Exhausted and Overwhelmed: Is This My Life Now?

Doesn't it feel so good when you can feel productive 👍

Me too, I just said the same thing over the weekend when I attempted to remove a few weeds from my flower bed. I used to work in my yard all day. Now , even doing it with a chair an the proper body mechanics I still haven’t slept. , it’s Wednesday morning, from the pain I’m in. So frustrating!! 😥

I had two jobs, going to the gym 4x/week…. I was active. Because of my fibromyalgia and arthritis I knew I had to take it easy. But at least I was active. I enjoyed my life. The in the fall of last year I started getting this exhaustion that was unbearable. I noticed swelling in my feet and legs. I then noticed I started gaining weight. My stomach was getting round like a beer belly. I wasn’t doing anything different. I didn’t understand. I stopped going to the gym and quit my part time job. I only kept my full time job. I was going straight home and sleeping. I continued to swell. I noticed my joints were hurting. My muscles hurt. My back was killing me. I noticed my chest was hurting just walking from the office to my car. I couldn’t breathe! I decided to see the doctor around early December. It’s now June and they still can’t figure out what is wrong with me. I was diagnosed with lymphedema. I started getting iron infusions. But they don’t know why my health has deteriorated so quickly. The only thing I can think of is I got the covid vaccine in July. That fall I started noticing all these changes.

Way to sweep your house! It may not be what you're used to and it may have been exhausting but you did it! It's definitely weird having so many physical limitations when I used to be so healthy....I miss those days haha. But, I'm trying to identify the small victories in my life, so it sounds like this is one in yours. I hope there is a way to reduce the pain and figure out an easier way to live.

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Same here. Never thought my life would take a turn where I'm depressed tired have panic attacks and anxiety and in pain EVERY DAY of my life. I feel so alone because I was never afforded the opportunity to have children or marry and at 58 I'm fighting this battle alone. I pray everyday to wake up to a miracle for me and everybody who's suffering with this dreadful disease. I don't try to have friends because no one understands and always say you don't look sick

Lani I sympathize with you. Please know that you are not alone in this battle. You are a warrior. Tired you are yet you did it! You accomplished a task. When we are in a flare with pain simple task drain us. This doesn’t define you as a beautiful strong individual. I like to compare us to Super Heroes. Flares are my kryptonite 🧩 I’m dealing with one now. I have Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, and a host of other health issues. It’s hard respecting my limitations yet I have a few. We are in this together. Always know we are here with you.

Me too. Thought my life would turn out differently. I had a great life was great at my 3 jobs and family. Then I got sick and now after 10 plus years I am at home with the dog in bed only out once a week to church and lunch if I'm lucky. So blessed to have a sweet husband who takes care of me. He never asked for this. To be my care taker and be everything to everyone.