Posted , 7 users are following.
Hi,
Has anyone experienced counselling for their LS - if so were you referred.
I am struggling physically and emotionally to deal with this, its now putting a strain on my husband who has been amazing - i dont want LS to destroy my marriage as well.
My husband is at his wits end and doesn't know what else to say or do - we need help !
Thank you.
0 likes, 6 replies
We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.
Guest sarah24152
Posted
Hello Sarah,
Yes, I have gone to a counselor but she does not know about this problem. I have tried to educate her but it's slow going. She is supportive as she has her own issues. Is your LS preventing you from sex? It i s not contagious but maybe gives you pain and prevents you from enjoying it? I encourage you to talk to your friends although some of my "friends" walked away when I told them. I still think you would benefit from letting these feelings out. It was very hard for me to talk about this and is still difficult to accept. As a person of faith I ask why me? I am struggling too. Send me a private message if you want to talk. drn
sarb73328 sarah24152
Posted
I am in the UK and when i asked my GP if there was any help emotionally, she said no. LS is devastating and as dr n says we should be able to talk about it. My husband has been fantastic but I find it best not to talk about it too much to him. He once said that that part of my body had become all too 'medical' which makes him more concerned for me and spoils the fun of sex and I totally agree. It would be great to find a counsellor who understood the mental effects instead of doctors who can be quite cold and dismissive. i have talked to friends who are sympathetic. Are you in UK? Let me know if you find someone.
Guest sarb73328
Posted
Hi sarb,
No, I am in the US where there's a therapist on every corner as well as a McDonald's, a Waffle House or a Baptist Church Hah hah.
Your doctor does not know what she's talking about because some of the ladies on these forums speak of going to therapists. Some successes, some not. I have been to 2 counselors and neither knew anything about it. As far as your husband maybe he needs to get more invested in you in order for his support to help you emotionally? I don't think you will get better without the support of your friends and family.
Have you tried searching through your background to see if there was perhaps a trigger? I suspect many of us have encountered an experience or series of experiences that so impacted us that our immune systems were wildly activated, turning on us. Science does support this view.
As I have no family left, I have to rely on friends to help. They are few and far between, however, and one must figure out at least 5 people on whom you can rely and in whom you can confide. That has helped. One thing my ex said is, "Anything can change in a day," and something the counselor said, "It can get better." My normal optimism has turned dark and I seem to think nothing will ever improve but that's not true.
One day I will chat with Friend A and B and the next day maybe friend C. Sometimes I skip a day and go somewhere new to take my mind off of it. This situation is new to me too and I am also having a hard time dealing with it mainly because of the restriction it has placed on my activities. I want to work. Are you working? Are your co-workers nice? Have you confided in one? What was the result?
Have you started a calendar journal? That has helped me keep a record of how I was feeling and what I was doing on any given day. I might be able to look back and see a pattern. I did that with another problem years ago and solved that problem. Try that and see if it gives you insight. best wishes dr n
sarb73328 Guest
Posted
Dr n, my GP was referring to therapy on the NHS. I could find private therapy but would want someone who understood the disease ideally.
My husband is emotionally supportive as much as he can be. He knows all about what I am going through in my head because I tell him. I have told my girlfriends and sister mainly to make them aware that this can happen. I had no knowledge of Ls until it happened to me. As for triggers, yes a few theories on that. I suffered from thrush a lot when younger. My LS symptoms came on during a stressful time when my parents were very sick and also I had just had a loop procedure on my cervix to remove pre cancer cells. I was way past menopause and think lack of oestrogen also played a part.
Guest sarah24152
Posted
Hi Sarah,
A supportive husband and family is a big help. Your comment about the thrush and the LS appearing during a stressful time is my situation too. I have read journal articles describing the stress-auto-immune reaction but what t hey do not describe is how to stop the stress! I, too, cared for my parents in another state, going there every few weeks or so while keeping my job and working remotely while I was gone. This went on for 5 years and about killed me. If you were their prime caregiver and keeping your own house, that would be a big stressor. Our immune system is tied to our mental state and our parasympathetic nervous system that operate automatically. When we feel over-stressed and perhaps do not eat well or sleep or rest enough, processes break down. You can repair them but it takes time. How long have you had this LS? Did you have a biopsy to confirm? I find that spending time outside and with people who care about you each day helps. Coconut oil and Vit A & D cream help. A pen paI I have in the UK does not speak highly of the NHS. She has a similar problem but have not heard from her lately. Take care.
Guest sarah24152
Posted
Hello Sarah
I am very sorry that you are suffering.
Firstly I hope that you have a good dermatologist. Depending on the severity or not of your condition you will probably be seen two or three times a year.
I have had this for seven years am age 63 and have now been full circle with despair and crisis. I have seen a private counsellor in the Uk but for £70 an hour I may as well have talked to the cat because no amount of talking would take it away, so I stopped going.
However some folk may find counseling helpful.
My advice would be (as I have received from lovely helpers on here) to make everything you can of each day and stay strong. Easier said than done but keep going with the treatment and all the great advice on here.
I manage by thinking yes its grim but with diet support and treatment I am grateful not to be suffering from cancer .
It is horrid though but it could be worse.
I bore my husband every day and he says "its not that bad" and I have to believe him.
You can PM me anytime.
Violet