What Is Your Illness Or Who Ever You Care For

rosysparkle

Crohn's disease and arthritis, and severe depression (can't imagine why). I am having to cut down my hours at work, I went from full time to 30 hours and I'm arranging to cut them further - I'm going to try 25 with the option of doing 20 if 25 is still too much.

kompess

I suffer from Fibromyalgia with many associated symptoms -
- Tender Points
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Chronic Headaches (migraine and tension headaches)
- Cold Extremeties
- Swollen Extremeties
- Paresthesia (numbness or tingling sensations in the hands and feet)
- Restless Leg Syndrome
- Difficulty Concentrating
- Jaw and Facial Tenderness
- Raynaud's-like symptoms
- Skin complaints, such as itchy skin, dry skin and tender skin
- Depression
- Myofascial Pain Syndrome
- Stiffness upon waking in the morning or after staying in one position for too long
- Sleep Disorders
- Muscle Twitches
- Muscle Weakness
- Extreme Fatigue
- Cold-like symptoms
- "Fibrobog": Cognitive or Memory Impairment
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Chest Pain
- Heightened Sensitivity to Lights, Sounds, Smells and Motion
- Muscle Tension
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Frequent Urination
- Lowered Immunity to Infections
- Chronic Nasal Congestion
- Face Flushing
- Insomnia
- Unrefreshed Sleep
- Intense PMS
- Uterine Cramping
- Hair Loss
- Heartburn/Acid Reflux
- Dry Eyes and Mouth
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Night Sweats
- Heart Palpitations
- Increased Sensitivity to Medications
- Increased Sensitivity to Changes in the Weather
- Mood Changes
- Impaired Coordination

I also got diagnosed last week with having Premenstrual Disphoric Disorder but cant get any meds for it as my blood pressure is high:rolleyes:
I need to go back this week to get blood pressure taken and hopefully it has gone down so I can start getting treatment.

I really sympathise with you all, it's no fun at all and quality of life is severely affected.
I wish you all well.

clive_2

im diagnosed as a danger to myself and others around me

Natty68

A bit late coming to the thread, but I got here eventually

Before I go on can I just say I admire everyone of you that is living with your illnesses/disability. And for those that are finding it hard to get there, you will find a happy level it just takes time.

Ok here's me: I have ME, which I have had now for the past 6 years. I have clinical depression for which I have been hospitialised for back in 1994, and I have had three non hospitalised breakdowns since. I am on antidepressants thankfully and we have found one that is working at the moment I was diagnosed with BiPolar II 4 years ago and I think we have the medication right now. I also have major anxiety issues, which I have just finished my first spell of therapy for - I have another two forms of therapy - over 18 months - to complete, once I come off the waiting list of a year (have only just gone on it). My psychiatrist also diagnosed Personality Disorder 6 months ago.

I hate my routine being changed, I have safe areas that I can go to when I go out. When I need to go to busy places I have to go with my husband, and any new places I can only go with a trusted person. I have just started going to a friends house 3 days a week for a couple of hours, for a cuppa. This has got me into a routine in the mornings and also means I am not feeling so isolated during the day while hubby is at work in London. I also have sleep problems - the ME makes me exhausted and turns my hands into claws when I am under stress. I also have walking problems when I have a relapse. Most days I have to have a two hour nap in the afternoon, and the only way I can get through the days now are by taking energy tablets when needed. Otherwise I am flat out on the sofa either at home or at my friends.

fedupconsumer

I have had a traumatic brain injury, I also get Panic Attacks, Chronic Fatigue, migraines that put me out of action for days and symptoms associated with ME and MS plus im dyslexic and depression.

jay37_2

I had an accident at work and permanently damaged my back. Still recovering after just over a year - also discovered that I had Spina Bifida whilst being x-ray'd!!

I don't get any help financially - I am eligible, but takes 21 months to process! So handfuls of fresh air all round and watch the savings dwindle!

Luckyone

Ok heres my list

Asthma
Ulcerative Colitis
IBS
Tinitus
IIH (idiopathic Intercrainial Hypotension)
CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome)
Depression
Anxiety
Allergies (to food, Animals, & the inviroment carry epi pen)

I see myself as lucky because there are a lot of people who are far worse off than me. Hence my name Luckyone :j

celtic_curl

Reading this reassures me that I'm not alone.

I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia about 18 years ago. About 12 years ago they also diagnosed CFS (although the two conditions are related so no real surprise) i also live with depression. I'm lucky in that my friends are very supportive and my eldest brother is really understanding. i tend not to discuss my health with my parents as they don't really understand (after years of trying to explain I have now given up). My dad in particular seems to have an attitude that I should just 'get on with it' If only he realised just how much I've been trying to do that.

The various symptoms and side effects can be unbearable and read like a long list from the hypochondriacs manual but believe me they are real and I really wish they weren't. a few examples

Disturbed sleep ( waking upto 20 times a night)
waking dreams ( being awake and being paralysed)
diarrhoea ( won't explain that one)
constipation (yes I see the contradiction)
light sensitivity (I'm the poser in the shades when it's raining)
memory loss
poor balance
loss of words
poor grip
feeling bruised all over
pain and stiffness in the joints
fatigue so bad you can't lift your head off the pillow
there are so many more but I'm losing the plot now.

I don't write this for sympathy but for the following two reasons
to help those who are also ill know they are not alone
for those who know someone who is ill to perhaps gain a little more understanding.

Best wishes to everyone who is dealing with a disability or health condition.

shiningdove

My brother has hypermobilty syndrome

goodwitch

I am the main carer for my 18 year old son who has Dubowitz Syndrome. Yes it's one of those 'I've never heard of that' syndromes, LOL. He has the severest form, it can manifest as slight, medium and severe.
Jamie has severe development delay, severe learning difficulties, speech difficulties and some physical difficulty with walking (his feet turn in at a 90 degree angle) and his fine motor skills, eg cannot make a pincer grip, cannot hold cutlery unless it's built up. He also has some obsessive traits, the worst being that he listens to the same song over and over again, 'Amarillo'. On our holiday to Florida, this year, he listened to it, on his mp3 player, for 13 hours solid! Looking after him is often challenging, sometimes tiring and mainly hard work.
He is a very happy boy though and is the light of my life. He is funny and loving and everybody likes him so I consider it an honour to be his mum and carer.