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Multiple Disorders

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Lionheart

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I suffer from 5 chronic illnesses; disabling C-PTSD, severe Major Depressive Disorder, Myalgic Encephelomyelitis/CFS, Fibromylagia, and COPD. When one illness flares up, so do the others, so that I am stressed, exhausted, depressed and in pain a great deal of the time.

I am wondering if there are others here who also suffer from multiple disorders. I am interested to know how you cope with your symptoms. Are the doctors very helpful? Do you need to take medications to control your symptoms? What makes the biggest difference in how you are able to cope? etc.

I am finding that support forums such as this one are a necessity and I don't know how I got along without them before.

Thank you in advance for your replies.
LH
 
I also have severe MDD, Fibro, COPD, degenerative arthritis in feet, knees, hands, neck and back, I guess that's about every joint. Along with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, chronic chemical gastritis (from meds), Postmenopausal...gosh I think that's all! OH, and a couple ladies only issues. It can all make me quite cranky at times. I try my best not to let it affect my sense of humor or gratitude level. Oh, and the C-PTSD.

I take more meds than I prefer, but also try to keep moving, regardless of the pain. And, taking the best care of myself that I can, which the depression makes the hardest. I also listen to music, and have a dog Buddy that loves me lots! I also 'self-medicate' with marijuana. Without it, the muscle spasms, and nightmares are just too much!! My doc knows, and doesn't give me any grief about it.

Yes, when one condition flares, the others 'jump' right in there, and empathize with the others'. With my body pain, I can just sleep, cough, or turn the 'wrong' way, and something goes 'out' for weeks at a time! I call it Irritable BODY Syndrome!!

I've learned to appreciate the times, sometime just moments, when I'm NOT hurting. And, I'm able to use my arms, legs, and brain even if it hurts. LOL! Not everyone can say that. I always remind myself that it CAN get worse. Always.
 
Angelkeeper,

I am so sorry that you have all of these disorders. I have to tell ya though that it helps me to know that I am not alone in this. I can totally relate to what you are saying about keeping the sense of humor and gratitude, it is indispensable for me too!

I also have irritable bowel syndrome, sensory sensitivity (sensitivity to chemicals, temperatures, noise, etc), arthritis, nightmares, etc. etc. and it is really difficult to say the least. I look like a healthy man in his early 40's and yet I am 50 going on 90. lol :D No one cuts me any slack because I appear to be healthy. I guess that is just one of the sad facts of life.

I too self-medicate with marijuana as it helps the anxiety, nightmares, insomnia, joint and muscle pain etc. I am not as open with my doctor about it, but I don't really care if they were to find out because it helps more than anything the docs are doing for me. In New Mexico marijuana has been approved for medicinal use to treat PTSD, I wish the rest of the US would catch on to this. I have several friends with disorders like Crohn's disease, ptsd, etc that could really benefit from its use.

I have found that listening to music, meditating (when I am not too exhausted) and moving about really helps. I wish I had a place where I could have a pet. I would like to get a big dog and name him voodoo, then when people irritate me I could tell them not to make me get voodoo on them. hahahahaha :p

I want you to know that I really appreciate your reply and I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

healing hugs,
LH
 
Hey, I guess I am a member of this club, too. I have osteoarthritis with excessive inflammation pretty much everywhere. Doc says I am on my way to a hip replacement. (50 going on 90 also...) I also have hypothyroidism, high cholesterol, asthma and oh yeah, this thing called severe PTSD (of the complex variety, of course) and severe depression. I was told i have IBS when I was little and I can pretty much guarantee an upset stomach with any anxiety. Let a little anxiety start and I can barely move. No marijuana here. Although after reading this thread, thinking I need to move to New Mexico...
 
California is a great place to live also for the same reason. My friend can just go to the dispensary and get hers.SO not fair! Michigan also is a good place to live, but it's way too cold up there!!

Oh, but gut-rot alchohol is legal...I just don't get it!! I hope by the time I get to an old folks home, they will have a "Marijuana Mommas" wing!!

@Sammy, sorry you're in the same pain 'game'.!
 
I am wondering if there are others here who also suffer from multiple disorders. I am interested to know how you cope with your symptoms. Are the doctors very helpful? Do you need to take medications to control your symptoms? What makes the biggest difference in how you are able to cope? etc.

Hi Lionheart, I too have multiple illness's and conditions.

Some of which I don't know what's what yet. Some common (and not so common) physical stuff of which I'd now rather not struggle to remember. And, some of which I'll mention here.

I have 4 different conditions with my eyes, as well as, one eye disease called pars planitis. At least one of the 4 conditions is from an injury and the direct result of an assault. The pars planitis is secondary to something autoimmune, (idealogy still unknown). I am suppose to find a way to continue with a MS work-up that my optham. recommended prior to an auto accident, 2yrs ago. The completion of this MS work-up has become complicated and had been delayed due to me suffering injuries and me being unable to continue, continue that follow-thru, in the first yr. and mo.'s, after my auto accident.

