Due to depression (and to an extent, anxiety) it's gotten really difficult to accomplish things around the house. I game and go online a lot. I don't work or go to school anymore. I hate exercising. So my stamina is horrible when it comes to physical activity, and the blood pools in my lower legs really rapidly (almost as much as when my POTS was at its worst as a teenager).
I even had pulmonary embolisms a couple years ago which was partially caused by birth control but also because I just sit around all day. Needless to say, I know this is bad for my mental and physical health but it is what it is right now. I was just wondering if anybody else is in a similar position. Because this really sucks.
I'm 28 and sometimes I feel like I'm much older. To be fair I do have a few chronic conditions that don't help matters. I don't eat well either, so I know my body's like, begging for more food, and healthier food, and more water lmao. It just really sucks and the mountainous task of fixing it all just sounds horrific. Even just one step is too distressing to attempt. Which is why I'm just stuck like this for now.
The reason this is really weighing on my mind is because I'm due for a shower, something I only do once a week or so as it is, and showering is extremely tiring because of all of my problems combined. I do have a shower stool but there's only so much this does to help. My arms end up hurting and I get so out of breath, my legs start to feel awful because the blood's pooling in them. So showering is the hardest thing I do these days; it's just the worst.
Can anybody relate to these struggles?
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Despondent_Konichiwa
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Yes, I can relate to you. I am 64 years old and in good shape physically. My issue is Major depression which keeps me pretty sedentary. I sit most of the day but make myself get up and do things throughout the day. Nothing big, just little tasks here and there. My diet is not good either tho I don't have much of an appetite - guess that's probably a good thing seeings I don't get much physical activity. I only shower 2-3 times/week because the depression is so debilitating. But I do keep myself clean by doing little sponge baths in between showers. I push myself every day to do things because not doing things just makes everything worse. I take 1 hour at a time - one day at a time and my faith in Jesus gives me strength and the will to keep going.
I have a low appetite as well. Yes, we're really similar in these regards. It really wears you down, doesn't it? Chronic health issues are less like cannonballs and more like a wood file...after some time you realize you've lost more than you thought. I hope it lets up a bit for you soon ♡ God bless you.
I have fibromyalgia and showering bathing is painful, I’ve discovered Fresh wipes which are great for keeping clean in between showers, they are like having a wash so refreshing and so much easier, worth a try 👍
I also have fibro and it's been getting worse 😵💫 I really do need to get something like that; I had some big "bath wipes" when I was in the hospital and I loved them
Yes. Me too. I can't walk without pain. Heck, I can't sit without pain. Standing just makes it worse. Sitting or standing in the bathtub is agony because my feet are sensitive to how hard the surface is. Five minutes in there and I'm suffering for days later. It's why I don't force myself to just ignore the pain and walk a bit. The pain is worse for so many days after I can't face it.
I'm fortunate to have mild pain though my fibro has been getting worse. I have had issues with weak hips and knees, patellofemoral syndrome (runner's knee) is an inevitability if I do a lot of running or walking
I am very much the same. I do not exercise as much as I need to due to arthritis (and perhaps it's also me being lazy lol). I do not have a lot of money and that helps me eat somewhat healthy because mostly I eat beans and rice and ramen noodles. I am thin, but I have little stamina and very high blood pressure. But the good news is my lab results are surprisingly good in my doctor's opinion so I am at least thankful for that. I would offer advice but I am more in the situation in which I need the advice lol. Anyway, you are not alone.
Beans and rice is my favorite thing. Comfort food. It takes me back to my childhood, mom making Mujadara. Boy I hated labneh then. It's funny how your tastes change.
Yes, but my problem is not quite as severe, but I do have a similar situation. I am sick right now and it probably has something to do with the fact that I am scared to go out of the house. I do sit a lot. I do get enough exercise each day, but still it isn't always quite enough when I sit this much. So, lately I have been exercising more. I don't get out much except for appointments with my psychiatrist or chiropractor and also I get out sometimes long enough to go the store and that is pretty much it. I did go to the library once recently. I use to go there all the time, but these days my fears are building and building. So, I just don't get out much. Most days I can't even work up the courage to go get the mail.
I had agoraphobia when I was 13-17 or something after I had my first panic attacks. It got better as my panic attacks decreased in number, but I think I'm having similar tendencies now that I'm just home so much. I hope you're able to break the bindings that attach you to your safe places soon as possible ♡
Yes I do definitely have agoraphobia too. It is not good at all and I have had it for years now, but it has gotten worse and I now even can't usually get the mail. Every once in a while I can get it, but it barely happens. Thank God I have my parents to help me get through life. I don't know what I would do without them.
I have constant pain from arthritis and pinched nerves and migraines. I always enjoyed working out at home and I also included housework everyday. Even with migraines. Once I turned 50 and arthritis pain prevented me from exercising. Walking makes my back worse. I was in excellent physical condition and maintained my weight. Then in my mid forties I started to work at my sister’s winery. Did alot of bottling, packing pallets and other heavy work. That’s when I had my first episode of sciatica. Since then, I haven’t been able to do much and started gaining weight. I get so depressed when I have pain and too anxious that the pain will come back on my good days. Learning to accept the pain and disability and still get depressed almost every day. I escape into books and movies.
