Hello

IrkyDirk

Hi there. I have been diagnosed with ME/CFS for a number of years. I don't think that's an accurate diagnosis, and that what I am living with is autoimmune. Maybe I'll get a correct diagnosis sometime, maybe not. What I'm focusing on is living the best life I can now. The illness, pain and fatigue are increasing, but so is my knowledge of how to deal with them and still have a life. I have a lovely, understanding (to a point), family - wife, a 19 old girl and a 16 year old boy. I am on antidepressants, having been in hospital 4 times over the last 2 years due to serious suicidal thoughts. Not serious enough to get rid of me, though! Working part time (very) as a domiciliary care worker, trying to gauge how much work I can really deal with. Off work today, as I've been pretty unwell over the past couple of weeks. I am self medicating alcohol (fairly moderate), and another medication that is legal in some countries, but not in the UK. I'll say no more about that! Feeling pretty low at the moment due to having felt sooo ill for a while, and having to hide my self medication (the second one) from my family. I have helped myself enormously by ensuring I can take it orally rather than any less healthy and more risky methods, security wise. So hopefully that will help lower my stress levels. I'm going to tackle the bedroom today come hell or high water, cos I know that's what my wife would like best when she gets home from her stressful primary teaching job.
I'm lookin forward to making some new acquaintances on here. Thanks for reading. 

Tommyb92

Hi @IrkyDirk welcome to the forum and thanks for sharing your story!

janer1967

@IrkyDirk Hello and welcome to the community, its great to see you here you have come to the right place for support and thank you for sharing with us. There are lots of people here who you can connect with and I would recommend one person who could give valuable advice @thespiceman. 

I hope your wife is pleased when she gets home with your efforts

Feel free to look round the site and join in any discussions 

chiarieds

Hi @IrkyDirk - Welcome to the community from me too. Thank you very much for sharing about yourself, & your continuing struggles. I'm sorry you have been recently unwell, but still trying to help around your home.

I wonder if you may consider cannabidiol (CBD), as some studies have suggested that it can be just as effective as that which you're taking. I've been taking CBD for 18 months to combat pain. If you're interested in this, I would be pleased to say about an ethical company, whose prices are very reasonable.

Anyway, I look forward to seeing you around the forum, & please do chat here any time.

thespiceman

Hello @IrkyDirk    Pleased to  meet you.

Thank you for the tag @j@janer1967

I am one of the team of Community Champions.  We guide, advise members of our community.

I have mental health history happy to advise you . Have experience, knowledge of mental health and qualifications in diet and nutrition.

Use my addiction history to advise members support and guidance.

Give you some information to help you and to give you a lot of reassurance.

Please can I suggest speak to the following organisations . 

All are mental health charities . All offer floating support. Offer welfare, health and well being advice and information.

Benefit advice and support also anything additional as well anything they can advise be supportive with.

Do take clientele with additional disabilities or problems.

Might not be in all areas. You can self refer or speak to the GP.

https://www.richmondfellowship.org.uk.

https://www.mind.org.uk.

https://www.rethink.org.

Please can I just add some important information regarding ME and CFC.

I have the following organisations.

All have lots on their websites and are very informative.

https://www.meassociation.org.uk.

Helpline 0344 576 5326

For pain useful organisation 

https://www.awaywithpain.co.uk.

Please can I advise on several aspects of your reliance on alcohol and drugs.

I am an reformed alcoholic and use my knowledge and experience to advise, support others.

Please can I add taking any medication with alcohol and drugs can be extremely harmful to health.

No drugs or alcohol are safe with any medications, even you were not taking medications the combinations have several important factors.

Understand this is a problem that you can only make your choice your decision.

I have been clean myself thirteen years.

There is no safe levels of drugs or alcohol sorry to tell you.

Please also be aware moderate drinking.  Any what do you call that think how much your consuming.

One piece of advice is to get professional help. Because what happens is the body becomes attuned to consuming more drugs and alcohol .

Trust me have been there that is how I started .

Also something else word of warning do not stop immediately with out any  professional medical support rehab clinics or failure to do so is extremely dangerous and harmful to health the most extreme .

You need to have some support in doing so if you wish to do this.

I am going to give you some organisations to look at most important the decision is yours but speaking from a personal experience best thing I ever did.

I will say right now am here for support, information and friendship many members met have addiction histories.

Need to say that if you reliant on alcohol and drugs called dependency sorry to tell your got an addiction.

An addiction means reliant on drugs and alcohol.  Can be daily or binges.

With medications especially.  A cause for concern.

AA   Alcoholics Anonymous

https://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk.

Helpline 0800 9177 650

For drugs

Talk To Frank.

https://www.talktofrank.com

Helpline 0300 123 6600

Please if I can help with anything need to know anything please ask me happy to answer any questions.

A listening ear a shoulder .Some one to talk to.

Please take care.

@thespiceman

IrkyDirk

Well, thanks for that, but I'm in good hands. 

Ails

Hi @IrkyDirk and welcome to the Community.  It is nice to meet you.  If you need any help/support with anything then please just ask.  All the best.