Very bad day!

I had to look up Scleroderma never heard of it before. Is it something to do with thickening of the skin and or possibly going to internal organs. Did he just tell you after the episode that he had this problem? How exactly did he throw one on you? Surely if he knows he has this he must have seen a Doctor to give him the diagnoses? I am not sure what riding his scooter is about? Sorry for questions, I just like to try and find out more about things going on with people.

Hope you don't feel depressed too long.

my Dr is sending me to a counsellor because I am depressed. I'd rather that than tablets, but those of you that are also Aromatherapists, what has been your best depression remedy please, for myself.xxx

I'm no Aromatherapist (though my other half has been studying it and has lots of books so I could look stuff up, but you're probably better getting advice direct from someone who specialises in aromatherapy).

However, have you looked at L5-HTP (aka 5-HTP), which stands for 5-Hydroxytryptophan. You can get it from health food shops and it's a natural seed extract, which directly supplements the 5-HTP in your body, which you body then converts to Seratonin in the brain (the happy hormone!). It has certainly been known to help some people with depression.

Like most anti-depressants, there are some that seem to work and others that don't. Recent studies (reported in New Scientist just last week) has shown that anti depressants from the doctor are only about as effective as the placebo effect, so they help some people but not others and there's nothing conclusive to say they are actually better; it's just in the past the way the pharma have been able to get these things approved has a loophole that makes them look effective. Now the pharma have admitted that they're not going to help everyone, and have even ceased their own research down that line of treatment, in favour of new research which says that glutamate may be a better treatment, as it actually helps to heal damaged neurons in the brain, which is what they now believe is the cause of depression. Not sure if there are any treatements yet down that line, so certainly if you can find natural remedies to help or even councelling or CBT etc. (CBT is available through your doctor, or should be!) then go for it.

All Love and Reiki Hugs

If you are able to see the chap again, it may be better to do it as a 'home visit'. I would avoid attempting to 'treat' scleroderma, but make sure that he benefits from the relaxation that massage/reflexology can offer and treat the area that worries him the most.

What meds is he on? One of my ladies found that cyclophosphamide didn't agree with her, which was one of the many drugs she was on and did cause her some serious problems until her docs altered the drug regime.

It must have been very scary for you. It does happen though, and it's something that everyone should be aware of - you did exactly the right thing and should be very proud of yourself.

Hi Energylz,
I am myself an aromatherapist, just wanted to know if anyone had any different ideas for depression recipes. What is CBT? I am not one for medication and opted for the counselling, I think some of it is from not having it when my dad died of cancer, but that is nearly 2 yrs now, even happy things can bring a tear!

Jabba,
It was a home visit, I will have to get to the bottom of this swiftly, he told the amb people that it has happened before but never mentioned it to me when doing his health Q. It looks as if he has had the meds a while and I cant do anything for the scleroderma as you said just some relief If its possible. It did give me fright though, I phoned the Hosp and checked on him they said it was his BP, later yesterday he phoned me to say that he had discharged himself and he was feeling fine. He wants me to see him again so it will be softly softly. I wouldn't even consider getting involve with his meds. I will work around what he takes and make sure that nothing I do interferes with them.

Jeannie.. feinting ? or whatever happened (throwing one) He has a mobility scooter and a big land rover in his garage although I don't know when he would drive that. What if he lost it again then. The diagnosis is more or less right and hands suffer as in reynauds.
I did think yesterday it was all a bit unreal you hope it never happens on your watch! but you just don't know do you. At least yesterday he said he felt fine lets hope that he is still around for the next session.

Hi Rayne,

CBT is cognitive behavioural therapy.

It's a bit like councelling but it actually gives you techniques to use more like a therapy you can learn, and incorporates techniques from NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) etc. It's offered on the NHS and is recognised as one of the best ways to help depression that's freely available. Ask your doctor about it.

All Love and Reiki :Hugs

Hi Rayne

Must have been dreadful for you but sounds like you did everything right. Sometimes clients just decide not to share information with us. When I first started working as a therapist a client who had bad headaches told me at the end of the third treatment that actually she had an inoperable brain tumour but hadn't told me as she knew I wouldn't give her a massage. I was so shocked and suggested she spoke to her doctor about it before coming back but never saw her again.

When I did on site work in offices we asked clients to fill in and sign a tick list to highlight if they were on any medication/had any contra indicated conditions but even then we wouldn't always get accurate information. Sometimes it was because they didn't trust us not to share information with employers or they thought we wouldn't work on them if we knew about their condition.

I never had to call an ambulance but have had clients pass out during on site massage and even though I was trained for it and it was just for a few moments it felt awful so I can imagine how you felt. As you say it's a nasty shock but seems like something he does often so probably a good thing you were there.

As for oils for depression, I found Neroli, Frankincense and Lavender a good blend. Neroli is so expensive these days so just a couple of drops or, if you don't have Neroli, then Bergamot is also good.

Hope all that helps