People who have chronic diseases, how do you deal?!
Question: How do those of you who have chronic diseases deal with the side effects of medications?
I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis back in June of 2007 at the ripe old age of 21. I have been on corticosteroids ever since, along with Lithium. I have gained a tonne of weight since then and no matter how much I exercise or how little I eat I can not lose weight.
The corticosteroids give me a "buffalo hump" and a beer gut. I am tired all the time, confused, depressed. My neurologist says that most of those are symptoms of the MS and side effects of the medications I am taking.
I don't think I can continue living like this. My quality of life is SO LOW, and it wasn't even that bad before I started taking medications.
How do you deal?
Answers: How do those of you who have chronic diseases deal with the side effects of medications?
I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis back in June of 2007 at the ripe old age of 21. I have been on corticosteroids ever since, along with Lithium. I have gained a tonne of weight since then and no matter how much I exercise or how little I eat I can not lose weight.
The corticosteroids give me a "buffalo hump" and a beer gut. I am tired all the time, confused, depressed. My neurologist says that most of those are symptoms of the MS and side effects of the medications I am taking.
I don't think I can continue living like this. My quality of life is SO LOW, and it wasn't even that bad before I started taking medications.
How do you deal?
I don't have MS or anything like that but I have celiac disease, which some people may not know or think is very serious, but it is (it can lead to other medical conditions that can cause death such as cancer). And the only way to control it is a strict gluten-free diet. Sounds easy enough, but trust me, gluten is hiding in EVERYTHING (coloring, flavoring, etc.). It's hard, and it sucks. I had a lot of side effects from it such as weight gain, mental health problems, etc. It was very hard to deal with because we didn't know what it was at first. Now that we know, it's still hard because the gluten-free market is very small and very expensive. I guess I just deal with my issue by reminding myself that some day it will get better they will have more medical options and cheaper food options (celiac disease is very common but often misdiagnosed). Most of all, I think about the future and that there will hopefully be more help with the medical field. I think the same goes for most people with chronic illnesses. You just keep hoping and praying that they will discover something new. That's what keeps me going and from being too depressed.
I have marfans syndrome - so I dont have to deal with the side effects of medication, I have to deal with the knowldege that my Aorta can burst off my heart at any moment and I'll drop dead without warning....
I do a lot of journaling, and prayer, and meditation....I do lots of yoga and Tai Chi to help keep me grounded and to keep my perspective of life from getting too skewed. I help other people to "help get me out of myself" and I try to spend some time both relaxing and laughing everyday. 10 minutes of watching comedy is medicine - I'll voutch for it.
Start making a list of things that you want to do and start working towards them.
Start making a list of things that you are grateful for everyday.
Try to cultivate relationships with people who have the same problem - a trouble shared is divided...
Thats a beginning.
Its been a process. It takes time "to deal."
family,friends, and God. Pray that God can give u strength. Family and friends are key to keeping your spirits up. Peace be with.