Chronic Health Condition Support May 19 - 25 - ALL ARE WELCOME

This thread is for those of us that have a chronic health condition and our families and friends. Please come to vent, give support, receive support, share your ideas on remedies that have helped you. You don't have to be concerned about what you share because we have all been there! 

Let's give this a whirl and see how it goes.

I'll start...

I'm 47 years old and am married to a wonderful man. My health concerns are Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Depression. I recently had to quit my full time job because the pain and fatigue are just too much for me to work. 

Today I'm working on not doing too much. I tend to over do it and that just leads to bigger problems.

Have a pain free day! 

 hello my name is Santana

I'm 51 years old and am married to a wonderful woman.

 Great to see you here, San. Welcome.

Hello friends.  I don't suffer from any chronic health conditions, but I wanted to pop in and support my friends who do! 

Jenni- This is a great idea and I hope people can find support and help for numerous conditions. 

Jenni, my health concerns are not the same as yours, but I do have osteoporosis and panic disorder.    I don't have physical pain, but I do suffer at times.  I certainly support anyone dealing with health issues.

Thanks for starting this Jenni! I am 43 and also married to a wonderful man. I have fibro, lupus, epilepsy, arthritis,bursitis and depression. I think that is it lol Way to many to list! I am like you in the way when I over do it it takes me down for a few days. Need to take it easy. I have not worked since August. I lost my job due to health issues. I worked there for over 15 years. It is hard not working. I loved my job. I really do miss it. I wish I was still there but don't think I can do it. I have a hard enough time keeping up with just doing house work. Thank God DH and DD helps with the house work. Thanks again Jenni for starting the post.

 I was diagnosed with MS about 2 years ago after sudden loss of eyesight in my right eye.  I'm just learning how to deal with the fatigue and impaired vision but am thankful that those are my only symptoms.  

 Connie, please post or send me an email about how your recovery from surgery is coming along.  I'm praying for you.  I saw where your DH prepared a delicious lunch for you both this weekend.  Now that is one of the wonderful things about recovery!

Jo, I'm sorry to hear you have osteoporosis and panic disorder. Thanks for offering your support. I'm here for you too! Please come back often.

Annette, You have been a wonderful friend to me. I hope you enjoy this post and get a lot of good from it.

LBrouse, I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis of MS. I didn't realize that it would rob you of your site like that. Try to rest and beat that fatigue. I know how hard that can be.

Fake it til you make it! 

I'm 51 as well, divorced, and I have bipolar disorder, essential tremor, Meniere's disease, asthma, and Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS).  Most of these conditions are hereditary, except for the asthma and CRPS.  

Right now the biggest problem is with bipolar.  It's taken quite some time for me to become stabilized on meds, but now I take 3 different ones and I think between my psychologist and psychiatrist we're on the right track.  I still have my manic and depressive episodes, but it seems like they're getting farther apart. 

CRPS was a result of a broken foot and two surgeries.  I've had 5 pain injections and been on several different pain drugs, none of which worked, so the only recourse I have for pain control is with a neurostimulator.  It's implanted in my back and works like a TENS unit, only it's internal not external.  It provides the same type of stimulation.  

Even with all this stuff, I refuse to let it run my life.  I'm a stubborn woman!  I'll continue to do what I need to and I'll enjoy it too! 

 I'm just curious....how long did it take folks to get diagnosed?  I know for me, I suddenly lost sight on Memorial Day weekend 3 years ago (i was planting potted flowers), and it took about a year to finally have it attributed to MS.  And that all said, I was shocked to find out that no on really knows what actually causes it MS nor are there any real cures.  It's totally a wait and see what happens thing.  So frustrating!

So I'd be interested in hearing other peoples journeys.

 I'd have to say, the two worst things for me are 1)   the MRI's I have to get regularly.  I'm horribly claustrophobic and even with twilight sedation, I get badly panicked.   2) The feeling of impending doom I get.  Since they don't know when or if you'll get another attack, it's like you're always kinda balanced in a state of "maybe."

Hi I also have ms I was diagnosed 8 years ago after I had bells polisy(SP) .I am doing ok I have a brace for my right leg and I take one of the ms drugs.

LBrouse, I was diagnosed within a month with lupus after the symptoms. I was pretty scared and pushed the Dr. I could not use my hands at all. Could not use my hands at all. I could not even open doors, start the car even had a hard time pulling my pants up! It was awful. They thought it was either RA or Lupus. They said Lupus is better because it could go into remission. Have been waiting for remission for about 7 years now! They said I would be in remission within a year after treatment. I was tested for MS a few years ago. Found out it was one of the meds they had me on. The epilepsy was three and a half years ago. I started having seizures. Now I have tremors, ticks and staring spells from it. Still trying to get them under control.

My brother had the worst kind of MS. Within 8 months of being diagnosed he was in a wheel chair. He ended up passing from it. He had a blood clot in his leg that went to his heart. His wife was supposed to exercise his legs for him and never did it. He was 34 I believe when he passed. Sure do miss him.

JenniHusker:

Annette, You have been a wonderful friend to me. I hope you enjoy this post and get a lot of good from it.

The same for me Jenni. You have helped me a lot. You are an awesome friend! I know I will get a lot out of this post and will enjoy it. I think you brighten everyone's day. I hope you are having a pain free day!