Need a good book

[Tracy_lou]

Can anyone suggest any good books for motivation and positivity. I’m waiting for an operation and I’m really struggling daily with intense pain which, on some days makes it difficult to get out of bed. Some days though just lately, I’ve been ok to get out of bed as the pain has subsided a little but I just find that I sleep anyway all day because I feel like ‘why bother getting up?’. I find my motivation increases at night then I end up going to bed making plans about what I’m going to do tomorrow (e.g. go for a walk, cook a nice meal...) then I don’t do any of them and feel so guilty....and the cycle continues. I can’t remember who I was before this horrible illness took over. Endometriosis has ruined me...

[EndoBattle]

Dear Tracy

You sound very similar to me. Please do not let this illness define you. First things first get back to your Dr and get better pain relief. Chronic pain will drag you down. It’s the symptoms not the illness that is winning just now. My doctor has been amazing. I am on strong 12 hour medication with additional breakthrough pain medication if I need it. Then small steps. Like you I feel better at night, I make plans for all the things that I’m going to achieve then feel awful the next day, can’t do anything and beat myself up. If you can aim to have a small walk every day. Even if it’s to the top of your street and back. Fresh air and the smallest bit of exercise can help a lot mentally. Be kind to yourself. You can see there is a pattern so break it. Don’t make plans for the next day. If you can do a little at night when you feel good. You Will be amazed how much better you feel. I sometimes chop veg and store in water or prep a little part of a recipe so it’s not so daunting the next day. Reading motivation books can be great but physically you are not able to do a lot of what they suggest so you end up feeling worse. Once you have your pain better managed other things will fall into place. I remember crying at my dr’s cause I was in so much pain and not able to do the smallest thing. He just looked at me and said this is the one thing we can help with right now. Stop trying to be brave and lets increase your pain medication.

I’ve got loads of self help books but I never read them. One I can recommend which is easy reading especially when you struggle to concentrate whilst in pain is a book called “Stop thinking, start living” by Richard Carlson

Take care

Claire

[Tracy_lou in reply to EndoBattle]

Hi 👋 thanks for your reply it was a huge help mentally. I think I do need to go easier on myself and definitely go to my dr about pain as it’s ruining me at the moment xx

[Waggymumma]

I completely feel like this! I did find Wild Nutrition’s book on Endo helpful to understand how I was feeling. I was particularly bad before my surgery in July. The pain was very intense. I’m not sure if it is partly due to the worry of surgery coming. Endo battle is completely right in the advise she has given. Take the drugs! Go easy on yourself! Rest and sleep lots. Try to catch up with a Netflix series you’ve wanted to watch! Try to see friends! Tell them how you feel. Get some fresh air! Maybe try doing some Mindfullness?

Your not alone feeling feeling this. x x

[Tracy_lou in reply to Waggymumma]

Thanks for your reply, what’s mindfulness? Xx

[Beestaree in reply to Tracy_lou]

Check out "headspace" I have the app & found it useful, although I haven't kept up listening to it . .

[woodie1]

Hi Tracy, so sorry to hear you’re going through a horrible waiting period. I know exactly what that’s like - I waited 9 months for my laparoscopy. That time was horrible as I didn’t even know whether I could have children! So ... you’re are really not alone.

Generally, whilst waiting for the op, I found it super helpful to prepare for the after-op. Knowing how I am going to feel / what I will need ( most info from here) was super helpful. I found that researching nutrition + endometriosis really helped me stay positive and made me feel like I had much more control over what was happening to my body. I would particularly recommend, “ Take Control of your Endometriosis” by Henrietta Norton. She’s a nutritionalist who also has endometriosis so really knows what it’s like. Another good one is “ A key to healing and fertility through nutrition” Dian Shepard, although it’s a lot more sciency and heavy but my favourite book because they really understand what it feels like to live with chronic pain!

I found nutrition at first quite overwhelming, but small changes normally make the biggest differences ( or it did for me personally).

Another thing to bear in mind is to do things you enjoy everyday. Never understate the power of fresh air, excellent nutrition and sleep. Just be kind to yourself. This is a time of great emotional and physical stress. Try to nail aspects of your life that if you were feeling fine, you wouldn’t have any time to do like scrapbooking, Reading, finding a new hobby etc. Meditation is really helpful for staying positive ( personally for me).

Hope things get easier for you. Feel free to message me directly if you want somebody to talk too Xx

[Tracy_lou in reply to woodie1]

Thank you so much for your reply, I feel a little bit better since joining here! Xxx

[Beestaree]

You're definitely not alone.

I am beating myself up everyday for not being more positive & motivated.

I feel I am watching my life go by but I am unable to grasp it, live it, actually be an active part of it.

The mindfulness did help, we need to find more time to be kind to ourselves but it's not easy.

[Jasco2]

Hi

I have had 3 surgeries at 26 years old , first one was at 19 years old.

After my last one in March it got to me., so i looked for ways to keep my mind occupied

I have found knitting to be helpful and adult colouring , extremely relaxing .

Give it a try

Hope it helps