Struggling with new me.
Hey everybody, I am a new name and new face. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in 2021 and Psoriatic arthritis in 2022. I have been struggling the last few weeks with the new me, meaning realizing I can't do what I did a year ago. I can't tolerate the heat and summer is just starting, along with my energy levels bottoming out and legs feeling weak before I can really get started with anything physical. I think the mental realization is as difficult for me as the physical is. The last 2 weeks I have been dealing with the results of anger, disappointment along with being emotionally confused because of the roller coaster of emotions I have been on. I would love to hear some encouraging words on how to adjust to this new me.
Hi
, and welcome! We're so glad you found us. I hope you'll find great support and comfort in this community.
I can relate to so much of what you have shared and I feel your pain. Becoming chronically ill is a really horrible thing to go through. How you are feeling is a completely normal and understandable reaction to having your life turned upside down by PsA and fibromyalgia. Have you heard of the five stages of grief? Here's an article that looks at how they can be applied to the experience of becoming and adjusting to being chronically ill: https://psoriatic-arthritis.com/living/newly-diagnosed-whats-next I found it quite comforting to learn about those stages and realise that how I was feeling was "normal".
I spent many years in denial, unable to come to terms with the diagnosis and everything that comes with it. At the same time I felt very angry, let down and depressed about it all. I am thankfully coping much better now and mostly accept that this is my life now (although I do still feel frustrated and depressed sometimes). I think the main things that helped me come to terms with everything were connecting with others here in this community who have been through it all and understand, starting on medication that actually helped a bit, and just allowing myself time to process all the life changes that happen when you become chronically ill. As time has gone on I have personally found myself coping better mentally. It does take time to get there though, at least in my experience. Try to be gentle with yourself on this journey. Leanne also shares some great tips in the following article, which I thought may be helpful: https://psoriatic-arthritis.com/living/accepting-new-normal-tips-from-someone-still-struggling
Hopefully others will chime in here and share their experiences/tips with you too. You're not alone in this struggle. Please do reach out here anytime you need to vent or connect with others who truly get it. Sending big hugs! -Catherine, Community Moderatoroh my gosh thank you so much for the articles! They shined light on a heavy mind. And thank you so very much for the kind words.
I'm still in search of a diagnosis, but I so relate to what you're saying. Going from being in really good shape to a virtual slug with salt shaken on it. It's like walking on a tightrope. If I lean too much to the positive and I have a bad day I can crash in depression but if I lean too much to the negative and get stuck in a deep hole of inactivity, depression & pain. So it's one step at a time, I gotta believe I'm gonna get to the other side. Thank you! I also have 10+ years of other issues but had tackled them and at 60 was really fit & strong, good weight, eating extremely well, LOVING LIFE! Then I was hit with spiraling inflammation, some of it explained by a bone marrow disease but not accounting for pain & swelling. Still in search of a diagnosis, I do much better with a definitive dragon to fight, staying away from "why me" and prefer "why not me". I know many have bigger battles and have handled it with such grace & strength (the book Buoyant by Dotty Holcomb Doherty). I do find assurance that I'm not imagining the difficulty of staying balanced through this in that others are on the same path. Did you see this article?https://psoriatic-arthritis.com/living/fear-the-flare-or-forget-to-live?utm_source=weekly&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=364589f8-1bd8-4fdc-bc10-2844b4da55fd&utm_confid=sovjr5mab&aGVhbHRoIHVuaW9uIGJsYWg=a2c3eb9bcf075ef6f11910cbf36ecb29f2ce269c20ef317f9d1e83c0cfc9ebaa&vmp_email=a2c3eb9bcf075ef6f11910cbf36ecb29f2ce269c20ef317f9d1e83c0cfc9ebaa
Best to you & others.I haven't read the article yet I'm saving it for tonight when hopefully the house is calm. Been a lot of extra stress in the house again to make a long story short....repeating chaotic cycle of grown child moved back in. So with all of the stress there I have been dealing with a massive amount of triggered fatigue and depression. Knew stress was rough on a person but whew I'm pooped.
Hi Cathy. I did some searching and found this alternative way to communicate. I want to make you smile today, and this forum allows me to show you this:
@kenlip what beautiful dogs you have. I know @Cathy will feel the same way. I love that our community allows pics like this to bring smiles to everyone. You bring a smile to us being here in this community. Thank you. Vickie W., Team Member
, what an adorable photo!! It certainly did make me smile. I'm feeling a bit rough this morning so this is just what the doctor ordered. Thank you for thinking of me 😊 I'll reply to your message shortly! -Catherine, Community Moderator
Very nice of you to reply. Cathy and I have been writing to each other for some time. So nice to have met you all. Here’s something for you: I purchased Lifetones, a natural supplement for flushing out the uric acid that crippled me with gout from age 18 on. I’m hoping the battle against gout takes aim at my PsA inflammation, which hit me in the same joints gout used to - the base joint on both big toes. So far, I like the supplement, but I will reserve judgment before telling folks it works. I’ve committed to 3 months.
Thanks for responding @kenlip. You peaked my interest with your post for sure. No way you could have known this but my husband just had his first flare of gout in his right foot. It was so painful that he barely could walk. He went to doctor who gave him some medicine. I will pass this Lifetones on to him. Please let us know if it helps with the psoriatic arthritis also. People in our community are always looking for natural supplements that help. Vickie W., Team Member
