Chronic illness advice
Comments
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Why not learn to swim? Could crack a whole load of issues in one?0
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I've an issue with my left ear (mastoid operation in the 1970's) that the quacks prefer I don't go near water. I did take lessons years ago, and quickly learnt my technique consisted of swimming as hard and fast as I could one one breath and then adopt the drowning position. Your advice is sound though: I should have persevered.0
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Ok so not that easy. Have you looked into a custom made ear plug? Could fill the whole ear and be waterproof. Surfers wear them but I imagine there are more clinical solutions
Accept that pools are pretty savage sources of bugs if infection is a major worry.
Must be strange to be at the sea or on hols and not swim!0 -
Captain Fagor wrote:I would be very interested to hear of any progress you make with this situation. The symptoms you describe are similar to what I have been experiencing for several years now, albeit I haven't had any vertebrae issues diagnosed. The other frequent-flier symptom I get is feeling cold and shivery to the extent my whole body can be covered in goose pimples. Endochrinology tests were all negative for me, albeit I have little faith in the NHS.
FWIW, I think Shirley Basso's observations are pertinent. I suspect that my issues may have their origins in stress, anxiety, and depression, none of which I have learnt to control adequately. However, I do not want to join the reported 20% of the population that take anti-depressants to sledghammer their mental health symptoms into submission and live with the physical side effects. I'd rather identify and address the root cause.
On the subject of swimming, I also read an article recently about the benefits of cold water swimming. As a non-swimmer that avenue isn't open to me, but it might be an option for you here if you can get over the initial hurdle of trying it in the first place? I bought one of Wim Hof's books to research this further as am hoping that cold showers/baths might be an acceptable substitute. Best of luck in resolving matters.
Sad to hear that. As Ben says in his comment, I think sometimes her symptoms are worse when she's snowed under at work and struggles to relax at home. I'm not sure if she notices the correlation though but the physical symptoms of stress can be unexpected. The last week or so she's seemed fine but I wonder whether the sign off from the doctor has settled in a bit and actually reduced her stress.0 -
In General I would say, Exercise, sunshine, healthy eating and not dwelling on the symptoms or thinking about their cause will help the most. Want to get to a state of mind when your chronic illness is not the first thing you think about. Set some realistic goals for achieving some physical activity. Work life balance is very important, if you can find a job that challenges you and you enjoy that would be perfect. If the Doc's cant\'t find the cause of the problem, best stop going to see them, will just reinforce negative attitudes. The only cure will come with time.0
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No easy answers - must be agonising for you.
Could she get some counselling ?
Also try and put the basics in place - regular time to rise - regular time to bed - get some good quality food and keep junk for treats.
I know it must be frustrating having no diagnosis - but turn it on its head, if she had diagnosis there probably wouldn't be a magic bullet to cure it anyway - its probably going to take some work to feel better.
The NHS can be frustrating at times - but try to stay within the system - a social worker or counselling maybe able to access treatments that the physio or GP can not.
Yoga is a good one if she can be persuaded to try.
Best wishes to her.0
