Hi all

WelshBlue

Hi all.  New member ... male aged 55.

Up until 5 years ago a very active person, with a physical job as a Forestry Contractor, football coach for kids ... then got diagnosed with the dreaded Fibromyalgia and CFS that have been the bane of my life.  Along with the subsequent Depression and Social Anxiety that camefrom nowhere

Safe to say my life is no longer as it was and a recent diagnosis of PTSD from an early life experience 30 years ago has muddied things even more, so much so that I thought I'd join a community where people may 'get' me.

And understand all the medications I'm on.  Chiefly, Duloxeteine, Carbamazepine, Mirtzapine, Quetapine and Pregabalin for the pain and PTSD and a handful of others to combat side effects plus the 3 blood pressure pills

i was guilty of taking good health for granted

I hope everyone is as well as they can be and looking forward to being a productive member here

WelshBlue

thanks @Teddybear12 ... seems a very informative place and I'm working through a lot of threads garnering information/ insight

Aye fitness/health of any type is easy to lose but not so easy to gain back.  I'm also guilty of pushing myself too far and then paying the price for days later.  The residential pain management clinic I attended pre covid told me to have a stopwatch - 15 minutes doing 15 minutes resting ... I'm not programmed like that  ... until my wife shouts at me 

Cher_Alumni

Hello @WelshBlue and a warm welcome to our community! How has your Thursday been?

It definitely sounds like you're in the right place to speak with like-minded folk. Many of us have lived experience of health conditions and I for one, am guilty of having took my health for granted before I got ill. It's a timely reminder to make the most of those better days and look after ourselves the best way we can.

Do you have much input from a hospital team or GP to manage your treatment and medications? Do you find you can manage alright with everyday activities? I hope so.

But yes, keep finding your feet (so to speak) on the community, and join in wherever you wish and feel comfortable doing so.

We are thankful to meet you and look forward to talking again soon 

SueHeath

Welcome to our great group @WelshBlue it's the best forum online i've found.
Glad to see your getting around the site, any problems just ask, some one is bound to be online.
Look forward to seeing you around.

WelshBlue

Thanks @Cher_Scope ... seems a nice place with friendly people.

Cher_Scope said: 
Do you have much input from a hospital team or GP to manage your treatment and medications? Do you find you can manage alright with everyday activities? I hope so.

I'm very very lucky.  My GP rings every month to check everything, my Rheumatologist every 6 months and am on my second round of PTSD therapy with the most amazing Clinical Psychologist after a major relapse a few months ago ... as we work towards EMDR therapy.

Every day activities not so good.  Some days not being able to dress myself is a far cry from being outdoors on a mountain for 10 hours but it is what it is. 

In all honesty my daughter is my inspiration ... aged 24, diagnosed with MS last year and still continuing to help others through her work a Paramedic 

Thanks @SueHeath ... already enjoying being here

Cher_Alumni

@WelshBlue Oh wow, that sounds like great care you're receiving - just as it should be! I'm glad you're being monitored and reviewed regularly. I've heard EMDR therapy is very beneficial for those who meet the suitability criteria.  Let us know how you get on.

And, oooft you must be so proud of your daughter! What a wonderful career alongside living with MS.

Ah, I'm sorry that some days it's tough to get dressed, do you have family and friends for support?

Just for your information, if you ever feel that a needs assessment by your local authority would be handy, then you can apply for this online. Here's more information about what a needs assessment entails and if you scroll further down that webpage, you can apply for one. It might not be for you right now, but just incase it is one day.  

I hope you have a lovely weekend. Take care of yourself and speak again soon hopefully.