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Do you think you're sick?

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Posted 1/21/2011 8:56 PM (GMT 0)
So I've been thinking about this for a while now...

I often refer to my life in fragments.  Things that happened before I got Fibro and things that occurred after.  But, I refer to it as "Before I got sick" or "After I got sick".  However, I don't consider myself a sick person confused

When I was in a pain management program I realized I wasn't the only one that did this.  I thought I did it because the Fibro came on quickly and supposedly as a result of a virus and I was actually sick and unwell for many months.  I woke up one day with numbness and tingling, the next with IBS, the day after with anxiety, after that pain, then acid reflux, the one after that with something else...  But other people in the pain management program called themselves sick - "now that I'm sick", "since I'm sick", "after I got sick".

I am just very interested in hearing what other people think about this.  Even now that I have so many unexplained things going on I find myself wanting to fight my Dr. who has decided that I am "unwell" but she can't say what's wrong.  I find it to be a battle and eventually giving into being unwell.  But then it makes me think, aren't I always unwell?  Compared to another 28 year old standing next to me, I'm not well.  My lab work is always great so on paper I'm one of the healthiest people, but in reality I'm unwell.  smhair

Just wanted to get this off my chest since it's been bothering me for so long and see what other people thought about it.

Posted 1/21/2011 9:07 PM (GMT 0)
Wow, that is really something to think about. I don't know if I consider myself sick, or unhealthy, but I am something. I usually say "since I got fibro". Or "since the fibromyalgia". But I haven't refered to myself as sick. I kind of refer to it as a disorder. But sometimes I feel sick and unwell. Mosty pain and fatigue though. I haven't had trouble with ibs, but sometimes I don't think I have enough stomache acid.

I hope that you get more answers to this thread. I am curious to what others have to say.

I hope that you are having an enjoyable painfree day.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 1/21/2011 9:51 PM (GMT 0)
No, I don't consider myself sick.  I'm really quite healthy.  I have a few chronic conditions that I have to work around to do the things in my life, but I'm not sick.  I only consider myself sick if I have bronchitis, the flu, etc. and need an antibiotic or in the hospital.  I can still do just about anything I want to do, I'm independent, can drive, shop, etc.   

 

I think of fibro as a chronic pain problem.  It's something I have and something I have learned to deal with and something I might have the rest of my life.  So, I try not to have it become an all-consuming part of my life.  It is a part of my life...but just a part. 

 

Sherrine

Posted 1/21/2011 10:17 PM (GMT 0)
I don't think of myself as sick, but sometimes my body begs to differ.

My health issues are forever changing. I try not to let my issues act as a handicap. Being happy is what I strive for, so I work on having a positive mindset.

I do refer to my issues as illnesses....maybe I need to change my termonology to something more positive :)

Hugs, Robin
Posted 1/21/2011 11:56 PM (GMT 0)
Now that you mention it, over the last couple of months, since the dx of fibro, I've been slowly working myself into 'having fibro', rather than 'being sick'.

Not sure when the change in thinking started. On thing certain is that coming in here almost every day and reading how a lot of us have full lives is why my thinking changed. Thank you everyone :-)

Some days are far worse than others. I get flu-like symptoms often. Also the unexpected sweating is no fun. However I've learned to just keep moving anyway. Even on my worst day, there are things for me to smile about.

Therefore, no...I am not sick.

Free Spirit
Posted 1/22/2011 2:11 AM (GMT 0)
I used to call my self ill. until oe morning after taking my blood pressure my GP told me I was going to live to 100.
Why you may ask as I did, it is because of how healthy I am. yes he told me that apart from the fibro and the things that go with it I was healthy.

 Kathy

Posted 1/22/2011 3:58 AM (GMT 0)
I tell people I am well. i lie, I mean the lies work pretty good i think a few close people know.

i would say I am sick. When I initially got sick, the dr's were honest they said something is very wrong it has to be a virus but there are so many it was basically they couldn't help. then I got better, then I got rashes on my belly and my thigh, red circles on leg oval egg looking thing on stomach. Well I had lyme disease.

I do not know if I am still sick because its an active infection or if its left over damage done by the parasite. I used to be so hyper, now i go out maybe 2 times a week and it is a struggle i am soooooo tired and pain is a very real issue. The ironic part is how bad the neurological damage in my brain is. I can't find words, I use wong words, memory is dependent on those few close to me, they are my memory.

