Medical Overwhelming Health Issues

[Lionheart]

I was thinking this may be a thread that others with chronic illnesses can relate to. Maybe a thread that will allow others to vent their frustration over health matters, gain some support and encouragement, and find ways of treating ourselves well etc.

I will start with my little laundry list of health issues...

I suffer from and struggle with;

Disabling Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) and Major Depression
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disorder (GERD)
Barrett's Esophagitis
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
Fibromyalgia (FM)
Diabetes Type II
Plantar Fascitis (flat feet)
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable Urinary Bladder
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Hypercholsterolemia (high cholesterol)
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Obesity

Co-morbid
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Social Phobia
Agoraphobia

I am also suffering from:
Pinched Nerves
Tendinitis
Hip Bursitis
Arthritis
Rotator Cuff Impingement.

I found out that CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome) has been linked to early child abuse, which makes me very angry. And today I was unable to do all but the lightest household chores and my personal grooming is slacking etc.

I feel like I am aging a lot faster than is natural and I am worried. Depression has been rearing it's ugly head and I am feeling overwhelmed with these health issues!!!

On the positive side, I have found that pacing is helpful, as is keeping a pillow with me to sit on so that I am comfortable when at rest. Hydrotherapy would be most helpful for me too, if I had a heated pool to swim in.

I am really looking for ways to deal with these problems at home, something besides the 15 medications that I have to take everyday.

And perhaps, I just need some support and encouragement, but I thought this might be a good thread for those with chronic pain and illnesses that are difficult and lower our quality of life.

Thanks for allowing me to share.

Peace,
Lionheart777

 

[ms spock]

I have ongoing extensive, at times, health issues and it is really hard going @Lionheart777

I have had PTSD
Complex Trauma
Major Depressive Disorder
General Anxiety Disorder
Somatisation has been a big issue for me,
I have had CFS - couldn't barely move for quite awhile
Chronic pain
X-Rays of my spine show a variety of issues.
Obesity
Various allergies, stomach issues, gastro issues
I have a serious tendon/ligament problems in my right arm
My whole body is terribly stiff and sore all the time.
Neck injuries
Eating disorder
etc etc etc

I have found
The David Burns book in helping the distorted thinking, feelings and perceptions very helpful - when you grow up in a distorted family it is hard to think rationally and reasonably.
This is interesting:

the Laurence Heller book is very good. (Terribly dense)
Much easier to read is Bessel Van Der Kolk "The Body Keeps the Score".
Mindfulness Groups and also "The Mindful Way Through Depression" which is available on youtube for it's full five hours and 14 minutes. It helped save my life.
Trauma Therapy
Exercise
Belonging
Being aware of Trauma Bonding.

 

[Lionheart]

I have ongoing extensive, at times, health issues and it is really hard going @Lionheart777

Yes, it is hard going sometimes @Ms Spock and I appreciate you so much for sharing!!! Thank you also for the healing information. I will definitely try to check these out and apply them to my life.

It takes a certain determination to battle these health issues. I am sure you know what I mean and of course, I wish you all the best as you continue to heal.

 

[InvisibleSun]

I have had chronic health issues for my entire life due to my extremely premature birth and ongoing trauma..

PTSD
major depressive disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Chronic lung disease
Fibromyalgia*
Chronic Fatigue*
Autoimmune arthritis*
IBS*

*resulting after multiple traumas

Much peace and healing to all of us..healing is possible! :)

 

[Lionheart]

I have had chronic health issues for my entire life due to my extremely premature birth and ongoing trauma.. Much peace and healing to all of us..healing is possible! :)

I am sorry you have had to deal with these illnesses and that you too have suffered multiple traumas!!!

Indeed healing is possible for us and often when we are diagnosed early; lifestyle changes, regular doctor visits, medications, therapy, etc., etc. can all have a lasting, positive impact on our health

Thank you for sharing @InvisibleSun .

 

[Chava]

I've had almost the same list, minus diabetes and urinary issues. For me (I realize maybe not for others), sticking with the CPTSD and chronic pain fits best in my head, not separating out all the parts. I'm treating the CPTSD and chronic pain, which makes everything better. I get overwhelmed by labels, so will not share my list....just CPTSD that connects to a shitload of symptoms and side disorders that have come and gone or changed through the years (most recently moved beyond panic disorder for the most part).

It is hard...I need to keep focused on spirituality stuff and connecting with others, not just getting trapped in survival mode, which seems to be my default.

