I hardly know where to start, and that is part of the problem. I have had multiple health and neurological issues, I think one causing the other in most cases. For instance, I had a stroke many years ago, and scar tissue later caused seizures. This stroke was probably caused by a congenital heart defect, an atrial septal defect, which is basically a hole in the heart that never closed all the way like it is supposed to after birth. That condition is now "fixed" thru a minor surgery, a patch put on my heart fed thru a vein in my upper leg, tho that led to other problems. I now get a racing heart occasionally, which I didn't used to have. Also, because of my stroke, (and probable TIAs), which was misdiagnosed for many years as MS, I am now quite sedentary, and now have pulmonary embolism and pleurisy, and I'm currently on oxygen. And because a lot of my health conditions began so early, I have had a lot of doctors not take me seriously, (tho conditions proven later) which added to already existing depression. I also have diabetes, high blood pressure, essential tremor, asthma, and a benign pituitary gland tumor, GERD, IBS, and high cholesterol. I know, I can hardly believe I have all that myself.
All I know is that I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired.

Hi MeBee,
You have come to the right place. My heart cannot take an angiogram without becoming Brady Hypotensive and 'doing' me on the table. The lesion through the occipital region of my brain, causing double vision was probably caused by stroke or TIA, the left side of my face is in a pool by my jaw. I have beaten cancer once and am beating it again. And the pain…
We need to get together and scrap out our remaining good bits to the highest bidder - kidneys are A1.
I only cope mentally now with the support I get from my fellow members here, they are so supportive and knowledgable. There are many Forums you will fit into, someone more computer literate will provide links.
I am concerned about your understandable Depression. We have a Forum for this, but it also must be treated. It is very hard living with chronic pain and serious health issues, it is even harder when we are struggling with mental issues as well. Any time you want to talk about anything, I'm always available.
Above all, I understand exactly what you are living through. It is hard - coming here makes it that much easier.

Dave.

Welcome MeBee.

Hi MeBee, I am up late surfing Neurotalk as I really enjoy being on here reading posts whilst not thinking about my own health issues. I reside in the peripheral neuropathy corner usually but wanted to just say hi and respond to your message. Your list of problems is long and I understand why you would be further depressed by the treatment or lack of acknowledgment and support from doctors. I can't relate to your specific conditions but want you to know that so many people I know through my health issues and from reading on here have had so many problems with acknowledgment and support from doctors. I always grew up and spent the early part of adulthood believing doctors would always do everything they could do help everyone but I know now its not true and its quite a shock to the system to realise that for me.
I can't offer any words of advice but I can feel for you and can understand why you must be peed off. I don't know which of your conditions can be treated with medications / therapy and how well these help. For depression, I have had experience with this due to health problems and other general challenges that have come my way and found that going on anti depressants for a few years helped me immensely. After six weeks of starting I actually looked at the sky and thought it was beuatiful and felt that way about nature and lots of things thereafter. Not in a doped way, just a heightened sense of calm and appreciation. I came off them to try have a child and I found that difficult for a while. I think as I have autoimmunity problems I am really sensitive to side affects of SSRI's. I also can't take them anymore now due to intensification of side effects and instead find talking to someone helps loads. I find it is the best money ever spent talking to someone now and again and I will happily say to anyone who thinks anything negative about 'therapy' that it is the best thing anyone can do for their mental well being (where the cause itself cannot be removed). I whinge on about being unwell and feeling sad about illness and any other things that bother me for an hour and then come away feeling much better. Poor therapist listening to me say the same thing again and again!

MeBee,

Hello and welcome, happy to see you have come to be with us, it a great place to be. As you can see we have a great number and caring fellow members here, where you have find a supportive and relaxing place. Have fun looking into the different forums. Our shoulders are here for support in many ways.

Please keep us up to date on your condition. Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Darlene

Wow! I can't express what a difference all of your responses have made for me, at least psychologically! Just knowing somebody cared, and for a total stranger at that, lifted me tremendously. I would have responded sooner, but, ironically, I was dealing with a major migraine (and kidney infection). Sorry Dave, I'm afraid even that body part of mine isn't in good shape (the kidneys). In fact, I can't think of a major organ that hasn't had some problems. I'll try to see if I can think of some other obscure part to offer for our little auction. Sorry to hear you are battling cancer (amongst other things). It sounds like you have been thru the ringer yourself.
And I think all of you have about the right idea about what all of this does psychologically and depression wise. I have had severe depression problems off and on throughout most of my life (but I believe mostly situational, as I have had some extraordinary situations to deal with), and, this (the physical health) of course, doesn't help. Right now I'm between therapists as I had the second one in a year and a half retire. I'm in an income bracket where I don't qualify for subsidized therapy and my insurance only covers a few sessions a year, nor can I afford it totally on my own, but still, I can't afford to keep spiraling downhill as my other health has been doing. I am going to be looking for a new therapist, no question, I just decided. As for antidepressants, I also can't take them because of the side effects. For support, I did join a depression forum awhile ago, but really felt like I didn't fit in there, because most of my depression is health related. Well, thanks for listening again. Hope to see all of you around in the different threads (even the peripheral neuropathy).

Mebee,
Glad we at this wonderful Forum are doing what we come here to do. None of this is a substitute for your Therapist - I have my own opinions about them - but our Members, of which you are now one, are a great 'patch' when it comes to Life Experience, first-hand treatment knowledge and sympathy.
I bounce around the Forums, as you will. I'll see you in here.

Dave.

Oh, and don't worry about my cancer, I'm kicking the proverbial out of that for the second time.

Hi MeBee
Welcome - your expression; "sick and tired of being sick and tired" struck a chord with me - it's something I say to myself frequently - then I get mad at myself for letting my physical state get to me. Also swearing helps - I was raised not to swear and usually don't but when I break something, have a fall or can't do things because of pain I let out a few choice words - the release is enough to make me stop, calm down and either try again or take a break. (I live alone in a rural area so the only ones likely to be offended are the cows over the fence!)
While you've clearly had more than your fair share to endure the fact that you are still searching for answers and support shows that you have a resilient inner strength. As others have said sometimes the support may need to come from several sources ie: therapy, anti depressants and as you've already found out, just communicating with those who also walk (or stumble) in your shoes can help you feel less alone.
As for auctioning body parts I was going to ask if your feet were up for exchange but see you have diabetes so that probably rules those out.
Stay strong MeBee - keep reading and posting - someone is always here to listen.

Sorry Bluesfan, you are correct, my feet are not much good. In addition to neuropathy and weakness from diabetes and stroke, they are also arthritic and the bone in one foot is now mottled from an infection after a botched surgery job (not to mention the pins in it). Hope to see you stumbling around the forum also. Thank you for your comments on my inner strength. That really brightened my day.