I've often visited another person's blog and been confused. They refer to an illness or struggle and I have no idea what they're talking about. I understand a blog is kind of a history. And coming in on the middle means I will miss things and some things won't make sense.
But I wanted to make it simpler on my blog. I just thought it would help if you know what I'm talking about when I refer to not being well.
Diagnosed:
Hypothyroidism
Major Depressive Disorder
Bipolar II
Anxiety Disorder
Panic Attacks
PTSD -- from various abusive situations
PMDD -- high end PMS (up to two weeks a months, sometimes debilitating; no longer, since my hysterectomy in 2014)
Carpal Tunnel in both arms
Undiagnosed (after many tests and treatments including MRIs, neurological screenings, electro-conductivity testing, many blood tests, eyes checked, teeth checked, psychological screening, EKG, pain clinic workup, sleep study):
Chronic Headache (since 2005)
Chronic Fatigue (since 2001)
Various symptoms that may or may not be related to the above: fluctuating vision, dizziness, nausea, body aches, joint pain, chest pain
Basically, I am exhausted all of the time. No matter how I eat or sleep. And I hurt all day, every day. No matter what pain meds I take. Therefore, my life is different from what I expected it to be. I have had to learn to redefine what is important and why I am of value.
Sometimes I seek treatment. Other times I just ride it out. Sometimes I try meds. Other times I just ride it out. As anyone with ongoing medical/mental health struggles knows, the emotional roller coaster of thinking something will work and then being disappointed when it doesn't can be very painful. Sometimes I'm just too worn out to try anymore. - Right now I'm actively fighting. May, 2015.