How do I keep going? Chronic emotional and physical pain.

Hi @MixedMan

Welcome to the forums.

I am sorry to hear about everything that is going on it sounds overwhelming, I hope that within the forums you can find support and connection to others

Its good to hear that you still have aspirations and are still pursuing the life that you want, as with many others here it is very courageous

but I just need to let you know that unfortunatley we are not equipt to respond to crisis on here so if you are feeling vulnerable then please contact someone because there are agencies that can help

Lifeline: Crisis Chat

Suicide call back service: online counselling

If in immediate danger: 000

if however i have read it wrong then that is great

does anyone have any ideas about how to stay hopeful? what has worked for others?

Hey,@mixedman, Have you tried moving closer to where your treatment is. Could you not contact Centrelink and ask for disability Support. you have a great sense of what you're capable of. Hang on to that and when your ready you can find work. Ask your doctors to give you a letter to give to Centrelink. And get away from your family they don't deserve you. wish you peace and hope the future comes quicker than you think and you can return to Melbourne where you're appreciated

I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety back in 1996. 3 years later I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. The medications for each clashed, and I ended up in a psychiatric hospital in 2004. I tried going back to work, my boss was great, and he even let me try and work from home, but I was too sick. Then I was diagnosed with IBS, and later that year had emergency surgery to remove both my gall bladder and my appendix. The following year I was diagnosed with endometriosis, which meant going by ambulance each month because I was in so much pain. Finally it was diagnosed, and then I had another 4 or 5 lots of surgery for that. I was diagnosed with osteoporosis in 2008, and fibromyalgia in 2011. Then I started breaking ribs without doing anything, because of the osteoporosis. I had 6 rib fractures and my thoracic spine over an 18 month period. The ribs are the worst because it hurts to breathe. In 2015, I was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis. This year I've had fractures in both feet and ended up with orthotics. I understand what it's like to live with severe depression and anxiety as well as physical disabilities. I can't know what you are going through, and no one else can walk in my shoes. We're all different.

Don't give up. I learned not to thank God for the illnesses, but for what I had learned out of them. I decided I wanted to care about others, and show that care. I also wanted to LISTEN to what other people are saying, both verbally and what was happening behind those words. Before covid, I was volunteering at my local church, helping with playgroup. I was, and still am, proofreading our monthly church newsletter. Covid has thrown a curved ball at me, because I am immunosuppressed and am in a difficult situation, particularly where there might be unvaccinated people. Playgroup, I was told yesterday is for only vaccinated families. I hope to go back to playgroup, helping out in the kitchen, cutting up fruit for the kids' morning tea. It makes so much difference if you can do something for someone else. Just ringing a friend and seeing how they are, takes away the constant thinking about yourself, and is encouraging to know that you can help others, even with your disabilities.