Discussion & help on depression & mental health related issues

[The Missing Lineker]

Thanks. I plan to go back Monday and all being well I start a new temporary job the following Monday. It messes with my head a bit but when they diagnosed it last time I read up on it and so much doesn't add up. My head says there must be something else there but until they decide they are wrong again there is always that nagging doubt. I've been made a priority but not really sure what that means.

So have you worked with asbestos? Is that why they keep trying to fit this diagnosis??!

 

[anjelikaferrett]

Hi Guy's I'm a 46 year old bloke, that is actually a Qualified Mental Health Nurse. Last July I was on a night shift, staffing levels was pretty awful on the night. A patient (who was there for assessment and later assessed as not being mentally ill) attacked me, He jumped from behind and tried to strangle me from behind. Luckily one of my colleges managed to get to me in time. Since then I have suffered with PTSD, depression and anxiety. I've just finished a trauma stabilisation course and now am on a waiting list for Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. I've been off sick more or less since it happened. I am worried about everything especially on if I can ever go back to being a Nurse. Really struggling at the moment.

What an awful experience for you.

I'm assuming this has been documented as a workplace accident. Your sick should be discounted because of that. You need to speak to your managers and HR ( who I hope have been supportive and keeping in touch with you while you have been off) You should have seen Occ Health too. When the time comes that you feel ready to go back to work, you should be offered a phased return perhaps with reasonable adjustments in place - identified by you, your managers and Occ Health. I appreciate how stretched the staffing levels are but they should be able to put something in place - maybe no lone working for a period of time or some other duties that you could do to build your confidence up.

 

[messymascot]

So have you worked with asbestos? Is that why they keep trying to fit this diagnosis??!

No thats one of the reasons it doesn't fit. They biopsy me and under the microscope it comes back as this. Thing is i have the 4 biopsy in 3 hospitals and they all say mesothelioma. However someone who has peritoneal mesothelioma should struggle to put weight on. Me I can put weight on like it goes out of fashion whicg means I have to keep on a strict diet to keep weight off. The reason I was gutted about not going the gym was I was scared of weight gain so I leaned my diet out more. Also only one in a hundred survive more than 5 years after diagnosis and originally diagnosed in 2013 so I must be an anomaly!

 

[COYBL25]

Thanks pal! Not yet. I will speak to my GP in the next week and see what they can offer. Last time it was all explained but again it didnt add up and because I got better which is the opposite of what should happen they were stumped. I mentioned this in my appointment but I think they are afraid of being accussed of not acting so they have passed me back to Oncology. I would like to say I was surprised but I've been under anaesthetic 4 times for this mystery illness and every time they come back with this. Whatever it is it certainly has them confused. My symptoms are kept at bay by steroids which ironically should make it worse so its a complete parody!!

Normally the medical people are all over “ mystery “ conditions, as they want to study them and publish papers on them ?

 

[messymascot]

Normally the medical people are all over “ mystery “ conditions, as they want to study them and publish papers on them ?

I think this might be the case. Me and my gastrentologist always have banter whose name will come first in the title if I have something unique. I just want answers as although the steroids control the symptoms they are leaving my body damaged. Osteoporosis and I have stretch marks caused by the constant weight fluctuations made worse by them. On the positive side I'm here and I'm fight fit at the moment!

 

[Real_madras]

Thanks pal! Not yet. I will speak to my GP in the next week and see what they can offer. Last time it was all explained but again it didnt add up and because I got better which is the opposite of what should happen they were stumped. I mentioned this in my appointment but I think they are afraid of being accussed of not acting so they have passed me back to Oncology. I would like to say I was surprised but I've been under anaesthetic 4 times for this mystery illness and every time they come back with this. Whatever it is it certainly has them confused. My symptoms are kept at bay by steroids which ironically should make it worse so its a complete parody!!

Maggies Centre's are a really good supportive charity. There is one at Clatterbridge, but they are planning one in Liverpool when the Clatterbridge Oncology opens in the new Royal.

 

[Real_madras]

What an awful experience for you.

I'm assuming this has been documented as a workplace accident. Your sick should be discounted because of that. You need to speak to your managers and HR ( who I hope have been supportive and keeping in touch with you while you have been off) You should have seen Occ Health too. When the time comes that you feel ready to go back to work, you should be offered a phased return perhaps with reasonable adjustments in place - identified by you, your managers and Occ Health. I appreciate how stretched the staffing levels are but they should be able to put something in place - maybe no lone working for a period of time or some other duties that you could do to build your confidence up.

Oh yes well documented. The bloke that did it got 4 months in Prison. I'm awaiting my next meeting with Manager and HR. Thinking about asking my Union Rep to attend. I have sometimes, say how I'm feeling and a bit worried about talking myself out of a job.

 

[messymascot]

Maggies Centre's are a really good supportive charity. There is one at Clatterbridge, but they are planning one in Liverpool when the Clatterbridge Oncology opens in the new Royal.

Thanks pal. I live in Cumbria so I go to the RVI and Freemans in Newcastle for my treatment and appointments so I think I'll ask there when I next go. I had never heard of Maggie's Centres until you mentioned them so it is definitely something I'll look at. Its that I don't want to waste there time if it turns out to be wrong again and thats what I'm hoping for!

 

[anjelikaferrett]

Oh yes well documented. The bloke that did it got 4 months in Prison. I'm awaiting my next meeting with Manager and HR. Thinking about asking my Union Rep to attend. I have sometimes, say how I'm feeling and a bit worried about talking myself out of a job.

Definitely get your rep to go with you. It doesn't have to be confrontational, They can offer a bit of moral support and they can take notes of the meeting. Sometimes it's hard to talk and remember what was said.

 

[Real_madras]

Thanks pal. I live in Cumbria so I go to the RVI and Freemans in Newcastle for my treatment and appointments so I think I'll ask there when I next go. I had never heard of Maggie's Centres until you mentioned them so it is definitely something I'll look at. Its that I don't want to waste there time if it turns out to be wrong again and thats what I'm hoping for!

Well worth it, there is one at the Freeman's. Worth popping in even if just for a free cuppa.

 

[marnie]

I'm GOING TO COME BACK ON HERE and sound off tomorrow if you don't mind.I am not typing this through ale or any substance.Just that my head is battered at the moment.Sorry for my rant. xx

 

[Real_madras]

Is there any chance you could move into a different area of nursing. My wife is a nurse and almost walked away from it recently. She ended up changing department and it has made all the difference.

Looking into it. Its difficult as the there has been such cuts over the past few years. But I do have ideas of what I think I'd be good at. I will need to be better than I am now though.

 

[marnie]

Sorry for my meltdown last night.xx

 

[Groucho]

Sorry for my meltdown last night.xx

It’s ok it happens

 

[Big Fat Sam]

I think this might belong here. It relates to my mother who is having a really, really tough time due to my brother (he still lives at home) who has a gambling addiction and refuses to admit that a - he is an addict, and b - that he needs help. I want to help her because neither my other brother or father are interested or prepared to support her. He (younger brother) has ruined my mother financially as she naively took out a loan to cover all of his dumb payday loans and debts he amassed (and he refuses to pay back what he owes) and now I want to do whatever I can help her. Is anybody aware of an effective website blocking software that I can have her install to completely block gambling sites and payday loan sites on their home internet? I know he would still be able to access via his mobile data plan, but I would just like to make it as difficult as possible for him to get onto this sites. Thanks.