Where is my happiness gone

Hannah84
Hannah84 Member Posts: 3
in Living with arthritis

Hello my wonderful inspiring comrades.

So here's a bit about how a young but feeling about 80 years is actually 41 year-old just got diagnosed (I had to fight for 2 years and then had to pay private to get diagnosed)

With sjrogrens, rhumatoid arthritis, thyroid eye disease and under active thyroid.

I have one eye that's twice the size of the other and swelling allover I'm in a right mess tbh.

Struggling mentally because of the physical pain. Struggling mentally and grieving for the happy healthy super fit gym bunny I was 2 years ago.

I'm finding everything a bit too much. I dare not hope that methotrexate the hydrochloroquine combo, bupanorphine pain patches and the trips to and from hospital. I've been let down repeatedly and I've had to advocate hard for myself in between breakdowns I've managed to scrape through so far in a job that is my absolute life helping others counselling them listening and being patient. Why do I find It so difficult to takey own advice? I think I need to develop a stronger mindset but I just don't knowq how to begin. Times are hard I want to hope there's a better life for me in the future it just seems too far away.

So I guess what I would like to ask you lovely lot. How do you cope in the face of it all and does it get better. I would like some tips life lessons and golden words please X forever grateful for finding this app💕

Comments

  • PJoanne
    PJoanne Moderator Posts: 342

    Hello @Hannah84

    Welcome to the community, it's great to have you here with us. It sounds like you are now in the right place to begin your journey back to health. Be kind to yourself and allow the feelings to come - it might ebb and flow from good to bad but that is normal.

    Please do give the helpline a ring if you would like to talk 'irl', they are fab.

    all the best Joanne

    Need more help - call our Helpline on 0800 5200 520 Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm

  • Hannah84
    Hannah84 Member Posts: 3

    Thankyou ❤️🙏

  • Mumof2
    Mumof2 Member Posts: 11

    Hi,


    It does get better. Then it gets hard again before it gets better again. It’s a cycle that will repeat but there will be long periods of feeling good in yourself. It might take a while to find the right medication that works for you, so as hard as it is, try to be patient while it gets figured out.

    Tips- get a bottle/can/jar opening gadget for the kitchen. It really helps to be able to open juice or pop or whatever for yourself. I love my bottle opener.

    Shower sitting down, or take a bath and use the shower attachment to wash your hair.

    Run the dishwasher twice instead of scrubbing anything.

    Wear thermal socks under your regular socks for extra warmth when needed.

    If your hands are an issue, wear fluffy socks over them while you sleep. It really helps reduce the morning stiffness.

    Buy thermal, long sleeve tops (M&S sometimes have them with sparkles in so you feel shimmery which is nice).

    Accept help when offered and ask for help when you need it. Is it hard to do, yes. Is it necessary, yes. Does it make you weak, absolutely not.

    Be kind to yourself, you’re doing the best you can and that is enough x

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