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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

AdgeSenior Contributor10 Dec 2018, 10:00 pm AEDT

Re: Self-Care with major Physical illnesses

Thanks so much @Shaz51

I'm still in pain, exhausted with very foggy clouded thinking.

So I've been unable to come online (forums) much.

But there's light at the end of the tunnel (I hope).

Adge

In response to: Self-Care with major Physical illnesses

AdgeSenior Contributor15 Dec 2018, 4:58 pm AEDT

Re: Self-Care with major Physical illnesses

The shoulder & neck nerve pain in gradually easing - I've still not re-established my sleeping pattern.

Physiotherapist won't let me return to work, except maybe very short shifts

Because any length of driving & exertion (for more than a few hours exacerbates the injury & pain (& continues to stop me sleeping).

I've been trying (expecting myself) to go full-throttle back into work - yet I can't because that makes everything worse.

I phoned my work managers & they agree to either put me on extended leave (for about a month) - or else, have me only doing 3 hour shifts (& no driving) for the next few weeks.

Instead they then did the opposite - & sent out a roster with me working virtually full-time (every day) for the next few weeks, with 100's of Kilometres driving.

So I contacted management again - my managers said that they will "fix it" (whatever that means).

So I'm waiting to find out.

The waiting & uncertainty is making everything worse.

Adge

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

AdgeSenior Contributor17 Dec 2018, 11:32 pm AEDT

Re: Self-Care with major Physical illnesses

Something went seriously wrong in my communication with work this morning.

They demandined I get medically certified as fit before they will let me returnto work.

Until then I'm on Permanent leave.

Only $300 per week (next 3 weeks).

Then nothing.

They refused to pay sick leave.

I've also been put back on 3 month probabtion (it appears) when I return to work (with Dr's approval).

I'm being forced to sign a new employment contract with regular supervision by managers.

I'm in total overwhelm.

I had a brilliant anual employment review on about 2 weeks ago, now this.

I just don't understand.

Adge

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

MazaritaSenior Contributor17 Dec 2018, 11:44 pm AEDT

Re: Self-Care with major Physical illnesses

Responding to you here now, @Adge. I would be in shock too if that happened to me. I've been in some hilghly stressful, desperate-feeling situations with loss of income in the past, but also know they can be survived. It might be that the best thing you can do right now is get as good night's sleep as possible. If you can get some sleep, it will probably help get your head around this better in the morning. But I'm here if you want to talk more about it at the moment.

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

AdgeSenior Contributor17 Dec 2018, 11:45 pm AEDT

Re: Self-Care with major Physical illnesses

Refer to my previous post that explains it.

I need all the support I can get @Shaz51@frog@Wanderer@Sophia1@Mazarita

Thanks so much.

This is almost tipping me over the edge.

Adge

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

AdgeSenior Contributor17 Dec 2018, 11:49 pm AEDT

Re: Self-Care with major Physical illnesses

I really would love to talk @Mazarita I so appreciate your care & concern.

But I cannot think.

Utterly exhausted.

Must go to bed & continue conversation ASAP.

Thanks so much.

Goodnight.

Adge

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

MazaritaSenior Contributor17 Dec 2018, 11:54 pm AEDT

Re: Self-Care with major Physical illnesses

@Adge, tag me if you want to talk more later. I'm not on the forum that much at the moment due to lots happening in my life (mostly good stuff at this time fortunately). But if you post to me I will do my very best to get back to you, even if it's not at the same time you are online. Rest well now.

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

WandererSenior Contributor18 Dec 2018, 1:16 am AEDT