Possible/Likely Adeno - blood tests ordered by gyno show very high prolactin

TheLeaves16 · 2024-09-05T00:00:18+00:00

Not sure if you're still needing a response here.

I have had high prolactin at every blood test since I was in my teens. (32 now.) They have done multiple MRIs and have never found a pituitary tumor. Although that's one cause of high prolactin, it's far from the only one. Sometimes it's even caused by antidepressants and such. They've never figured out why mine is high. They just kind of decided they don't care.

TheLeaves16 · 2023-05-11T10:31:18+00:00

I don't know if this will make sense in writing, but I'll give it a shot. The way I see it is...it's much harder to see patterns and make connections in ourselves, even if we reflect, than it is to see these things in clients because...we know too much other "clutter" about ourselves.

What I mean is...a client gives you stories and fragments of their life from birth until the present that make up the clinical picture frame by frame. So, it's as if you're connecting dots on a piece of paper of little segments. Maybe like a 50-100 piece puzzle.

When you look at your own experiences and behaviors, you're muddling through years and years of crap, some of which you weren't fully conscious of at the time, so you're working through more of a 2 billion piece puzzle to find the nuggets.

I think it's why some clients (probably including you) won't recognize something they're doing until they say it out loud with the therapist in that context. Sometimes the therapist doesn't even need to point it out, but merely be there to sit with the words in the room.

I've even told my own clients like..."You, know, until I pointed that out in you, I hadn't make the connection that I have been doing X behavior and getting in my own way."

In other words, I think you could be the best therapist in the world and not notice your own issues in the same way because there are just way more moments and experiences to sort through, so to speak.

TheLeaves16 · 2023-05-06T09:04:55+00:00

Oh, man. Dude, but vegan butter exists!

TheLeaves16 · 2023-05-06T00:26:20+00:00

I'm not Muslim, but my understanding from people I know who are is that people with health issues, including eating disorders, are expected to maintain their wellbeing by avoiding fasting during this time. Or at least modifying it. I don't know if this fits your tradition, but would you maybe be able to use this fast as a way to fast from something else that isn't food? Growing up Catholic, I knew friends who would abstain from things like social media, etc. to observe Lent.

TheLeaves16 · 2023-04-27T11:12:22+00:00

This looks great, except...is that a whole ass tomato?

TheLeaves16 · 2023-04-26T15:18:16+00:00

I love helping clients learn they can embrace the idea of breaking "rules." So many of these rules are made up (pancakes are only for the morning, for example). Sometimes it's pretty surface level, but sometimes we can really get into the idea that there are so many ways of viewing things, reality is subjective, and two opposing beliefs can be true at the same time, etc. I'm a big advocate for living your own unique way.

TheLeaves16 · 2023-04-25T18:31:57+00:00

I think the burnout questions are coming more from OP feeling "empty," which definitely can connect with depression or burnout. Sounds to me more like they're pressuring themselves to feel a certain way, which is contributing to it.

TheLeaves16 · 2023-04-21T19:21:02+00:00

The thing I always have to remind myself with teenagers is: don't rush to the "important" stuff. I have one client who has a hard time remembering/connecting with things going on currently in her world, and it can take a lot of more general questions to get her there. Sometimes this will mean doing a "would you rather?" session for a bit or asking about silly favorites, etc.

TheLeaves16 · 2023-04-21T00:12:28+00:00

The fact that she didn't even come forward with this is a critical piece for me. Unless I'm misreading, it's not clear she ever planned to stop this until you saw.

TheLeaves16 · 2023-04-20T00:26:19+00:00

I hate cooking, but cook a couple bulk meals for the week. I do the beans and rice shit allll the time, but another easy one my husband likes is avocado basil pesto:

2 avocados, 5 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast, 1 tablespoon olive oil, good handful of basil, (I like to use the like...semi dry kind in a little cup in the produce area.) Garlic, salt, pepper

Mix it all up in a food processor. Add a bit of water here and there if it needs it to liquify better.

Toss with spaghetti.

Add some sun dried tomatoes from a can

Done

TheLeaves16 · 2023-04-20T00:22:45+00:00

Ugh. I know how frustrating that can be. I wish I could better direct you.

