Am Not Coping

Hey @Former-Member jumped over here - seemed more appropriate - keep secreat party planning thread for party planning.

Was that your friend who asked you to be bridesmaid?

It has been a really tough couple of weeks. I have had a chest and throat infection that hasn't seemed to want to get better. I have had little to no voice for nearly 3 weeks now and although it isn't as sore now it is really annoying.

I struggled through a few days - being closely monitored by my GP and psychiatrist - as I won't go into hospital. They both wanted that but also both recognised that even the mentioning of it was making me worse so the decision was made to see my psych weekly and my GP 3 times/week and keep a close eye on how I was doing. My GP was really concerned about the nights (and said that had always been her main concern - hadn;t told me that before but I suppose it was pretty obvious). I was starting to get very low again - even isolating myself from the forum - and that is when I know I am in real 'trouble'. The change of times/dosages and added meds do seem to be finally showing a little improvement but I am really tired all day. The up side is I am sleeping up to 6 hours a night also - so maybe we are finally winning. The nightmares have lessened and my nigh time anxiety is also a little more under control - not great but better than it has been for a long time. Over the next month or so we are to slowly increase the new med so this lethargy will continue to hang around for some time yet - but then, hopefully, I can start feeling not only a little better but also regain some energy and strength and be able to do some 'things' again. The only problemwith this is the boredon - I don't do well doing nothing - too much thinking time - but I am finding that I can sleep through some of this during the day atm and that is ok for now!!!!

Yes I was the bridesmaid!! It was amazing to see her so happy and glad I got to help out !

Oh you poor thing still being so sick and no voice, that would not be helping how you are feeling emotionally I am assuming, it seems like perhaps your immune system is really taking it's toll, is your house nice and warm with the winter weather? I hope you are staying warm and cosy so your body can fight the illness, that sounds no fun at all.

And I am so glad to hear that the medication is slowly helping right now, it was worrying when you were pulling away from the forums as they are helpful for you and but could see how it was because of other things going on that you felt you needed to isolate yourself and you were aware of how that is not a good thing for you.

It is also great that your GP and Psychologist are being flexible in helping you avoid going to hospital, but must be hard with the boredom, I also like to keep busy and distracted from thinking too much!

I hope that you can maybe find some ways of keeping your mind focused on some more helpful thoughts during this time, and if that is sleeping than that is good, your body needs the rest it sounds like!

🙂

That sounds like it was a really lovely time for both you and your friend - so pleased that you got to share the joy with her

I was getting quite concerned about how sick I was getting as that is what happened last year and began this huge slide and triggered the ongoing depression etc. I did start going 'downhill' pretty quickly and had all those usual thoughts of 'enough is enough'. To be totally honest - I haven't been 'right' since Sydney - I do think it was a mistake to go because I didn't deal with it very well - but ny GP was away at the same time so 2 things kinda collided at once and that really didn't help!

I don't think you were alone in worrying when I was 'pulling away' from the forums - I do know others were concerned also - as was I - but 'everything' was getting too hard. I couldn't deal with some things on here but then I had no other support either - so it really was a lose-lose situation. Even when I 'tried' to connect I was finding it too hard and that would make me feel even worse. I can't even fully explain how very hard that was and how much it actually deepened by depression. It is hard to see 'the forest for the trees' when it feels so hopeless.

I am keeping warm (don't even want to imagine how high my power bill will be LOL) - I only go outside to go to appointments, the chemist and the shop when needed (and a little side trip to Bunnings the other day but I was too tired to stay long). I can't even sit outside in the garden because it is too cold.

I have tried a couple of times to paint but really haven't had the energy. Even doing any housework is tiring - so a little at a time and then I end up sleeping again.

Speaking of housework - I really should pick up Toby's toys while he is asleep - little sweetheart.

So pleased to have you back @Former-Member- it has made my day

You keep hanging in there too @Former-Member - I love having you around - you bring something special to the forum and I don't think you are told that enough

Actually - yes @Former-Member I have both built and restoed a lot of furniture - so you are in luck. You will need to use a primer paint firstandthat will allow not only for any stains still in the woodto be covered but will also act as a bonding agent for the white paint. No paint will chip if it is painted properly @Former-Member.

What kind of white do you want - gloss, semi-gloss or flat white. There are different methods you can use depending on what finish you would like.

Oh no @Former-Member - I hope you didn't think that I didn't mean you are special in a good way - because that is exactly what I meant - you are special in a good way - and don't you forget it!!!!!

As for the drawers - fill in the chips - over fill slightly as wood filler does shrink a little when dry. Then sand over the the spots you have filled - that can be done easily by hand. 3 in 1 primer is great - one coat of that wil be enough then give the drawers a light sand (a very fine sand paper will do - even as fine as a 120 grit). This is crucial as it always the next coat to have something to adhere to. For the best finish I would even recommend you use a spray paint - it gives a nice even finish - no brush lines if you are not used to painting with brushes - and you can line the draws up and paint them so much quicker.

...but that is up to you. How many drawers do you have to paint? Then I can tell you how much paint you will need!

@Former-Member are you able to jump on helpline chat for a few minutes?