Absolutely. I have some autoimmune problems, rheumatoid issues ... I've been diagnosed with fibromyalgia... (all this stuff, I do think is a real thing...probably several things, that are simply not understood at this point). So, I'll be in pain, I'll get depressed. I'll be depressed, with more pain to follow. I have huge swollen glands, most notably in my neck (even the most hesitant of doctors will prescribe me an antibiotic, automatically), and I have recently started to correlate pain with fever. Which makes sense. I try not to obsess over it but once in a while I will check to see how I'm doing, and have at least a general idea of how my mind and body are "trending" over time.
I get lots of sinus infections, and breathing problems with asthma... I'm highly allergic and my immune system overdoes things to the extent that I can't even work on PTSD stuff - for a while I was going to a gym a couple of times a week, and, while I was improving my strength, other health deteriorated and allergies were much more likely to turn into sinus infections... So one week I'd get to the gym, and then the next two weeks I couldn't even go to therapy. It's frustrating. How do I go out and meet people when something as seemingly minor as their shampoo can cause trouble breathing..which later causes pain...which then worsens depression...
I try to get out when I'm well enough, but I have to rush home and take a shower after. I have problems with perfumes. Or just whatever cleansers in any store, are in the air (I have to be *extremely* careful what I use at home). It ends up that I leave the house about once a week - for therapy. All together, that ends up being almost a day-long outing (it is easier for me to run small errands when I am already out), but it is still not mentally healthy for me to stay in on the other 6 days of the week.
Thanks for this post. I never would've even asked.... but here I'm realizing how difficult it can be for me to do what's best for my PTSD at the same time I am doing my best for my physical health. I can't go for walks here because there are too many leaves, and grass, pollens... The only thing I don't seem to have a problem with is smog (seriously) so that is one reason I miss being in the city - I could walk around without so many outdoor triggers. I tried to go around for walks in my neighborhood now, but that increases the likelihood of physical illness so much that it's not even worth it.
As it does no good whatsoever to survive pneumonia, if you've already been eaten by the bear. :p
You have the best metaphors!
colds turn into pneumonia,
Friday, can you get a Pneumovax? I haven't had pneumonia since I started getting this immunization every 5 years. It's not infallible, and there are people who can't take it due to other health risks...but I'm hypersensitive and manage it. So that every 5 years and a flu shot every year. (The flu shot makes me feel sick for several days but does seem to ease later illnesses further into the fall and winter.)
These vaccinations are not guarantees, but significantly reduce your risk of coming down with these illnesses, and can lessen the impact if you do get them anyway. Im not a doctor etc etc :)
