Feeling down due to fatigue & undiagnosed health issues

[Elizabeth CP]

I haven't been using the forums much apart from a couple of responses to others posts. I stopped as I was too busy & trying to keep up with the forums was becoming too stressful. In September My husband went to Europe which was great although tiring due to the pace of the tour we did. Unfortunately a few days before returning home I fell heavily on concrete steps hurting my right side. I continued on relying on icepacks to manage the pain. I couldn't sleep because of the pain when lying down. The last day I came down with a bad cold which developed into a chest infection later on. The pain eased after 6 weeks & I recovered from the chest infection but have ongoing problems with fatigue & abdominal discomfort. My GP arranged pathology tests. The blood tests are normal but urine isn't. Today I was sent for a ultrasound of kidneys & bladder. Next week I have a gastroscopy & colonoscopy. My stress levels seem to be escalating out of proportion each time I see the GP & get sent for more tests. Prior to my accident my mental health issues were settling down but the last week it is much worse. I have lost my temper a few times in the last week without much provocation. This is not normal for me. I have been on a diet for several months but I am now finding it really hard to stick to it I just want to go & eat food I know will make me feel worse. The diet is a healthy one which I normally find easy to stick to because the food is satisfying.

I just want to get back on track & feel in control of my life & not feel so stressed & down. I also feel guilty for feeling this way because There is no confirmation of a serious illness.

[demonblaster]

Hi Elizabeth and everyone ☺I thought I tagged here a while ago must have dreamt it.

Same as Annie hi darl ☺ I saw at another thread you're doing it hard atm. I've meant to support you for a long time. Here now.

Always enjoy reading your posts I think you're a great contributor here.

I can't do much chat atm but will be back later (bbl)

Cyaz

[Elizabeth CP]

I don't have time to write separate posts to each of you but I thank you all for your thoughts. Shell I copied your list so I can refer to it when I need ideas to help. My mind is too frazzled to remember it all. I really appreciated the time you took to write all the different things which help you. Don't know any pet shops to watch fish so I'll have to think of an equivalent thing.

Annie Maybe tomorrow I could ask my son if he could transfer the important docs onto my old computer. He looked up some options of laptops for me. My head is still reeling trying to understand the differences. Hopefully he will help me tomorrow to make a decision so I can order one. I'm not confident with computers so rely on my son for advice.

Doolhoff & Cyaz Thanks for thinking of me & encouraging me.

I feel like I need a complete break but can't see anyway of getting one . Any attempt to have a break seems to just put more pressure on me.

[Guest_1055]

Take a mini break when you go to the toilet. It may sound weird. But you can do deep breathing in there, look at calming pictures on the back of the door even. Just find mini pockets of time that you naturally have to yourself.

[demonblaster]

Hi Elizabeth and everyone ☺

I haven't read much yet darl and aim to get here soon lovey.

This is true you've often been in my thoughts.

I hope todays giving you even a little more peace.

Good on you about breathing Shells that's what I was going to suggest too. Excellent idea about in the toilet.

Grandy taught me from research saying relax to yourself mentally on exhale is proven to help. Also pysch said recently breathe good in and let bead stuff out on exhale. I'd played around before with that there's some sense to it I feel letting the rubbish out.

Nice deep breathes hun slow and calm in through the nose out through the mouth and feel your shoulders and neck relax when you say it breathing out.

I really am sorry for your hard situation and that you're doing it hard at the moment (atm).

I guess your sleeps up the whoop?

No hurry for reply.

Sorry that hapoened recently and these days I like most of the new names, what I was saying texting style was see yaz ☺ no probs just saying to avoid confusion

If you're a hugger heres a good long one with a lot of warmth and care, if not I'll send it via cyber mail ☺

See yaz all later. Sleep well

Shells finally I've been walking a bit more got some lovelies to tell youse all about on your walking thread when eventually I get back ☺ hope you're doing well hun.

🕊

🌴

[demonblaster]

Sorry a bit 🙃 atm

Bad not bead on breathing out.

See yaz I wrote cyaz meaning same thing.

Catch yaz later

[Elizabeth CP]

Sorry I attempted to reply a few times but unsure what happened to the posts. I had trouble with y computer & when my son replaced the broken part after waiting some time for delivery as it wasn't available in Aus my keyboard wouldn't work properly. Ended up buying another!!! This on top of lots of appointments (up to 4 in a day) and some days with very long appointments which were draining meant I had little time to post. I'm OS visiting our son ATM. Trying to prepare for the trip was stressful because of the high risk of my husband getting very ill if he caught any minor infection.We had a lot of discussion with health professionals to come up with plans to decrease the risk of illness & to keep him alive in the event of something going wrong like it did in the hospital. Having to constantly think about the worst case scenarios has really escalated my stress levels making it harder for me to concentrate & get things done. Sleep Has also been badly affected making me tired. My kitchen is still in limbowaiting for the insurance company to read the results of the tests for mould to see if it has been eradicated inside & if the cupbords benches etc can be reused or if they are mould damaged.The cupboards benches sink etc are sitting on the back decking.

Atleast while OS I can have a break from the insurance drama.Hopefully I'll get to a point were I can relax & get enough sleep to function better

[Croix]

Dear Elizabeth~

I can well imagine the preparations you had to go though and the contingencies you had to foresee - and take measures to forestall.

I hope for a brief while you can share the load with your son and at least get some rest.

Croix

[Elizabeth CP]

Thanks Croix, Demonblaster & Shell for your caring remarks. Sorry about not answering but I'm sure I tried but something went wrong so posts didn't work. Currently struggling with jetlag & after effects of long period of poor sleep & high stress. Still trying to sort out in my mind what needs to be done. There were some things that I couldn't do before we left so need to deal with them now but I'm too tired. I am trying to remind myself of the positives eg My oldest son can deal with the insurance while I'm gone, I don't have to drive anywhere while staying with my youngest son for these 10 days & hopefully my daughter can help after I meet her later to do some sightseeing & walking. It requires effort to think this way as I;ve fallen into a pattern of very negative thinking

[Doolhof]

Hi Elizabeth,

hose negative thoughts can be very persistyenet can't they. I am slowly learning how to deal with some of them. I try to acknowledge them, accept them and then try to leave them so they don't grow into huge mountains of worry and distress.

Easier said than done at times.

I have found having two journals is helping me. In one I write all the horrible and negative stuff and in the other I write the helpful and the positive. I try to be creative in the positive journal. When I don't know what to write, I look for positive sayings or affirmations on the internet and add them.

Hopefully yo will find some distractions to help take your mind off things as well.

When I am out now, I like to take photos of different or unusual things on my phone. Helps me focus on something different.

It can be hard to let go, but so very beneficial when we are able to do so. Of course I do realise I don't have the issues you are experiencing.

Cheers from Dools

[Elizabeth CP]

Thanks Dools for your care & understanding. You said I do realise I don't have the issues you are experiencing. I find people like you much more understanding than those who think they know everything. We both have different issues which affect us in different ways. I certainly wouldn't want to be in your situation because you have so many challenges but your experiences seem to give you real empathy for others including myself. I hope you are doing OK.