Invisible illness how do you cope?

I cope with doing a lot of mental work. Accepting my new role in life, being grateful for what I have and can do, not putting the societal pressure on myself anymore and working with what I have. That doesn't mean I never have a melt down! It's a process and takes time. Now that I'm older I give myself more grace, time and am more in tune with my body and it's limits.

I so agree.

Oddly enough, my invisible illness (ITP) has symptoms, but I don't seem to suffer from any of them. I bruise easily, but not that easily (at least at this point). I had a doctor tell me that I look nothing like the typical ITP patient. I also suffer from chronic pain due to a bad knee and the inability to take any pain relievers for it (because of the ITP). I am working toward trying to get knee replacement surgery, after hyaluronic acid injections didn't work. Of course, surgery is at the whim of where my platelet count is at the time. I already suffered from chronic depression; so this has made that worse. I see a therapist monthly, and do a lot of work with CBT and DBT work books - which really help me keep things in perspective. I hope you are able to find ways to accept and be kind and patient with your body.

How I wish I could help, I feel the same as you do. Autoimmune is keeping me home most of the time. I have canceled dr. appointment due to the pain. To get out of the house I take 50 mg of Trazodone. Helps nerve pain but depression somewhat. I have to fight with myself to help my Husband smile and laugh!! He is wonderful but stressed out. I try to keep home life up beat for him!! We have no family left to help, we try to make the best of it, it's hard with chronic pain!!! We have 2 great cats, Bengal's and are waiting for a Great Dane. He wants that breed and I can't say no!! We also need a dog in our life, I am going to get a Neuropsychological Evaluation. My Neurologist says that I need that!! So have appt. on April 28th, 2025. Wonder if other's who are reading this has gone to that kind of evaluation?

I would be very interested in hearing why the neuropsychological examination. I used to take Trazodone, but to help me when insomnia would hit; it made me sleepy - that's the only thing it did for me. Now I take gabapentin for nerve pain and anxiety and escitalopram for depression. It's really nice that you try to keep things light for your husband; but that can take a further toll on your wellbeing too. I hope you have "me" time when you can just feel how you really feel or have a friend you can vent to.

I’m in same boat but I have 7 diff chronic digestive illnesses & chronic fatigue, & insomnia , get PVCs .
I rarely leave my home 🏠 or yard anymore . I used to be so happy & energetic. I’ve lost 11 yrs of my life to all this .
Seen many Dr’s ( 5 GI ) , take low dose anti depressant & anxiety med ( as needed).
Can barely eat . I deep wet belch over 800 x a day & non stop churning gut & intestines.
Saw FM Dr , did everything under the sun 🌞 test wise . They just say , you have this & that & we can’t really do anything for you now .
My husband just retired and I feel bad he’s stuck w: me everyday all day now .
No days off in a decade from horrible symptoms.
I don’t know what to tell you ? I wish I had a good answer. I pray 🙏 as well as all my friends daily that I can get relief here & there .
Never happens .
I hope you get your answers.