What ails you?

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MastiffMike

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Life's hardships tend to make people more considerate of their fellow man (and woman!). That's probably why, especially in the PIF threads you see a larger percentage of people who are/have gone through things.

Of course, if hurdles don't make you a better person they make you bitter, and that's why I am the way I am! DEAL WITH IT! :p
 

lilith79

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I have meniere's disease, arthritis on the lower back and knees, allergies, PTSD (rough childhood to put it mildly), hypothyroid, and I'm morbidly obese. But, I am doing something about the obesity, funny thing is I doubt that I could have quit cigs any other way and LOST weight and inches still. ;)

I've had a few surgeries too, the best one I think was an endometrial ablation due to heavy and erratic menses. I don't have that problem anymore, it's been two years and no periods! :D

I will admit that my need for nic is largely because of the PTSD. Seriously, it helps keep me sane. I'd rather intake nic than anti-depressants any day!
 

Jules22871

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Where to begin,lol

Motorcycle accident 5+ years ago, internal injuries, 119 fractures to ride side from hip to toes, shattered pelvis, extremely soft bones which makes it hard for the screws and hardware to stay in place, 14 surgeries just dealing with that, one more to go to replace the dead bone in my tibia and replace the hardware that is there. I an't walk without crutches. Tachycardia, non-specific angina, MS, HTN, depression, PTSD, allerigies to just about everything, delayed sleep phase disorder and just all out crankiness most of the time! I'm sure I forgot something in there. I tell my husband that if I was a horse they would have taken me out and shot me a long time ago.
 

lilith79

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Where to begin,lol

Motorcycle accident 5+ years ago, internal injuries, 119 fractures to ride side from hip to toes, shattered pelvis, extremely soft bones which makes it hard for the screws and hardware to stay in place, 14 surgeries just dealing with that, one more to go to replace the dead bone in my tibia and replace the hardware that is there. I an't walk without crutches. Tachycardia, non-specific angina, MS, HTN, depression, PTSD, allerigies to just about everything, delayed sleep phase disorder and just all out crankiness most of the time! I'm sure I forgot something in there. I tell my husband that if I was a horse they would have taken me out and shot me a long time ago.

But a horse can't brighten someone's day like you do. I'm glad you're not a horse!
 

leannebug

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Thanks for sharing, it seems to make us all more human... and I do believe Mike is right. Because of our limitations, obstacles, and daily struggles, we can feel more compassion for one another.

So, since y'all are laying it out there :cool: and in case you haven't seen my blog about it...

I've been struggling with pain my entire adult life, every year it increases, and every year I get diagnosed with something else.
My 3 biggest hurdles are Rheumatoid Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, Degenerative arthritis (OA) in my spine and neck.
I have 'offshoots' from some of these diseases: chronic Migraines, Myofacial Pain Syndrome (often linked w/Fibro), the OA is causing the discs in my spine to herniate, Spinal Stenosis, and the early stages of Osteopenia.
Because of all the medications I've had to take over the years and the stress of dealing with my life, I have Reflux and Cardiomyopathy, and often get depressed. I have occasional asthma flare-ups and some weird calcium deposits and a growth on my thyroid. Ah, but those are nothing.
Doc wants me to go to the Mayo clinic because my bones, joints, and muscles are all failing at a rapid rate. She thinks there is something underlying that is causing it. I don't know.
At this point, I'm really just trying to live each day as it comes. At the end of that day, I am happy when I can put a big red check mark on it, and say "I did it" I made it through another day!
:)
 

GoodDog

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Good observation, Mike. :)

For 20 years I've had a rare autoimmune disease that has led to many other conditions. The pain and fatigue is sometimes more than I can handle and because I rarely leave the house I don't see specialists like I should in order to get the medications I need. I can't deal with doctors and the energy it takes to communicate effectively with them.

