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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dinah on March 31, 2004, at 8:14:07
Because I assume every physical symptom is tied to anxiety and stress.
Chest pains? Stress.
Eczema flareup? Obviously the panic attacks have upped my sweating.
Last night the left side of my face felt numb. I checked it out in the mirror. Everything looked symmetrical. So I figured it had something to do with the spasms and tics I've been experiencing for weeks.
And I'm absolutely positive I'm right about all those things. But when, someday, something isn't a stress related somatization, how will I know it?
Which is sort of an idle question, because at the moment I'm not sure I care enough to worry about it.
My parents are getting older and need more help. Work isn't getting any easier and the last few days have been overflowing with mini-disasters and things I have no confidence in my ability to do. And that's not low self esteem. I'm generally very good at what I do. But these things I had to turn over to someone more senior after I had done my best with them because someone needed to check them out. But it made me feel stupid, and I don't like feeling stupid. Harry hasn't gotten any worse since January or so, and he's already well outlived the estimates, but he can't buck the odds forever. I curl around him in the morning and just don't want to leave the bed.
I am just soooo tired and so tense and I feel like everyone's unhappy with me which they probably are and I just want to crawl into bed and pull up the covers but I promised too many things to too many people.
Posted by fallsfall on March 31, 2004, at 9:47:12
In reply to One day I'm going to keel over, posted by Dinah on March 31, 2004, at 8:14:07
I'm not unhappy with you. I'll come check on you, and if your covers have slipped, I'll pull them up so that you will be toasty warm and safe.
The insanity at work won't last forever, plus you had your parents' thing on top of work insanity. Life is not always that complicated. It WILL get better. Considering everything that is going on, I think that you should be proud of how well you are holding up. And you help all of us here, so much.
Your therapist is there for you, and so am I, and so is all of Babble. When you need a peace break, you can come here, and we'll give you hugs and make you comfy in your bed with your blankets and Harry.
Take a deep breath. Plunge into the world for an hour or two, and then take a Babble break to recharge.
(((((Dinah)))))
Posted by octopusprime on March 31, 2004, at 11:03:42
In reply to One day I'm going to keel over, posted by Dinah on March 31, 2004, at 8:14:07
dinah -
the people at work are probably grateful for your diligence. i'm sure your coworkers will happily look something over if it means avoiding mistakes.
please take care of yourself before selling yourself to others. i know you have spoken about your parents not accepting another caregiver, but if you run yourself ragged it will mean no caregiver at all. i wonder if they will take a compromise (for example, somebody coming in once or twice a week to give you a rest).
fallsfall is right, it will get better. but please care for #1 first. (that's YOU)!
Posted by Fallen4myT on March 31, 2004, at 12:28:51
In reply to One day I'm going to keel over, posted by Dinah on March 31, 2004, at 8:14:07
SEE YOUR DOC ASAP OR GO TO ER...NUMBNESS OF FACE...CAN be a sign of many things and not to scare you but stroke is one of them if caught as a TIA you get a shot and are fine....see your doc now...also it may be a cervical spine issue but..see a doc asap
Posted by Karen_kay on March 31, 2004, at 18:17:14
In reply to One day I'm going to keel over, posted by Dinah on March 31, 2004, at 8:14:07
As for promising too many things.... Then stop! You seem to know your boundaries. Start enforcing them. It's tough when you are stressed out, but try to take those minibreaks that my boss used to testify to. And spend those few extra moments in bed with Harry in the morning.
The sun will be shining tomorrow Dinah. And I'm more than thrilled with you. I'll come over and take over your "chores" for a day, so you can go to the spa, or have an extra therapy session, or just spend the whole day in bed with Harry. Or why not just tell everyone NO and create your own day doing just that? If it's not possible, take those minibreaks instead and have a picture of Harry close by. I have a picture of Bodega that I have framed and carry in my purse. Think I'm lying? If you meet me, you'll see. I don't have one of my old man (who'd want one anyway?) but I have one of my babby!
Posted by Dinah on March 31, 2004, at 18:49:00
In reply to Re: One day I'm going to keel over » Dinah, posted by Fallen4myT on March 31, 2004, at 12:28:51
Thanks Fallen. I suppose I'll call my doctor tomorrow to make sure I don't need to worry. But I have such a huge history of somatization that I tend to think it's just that again.
Of course, on the other hand, that was my point. I'm so sure it's somatization that one day it won't be and I'll be in trouble. So I'll call my internist. She knows my history and won't overreact I'm sure.
Posted by Dinah on March 31, 2004, at 18:53:55
In reply to But I'm not unhappy with you.. » Dinah, posted by Karen_kay on March 31, 2004, at 18:17:14
I don't seem to be able to help it, even if I'd like to work nonstop. My body revolts. :)
My brother's on his way to Afghanistan now and will be gone for over a year. :( I'm sure he'll be just fine.
Harry's doing great considering. I have good experiences with experimental treatments for canine cancer, for some reason. The Tamoxifen seems to be working. And boy, does he love to cuddle.
I just don't react very well to stress, but I'm feeling a bit better this evening. Maybe it'll stick.
Posted by Fallen4myT on March 31, 2004, at 19:01:16
In reply to Re: One day I'm going to keel over » Fallen4myT, posted by Dinah on March 31, 2004, at 18:49:00
No need to reply take that time and cuddle Harry who BTW I thought was your husband lol....I am glad you will see a doc more women than men suffer complications of health issues because we discount it and when WE don't the doctors sure do :) SO REST and see the doc and please update us when you get that clean bill of health
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