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Lucy Turns Pages: The Realities of Pre-Diagnosis Chronic Symptoms

The Realities of Pre-Diagnosis Chronic Symptoms

Hi everyone. So I have felt reluctant to write a post going into too much detail about my symptoms and my life right now but I feel like chronic symptoms are something that a lot of people don't really know much about and I want to bring more visibility to this and help those who may be in a similar boat to me, feel less alone. 

For a long time I have been dealing with fatigue and dizziness. I would wake up still tired, not feeling refreshed or rested at all. I would struggle with work and when I came home I would just be too tired to do anything. I've also been dealing with costochondritis for years which is inflammation that causes pain in the ribs and chest area.

This year, I began having pain in different areas of my body that would be intense and last a long time and then re-occur. It got to a point where my body just couldn't function anymore. 

For months, I have been dealing with pain, aches and stiffness all over my body, fatigue, migraines, headaches and dizziness that has been so debilitating that I am unable to do things that I used to do. 

My symptoms fluctuate within the day and from day to day so I will have periods where the fatigue is more prevalent or a migraine or body pain. 

I'm on medication to help with the symptoms but it doesn't take them away or make them a lot better. It just means that I have less times of being in agonising pain where I want to cry but can't because I'm in so much pain.

I'm waiting to see a specialist so that I can get a diagnosis and effective treatment.

The future feels so unknown to me right now because I don't know how much better I will get and what I will or won't be able to manage, which isn't great when you already have anxiety. But each day I am trying not to let my anxiety take over my day and to try to have a positive mindset. To focus on what I can do and not what I can't. To celebrate allowing myself to rest without feeling bad about it. Because I literally can't do things like I used to do. There are limitations. Depending on how I feel, I can do small tasks but the more I do, the worse I seem to feel later on. 

I'm getting better at pacing, a technique that some people with chronic illness use where you rest between activities and don't give yourself too much to do. It's hard because I want to be able to do a lot of things but I just can't. Activities I can do can make my symptoms worse, especially when it involves something physical. Similarly, I have a lot of times where I feel like I can't think. 

Living with chronic symptoms isn't easy. Especially when society conditions you to be a working, productive person and doesn't include those who simply cannot. I pushed my body for so long that it just couldn't anymore. 

If you deal with chronic symptoms, please feel free to DM me on Twitter. If you would be interested in writing a guest post for my blog please email me at lucyisreading@gmail.com.

I hope this post helps.

Lucy~

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7 comments:

  1. Lucy, it is so rough to be going through this! I also have a chronic pain condition, as well as PTSD, Anxiety and Depression. Getting help can be such a struggle sometimes. Getting to doctors is always a long wait, then getting them to believe you about the symptoms. Having to pretend to be 'normal' because you still have to function and have a job.

    I just want you to know, once you get into the doctor and get the right diagnosis and treatment, having a chronic illness doesn't mean that your life is over. You can still have a full and meaningful life, albeit at a slower pace than before. I wish you all the best on your journey.

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  2. thanks for sharing this update with us. I hope you find a diagnosis soon. Sending you all the best for the upcoming year.

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  3. As a chronic illness survivor myself, I know what you are feeling and going through, Lucy. I really hope that you get the right diagnosis and treatment soon, it will be a relief I really hope x Hang in there, we got this x. Penny

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  4. Hope you can get the proper care and diagnosis soon, Lucy. You got this, you are much stronger and braver than you think. I'm always here if you ever need to talk. It will get better, trust me ( 7 years of experience in chronic pain) Lots of love, x Penny.

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  5. Dealing with any kind of physical pain is terrible. I do karate and often suffer injuries, but I don't have chronic pain. I have a few family members who suffer with chronic pain and they use CBD and it seems to help a lot.

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  6. I'm so sorry to hear you are struggling with chronic symptoms. I have IBS & Endometriosis, but I am SO tired all the time. I don't know what to do about it, I totally relate to not feeling refreshed and can hardly do anything. Cura-Heat has helped me a little, but always here if you want to talk x

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  7. I'm sorry you have to go through all of this, I hope things get better for you. (I've been dealing with diziness all my life. I get overheated very easily, even when everyone else claims it's cold, I could still be burning up.)

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