I'm lost and having issues finding my way back to a happy place

[Arcanetrance]

My depression has gotten the best of me I feel defeated I have a pain in my left knee that won't go away and hurt so much it kept me up all last night. My dad has to go in for open heart surgery and I don't know if his health is good enough for him to make it through. I really don't know why I'm posting this except I just need to get it off my chest.

[NYC_SKP]

1. I'm glad you posted this.

I don't know that I can say anything helpful, but I want you to know that I care, I hope your pain doesn't worsen, and I send my best wished to you and your dad as he goes in for surgery.

[Arcanetrance]

2. Thank you I really hope the pain goes away soon this isn't the time for injury

[cyberswede]

3. I'm sorry you're having a rough time.

I don't have any words of wisdom, but I hope things go well for your father. Please take care of yourself, too.

[Arcanetrance]

4. Thank you for the kinds words it's been a rough couple months and I guess between the news about

My dad needing surgery and my knee bugging me I just hit the wall of what I could deal with.

[cyberswede]

5. Are you able to take anything for your knee?

I have arthritis in my knees, and Advil PM gives me enough relief to get some sleep. Best of luck to you and your dad!

[grasswire]

6. have you tried icing your knee?

.....and are you able to see a doctor at some point?

Pain can sure affect a person. I hope your status improves soon.

There's always someone here in the lounge to listen. 24/7.

[Arcanetrance]

9. I may actually make a trip to the urgent care in the morning cause my knee is popping for lack of a

Better term

[CaliforniaPeggy]

7. My dear Arcanetrance...

Sometimes our problems/injuries/pain can really overwhelm us.

I'm so sorry you're in that place tonight.

I am reasonably sure that your dad will be OK; if he weren't well enough for open-heart surgery, his doctors wouldn't have approved it.

As for your knee, try icing it for 15 minutes or so, and then let it rest awhile; repeat several times.

Ice can really help pain go away.

I wish so much there were something more I could say to help you...Just know that I care.

[orleans]

8. i don't know why life does that "pile on" crap to us

i recently went through a big dose of it that ties into the word "broken."

ugh. i'm hoping it's finally over. we'll see.

i can understand why you're depressed.
sending you a warm hug from the suburbs of chicago.

[Arcanetrance]

10. I'm sorry to hear that life is piling on you as well it would be nice if things decided to happen

One at a time

[orleans]

12. yes. one at a time. and then a long break between things. n/t

[pablo_marmol]

11. Hang in there, friend.

I'm gradually crawling out of a depressive state "enhanced" by some of the same issues you're experiencing. My mom passed a few months back at around the same time my lower back and neck decided to play their regular "games".

What's working for me is giving myself permission to move slowly with my chores/obligations, as long as I move steadily. Some days that's the best I can do, other days - like today - I get momentum going and work at regular speed and beyond.

Hope your dad pulls through. Warm thoughts ----- PM

[Arcanetrance]

13. My sympathies on your mom's passing

That's probably good advice try and take things slow and not feel I have to tackle everything

[fizzgig]

14. pain wears on you

please go see a doc if you can.

iirc, you play either bass or guitar (i'm not too sharp right now). go tool around on that for a bit, i know that always makes my husband feel better.

[applegrove]

15. BIG VIBES and HUGS!!!

[Art_from_Ark]

16. I feel for you

I really do. Right now, nothing seems to be going right for me, either. I try to cope with it by surrounding myself with things that bring back good memories, particularly DVDs, videos, etc., from the '60s and early '70s.

[raccoon]

17. I hope you get to feeling better. I know from personal experience

that pain, if nothing else, tends to make people irritable and depressed.

[a la izquierda]

18. One thing, one day at a time.

I've been in a bad place for months. I finally got to a therapist. Little by little, I'm seeing light at the end of the tunnel. I'm reasonably sure the light is not a freight train...

Good luck.

[flying rabbit]

19. Just a hug

For you and everyone on this thread who needs it.
Been there, done that, still kicking!

[Earth_First]

20. It's best that you vocalize...

Even if it's to a group of mostly individuals you may not know, there is a great amount of commonality that we share and in that, a great deal of potential support to help you along the way.

We've all been at points in our life where we feel isolated in our own experiences, however when we vocalize these feelings, it's possible to realize that you in fact are not alone and have individuals who care and support you along the way.

I'm sorry to hear of the condition of your father's health. However we live in an age of modern medicine that advances the survival rate of what years ago was certain mortality. Given this, and the support that the family can give, there is hope that your father may have many great days ahead...

Best of luck, friend...continue writing here and continue to share your feelings of love, accomplishment, defeat and triumph!

We're with you...

[2theleft]

21. Sometimes that happy place can be so elusive.

But you WILL find it.

Sending you peaceful/healing vibes for both you and your dad. Please try to take care of yourself, sleep is so important when you are in pain - emotional and physical. Let us know how your knee is and how your dad does with his surgery. Fingers and toes and eyes crossed for a speedy recovery for both of you.

[Arcanetrance]

22. I went to the urgent care about 5 this morning I have a torn meniscus

Probably happened when I tried to catch my dad when he fell the other day and I kinda twisted my knee wrong.

[2theleft]

23. OH NO!!! No wonder you are in pain!

Please take care of yourself. I hope they gave you something that can help you rest. Hang in there.

[Arcanetrance]

24. Yeah they gave me a prescription for pain meds and put me on crutches

Wants me to follow up with a orthopedic doctor tomorrow

[barnabas63]

25. Hang in there..

I know how you feel....this too shall pass.

[malthaussen]

26. Pain is so tedious, isn't it?

I mean, it's boring. It distracts you so you don't feel like doing anything, but keeps you from sleeping until it stops. And it slows time down to an unbearable pace. When those interminable hours are filled with worry... well, it's not much fun. Fortunately, it usually has a terminal point, but getting there is half the fun.

My mantra in times like that is "There's just a little unpleasantness to be gotten through." But I'd like to find whoever designed the system and pound his head against a wall a few times.

-- Mal

[Arcanetrance]

27. Very tedious I feel for those that have chronic pain

[grasswire]

28. yes, having a torn meniscus can facilitate understanding ...

.....those who are in great pain. It's a learning experience.

Glad you went to check it out.

[texanwitch]

29. Been there.

I can come and go on the depression.

Every time I think it has gone something happens and it comes back.

I have been there with a sick parent.

All I can say is take one day at a time.

Not sleeping does not help.

I have taken Sam-e.

It helps with moods, helps me feel better.

Things will get better.

[LiberalEsto]

30. Here's hoping you feel a bit better

after seeing the many posts offering you support.

Depression sucks. Been there.
Just remember that it's not forever, and that one day, maybe soon, you'll be feeling much better.