I would say I am sick. i would only say that I am sick here on this forum I am honest here Its a good thing, this forum ,in so many ways. How strange, there is a new me and an oldt me, I never thought about it in that way, at least on a conscious level. I thank u for the question. I am totally surprised hubby is still here and my close friends also since I am a different person BUT I never talk about being sick they just know I am limited we talk of other things. I find lyme and fibro to be similar and this thread is so supportive informative and a real nice place to go. blessings lisa
Posted 1/22/2011 5:06 AM (GMT 0)
I don't think of myself as sick. Not exactly the picture of health, (though my doctor says I am healthy, which makes me feel good,) but not sick, either. I just have a chronic pain condition, or syndrome, or something.

Debbie
Posted 1/23/2011 12:49 AM (GMT 0)
No, not sick. Not disabled either. But some people might think we are disabled (like when I use my cane). I just have these particular things to deal with, but not sick.

good question.
Sue
Posted 1/23/2011 2:08 AM (GMT 0)
I have a lot of other health issues, but I still don't think of myself as sick. I think of myself as a "normal" person living my life the best that I can and trying to spread some joy to others along the way.

I have severe OA, EOA, Fibromyalgia, DDD, Bulgind Discs, etc. The doctor cannot tell me if I will be able to walk if I make it to 70, but I don't consider myself "sick". I am managing my condition the best I can. If I ever end up in a wheelchair, I will get a bright red or purple one and maybe have some racing stripes on it, and be happy to be able to get around. I think a person's attitude is very important. I am an optimist, I guess. I appreciate and am thankful for each day and for the oppotunity to maybe help lighten someone elses burden in this life.

Blessings,
V
Posted 1/23/2011 4:38 AM (GMT 0)
I don't feel sick either. For many years my immune system was woefully inadequate and I was constantly sick with one virus or another -- used to have several lung infections a year -- but in more recent years I have been better (I also get flu shots now).

I feel like fibro is another hurdle that has to be crossed in life, but we have all gotten over (or around) so many other obstacles that this is just one more challenge we can conquer. And by the way, we WILL conquer this! :-)
Posted 1/23/2011 2:42 PM (GMT 0)
I don't feel sick. Sick to me is congestion, sneezing, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, etc. I feel beat up. I feel injured (well, some days). Like my rheumatologist told me when he first diagnosed me: "I hate to tell you, but you are going to live a long, healthy, pain filled life!" No, he does't know that I'll live long for sure, but based on my labs (liver enzyme, cholesterol, CBC, chem panel, etc - being picture perfect), as things are now, I'm a picture of health.

When I think about things "pre-fibro" I say "back in the good ol' days..." when I was in the Air Force, was a fire fighter, I worked out all the time, I worked full time, I could chop wood with an axe, you name it. I was a strong girl!! Now, I have trouble lifting my own butt out of bed in the morning :-).

I was watching Sarah Palin's Alaska yesterday. Not sure if should admit this but I like her. And the more I learn about her, the more I like her. The reason I think, I used to be just like her. Vey strong, very independent. I could shoot a shot gun with no problem, I wasn't afraid to get my hands dirty. I was all about doing for myself. Watching her last night made me really miss "the good ol' days" and I think and she's inspiring me to try harder, to get stronger... so that maybe I can do more for myself.

Anyway, speaking of getting stronger, I have to get off the couch and do something :-).
Posted 1/23/2011 8:09 PM (GMT 0)
I don't consider myself sick. I am being treated for Fibromyalgia and Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. I have several symptoms such as pain, fatigue, stiffness. I am 36 years old. I quit smoking almost 2 years ago and when I did I gained 150 lbs. it seems overnight, which doesn't help my symptoms. Both of my feet have plantar faciaitis so I can't stand for longer than an hour if that. In my mind I feel like can do anything, but my body tells me I can't. I am so frustrated because I cannot do the things I use to be able to do with ease. I hate the way people look at me, because of the weight. Its very hard to exercise when you can't stand. My doctor tells me its a vicious cycle and I am fighting a losing battle. It's nice to know that I am not the only one out there struggling.

Best Wishes to all,

Hmg97
Posted 1/23/2011 9:24 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Hmg97,

Welcome to the fibromyalgia forum. You have truly come to a good place. I think you will like it here.

If you would like to, feel free to start your own introductory thread so more people can get to know you. All you do is click on "post new topic" and put down what you would like to thne submit it. We would love to hear more about you.

I have gained a lot of weight since fibromyalgia. I know it is because I don't walk like I use to. I use to walk for miles every day. A few miles that is. Not many... But now I am lucky to walk around the block. And in the winter I barely do that as I have a fear of falling. If the roads are clear I go though.

