Doctor says depression and anxiety but I'm not so sure

Posted , 3 users are following.

I'm feeling really fed up and didnt know where else to go for advice. So I've been feeling rrally unwell for the past 9 months and I don't feel like I'm getting anywhere.

I'll just give a bit of history. I started feeling unwell in September - i was feeling dizzy any my heart was beating fast, i was feelinf nauseous after eating, had swollen lymph glands and was finding my usual walk after work was getting more difficult. I had a blood test which showed low iron. Had iron tablets but after 4 months didn't feel any better.

I went back to the dr and further blood tests showed I had recent exposure to the virus that causes glandular fever. The doctor said my symptoms were due to this and I was told that they would resolve "before long".

5 mo the lated and I am feeling no better. I went to the Dr and she said that my symptoms sounded like anxiety and depression. I told her I am not depressed or anxious. Feeling so unwell and being unable to carry out life as normal is making me extremely miserable but I'd say that's a side effect rather than a cause. I tried to explain this but she wouldn't believe me and tried to put me on tablets which I declined. I really want to do things that I used to and find something to help me improve but I feel really strongly that I'm not depressed or anxious and so don't think the medication would help.

I have agreed to go for an assessment to please her but the appointment is 2 months away and I want to try to figure out what is wrong with me in the mean time.

Has anyone else had this experience? I've suffered with depression in the past and have been diagnosed with general anxiety disorder (which I have had CBT for and which worked wonders ) im just really beginning to doubt myself. I thought I knew what these things felt like and knew my own mind but the appointment recently is making me doubt myself. Is it possible to be depressed and anxious and not know it even if you've suffered in the past.

Sorry this is so long I just really had to vent! X

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • Posted

    Also, sorry for all of the typos I wrote this on my phone and can't figure out how to edit!
  • Posted

    Toni, hi and I am sorry for your troubles. You didn't mention how old you are?

    I think during perimenopause, more sensitive people (like myself) do tend to get more depressive, maybe.

    First, is your iron back to normal? Low iron levels do result in depression. I have been fighting this a lot. Fighting the doctors, mostly! LOL.

    Second, there is a widely used supplement called menopace that a lot of people on this forum use (I don't because I'm in another country).

    Maybe you could try taking that. I also use progesterone cream, but I am clearly estrogen dominant, and using the cream has some possible side effects, so maybe not something to run to.

    I am sure a lot of people will respond while I sleep (I'm in Japan, the other side of the world). You aren't alone, a lot of people here are searching for answers to kind of general malaise. And I think we all have different answers, but the important thing is to keep looking.

    I take anti depressants, but it really has nothing to do with perimenopause for me. But I wouldn't rule them out. . . the human brain is a mysterious thing. Sometimes you have to let go of the idea that you can control things, or (on my part) even understand things. Just look for wellness, however it may come. I hope I am not stepping out of line here, or preaching. Big hugs to you.

  • Posted

    Is it possible for you to see another doctor? You are perfectly entitled to a second opinion.
  • Posted

    Thank you both for replying.

    Haha I totally forgot to include my age, I'm 27. My iron levels are back up to normal.

    I'm thinking about going to see another doctor - I'm just worried because this is the second doctor who has said that how I'm feeling is depression. The Doctor I was seeing at my previous practice didn't say what was wrong but seemed to think that having the epstein barr virus was causing my problems (I had to change practice before I was able to go back for further clarification). 

     

  • Posted

    Recovering from glandular fever can take many months, and in some cases can lead to chronic fatigue.

    Try and follow it up and get more tests, ask to see specialist, before accepting being labelled as depressed, as once that happens they put all physical symptoms down to depression or side effects of antidepressant medication.

    I think the decision to go on antidepressants should not be taken lightly, especially as you don't feel it is depression, the side effects and withdrawal effects can be very difficult and make things worse.

    I had glandular fever when I was 19 and was given antidepressants after still being exhausted several months later. I was also diagnosed with social anxiety shortly after. The antidepresants helped a bit with anxiety but did not help with the fatigue and caused insomnia, weight gain and other physical side effects.

    Also it is possible that depression can be caused by glandular fever and post viral fatigue as it is frustrating and difficult to keep positive when you don't have the energy to do things you enjoy or need to do, and then depression can cause physical symptoms. It is important to cut out stress and unnecessary activities and not do too much, focus your energy on things that make you feel better, and if possible try to continue walking short distances as I found my muscles became weaker by resting too much.

    I can do a lot more exercise than before but still get exhausted if I do too much.

    I found it very difficult to stop taking citalopram due the withdrawal effects and have only recently stopped after being on them for many years.

    Best wishes for the future, and don't accept being told you are depressed if you don't feel that is true.

    • Posted

      Thank you very much for your response! I will be going back to the doctors once I've had an assessment with a mental health clinic (just so I can rule that out with the doctor) I've been managing to go for walks now so my situatuion is improving lately which is good.

      Thanks again for your response!

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