Anyone try counseling?

Yes. Therapy is great. I speak to my therapist maybe 3 times  a week to check in and I see her 2 times a month. It works wonders!

Hey Jennifer, I am the same way with Judy! Very fortunate to have a loving church family and friends! Even some co-workers will listen...now with the coworkers, I don't know if they are even listening but I get to let my feelings out and I feel better. And then there is always the wonderful forum of HW!!!! I also agree with you and Judy on having another apt to keep up with but it might be worth it. You can always give it a shot for a month or two and if you don't feel like its helping, you can stop going.

Hi-I go to therapy about once every 3 weeks.  My therapist has really help me work on ways to deal with stress so I don't have a flare and gives me other coping ideas.  She's also taught me how to blow off the non-believers and teach people how to deal with my Lupus.  It also just feels great to have someone on the outside who can take a look in and give me an unbaised opinion.  She's great.  She has not however been to quick to offer meds for the depression part as she has faith that I can pull through it on my own with her help.  Plus, meds like that can mess up your insurance and thats the last thing I need right now.  I would recommend therapy for anyone with a chronic illness.  My therapist actually specializes in chronic illnesses and grief.  I feel 100% comfortable sharing anything with her.

Puccini
I do not have young children and I can see how that would hinder you from being able to express yourself freely in front of them. Glad you're trying it let us know how it goes! God Bless You, Judy

How are you doing Jennifer? Judy

I so know what you are feeling. The loss of life as you know it is something only those who experience it can understand. I'm glad your husband is so sensitive and understanding. That's gotta help. Hang in there Jen! Judy

Well, just got back from talking to our priest, and I'm not sure how much I can post without it being considered too religious. So I'll tread lightly, because some of this was so healing for me. I spent about two hours with Father today, teeling all I had been going through. It seems that when I talk to someone about my feeling revelations come to me. I have always known that God has some plan for me and have always felt His love, but since I became sick the whole concept of a plan has escaped me. I had always been a person that took great joy from helping others. Even as a small child, all I wanted to do was help people or even animals. Since I became sick, I had been retreating further and further away from people because I didn't even want to burden them with sadness of my condition. I was no longer able to help others like I used to and the last thing I wanted was to make other feel sad or feel sorry for me. As I was talking to Father, I realized that I have been denying my closest friends and family the joy of helping me. I'd shut the door on their love and not let them help me. I remembered the passage in the Bible when Peter asked Jesus if the man's blindness was caused by his own sin or that of his parents. Christ told him that it was so the Glory of God could be revealed in his healing. I know that the hardest thing in the world for me to do is to ask for help and I know now that this is one of the lesson that God is trying to teach me. I hope none of this sounds too preachy, but it was so wonderful and so healing that I just wanted to share with you all. Peace and Blessings to everyone.

Oh Jennifer, your words are like balm to my hurting heart. My faith has always been extremely deep and all I knew was encouraging others. Now I am slammed with pain and fatigue so much and weep often. What is worse is that sometimes well meaning people say words that hurt and I have to work so hard to forgive. The other week I fell apart in a church group and a woman with fibromialgia  later took me aside and said, "You need to have a more positive attitude." I was stunned and hurt, but shortly afterwords a dear man in our group came up to me and with tears in his eyes he said, "I don't know what to say to you but this much I know, I can't imagine walking in your shoes with so much pain and weakness. My heart is heavy for you and I will pray hard for you." This meant so much to me. He has held true to his word. Each Sunday people tell me he is asking prayer for me. This week I gained pounds of fluid from the lyrica. Skinny Tammy is now fullfigured and holding lots of cellulite! Energetic and full of life and now quietly getting through the pain. Working hard and serving others and now being served. Humbling is where I am at and I believe you are in a  humbling space as well Jennifer. Your words are deep and it feels as if you are wiping my tears from my face. So, you are still being used by Him. God hold you close through this grieving process. In His care, Tammy

HI Jennifer,

 

I tried going to counselling but found it to be harder on me than not going! Hahaha.. Yikes.  I think my greatest sources of therapy comes from my family and my faith.  Your husband sounds like a beautiful man with so much empathy and such a bond with you! That is wonderful.  Hold on tight to that man and love him like crazy!!

 

Praying for you sis,

 

Ginny

Just a reminder -- this thread is about counseling - please try to keep it to that and avoid mention of particular religions or religious items per Forum Rule 10 - paraphrased as No posts of an overtly political or religious nature OR posts promoting advocacy of particular personal religious causes. The forums are intended for offering mutual personal support. Limited religious references are allowed. Maybe using more inclusive & generic language like "spiritual adviser" and "spiritual publications" would help make sure we are including all of our worldwide members of multiple faiths. Specific terms like priest, father, bible, etc. could make some members feel excluded. Nothing is far out of bounds yet, but we're treading a very thin line here. Thanks for your consideration in this matter.