Spouse Stress/Anxiety Condition

[brymoore]

I have a degree in economics so take that as no idea medically. My wife is a nurse.

When she hit menopause, the circus began. Swinging emotions, terrible sleep and a long list of other symptoms. She finally decided to go on hormones and the circus stooped. Level emotions, good sleep etc. After a while, the circus began again and I quietly asked if the hormones were working. After a rant, she said she would see her doc. The dose needed bumped and she’s mostly back to normal.

I just asked her if she’ll need it rest of her life, she said maybe.

I don’t know if this applies but maybe @Zim.

 

[Baerman]

Try getting hormones checked AND do something called Genomind testing. My wife went rounds with doc's, perscriptions and everything you are likely going through. It wasn't until we did these two things and found the right specialists that she turned a corner. We got lucky but she was in a very dark place for a while. I hope she and you find the right help!

 

[Bonasababy]

Did they rule out any crazy hormone stuff from menopause? That's always a fun time for both spouses....

This...and for other reasons...I would ask if a full medical evaluation has been done?

 

[kwyeewyk]

Turned out he was in stage 3 of an agressive brain tumor.

Coworker who is around 60, very fit and healthy, started having issues several months ago they thought might be pancriatitis or pancreatic cancer, took a while to figure out it's a brain tumor, still TBD if it's treatable. It can definitely show in different and strange ways and not usually one of the first things looked for.

 

[Zim]

I have a friend (neighbor) with fairly severe anxiety-panic spectrum disorder and associated agoraphobia.

He's been in and out of doctors with vestibular migraine issues, regular migraine issues, severe fatigue, ocular migraine issues, chronic sleep issues. He's had all the scans, all the blood work up, the sleep studies. He's been to neurologists, psychiatrists, primary care doctors, therapists, cardiovascular specialists, functional medicine doctors and EVERY doctor he's seen has said basically the same thing: functionally, medically, there is nothing wrong with you, these are physical manifestations of severe anxiety.

He's been at this for like 7-10 years trying basically everything under the sun but traditional meds and he's finally starting to accept that meds have to be a part of the solution.

Psychiatric meds don't mask the symptoms of legitimate psychiatric disorders, they physicially address the issue and traditional therapy is impossible until you re-balance that chemistry.

Sometimes that chemistry can see some rebalancing with functional medicine, nutrition, exercise, etc. Sometimes maybe even cure the issue. But it is so dependent on the actual cause of the chemical imbalance in the brain. For some, functional medicine is a savior. For others, it simply has to be SSRI's.

Evaluate every option.

These symptoms sound exactly like my wife. And same perfect physical health.

 

[Zim]

Did they rule out any crazy hormone stuff from menopause? That's always a fun time for both spouses....

My wife is 20 years removed from menopause.

 

[Zim]

I would see a neurologist asap. Something that comes and goes this fast and severely is not a diet issue. You dont have tome to ask guys on an online hunting forum for medical advice. Drive to another state for a specialist that can get you in if that is what it takes. You only get one wife.


Not trying to scare you but I had a friend in HS whos uncle was the chillest guy ever. Somewhere around 47, in just a few weeks he was at the point of screaming profanities at people for saying hello, having panic attacks, pretty much non functional. Completely different personality from the month before. Turned out he was in stage 3 of an agressive brain tumor. They cut it out and he was ok after that. If changes come on strong really fast its a good sign you dont have time to wait.

Sounds great in theory until reality steps in. Our GP moved away, and no nearby medical groups were taking new patients for two years. Finally had one move into town and was assigned by Marketplace. So 7/14 after four long months we finally will meet her. Not even for a physical, but for an introductory meeting. On top of this, after 50 phone calls found 99% of mental health groups are out of network from our BC/BS policy. What a joke. Finally found one and got a psych booked for 7/15. Found the only other way to get immediate care is is call 911 go to ER and request psych team evaluation. After pincushioning my wife twice for absolutely nothing, she refuses to return. Far easier if you eat drugs or alcohol and are suicidal. We just don’t qualify. So I keep educating myself and pray for the long awaited appointments.

 

[TOGIE]

If you can pony up a little cash, and sometimes it's really not a bank breaker, just forgetting about insurance and going to pay to play psychiatrists is a fantastic route.

You will find more appointment opportunities, get treated like a person, given serious time, will be looked at holistically, and your own opinions on your care will be central to the conversations. Not sure about your area, but around here you can sit down for 90 minutes with a career psychiatrist for ~500 bucks (you can certainly find quality ones for less) and you can get a fantastic start on your (her) care.

It isn't cheap. But a high quality of life can be kinda priceless. Taking that into consideration it really does start to look cheap sometimes.