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Self-Care with major Physical illnesses

AdgeSenior Contributor28 Oct 2018, 10:24 pm AEDT

Self-Care with major Physical illnesses

Hi @Former-Member This is an old post - it explains how medical neglect by Drs (doing no scans or tests) ended with me in hospital - the direct cause of my 1st emergency bowel surgery.

I have no current GP, since mine left (months ago) - will need to find one.

I have lived for several decades with serious physical illnesses (or conditions) -

Scoliosis, causing severe back pain

Sleep Apnea (diagnosed 11 years ago), causing debilitating daily fatigue - treatment & stimulant medication has moderately improved my functioning. Not to anywhere near a "normal" level, for someone without a Sleep Disorder (or a fatigue condition).

A bowel obstruction (tumor), with 3 major bowel surgeries (2 emergencies) - from which my body has never fully recovered.

My digestive system (which was disconnected for 6 months), has not worked effectively for the past 3 years - since my bowels were re-connected (stoma reversal surgery).

I also have Complex PTSD, from more than 2 decades of trauma.

Because PTSD is supposedly an "anxiety disorder" (so-called) - medical professionals have on several occasions attempted to "explain away" my physical symptoms as being "just anxiety".

This has stopped me from accessing adequate medical care, on several occasions.

The "just anxiety" was later found to be a life-threatening bowel obstruction (tumor) - which required immediate surgery. Then a 2nd emergency surgery, 3 days later (when the 1st went disastrously wrong). Then a 3rd bowel surgery, 6 months later to reverse the damage (& clean up the mess).

I now have 2 serious hernias, as a result of the bowel surgeries - wound split, extensive wide scarring, & hernias in the middle.

Have others experienced their physical illnesses (or medical emergencies) not being taken seriously - because of having a mental illness diagnosis?

How did you overcome these obstacles to receiving medical care (if you could)?

Self-care is difficult, when my food does not digest adequately - despite Probiotics & Gastrostop (when necessary).

I must run to the toilet with great urgency (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) - which is a cause of stress in itself, & makes working difficult.

Adge

405 replies

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In response to: Self-Care with major Physical illnesses

Unknown userMember07 Dec 2019, 8:32 pm AEDT

Re: Self-Care with major Physical illnesses

@Adge

Perhaps check the gastrointestinal criteria and see how you fit in with that and then speak to your gp. Your social worker may be looking at things from a MH point of view.

In response to: Re: Self-Care with major Physical illnesses

AdgeSenior Contributor17 Dec 2019, 9:01 pm AEDT

Re: Self-Care with major Physical illnesses

Hi @Former-Member Yes I need to follow up the gastro-intestinal side of things.

No I don't have a Social Worker - that short-term service finished (was gone) 2 years ago.

Gee, time flies when I'm getting old (faster & faster)...

Adge

In response to: Re: Self-Care with major Physical illnesses

Unknown userMember17 Dec 2019, 9:23 pm AEDT

Re: Self-Care with major Physical illnesses

@Adge

I am wondering what current supports you have in place.

In response to: Re: Self-Care with major Physical illnesses

AdgeSenior Contributor17 Dec 2019, 10:53 pm AEDT

Re: Self-Care with major Physical illnesses

Supports - JUST & ONLY:

A private-practice Clinical Psychologist - for Trauma work (Complex PTSD) @Former-Member

Due to several decades of trauma.

Prolonged complex (repeated) trauma takes many years of therapy work.

So subsidised or government psychological services are often inappropriate (or totally inadequate).

That's because they usually terminate their services after about 10 consultations (max).

Which leaves their client "in limbo" - perhaps with small gains (improvements), perhaps worse off than before.

So the only reason that my service has not been suddenly terminated (& so can be somewhat relied on) - is because it's private consult, & fortunately she has not stopped practicing, or gone elsewhere (as my GP did).

The only reason that I have that service, is because psychologist gives me a very generous discount.

The full Clin Psych fee of $250 (many psychologists) per appointment is totally unaffordable.

Adge

In response to: Re: Self-Care with major Physical illnesses

Unknown userMember18 Dec 2019, 7:54 am AEDT

Re: Self-Care with major Physical illnesses

@Adge

GP,? Pdoc? Case worker?

In response to: Re: Self-Care with major Physical illnesses

AdgeSenior Contributor20 Dec 2019, 7:10 pm AEDT

Re: Self-Care with major Physical illnesses

No, No & No - See above post.

In response to: Re: Self-Care with major Physical illnesses

Unknown userMember20 Dec 2019, 7:25 pm AEDT

Re: Self-Care with major Physical illnesses

@Adge

There are support services available that are listed in the WA health website like this group https://www.ruah.org.au/https://www.ruah.org.au/

In response to: Re: Self-Care with major Physical illnesses

AdgeSenior Contributor20 Dec 2019, 7:56 pm AEDT

Re: Self-Care with major Physical illnesses

Yes @Former-Member Thanks for looking it up.

Ruah (the one you listed) is who I've had (up until 2 years ago) for a year or so.

It was their Social Worker/ community worker who was visiting me (2 years ago).

It was them who referred me to Sane Forums - otherwise I would not be here, on the Forums (would not know about it).

It was called the "Personal Helpers & Mentors Program" (or something like that).

The service was terminated after a specific time-frame (eg 12 months) - & they refused to extend it.

They assisted me with applying for a new job (several).

In response to: Re: Self-Care with major Physical illnesses

Unknown userMember21 Dec 2019, 1:07 pm AEDT

Re: Self-Care with major Physical illnesses

Now your circumstances have changed could you see if you qualify to access these services again @Adge

In response to: Self-Care with major Physical illnesses

Unknown userMember01 Jan 2020, 8:58 pm AEDT

Re: Self-Care with major Physical illnesses

@Adge

Can I check what your current work situation is?

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