Hello! I am new to this forum. I have joined because I need people who get me and my health! I have had GI issues all my life and it really revved up in my 20's. Was told many things like "it's your gallbladder", "your just constipated" to you have Fibromyalgia. They even thought at one point I had Lupus. At 42 I finally had a Dr. that listened to me and said she was not giving up until we had it figured out. One and a half years after rigorous testing and crazy diets, we figured it out.
Fast forward to almost 4 years later, I have been placed in "remission" for a year and a half now. I say "remission" loosely as I still have mild flares and my inflammation in my joints still rear its ugly head. Weather also seems to play a big part, extreme temps either way. I just do not have active granulomas, ulcers, and long episodes of not being able to leave my home.
I have had a very stressful career for the past 23 years and have made a career change in hopes this too, will assist in managing my God forsaking disease. However, it is because of my disease and how hard it was to get diagnosed and the lack of compassion with some of my Doctors, or just simply not listening to me, I chose to enter into the medical field.
I am a caregiver/helper by nature and need that type of work to feed my soul but working in mental health/special ed just it too much.
I would like to think my family understands but I think it is difficult as this disease is hidden, with the exception of active major flares. I can be active one day and take on the world but the next be so drained and it is difficult to even get out of bed. So that is why I have chosen to come here, to be with others like me so I know I am not out of my mind.
I look forward to getting to know many of you and hearing/reading your stories as well. Thanks for letting me come aboard and we will chat some more, I am sure of it.
Fast forward to almost 4 years later, I have been placed in "remission" for a year and a half now. I say "remission" loosely as I still have mild flares and my inflammation in my joints still rear its ugly head. Weather also seems to play a big part, extreme temps either way. I just do not have active granulomas, ulcers, and long episodes of not being able to leave my home.
I have had a very stressful career for the past 23 years and have made a career change in hopes this too, will assist in managing my God forsaking disease. However, it is because of my disease and how hard it was to get diagnosed and the lack of compassion with some of my Doctors, or just simply not listening to me, I chose to enter into the medical field.
I am a caregiver/helper by nature and need that type of work to feed my soul but working in mental health/special ed just it too much.
I would like to think my family understands but I think it is difficult as this disease is hidden, with the exception of active major flares. I can be active one day and take on the world but the next be so drained and it is difficult to even get out of bed. So that is why I have chosen to come here, to be with others like me so I know I am not out of my mind.
I look forward to getting to know many of you and hearing/reading your stories as well. Thanks for letting me come aboard and we will chat some more, I am sure of it.