Struggling

17Kingsdown

Hi my name is Den

Before Covid I knew I had arthritis but felt ok with it. I stayed at home during Covid. At 69 my daughter wanted to keep me safe. She worked at home, did all the shopping and went out to get anything else we needed. I must admit Covid scared me. My mum 93 passed away from unrelated reasons. Then my brother committed suicide and my one cousin died of Covid and 2 others where hospitalised with it. They are alive but very poorly. I now have anxiety, worse Osteoarthritis due to the fact I didn't do much for 2 years. I have IBS, dry eyes, dry mouth syndrome, and lumps inside my mouth but they say it isn't Sjogrens. My consultant says its salivary glands. Last Sunday I fell and tore the rotator cuff in my left shoulder. I'm so fed up of it all. One minute I was fine then.....in agony most days. I shouldn't moan. I know I'm lucky none of it is life threatening but it's not easy us it. I'm sure there are many more of you out there suffering too. How do you cope? Any suggestions would be gratefully received.

noddingtonpete

Hello @17Kingsdown and welcome to the Community. We are a friendly and supportive group and I hope that will be your experience as well.

You have been through a lot recently and I am sure that others will connect with you to share their support and experiences as well. Have a look through the following which might be of help

https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2023/january/how-to-look-after-your-mental-health-when-you-have-arthritis/

and

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/shoulder-pain/

Please keep posting now you are here and let us know how you are getting on, and I am sure others will join in and share their thoughts.

With best wishes

Peter (moderator)

KC1

Goodness Den you have been through a lot. I can see Peter has already sent you some information.

As someone who has been diagnosed with 2 life changing conditions in a year I can only support from that perspective. I certainly haven’t been through the many other situations you have experienced.

For me half the battle is about acceptance - accepting things are different while understanding there is still so much I can do. Like many, I have found mixing tricky post covid, I wear a mask when shopping or in new situations with people I don’t know. It gives me a sense of control and confidence to be out and about.

Mostly, for me, it’s about finding at least 1 or 2 things a day to be grateful for - from the food on my plate to sunshine after the rain. I have also started laughing at myself, finding humour in those daft situations, like when I can’t get my socks on!

None of this changes what I’m dealing with but it does help my outlook, that and taking pain killers and anti inflammatories!

Sounds like you have a loving and supportive daughter too.

Take care