HELP, NEED ADVICE, SICK & NOWHERE TO GO

Posted by alicia on June 01, 1999 at 08:59:20
I don't know if it is just me who cannot find a good doctor or are people in the medical field so unfeeling.
In the last few months I have found out that I have severe stomach erosion and also I have fibroids in my uterus.  
I feel sick and tired everyday, I don't know how to tell if I would have bleeding ulcers so I could possibly  help save my life.  Doctors are not giving me any meds for these things and instead I suffer.  I cannot get through a day without the fear of dying.  I cannot stop thinking about how I will leave my children when I die and they will have abosolutely nobody.
Please help me the anxiety is too much, I have been taking Serzone and also Alprazolam and i am still full of stress.  I can fee the toll that this is taking on my body, mind and spirit, in one sense I  have already left my children.  They have not seen their mother in months, not the happy mother that raised them.  Now I just mope around praying that I won't die at home in front of the children.  Help me, oh God, someone help me please.

Posted by HFHS.MD -D.E. on June 07, 1999 at 12:08:20
Dear Alicia;
From what you have described, it seems that you have been getting increasingly frustrated because you don't know what is going on with regards your medical problems. I understand this could be really stressful. From the other symptoms that you have described, it is possible that you could be suffering from a major depressive disorder.   This disorder is characterized by depressed mood most of the day, more days than not, loss of interest in activities, decreased energy, guilt, problems with eating and sleeping,etc.  Persons who are depressed may also ruminate about their health or life in general.  Anxiety is also frequently associated with depression.  You mentioned that you are now on Serzone and Alprazolam but that you are still "full of stress".  I don't have information on how long you have been on these medications and on what doses.  Serzone(Nefazodone) is an antidepressant and an anti-anxiety medication and Xanax (Alprazolam) is used for anxiety.  The therapeutic range for Serzone is 400 -600 mg.  It may take 4 -6 weeks before patients start feeling better.  If you have been taking it this long and are now on the maximum dose, you might want to discuss with your physician about changing to another antidepressant.In addition to the medications, counselling will also help you cope better with stress. Information contained within The Forum is intended solely for general
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    physicians affiliated with Henry Ford Health System. You may call Henry Ford Behavioral Health at [phone] for evaluation. Key Words:depression/anxiety/serzone/xanax