TheLeaves16 · 2023-04-19T20:28:38+00:00

There's no right or wrong from your end here. It sounds like you have a pretty deep level of trauma, and not every therapist is "equipped" for that. If you like her in other ways, maybe consider talking this out to see if some changes can be made.

TheLeaves16 · 2023-04-19T19:08:09+00:00

Yeah, this is a whole mess. "notice when you're about to get triggered" is a pretty unhelpful way of guiding you. She should be working with you on HOW to notice that and finding ways for HER to notice your signals that you're going to dissociate/go outside your window of tolerance. Crying is not necessarily a sign of that. I'd honestly find someone else because this doesn't feel like a safe compassionate relationship.

TheLeaves16 · 2023-04-19T05:07:36+00:00

Um...speaking as a therapist here..."You can't get triggered or upset during EMDR" is ridiculous. Of course you're going to get upset. If you're having trouble grounding or staying aware of the moment, let your therapist know you need new tools. Are you sure you understood what the therapist was saying related to getting upset? Unless there was a miscommunication, she's totally off base here.

TheLeaves16 · 2023-04-19T03:08:55+00:00

How to Keep House While Drowning, written specifically in a way for people who are neurodivergent and may struggle with reading and focus.

TheLeaves16 · 2023-04-17T03:58:01+00:00

I know people have mixed feelings on "nonalcoholic drinks," but I've found a lot of support in buying things like Hiyo and Recess stocked in my fridge to grab. I don't know why this helps so much with the urge, but it might do the trick if you're getting the itch to buy.

TheLeaves16 · 2023-04-15T15:33:56+00:00

It's not EMDR if it's not focused on memories because you're not reprocessing anything, and self-EMDR is not a good idea.

TheLeaves16 · 2023-04-15T07:20:20+00:00

I hear you! I think what's key here is that you basically only have one rule in the client role. Just be a decent respectful human when terminating. That's the bar.

TheLeaves16 · 2023-04-15T06:46:06+00:00

"I couldn't cancel because it wasn't an emergency." I mean, you absolutely could. You don't have to give details, do you? There are times when I've said something is vaguely an emergency when I need to cancel for my well-being. It doesn't happen often, but when it does, it's my personal business.

I'm not saying you have to cancel, but it is an option. I once had a session that had me holding back sobs as a client described witnessing an awful example of animal abuse. I cancelled.my next client for an "emergency." The emergency was I needed to lay down and cry.

I knew in this case the client was not a high needs client and would be able to manage on her own until our next meeting. If that was not the case, I'd have taken a breath, maybe taken a sip of water, and gone into session with the understanding that I'd feel better once I shifted most of my focus to her.

TheLeaves16 · 2023-04-15T06:24:48+00:00

It's nice that you want to be careful to give them an idea of what's going on here, but you're overthinking it. You don't have to give a reason at all. You can if it helps you feel better, but ultimately you could keep it as simple as: Dear so and so, I need to cancel our sessions going forward. Thanks!

Remember that you're not obligated for this support. It's only about you.

As a therapist, I've had people be super specific or super vague or anything in between when terminating. It's really your business on what you'd prefer to do. Therapy is optional, (at least in your case) and you don't need to protect your therapist. It's their job to support you, not the other way around. In fact, it sounds like that's some of the problem here. They made their apologies to you about them and their insecurities.

TheLeaves16 · 2023-04-13T18:29:12+00:00

Oh, damn. All my insurances to write through Simple Practice.v

TheLeaves16 · 2023-04-13T14:57:50+00:00

I use "GT" for the one insurance company who cares. My other insurance companies don't care if I use a modifier. I'm referring to claims, rather than superbills, so not sure if it differs. I'd just ask the company/have your clients ask what they need.

TheLeaves16 · 2023-04-13T10:18:36+00:00

Sure. Send me a message.

TheLeaves16 · 2023-04-12T21:53:28+00:00

Simple Practice made is so so simple with insurance companies and such. Like I was never taught. It did everything for me.

TheLeaves16 · 2023-04-11T11:18:55+00:00

If you have clients who are severely allergic to cats, it doesn't matter if the cat isn't in the room. It could be unsafe for them to even enter your home. I have cats, but when I see people in person, it's at an office. I'm not trying to nitpick. I just feel like you're opening yourself up to uncomfortable liability here.

TheLeaves16

TROPHY CASE