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Self-Care with major Physical illnesses

AdgeSenior Contributor28 Oct 2018, 10:24 pm AEDT

Self-Care with major Physical illnesses

Hi @Former-Member This is an old post - it explains how medical neglect by Drs (doing no scans or tests) ended with me in hospital - the direct cause of my 1st emergency bowel surgery.

I have no current GP, since mine left (months ago) - will need to find one.

I have lived for several decades with serious physical illnesses (or conditions) -

Scoliosis, causing severe back pain

Sleep Apnea (diagnosed 11 years ago), causing debilitating daily fatigue - treatment & stimulant medication has moderately improved my functioning. Not to anywhere near a "normal" level, for someone without a Sleep Disorder (or a fatigue condition).

A bowel obstruction (tumor), with 3 major bowel surgeries (2 emergencies) - from which my body has never fully recovered.

My digestive system (which was disconnected for 6 months), has not worked effectively for the past 3 years - since my bowels were re-connected (stoma reversal surgery).

I also have Complex PTSD, from more than 2 decades of trauma.

Because PTSD is supposedly an "anxiety disorder" (so-called) - medical professionals have on several occasions attempted to "explain away" my physical symptoms as being "just anxiety".

This has stopped me from accessing adequate medical care, on several occasions.

The "just anxiety" was later found to be a life-threatening bowel obstruction (tumor) - which required immediate surgery. Then a 2nd emergency surgery, 3 days later (when the 1st went disastrously wrong). Then a 3rd bowel surgery, 6 months later to reverse the damage (& clean up the mess).

I now have 2 serious hernias, as a result of the bowel surgeries - wound split, extensive wide scarring, & hernias in the middle.

Have others experienced their physical illnesses (or medical emergencies) not being taken seriously - because of having a mental illness diagnosis?

How did you overcome these obstacles to receiving medical care (if you could)?

Self-care is difficult, when my food does not digest adequately - despite Probiotics & Gastrostop (when necessary).

I must run to the toilet with great urgency (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) - which is a cause of stress in itself, & makes working difficult.

Adge

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In response to: Self-Care with major Physical illnesses

Shaz51Senior Contributor21 Nov 2018, 10:00 pm AEDT

Re: Self-Care with major Physical illnesses

Hello @Sophia1, @Adge, @Mazarita, @Wanderer, @Appleblossom

more blood tests today

now they are thinking the I need to get a Bone density test done

finding it hard to get everything under control

In response to: Re: Self-Care with major Physical illnesses

WandererSenior Contributor22 Nov 2018, 12:27 am AEDT

X

In response to: X

Shaz51Senior Contributor22 Nov 2018, 8:21 am AEDT

Re: Self-Care with major Physical illnesses

I feel better if I just go with it and don't fight against it.-- I know what you mean @Wanderer, mr shaz tells me that too

thinking of you and walking with you today my friend

In response to: Re: Self-Care with major Physical illnesses

WandererSenior Contributor22 Nov 2018, 10:20 pm AEDT

Re: Self-Care with major Physical illnesses

Hope today was a good one @Shaz51

In response to: Re: Self-Care with major Physical illnesses

Shaz51Senior Contributor23 Nov 2018, 8:27 am AEDT

Re: Self-Care with major Physical illnesses

thank you @Wanderer

the picture looks soo lovely , feel like sitting there and enjoying it

In response to: Re: Self-Care with major Physical illnesses

AdgeSenior Contributor30 Nov 2018, 9:26 pm AEDT

Re: Self-Care with major Physical illnesses

I've been in quite a lot of pain, for about 8 days (so far).

My shoulder & neck are very painful, even though I didn't get any injury (that I'm aware of).

I had a massage 3 days ago, that helped for a short while.

Since hospital nurses said I have a "high pain tolerance" (threshhold) because of the small amount of painkillers I was taking, when in severe pain - my discomfort is not noticeable to other people, & they think I'm fine.

This is bad, & it's not going away (so far).

My local doctors are so busy, they often give me the brush-off (with no treatment).

So I'm not at all confident in getting a diagnosis or help, if I go there.

But I will go to see a Dr, if this pain doesn't ease soon.

Painkillers don't do anything for it (they don't help) - so that's saying something.

Adge

In response to: Self-Care with major Physical illnesses

AdgeSenior Contributor10 Dec 2018, 7:21 pm AEDT

Re: Self-Care with major Physical illnesses

I have had ultrasound just a few hours ago.
It's still painful to drive home or anywhere.
Had cortisone injections for bursitis of shoulder.
No one knew I had bursitis of shoulder - it showed up in the ultrasound.

The cortisone injection is not a cure all.
I may need further injections in a month they said.
I would need a separate new referral from a GP to the ultrasound Dr every time.

I was starting to doubt myself so much - because of the constant intense pain, for 10 days (so far).

Adge

In response to: Re: Self-Care with major Physical illnesses

frogSenior Contributor10 Dec 2018, 7:37 pm AEDT

Re: Self-Care with major Physical illnesses

Hi @Adge I'm glad you have more information about what's causing the pain. I had a long running wrist problem and eventually had an ultrasound and cortisone injection. It hurt a lot. I'd heard they do but wow. Still, I'd do it again, because after months of pain and appointments, the problem resolved. It took a few weeks but hasn't come back so I've probably been a bit lucky. I hope it helps for your shoulder. Wishing you a restful night.

In response to: Re: Self-Care with major Physical illnesses

AdgeSenior Contributor10 Dec 2018, 7:47 pm AEDT