Dealing with Chronic Illness

Hi @Onyx and welcome to the Sane forums.

I don't suffer from multiple illnesses, yet I can understand losing the life I once had through my mental illness. So many things have changed. Some days it feels like I am mourning the life I once had.

I know I can't really answer your question but am hoping there are other members that will be able to relate to your post more than I can. Please know that this forum is a great place to connect with others and to receive that extra support. I hope you find them as helpful as I have.

If you want a chat just use the @ and a drop box will come down and you'll be able to tag other members.

Please keep reaching out, you are very much worth it.

Hi @Onyx, It can be similar with physical illneses. Im 53 and was diagnose with prostate cancer 2 years ago, so i know that feeling of losing that life that was had before. I'm only just starting to cone to term with it. Its been difficult and has taken a lot of tome. For me the key was to reach out to support groups, both for the condition, and for mental health... and slowly ive become more accepting of my sitation and actually started making plans for next year. Something i would have bever thought about 4 or5 months ago.

Hi Snowie

thanks for your reply. That’s exactly how I feel I’m grieving the old me because it’s like the old me has died, I’ll never be that person again. It’s so strange I just can’t seem to get my head around the fact that this is how the rest of my life will be. I’ve always been a positive person and always been grateful for what I do have but the more that happens with my health the harder that gets. Don’t get me wrong I still am grateful for a lot of things and I know so many others have it worse than me. I’d just like to make a friend who understands that I can chat with on the phone sometimes and we can support each other, maybe have a laugh. Nobody I know is having any issues like mine and there’s no support groups where I live as it’s a small rural town with limited everything. It makes it very hard. I really appreciate the reply. Have a great day 🩷

Hi @Onyx ,

I'm hearing you.

I've been down a similar path. I thought my life was over and that I'd never go back to how things were.

I did not see a future ahead.

Looking back, that was years ago.

Things changed, and it seems that life is certainly not the same now... however, if anything, it is better. I've learnt to live with my lot in life.

I recognise this is not easy to come to.

What are things within your control that you can do for your own sake?

@Snowie , tagging you for @Onyx 's post above.

Hi MJ

thanks for your reply. I have a lot going on, it started at age 35 when I had thyroid cancer, then I was diagnosed with 2 autoimmune conditions, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis, I thought that was bad enough then I lost 2.5metres of my small intestine and now I can’t absorb nutrients properly, I have to have infusions of what I can’t absorb through my gut, I had an absent seizure and stopped breathing in front of my 3 kids because of a severe deficiency and then 3 months after that discovered I’d had a small ischemic stroke and 1cm of my front left lobe of my brain died. Luckily I have minimal physical deficits but it’s affected my memory, coordination and organisation ability. I’m scared of having another seizure or stroke now and the medications I’m given to treat my autoimmune diseases has awful side effects that make it difficult to even have a life, I don’t live but every day is a fight to stay alive, I just exist. There are no support groups where I live as it’s a small rural town so online is my only option. It’s hard to meet people and become friends like that but I’m trying. I’m a good listener and I’ve had a lot of life experience and I’m very accepting of everyone. I hope to make some

connections here and have a mutually supportive friendship. Have a great day 🩷

Hey @MJG017 , tagging you into the post above.

Hey @Onyx ,

Have you checked out SANE's Guided Recovery to see if you are eligible?

https://www.sane.org/referral

Hi Tyme

thanks for your response, yes I’ve actually joined up, only just had my initial phone call. I stumbled across this by accident but I have a lot of hope that it might help me through. Such a great idea. Have a great day 🩷

Good on you 🙂

@Onyx

I can see your resilience shine through.

As hard as things are, we are here to support your emotional wellbeing.

In my own recovery, peer to peer support was instrumental.

Have a great day. We look forward to further connecting with you.