 

[InvisibleSun]

@Lionheart777 Thank you..my heart breaks for all you have gone through as well. I feel for everybody on here, really. Yet I am amazed and inspired by the strength and resiliency of everyone on this board. And I believe that if we were all strong enough to survive our traumas..that we're definitely strong enough to heal from them.

Thank you for starting this thread, Lionheart. It feels good to talk about it :)

 

[Tigergirl1217]

That is alot to deal with dang that's pretty. Impressive. I can relate to you with frustrating chronic symptoms. I have chronic constipation and reoccurring uti that don't respond to treatment along with social anxiety and Prado like symptoms . It is so frustrating for treatment to keep failing. What also makes me mad is that the doctor keeps prescribing the same antibiotics over and over again because it takes the symptoms away and there is not enough bacteria after the medicine for it to be considered a failed treatment. I've been like this since I was six

I really appreciate you making this tread it feels great that many people a strugling similar issues like me :)

 

[Lionheart]

Although my doctor mentioned that I was beginning to show signs of hardening of the arteries, what she didn't tell me was about my diagnosis of Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD). I looked up the symptoms today and I have them all.

I am kinda PO'd that she didn't tell me about the diagnosis. I found out through the online patient portal with the clinic I go to. The portal is just something I recently found out about from my niece.

It is bad news for someone with diabetes and I am going to have to stop smoking cigarettes, exercise, and lose weight or the consequences could cause me to lose my legs or could even be fatal if it starts to affect my heart (Coronary artery disease).

On the upside, it did explain things to me and I now understand why I've been having difficulty standing, walking, etc. I understand what I need to do to help turn things around for myself, which comes as a relief, because it is not too late to make necessary changes.

 

[Lionheart]

Even though I have a lot going on with my health, I am breaking it down into small steps and will be taking it up with my doctor when I go back the first week of August. I am doing well with not smoking and hope to continue to do so, because I feel immediate positive effects on my health.

I am no longer feeling so overwhelmed, but I do have a lot of stuff i have to pay close attention to like my blood sugar for instance, etc. I hope that if others who suffer with chronic illness as well as PTSD would open up, I can be a support person for them and maybe we can learn form one another how best to care for ourselves.

 

[InvisibleSun]

Even though I have a lot going on with my health, I am breaking it down into small steps and will be taking it up with my doctor when I go back the first week of August.

I think that's all you can do really..take it piece by piece and just chip away at the bit. So glad to hear that you're doing well with smoking..it will be so worth it in the end! At least that's what I keep telling myself. :)

I hope that if others who suffer with chronic illness as well as PTSD would open up, I can be a support person for them and maybe we can learn form one another how best to care for ourselves.

Absolutely, I hope so too!

 

[Kailani]

I am sorry Lion Heart you have so much going on and hope you find the right team of specialists! In fact that goes for everyone! It's hard to know there are people suffering in the forum with these health issues on top of trauma. My heart goes out to all. It sounds like you are doing everything you can to manage your health and have a good attitude about it not being too late to change! That is awesome! That's the most we can do!

I also struggle with health issues. My doctors are trying to figure out if the pain is physical or ptsd related and to be honest i'm not sure; i went to work with so many injuries fighting pain, I can't tell what it is; PTSD triggered or real cuz a ruptured annulus never showed up on MRI's ( and it could be another. )til surgery and they thought i wasn't telling the truth but they later ate their words.



I have had or have:
multiple concussions (approx.15)
bulging c4c5 neck disc
herniated c5c6 disc that nearly caused paralysis; plates and screws
t7t8 herniated disc -no surgery allowed due to high mortality with surgery
bulging L3,L4L5-S1 discs
chronic pain
fatigue
sleep disorder
dissociative, chronic ptsd
severe rib and pelvic problems from an attack since resolved with physical therapy
broken toes and a broken nose
low blood pressure problems
kidney infection with temp liver failure and atelectasis since resolved
was in physical therapy for 8 years from car accidents, attack

It certainly can be trying and can definately put you in a bad spot emotionally to say the least. you are not alone. Glad you are taking steps to improve your health like quitting smoking; I admire you. Glad you are closely monitoring your blood sugar. I worry about all the ptsd people because I heard it can actually cause heart problems. hope we are all trying to improve one area like you said Lion heart; as we are able; healthy food, exercise, stress management, decrease substances...it's hard but always a goal even if a future one.