I was a CNA and also worked in retail so heavy lifting was a constant for me. It's a bit of a blessing I ended up unable to hold a job for the time being because I just know how bad those jobs can wreck your back and joints. My mom's got an office job and even she has a bit of carpal tunnel/tennis elbow after 30 years of similar motions 5 days a week. I have never had sciatica but I've heard it's painful as hell A past boyfriend of mine had piriformis syndrome and it was clearly agonizing for him. I really hope you find some relief in the future because that seems really hard to live with every day. I have fibromyalgia but it's relatively mild for now. My bad diet is starting to catch up with me and I've put on a few pounds myself lol. Though sometimes half of it is bloating 🤣🤣
Hi konichiwa.I am 60 I have Bipolar II anxiety autism ecc ecc.
I relate to your situation although I think i'm able to be bit more mobile.
I lie on the sofa mostly worrying about how messy my house is but not able to do anything about it. I had a cleaner but they relocated. I'm trying to get another.
Luckily I will wash dishes, clothes and myself.
Someone told me to break down tasks. Say in kitchen one day just clean out one cupboard or set of drawers at a time in one day. Or even just one shelf or one drawer. Write a list of your small task a day and tick it off.
It gets like a vicious cycle you can't escape with the less you do the less you want to do and you can't motivate yourself to get up and do things.
There's a lady in one of the nearby flats where I live who had lost confidence in going out and Wednesday evening I had seen her in the yard all dressed up and was glad for her and she told me she had been out to one of the nearby parks that day and I was happy for her for having taken a step forward and told her how with help it's you that has to want it for yourself and make an effort to help yourself and told her well done next time will be nice and easy!
Oh my goodness, yes! I sit way too much, I think COVID helped, and I have become pretty weak. I didn't leave the house much for a long time because of anxiety issues, and now that I've finally gotten competent treatment (that's hard to find, believe me) I'm out and about more, but at the age of nearly 52 my body has deteriorated a great deal. Stairs are a hazard and it's difficult to get up from a sitting position. The longer I sit the harder it is. I'm trying to implement a strict exercise program now but it's frustrating that I have to take it slow, because if I do too much I wind up injuring myself!
I should note that, even when I was young, my knees were bad and hurt a lot, and as a kid I was weaker and less coordinated than everyone else. I don't know why, exactly, maybe being neurodiverse had something to do with it. All the possible comorbidities and all that.
The more we let ourselves "think" about the situation the harder it becomes.
This sucks because almost EVERYONE says, just think.
People with mental struggles think ALL THE TIME. It's really hard to not think so maybe music to help distract while doing it.
And know when you hurt your healing, that pain is your body getting stronger. Mental pain, and Physical.. no matter the age
Have you seen a doctor? Please make an appointment.
This is endangering your health SERIOUSLY. You are so young still, BUT, if you don't start getting healthy soon, you will not be in a place to be able to help your parents as they age.
With the swelling of your legs already, it is a danger sign that you are doing yourself harm. Humans are not meant to stay indoors all day, and avoiding human contact.
I was a nurse before I retired, and if you don't get some exercise you will soon be unable to walk, and be confined to bed with your legs and arms contracted like a dead spider. What good will you be to your family Then?
It is quite likely that acting like this you will pre-decease your parents. I'm 76, I have also had depression after being widowed with 2 children under school age, I was confined to a wheelchair for several weeks after having to spend time in bed, and I fought really hard to get out of it.
I hate to say this, but you need a serious talking to, and probably some psychiatric help.
With myself after that scabby care home job ended what I decided to do was do job applications outside the flat where I could and I find doing that has helped and also going to swimming early when I can as well.
Today I had a great day out at Pontypridd and the lido there and didn't come back to the flat until 7.30pm and really enjoyed it there and got 2 punnets of strawberries in the market there for £1.50 which I thought was a steal!
Last year when I got evicted my confidence took a right knock and I had been frightened of going out and about and I can assure you I got out and fought to get my confidence back and that I did!
I can relate to so much of what you say but my biggest problem is leaving the house, i do go out shopping but its very stressful , I get very nervous around people ,and because i'm a couple miles from town i have to drive, and i hate driving so much. However i do a lot of manual work around the house, but its not really exercise although its heavy work. and if i walked a mile i would be done, I smashed my shoulder 2 years ago and it still causes me a lot of pain. I tend to work early in the mornings but by early afternoon I'm finished ,its then i spend far to long on the computer.
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A past boyfriend of mine had piriformis syndrome and it was clearly agonizing for him. I really hope you find some relief in the future because that seems really hard to live with every day. I have fibromyalgia but it's relatively mild for now. My bad diet is starting to catch up with me and I've put on a few pounds myself lol. Though sometimes half of it is bloating 🤣🤣
Tension headaches 
Struggling with medication
i do not want to be a mom. 