When you get a chance there is a thread called "fibro101". It is the first thread on the forum. I suggest that you check it out and see what you think. It is full of wonderful information and a lot of tips on how to make your life easier. I am sure that you will love it.

I hope that you continue to post so that we can get to know you better. Congrats on quitting smoking. I am trying right now again. I am taking chantix this time though. Hopefully I will be successful again with this task. It sure isn't easy that is for sure.

I hope that your day is going well, keep posting and let us know how you are doing. Know that we are all here to support you.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 1/23/2011 11:42 PM (GMT 0)
With me, it depends on the day. On a day when I am feeling "well" and am able to do things more easily, I don't really consider myself sick. But the days when I feel like crap, can't get out of bed, etc. I tend to say I'm sick. I guess it all depends on the day.

Sarah
Posted 1/24/2011 12:03 AM (GMT 0)
I guess I'm in the minority here, but with all of my health problems in addition to fibro, I do consider myself "sick."

It's really the only way for me to not beat myself up all of the time or not feel lazy. When I can't keep up with others, or get as much done as I would like, or when I have to lie down in the afternoon or can't work a full time job, I have to remind myself that I'm sick. I think it actually helps me cope.

Hugs - Austen

Post Edited (AustenFan) : 1/23/2011 9:16:34 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/24/2011 4:06 PM (GMT 0)
Hmm that is a tricky question. I would consider sick being on some kind of treatment like going through cancer, but I do refer to myself as the "old me" and the "today me." I am not healthy because I cannot do the things I use to do and I am in constant pain. I learn to live with it, but I am not 100% healthy either. Being in pain takes away a lot of the energy to do things or to do the things I use to do. I was very active. Although I try my best to stay alert, it has become very difficult as I am always in a lot of pain. No I am not sick per say not undergoing cancer, chemo or anything like that, but I am not at my best either. I can't even hold a job because I am so uncomfortable all the time. I was a career woman most of my life so I guess that was the "old me" and now I am the "today me." Very hard to accept when the "today me" is not feeling so great. Thanks for sharing and allowing me to vent. God Bless.
Simplistic007
Posted 1/26/2011 6:47 PM (GMT 0)

Yes,

I do consider my self as "sick". I have good and bad days. My pain managment is working pretty good, so I have more good days than bad, I work a 40 hr work week, but I have accepted the fact that I will never be like I was before fibro. In my mind I tend to make plans and think I can do so much, then when reality hits and I get tired so fast trying to do just a few things on my list... that is when I know that yeah...I'm sick. I know that I"m not terminally ill or anything like that. But...I must be honest. I do consider my self "sick". again...its just me and I"m an odd ball. lol

Posted 1/26/2011 7:48 PM (GMT 0)
I used to say I was sick but 3.5 years ago I was on a form of chemo for 6 months and it took a year to even feel human, I'm still not quite right.  So for a year and a half I actually was sick, sick as a dog.  In fact I couldn't even feed my animals, hubby fed them for me.

But as far as the fibro goes I don't call that sick. I have no choice but to get out of bed in the morning and that is a good thing because I never want to get up...LOL. I do feel sick more that I ever did and am always waiting for the next bronchitis or pneumonia or whatever else a simple cold or sinus infection can morph into.

I have been known to actually make myself sick from anxiety. Example--I paid for a weekend long training seminar (dogs) and drove the 100 miles into Ohio sat in a cold pole building all day then drove home. The next morning at 5:00am I could not get up and was so sick that I canceled on my friend, he was kinda glad anyway. I was sick for a week that time.

I really hate driving and always end up feeling beat up when I get home. This has been happening for 10 years. I can actually feel my neck pop out of alignment..........instant headache.

Post Edited (GSDgirl) : 1/26/2011 6:42:46 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/27/2011 1:08 AM (GMT 0)
This is gonna be short and sweet. 

We cannot tell our brain we are sick!!!!!!

Posted 1/29/2011 8:13 PM (GMT 0)
Frankey and everyone,
I have been thinking about this post and even had a dream about it! Odd.

Anyway, it can be a very confusing question. No, I am not sick or disabled, but not like I used to be, either. So when I want to move 100 pound rocks around, I have to remind myself that I cannot do it anymore.

Plus going on a trip requires packing pain meds, heating pad, cane, walking sticks, several different pairs of shoes, tens unit and sometimes requires renting a wheelchair for when I get there. I feel a little panicky when I am somewhere that has no chairs and I have to stand a long period of time.

So, not necessarily sick, but not completely well either.

Sue
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