What are you up to today if you have a chronic illness? Thread 5

[MewithME]

Here we are again. 😊

Link to last thread 🧵 https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/5458553-what-are-you-up-to-today-if-you-have-chronic-illness-thread-4

😂 the poor dog! Ours have their dry food and raw carrots daily and whatever else they scrounge.
We did hear of a Yorkie who had a cup of tea and buttered toast every day and lived to 17.

@Stressybetty that's hilarious! Sounds like the dog had a great life!

Girlcat loves cream cheese. But only Morrisons Savers range. Stuff your Philadelphia!

Morning all! And Happy Valentine's Day to those who believe in love 💘

Morning all. I have had a good sleep for me. Still woke a few times but was in bed very early. Had a nap before proper sleep. Feel very heavy this morning.

I believe in love @TeaAndStrumpets just probably not for me 🥲

We actually have sunshine here. It's a beautiful day. Not sure I can go anywhere though. I might wrap myself in my oodie and sit in the garden for a bit with hot drink at least.

Happy Valentine's to you all if you have someone to celebrate with. I might go and get myself some flowers and chocs later.

My friend bought me a Jeff Goldblum Galentines card last year. That was amazing ☺️

Right coffee, back to bed and more MN I think. Then maybe a soak in the bath with an audiobook. Loving the Rivers of London books so far.

Morning! Sunny here. My back is utterly broken, physio last night he tried his best but he could feel how locked and angry it is, and something he did made my leg spasm so thst wasn’t fun.

I haven’t caught up in here much this week, I’ve been really struggling with my mental health. I spoke to the mental health team yesterday and I’m on the waiting list now I hope for some 121 support.

back to work on the 23rd Feb, phased. My anxiety is completely beyond me.

Sorry to hear that, I struggle with anxiety as well. Is it about the return to work? Thinking of you.

@Orangesandlemons77 a lot is about work, but also my health and pain. Mental health were really good, I had to explain that I work in mental health but for children and young people so I already know a lot but it isn’t helping. I withdraw and almost go electively mute when I’m very anxious or distressed and I’m doing that a lot. She was hoping she could get me a referral for the long term conditions focussed mental health support.

Going back to work has to happen, but it feels like saying I’m better and I’m not better I’m not out of pain and I’m not still exhausted and everything else. My baseline is not the same. So I really don’t know how it’s going to go. It’s going to be a long phased return and I have 18 days of leave to use and then it’ll be Easter and then we have the May bank holidays. So it will be ok. I can’t go part time yet though, which is frustrating.

My mental health has been bad on and off since I was 11. But I withdraw and don’t talk about it. My parents do not know how bad things were in my teenage years. No one but my husband knows how many times I’ve been on antidepressants and they’d be shocked.

Squeaking in... before we are full...to the next one...

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/5490534-thread-6-good-griefwhat-are-you-up-to-today-if-you-have-chronic-illness

Sending lots of love to you @FurForksSake

I my experience, sometimes people are drawn to careers in mental health because they've had their own struggles but I can imagine sometimes that can be overwhelming, especially if you are empathetic and dealing with your own stuff.

I truly hope you will feel better in some way when you are back at work. I am in no way belittling it, but it's like that Sunday feeling of anxiety X a thousand for phased return. I often feel anxious about work when I've had a break and usually I feel better when I'm just back in it, despite the challenges. Of course, it would be better all round if we just didn't have to work.

In my fantasy life, I'd be waking up in my cottage by the sea not needing to do anything at all other than read, mess about with my dog (which I also don't have) and dabble back in some art.

I will buy a lottery ticket and send some your way if I win!

@MewithME all of that. All of that. Xx

I’m so sorry youre struggling so much @FurForksSake sending a virtual hug and really hope you can get some 121 mental health support soon. We’re all here if you feel like offloading and if you don’t that’s okay too. We’re still here.

@FurForksSakehugs too.
@MewithME cottage by the sea with our dogs is in our plan too one day. kitchen with tiled floor, huge fireplace and an comfy settee.

Yes there should be some talking therapies support available.

I've also been on antidepressants since a teenager fluoxetine mainly. They've said I'll likely be on it for life now. It's ok.

I can see why that's stressing you out because it's not like you can just switch off working with children.

I guess it will just be a question if seeing how it goes.

Maybe you could get PIP and Esa cont based and dona bit of work alongside it. Might be worth looking at all the options.

Have you heard of a social prescriber? I think they might be able to help with stuff like this but not sure. Kind thoughts

@Orangesandlemons77 thank you, I don’t think we have social prescribers for adults here. I’d love to do an art therapy group, but I think they reserve those for the most needy which I am not.

Sunny here today so I did far too much. Washing, a walk, collected and sorted some random small logs for next year's kindling

@FurForksSake I'm so sorry things are so difficult. If there's anything I can do, just ask.

Our council runs these wellbeing courses a bit like that. Mindfulness and arts for example. Not sure if they all do this. Sometimes it's just finding out about it

Sorry things are so tough @FurForksSake.
We had a date yesterday for the first time in forever and had lunch out and then saw Wuthering Heights! Today, I have slept all day, possibly as a result, but it was worth it.

Does anyone else struggle with having a shower, or just me?
It makes me utterly exhausted, feeling sick and needing a lie down. I think i must shower in a particularly vigorous way, or something!

Yes I struggle with showers too. I generally don’t achieve much else that morning if I need to shower as I have to lie down before/ afterwards til my heart rate drops enough to then get dressed. It’s sometimes easier to shower in the evening so I can lie down in bed afterwards. Find a bath a bit easier but only if I don’t need to wash my hair!

Yes, I have one last thing at night, then wrap hair in a towel and get into bed in my towelling robe. Electric blanket on and wait till I'm warm and dry. Then PJ's on and back into bed.
Usually just have one a week to be honest.

Washing my hair standing up in the shower feels like running a marathon to me! My bath board has been an absolute godsend. Sitting with my head upside down makes all the difference 😊

My OT explained that it's because you are lifting your arms above your heart. Anything that uses the 'big' muscles in my thighs or upper arms exhausts me. See also rolling out clay or pastry 🤣

Thank you for your very reassuring replies. So glad I'm not the only one.

That makes total sense re the lifting your hands above your heart!
In summer pegging washing on the line is another one that I struggle with though DH happy to do that but I always assumed it was the repetitive action!

I have a shower seat and a stool just outside the shower so I can wrap myself i my towel and then sit drying off. But I also prefer baths.

I often shower or bathe one day and then wash my hair over the sink th next so that I'm not too tired by doing the whole job.