a normal acne outbreak which I have never before experienced the likes of... The sores are large scabs which are taking a very long time to heal, and which are very irritating... They were itchy at first... I tend to not have nightmares anymore, and yet, I only very rarely wake feeling at all rested, and that generally lasts only two hours... I haven't worked a paying job for the last two years, and can't even guess when I may begin again, as, generally, even small tasks can be exhausting. I've also been experiencing odd headaches, and my muscles often feel weak to the point of almost feeling achy... Hmm... Well, I think that's all that I'm dealing with, right now... :) I'm currently seeking a psychologist/psychiatrist/counsellor to see in addition to my GP, and if anyone can shed any insight to my condition, I would be most grateful!!!
Some of the lines that I'm currently researching as possibilities are chronic fatigue, thyroid problem, and diabetes... Feel free to give me more homework!!! Thank you all for your time, and to those who reply, thank you whole-heartedly in advance for your knowledge and/or thoughts!
poster:Grifflet
thread:66098
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010605/msgs/66098.html