Just now discovering that this subject, for right now, is too overwhelming for me at present, so with that I'll end such comments.

Turns out I should answer the other questions perhaps at another time.

Lionheart, I too know the pain, stress, exhaustion and depression that having multiple illness's and/or injuries creates. None of it is fun, and yet I agree it is necessary, even essential for us to discover, perhaps be given and receive, ...basically to learn and hold a really good sense of humor surrounding it all.
 
(((goingonhope))),

I totally understand how overwhelming it can be, especially when illness is a result of injury/assault. The doctors disagree about the cfs/fibro, but my therapist says that the ptsd and cfs are related, which to my mind, makes the cfs a part of having been traumatized. I don't care to get into the controversy of that subject, just suffice it to say that I view my illnesses as a direct result of having been traumatized repeatedly over a long period of time.

It is totally depressing and frustrating to be chronically ill, no mater what the cause, and my heart goes out to you. Thank you for taking the time to reply to this thread. I appreciate the effort it took to write about your illnesses!!!

sending healing hugs,
LH
 
Thanks for the healing hugs Lionheart, and it was a pleasure to respond here.

It is totally depressing and frustrating to be chronically ill,

Yes, and I can just hear from this thread and all your words that you know this all too well. I am so sorry that you're experiencing so much exhaustion, stress and illness as well.

We are not alone and we will see many releases and improvements as well, throughout our lives. We already can pretty well trust that we will experience the suffering, fears and doubts that result from multiple disorders, but lets remember that we too will likely really, really, really, really appreciate and enjoy those times of great release, as well as, the spiritually felt connection and bond to some amazing people, ...others with chronic illness and maintaining good spirit regardless.

I only hope in this lifetime to once again, become even close to being one of these amazing people and in spite of whatever illness comes my way. There's been a lot of healing in my life in prior yrs., and I was once given a whole new spirit and (life) some years of contributing and experiencing life that was pretty darn amazing.

Life has its surprises though, and sometimes significant choices are made that though perhaps well intentioned are not always wise. I've made some wrong choices in my life and just one of these were reuniting with my family of origin (abusive people) after my children were born. This was one of the absolute biggest mistakes of my life, perhaps. Having parted, detached and escaped them, I had no business reconnecting with them out of survivors guilt, feelings of obligation, a twisted sense of loyalty and martyrdom, as well as, confronted with fixed childhood emotional needs. - This was all just my huge error.

I totally understand how overwhelming it can be, especially when illness is a result of injury/assault.

It was a older sister who caused some of the damage to my eyes. Her violence focused upon my eyes and head. Even as I say this I am reminded that it is wise for me to get a skin growth that has been been developing just below my left eye checked out. I had been reading one day in the last several months about cancerous growths developing in later yrs. at the site of an traumatic impact and it's location is precisely where the bottom half of a circular steel object that she assaulted me with impacted. Just something increasingly worrisome that I've got to get examined in order to find out if it's serious as it is widening and covering much more of my cheek bone then when it first appeared.

Lionheart, I know you asked us all here to share some about us and multiple health problems or disorders if we have them, ...(as well as the other questions - ...I haven't forgotten), but I feel just awful doing so. It doesn't feel right to say so much. Please tell me if I get too wordy or simply say too much here. I feel awkward.

Also, Angelkeeper after reading about the medicating effects you find in marijuana, I considered off and on all day, :D perhaps that will help me as well, ...I need to start smoking some marijuana ;). Shucks, where I live it's a no go still, I may end up wishing to and starting this late in life, (smiles), late-late in life, especially if I wait til the law for legal use of it passes around here.

(smiles Angelkeeper and cyber-hugs)

Wishing you all good spirit, laughter and improvements Lionheart, Angelkeeper and Sammy.
 
(((Goingonhope))),

Speaking of connecting to some amazing people, I think you are one of those amazing people and I am happy that we have connected. It helps so much to know that I am not alone in this battle against multiple disorders.

It's true that we do really appreciate those times of release and are thankful for the little things that others may possibly take for granted. For instance, I was greeted early this morning by the family's 6 week old kitten who thinks I am her parent and it really cheered me up to see this little fur-ball being so adorably loving towards me. It has really set the tone for the day and helped me to appreciate my life.

I want you to know that I too have made some mistakes, but this just means that we are human. I am sorry though that you have not had good experiences with your family of origin, you deserve their love and support!!!

Reading your post has cheered me up because I feel like I have a friend who can understand the ups and downs of *MD *(multiple disorders)...so no, you are not being to wordy or saying too much at all. Your comments about marijuana really made me smile and I think that is one of the best things we can do as sufferers, is to share a laugh and a smile!!! :D

I know there is something more I want to say but can't think clearly as I haven't had enough coffee this morning to be fully awake yet. I look forward to hearing from you again and want you to know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.

till next time,
love, light, and peace
LH
 
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