maggie allen

Recently retired doctor and medical educator, now focused on having fun! Proud mum of 3 lovely young people

[maggie allen @magsallen40]

@DocEmUK YES- makes it all worthwhile ❤️

[maggie allen @magsallen40]

@DocEmUK I hope this is about your sleep - see my reply on that
If it isn’t then it sounds desperate - please reach out. You are so loved, valued, respected - and so unwell

[maggie allen @magsallen40]

@DocEmUK Doxylamine 25mg tablets
But try 1/2 tablet initially
Available OTC at pharmacy
Useful for short term treatment of insomnia
Only an old fashioned anti antihistamine with sedative properties.
I don’t know what else you are on so check interactions
I use for jet lag, it helps

[maggie allen @magsallen40]

@DocEmUK @wendyburn @FionaNaylor2 Please them honestly how you are feeling, including wanting to avoid admission if possible. If they still feel that’s necessary despite your desire to avoid it, then maybe it is really needed?

[maggie allen @magsallen40]

@DocEmUK @FHawksworth Nobody is better off without you
You are a lovely person, a great mum, one of the very best doctors I know. You are actually all these things because of your struggles and your insight.

[maggie allen @magsallen40]

@DocEmUK @KarenAd89081735 Em, you need help and resources in exactly the same way as if you had heart, liver or kidney failure… the only ‘shame’ needed in this situation is that the NHS struggles to provide that help to you
One day at a time, sometimes wobbly, but you will be you again..

[maggie allen @magsallen40]

@DoctorAngry Me too …

[maggie allen @magsallen40]

@DocEmUK I remember my Dad (a stoical Irish ‘get up and get on with it ‘ type being totally perplexed by my mum’s severe depression in the early years … especially when it left him coping with 5 children while she was in hospital. Age mellowed him and gave him understanding

[maggie allen @magsallen40]

@DocEmUK Good luck Em. I can completely understand complex and conflicting feelings about work. Overall I hope it will be a positive experience because you are superb at your job(s) and highly valued, but do give yourself space and time within the day. You have been very unwell xx

[maggie allen @magsallen40]

@DocEmUK @ocyours But is that in itself a useful ‘barometer’ for you/ those living with you/ your CPN?
It might be helpful in that way?

[maggie allen @magsallen40]

@DocEmUK Lots of great advice here but she is likely to need help from outside the family so that she can say everything that she really wants to, which may include stuff she doesn’t want you to hear. You can comfort as her mum, and seeing you recover is what she needs most.

[maggie allen @magsallen40]

@DocEmUK I’m sure some just don’t know quite what to say… what they would feel appropriate or comfortable saying …
I agree this is because of the difference in the way many of us deal with mental health cf. obvious ‘physical illness’
I wish it were not so. It should not be so …

[maggie allen @magsallen40]

@DocEmUK You are ill, you need and deserve the very best of help. If you had lupus or RA you would feel no guilt or shame. You wouldn’t try to find explanations within your self or your circumstances. When you were a student I knew you would be the best of doctors and I was right .

[maggie allen @magsallen40]

@DocEmUK Dear Em
My Mum (recently deceased) had severe depression, with episodes of illness very similar to yours. I think I told you about that before. She was greatly helped by ECT. It took until later life to find drugs that kept her on an even keel, but drugs have improved. (TBC)

[maggie allen @magsallen40]

@DocEmUK You will get there Em, you have done it before. You will get back to your lovely strong self. You are unwell at the moment and with any other illness you would see the path to recovery, given the right treatment and given time.
Give yourself time and kindness xx

[maggie allen @magsallen40]

@DocEmUK Reading through your posts I see clear evidence you have fought back from really low places. You are extremely strong, but don’t feel that now. You will be strong again and enjoy your family, friends, career. Let professionals and those who love you help you to the other side

[maggie allen @magsallen40]

@drkeithsiau They are not even allowed at the beach - total ban! And all landowners must clear dry grass/ old wood and shrubs from their land each year. If you don’t do it the local council will enforce or clear it and bill you

[maggie allen @magsallen40]

@EmiratesSupport I have sent you two messages re problems rebooking
I have had to book and pay for another flight but I have little faith that this will be going (although your site let me book)

[maggie allen @magsallen40]

@rume_schmidt @HIAQatar Believe me - I’m in Dubai and trying to exit on emirates- it’s no better