Not Sure How To Get Started Here

[wyrd_dragon]

Hey there,

I've been staring at this forum ever since my husband started looking for support here. I managed to do an intro post, but since then I've just felt frozen. I've had a long relationship with support and support networks, but mostly socially and in person. Lately things have just become more and more isolated. I don't talk to my friends because after years of saying the same thing over and over it all feels... useless. I don't talk to my husband all the time because he's dealing with depression himself and it upsets him. I'm leery of talking here because I have CFS and Fibro as well and I'm afraid that talking about co-morbid symptoms will mean I don't belong here or I'm being off topic. I don't know which forum to post in because I don't feel like my issues fit in anywhere.

Does anyone know what I mean? Can anyone offer some help?

 

[safenow]

Is CFS Chronic Fatigue Syndrome? Do you have PTSD as well?

 

[wyrd_dragon]

I have C-ptsd (since I was about 10, am 31 now) and chronic fatigue Syndrome, and Fibromyalgia.

 

[safenow]

DeathRay, we all have various symptoms. This is a PTSD site, but being human we talk about our issues. It's all goes hand in hand. Did you know that PTSD can cause many other physical illnesses? It's true. It's a a mind, body, spiritual healing that is required, but most doctor's don't seem to know that. Which is why it can take years for making even small steps. I'm happy to say now things are much better than they used to be.

Back when I was first diagnosed, they barely recognized ptsd in the military, let alone civilians.

Sounds like you have your hands full right now. Be sure to open a window and get some fresh air during this week.

Welcome to the site.

 

[Hashi]

I have CFS and Fibro as well and I'm afraid that talking about co-morbid symptoms will mean I don't belong here or I'm being off topic.

Hi DeathRay,

All PTSD sufferers and supporters belong here. You are very welcome here, like everyone else!

I think it's OK to refer to co-morbid symptoms if that's relevant. It's always good to consider whether you might be taking a thread off-topic, though. You sound like a very considerate poster. :)

If you specifically want to discuss co-morbid symptoms, you might want to post in the "PTSD symptoms and other disorders" section, which is under Forums/Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
[DLMURL]https://www.ptsdforum.org/c/forums/symptoms-other-disorders.26/[/DLMURL]
It's good to be aware that some sections are less busy than others. If you start a thread there, it can take time to get responses and you might get fewer responses overall than to a more general post somewhere else. But hopefully the replies would be from people who understand.

You might find that there are already relevant posts on the forum. You could try doing a search for posts mentioning those conditions (on each one separately) by clicking in the search box which is near the top right of each page. I just did a quick search and quite a bit came up.

Or you could search on any other issue, of course.

It's fine to revive an old thread if you have something to say, even something short. In that case, it's helpful to note at the beginning of your post that the thread started some time ago - otherwise other members might not realise and might start addressing themselves to the original poster of one or two years back!

By the way, we're all asked to write things out in full next to the first time we use an abbreviation in a thread. Some people might know the abbreviation, but others might not.

I hope you'll soon feel more comfortable to participate in whatever way you'd like to.

 

[wyrd_dragon]

DeathRay, we all have various symptoms. This is a PTSD site, but being human we talk about our issues. It's all goes hand in hand. Did you know that PTSD can cause many other physical illnesses? It's true. It's a a mind, body, spiritual healing that is required, but most doctor's don't seem to know that.

Welcome to the site.

Yes -- the Chronic fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia are as a result of the long term effect the PTSD has had on my body. It's taken ages for the medical community to understand that. Back in the late eighties when I was diagnosed the focus was all on the 'mental disorder' and there was the constant expectation that I could make myself well with enough therapy and psyche meds.

It's been hard to come to terms with the ongoing debilitating physical and psychological effects of this illness, and the fact that it's not 'just a mental illness' that is 'all in my head'. I still deal with the guilt and shame from this every day. Australia tends to be about 10 years behind the USA in dealing with this issue and we're only just now getting the benefits of understanding this condition holistically.

Hi DeathRay,

All PTSD sufferers and supporters belong here. You are very welcome here, like everyone else!

Thank you so much for your advice and support. You've made me feel very welcome and much less afraid to post about my issues. I'll go check out the symptoms forum and see how I go :)

 

[99Phoenix99]

Hi DeathRay, welcome to the forum.

When I first started out I was really afraid. I barely posted and kind of just mucked about reading others' posts but never commented or liked anything. It's hard and scary when you start, but the best part about this site is that when you do want to share you can do it on your own terms. Slowly and as safely as you like.

For me I eased into it and then it just clicked. It was ok to share. It was ok to say what I wanted to say. Everyone here is unbelievable supportive.

And don't worry about talking about co-morbid symptoms. I say this because I actually had that exact same fear when I started on this site. My PTSD is all medical based. Part of the reason why I didn't post at first was because I was terrified I wouldn't be accepted here. I have CFS as well as a multitude of other health problems that changed my life. That's what I physically and mentally struggle with every day.

Honestly for me there's no ONE section I have to post in. Because everything is so interconnected, I can't discuss one without the other. Please don't worry about WHERE you have to post. If you feel a connection to yourself in any thread in any section then THAT'S where you need to post.

I hope you find this place as helpful and as healing as I have :)

 

[shoulderblades]

I find the trauma diaries section very helpful because it's your own diary and you can write about whatever you want or need to. People will read and they will comment and they're really supportive.

*mega hugs*