There's one medication that makes a world of difference in my symptoms but because the FDA hasn't approved it for my particular disease it's not covered by Medicare. I can't afford the $350 a month so I go without.

Before getting sick I was very active, owned a business, a home... I was even a pilot! Now I struggle to take care of myself and make ends meet. I didn't have insurance so until I lost everything I couldn't get coverage.

In some ways I think it's easier to be sick when you're alone and not responsible for a family, but in other ways it's harder. I have a married son that lives in Mexico with his wife and three girls. I miss them terribly.

Now look what you've done. Sorry, didn't mean to let it all out like that, but this seems like a safe group to do it with. Now I hope you understand if I come across cranky sometimes. ;)
 

WhatAClumsyGirl

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We're a sickly lot ! But, a lovely sickly lot.

Had rheumatoid arthritis since i was 27 years old. Told me i would be in a wheelchair by the time i was 40....NOT....

Enbrel shots have kept me going and going and going...I'm doing extremely well...only the slight back pain, joint pain and muscle cramps in my back.

Other than that...im in pretty good shape....oh....the RA is what makes me clumsyish.
 

lilith79

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A pink pony can brighten someone's day! Thanks for the compliment!
This reminds me of a thread on a board I was on once...it was a flame fest to high heaven I swear, but in the end what I remember was that it was about sparkly ponies and birthday parties. Trust me when I say that those weren't the sole reason for the flame fest, there were other factors that I'd rather not rehash here, but sparkly ponies always make me laugh, and pink ponies reminds me of that.:thumbs:
 

GoodDog

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We're a sickly lot ! But, a lovely sickly lot.

Had rheumatoid arthritis since i was 27 years old. Told me i would be in a wheelchair by the time i was 40....NOT....

Enbrel shots have kept me going and going and going...I'm doing extremely well...only the slight back pain, joint pain and muscle cramps in my back.

Other than that...im in pretty good shape....oh....the RA is what makes me clumsyish.

When I had to close my business I still wanted to do something meaningful so I founded a non-profit animal sanctuary called Wags & Whiskers. Every time I see you post I think of the joy that brought me and wish I could have continued with it. Some day I hope to be in a place to at least have room to foster needy animals again. :)
 

WhatAClumsyGirl

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GoodDog.....my bassets are what keeps me sane, i think.

I've had a pretty rough last few years. Took care of my mom who had alzheimers for 5 years until her death. My best friend got killed in a car wreck 3 weeks after my mom passed. My son is a drug addict and is currently headed to prison. No other family members living...so my dogs and my friends are my family at the present time.

So...going to visit my son...where he is...is very rough for me...but i come home and love on these babies..and it makes my life a lot better. They are certainly my babies and are a very important part of my life. I wish i could foster more but right now..2 dogs is plenty for me to keep ahold of...especially Melvin..he's the bad boy...a huge black basset with lots of energy..and he certainly keeps me laughing and loving life as it is.

I've probably written more than i intended too on this post..but what the hell...We all certainly have our burdens to deal with.

 

MastiffMike

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OK, if I may take this OT for a post or two....

Do any of you belong to support forums? Or do/did you find them not helpful?

I ask because my wife reads a forum at least once a day and has never posted, heck never even registered! She's spent 2+ years just lurking. She's a private person (thus why her friends and family call ME to find out how she's doing) and says that she wouldn't feel comfortably posting.

I know for me, I didn't post on ECF for the first couple months, I just read it. And even once I started posting I only had like 10 posts total my first 3 months. I still don't post that often ( :p ) but this forum for me serves a different purpose than hers does for her (does that even make sense?).

Appreciate any/all thoughts!
 

GoodDog

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I belong to a message board that's made up of the few that have the condition I have. But it's mostly news and what's happening health wise with people in the group. I've never opened up like I have here - in this new group.

Until recently I tried to keep up a persona that made me feel equal so no one would think I was "less". Like I said in the beginning there's something about this sub-forum that feels blessed.
 
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