Multiple health problems: Thankful & Fearful what future holds

Hi popcorn369,
I so get it... the emotions that can come into play with multiple diagnoses. I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and the years of treatment , medications and a subsequent heart failure, asthma, then two different Kidney cancers and now chronic kidney disease from having two partial nephrectomys... it just starts to add up. I just was released to not seeing both my nephrologist and my oncologist from every 6 months to once a year.
I should be so thrilled, but find myself a little skeptical and hesitant. I know its a good thing, but part of me has been dealing with this all for so long I'm cautious to relax a little ... and then boom !
But, really ,
I also know this is normal to feel.
I think you do seem to have a good handle on life!
Nothing about any of these issues is easy to maneuver through... or even to keep showing up and working towards wellness.
I commend you for that. With your struggles with bipolar adding health issues on top can be overwhelming. But look how you keep showing up! Going to your therapist, taking your meds, seeing your doctors, all such positive stuff.
I think what helps me the most is my faith foundation. But also enjoying the support of all those around
me, like my husband.
I also found it helpful to keep my mind busy. Volunteering, working, writing, painting, whatever you like to do. Being useful to others really helped me.
We have to be careful that we dot take so much care and worry about our health that we don't live our life to the fullest we can. I don't want my last days full of regrets ... be they
1 or a 1000.
Praying for you!

Thank you for those kind words. It affirms me and lifts my spirits in the sense that others go through the same thing. I too have great faith and hope that can carry me through.

@popcorn369 I understand. My health issues are many also. I was also diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2005. Additionally, I have had 74 years of medical issues. From birth until now it’s been one thing after another. When I give a rundown of my medical history to a new doctor I feel like they think I’m lying. One disease I have is very rare (2 in a million). That makes things even worse.
I hesitate telling anyone, including family about anything that is going on with my health. I feel like a burden, and a nuisance…

I am sad to hear about your multiple medical issues too. How do you deal with all this?

@popcorn369
My strength comes from my Lord Jesus Christ. Without Him I would definitely be a mess

Wow those words are powerful! Thank you. I too have faith but should rely on it more.

@popcorn369 I’m far from perfect of course. I try to keep my eyes on Him, and rely upon His love for me to get me through each day.

You are definitely not alone. Many, many folks suffer not only general medical problems or even disabling medical problems...but a long cascade of medical problems. You are not alone.

Let me see if I can give you a quick list:

Violent crime victim, severe insomnia, severe apnea, severe asthma, diabetes, skipped heart beats, operations on both knees, displaced neck, multiple car accidents, vertigo, tinnitus, arthritis and more...

As I have gotten older, ( dob 1961), I also find my resistance ebbing. I think COVID and the pandemic and etc. as well as the crazy politics have become an added drain...and my resistance is less than it was.

Then, 2023 - Mom died in June. Wife's mom died in October. Wife's mom had pancreatic cancer. From diagnosis to passing was just a month. Now sister-in-law has cancer...and seems like we are entering an age where our friends are starting to deal with cancer, some have passed. Finances are in bad shape.

It is just that tough. For me, it is an uncaring society. I have not gotten decent medical care since the 70s and maybe into the 80s. And much rude behavior, blunt behavior, cold hearted behavior and some real abuse...including things which violate the law.

As far as solutions? Therapy is good. You are on good meds, that is good. Might want to add in some work on stress reduction and stress management?

Oh, you know, long walks, stretching, relaxation exercises and maybe into breathing exercises and meditation.

Take breaks in the day, remove unnecessary tasks and pressures. Just give your mind a break, so it is easier to process everything.

Dealing with the now, rather than worrying about the future always helps. Of course, the trick is, how to actually do that. And, I think that goes into the daily work on stress reduction and stress management. I think that can only help.

And don't forget the basics...because if we let those slip, things only get worse.

Make sure you eat healthy (and enough). Make sure you hydrate well. So few of us really and truly drink those 8 glasses of water daily. And yet, all our body processes, including the brain's, require our body's to be well and properly hydrated.

And sleep is a huge one. Very very few folks get those 8 hours daily. And if you are in stress and medical problems? That much more important. If you have only been getting say 6 hours or less daily...just stay in bed a couple of extra hours and see what a difference it makes.

And then into exercise. Enough, but not too much. All that gung ho stuff is an emotional drain, taxing us. Just the right amount of exercise that comports with our injuries and medical problems.

Generally speaking, a few nice long walks a week, some stretching and some work with very very light weights (like, oh...3 pounds)...is a decent amount of exercise...

And then, re depression and worries...goals help. Nothing better to kill depression than working on some kind of creative writing or creative project...or even some other project. When the mind has a goal, the depression tends to slip more to the side. When the mind doesn't have a goal, it tends to dwell. And that is when the depression and worries kick in powerfully. At least for me.

Best of luck, take care.

Hi,
I have multiple health issues as well and I’m 62. Right now I’m suffering with Gerd and burning mouth that was caused by either anxiety and depression or the medication prescribed for that or both. I’ve had no life whatsoever being in constant pain with no relief so far from any of the meds my doctor has given for this condition. My husband is very supportive but I feel awful for him that I’ve become this old invalid, and he just retired and is ready to enjoy going out. I feel so helpless even with therapy and journaling because I don’t see an end to this pain. Has anyone ever dealt with this before?

@cdesharn I understand GERD.
Over the last year, I thought I had bronchitis because I was coughing all night, and bring up thick mucus.
My doctor told me that my lungs were clear and he didn’t know why I had the cough.
I decided to go to my Ear Nose, and Throat doctor. He looked up my nose and down my esophagus.
The problem was stomach acid. The acid was coming up and burning my throat and vocal cords. The thick mucus was my body’s way of protecting itself. Unfortunately, it made me cough up all night.
The ENT told me to take liquid Mylanta just before bed, and raise up my head with a 10” wedge pillow.

I am doing better now.
I hope this helps.