How Not to Let Chronic Illness Suck the Life Out of You: Part 2 of 3
7 ways to manage the frustrations of living with chronic illness
Dear Readers,
Thank you for reading Part 1!
As a new writer, I appreciate your support immensely. THANKS to all who clicked follow, read, and shared thoughts.
TWO DISCLAIMERS before I get into Part 2 on how I survived the frustrations of living with the debilitating chronic autoimmune illness, rheumatoid arthritis (RA):
Disclaimer 1: This story is my personal experience and not intended as medical advice.
Disclaimer 2: Please be informed that some readers may be sensitive to some of the experiences shared. If overwhelming emotions and memories are triggered, please self-care by seeking the support of a recognized professional.
The story continues…
In Part 1, I left off with the following passages:
The GI (gastrointestinal) issues from the Minocycline worsened. The rheumatologist nudged me toward the next drug on the RA treatment protocol. Methotrexate.
I rebelled.
Hearing about this so-called ‘toxic’ drug, other patients advised staying away if possible.
I consulted a Naturopathic Doctor. The ND prescribed probiotics to pump up the good bacteria in my gut. I came home with a few bottles of natural anti-inflammatory herbs as well.
But…
Nothing brought relief from the mind-numbing pain, inflammation, and swollen joints.
Eventually, I caved. I gave Methotrexate a try.
Methotrexate burned my stomach as well. And it was not near as effective as the Minocycline at dampening the intense symptoms, slowing the disease progression.
I tried going back to Minocycline at one point but no longer received the results I once had.
It almost sounds like the story of going back with an old boyfriend. It never works out.
Discouraged, I thought, now I am stuck in the medical system for the long haul. I had such high hopes for recovery from chronic illness initially.
Now I felt defeated.
Frustrations of living with a chronic autoimmune illness
When one lives with a chronic disease, there is a long list of frustrations one can experience. Ask any chronic illness sufferer.
These are my top frustrations:
The medical system
It’s the system, not the medical people working in the system. Medical people are some of the kindest, most dedicated professionals working in the medical field.
True heroes! Especially so during the pandemic, and still going strong.
For that, I am grateful. People like that, I call angels among us.
Aside from medical testing and medical procedures, it irks me that much of what the system has to offer chronic illness patients is one prescription after another, which mushrooms into pill-popping several times a day.
One medication causes stomach pain.
No problem, we have a medication for that.
The stomach med causes more stomach pain.
Okay, try this one instead.
One medication causes stomach pain, bone thinning, and high blood pressure, plus…plus…
Oh yes, you’ll have to take three more medications.
And on it goes…
It seems to me, for chronic illness patients, the system is tightly controlled for non-healing to occur.
Thus, my little rant in Part 1.
Financial pressure
I provided freelance bookkeeping services at the time. There was no work shortage, and for me having RA, it was challenging to keep up with the workload.
The illness affected my life so much that I knew I wouldn’t be able to continue in the business. I downsized my client numbers until I stopped working, bed-ridden from RA.
Thank goodness for disability pensions. At that time, I received $1,000 CDN per month, plus benefits, which was absolutely better than nothing at all.
I would have been homeless.
I was grateful yet frustrated that I could not make ends meet and had zero money for healing modalities outside the medical system that might bring my body into a healthy state.
In addition, most of the food available from the food bank was boxed, canned, or packaged. All of which sent my body’s inflammation level through the roof. And I didn’t have the funds for healthier food options.
Decreased mobility
Dancing became a distant memory. An activity I missed greatly, along with working out.
When chronic inflammation sets into a joint anywhere in the body, it is painful and difficult to move the joint.
Over time, the inflammation eats away at the bone, and the surrounding soft tissue, reducing the range of motion and mobility. And, over time, the joint will fuse.
I feel disheartened for losing the abilities I once had. I was physically strong, energetic, and independent.
Now, I’m weak, depleted of energy, and dependent, overwhelmed by everyday tasks.
Despair is despair.
Chronic illness brings many emotions.
It’s not unusual to become depressed, angry, anxious, frustrated, and fearful.
But, worst of all is the despair.
I remember sitting on the couch one day, hardly able to move any part of my body without considerable discomfort.
My whole body weighed a ton, puffed with inflammation and side-effects of RA meds, my energy at an all-time low.
In a state of feeling complete hopelessness, the pain so intense, a thought crossed my mind.
Being hit by a train would be better than living like this.
I sobbed. Hard.
That’s when I realized things had to change.
Stay tuned!
The story continues in How Not to Let Chronic Illness Suck the Life Out of You: Part 3 of 3.
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