Mental health and endo

[endo_the_stigma]

Hi all, just after some advice or support or I don't really know what but I am really struggling with my mental health at the minute thanks to my endo & adeno symptoms worsening and becoming debilitating at times. Even when I'm not in a flare up I feel completely beyond exhausted, I have zero motivation or energy, getting out of bed and going to work everyday is so so hard I feel like I can barely function. I am just so tired and uninterested in life.

I don't really need to ask if anyone else has felt like this because I know for a fact that so many have/do (how could you not when dealing with endo?) but I am just at a loss for what to do. I am already on antidepressants for anxiety but they don't seem to be doing anything for how I'm feeling at the moment. I'm on an 8 month waiting list for surgery and everyday feels like a mountain to climb💔

[Kirsty360]

Hi, Sorry to hear you're struggling with your mental health, you are most definitely not alone in feeling the way you do, your feelings are completely valid and truly normal when you're dealing with such a chronic debilitating illness!

We are all different and what works for me may not work for you, but just through small tiny changes I came out of that black dog depressed feeling. Taking 5 mins to myself daily (increasing to 10 - 15) to just switch off from life. I enjoy listening to audiobooks/podcasts as a distraction. I put a bedtime routine in place and even stick to it even of a weekend, these haven't magically cured anything, it just makes it more manageable and I noticed a shift in my mood and things didn't look so bleak.

That mountain won't always be there, in 8 months time you will be able yo gain a brighter picture ✨

Hope this helps 🙏🏻

[endo_the_stigma in reply to Kirsty360]

Thank you so much Kirsty, that is actually very good advice and I think I am going to try and implement a better bedtime routine from now on and see if that helps as I am really struggling to sleep atm too.

Thank you for making me feel less alone in this and I am sending lots of love your way too💜💜

[Kirsty360 in reply to endo_the_stigma]

The impact sleep had upon me was huge... Small things like settling down an hour before, but only going to bed when I am tired, taking the TV out my room, if I was still wide awake after a few hours, I'd go into the living room and sit there and read a book. I also took my clock out as there is nothing worse than seeing the time and counting how many hours are left before you have to get up and work, makes the anxiety worse. And some days if I'd barely slept, just getting up, making my bed and brushing my teeth was an achievement I wouldn't beat myself up, we fight to function daily we need to be kind to ourselves... Hope I've helped you a little, have all kinds of tips and strategies in my mental health first aid kit x

[TennisCourt]

Hey lovely. You just wrote exactly how I’m feeling. “Everyday feels like a mountain to climb” I couldn’t have said it better my self! I too am waiting for surgery and every day there’s at least one symptom playing havoc.

I’ve been saying I feel in survival mode, getting work done, looking after myself(basics) and my house and that’s about it! I don’t have the energy for anything else and that’s what I really struggle with, as I like to be productive and live life to the full.

For me what can help is actually acceptance. For so long I gaslit myself and never gave myself time to rest or I kept telling myself to pull myself together, get on with it but lately I’ve accepted I’m poorly and this is life right now and that really helps tbh.

And just getting your feelings out there. If youre having a shit day, tell someone! Don’t bottle it up.

And I like to try appreciate and see the joy in the little things. Watching tv, reading, being with my partner etc. yes all I want to be doing it going on holiday and being a normal 26 year old but I can’t right now, that’s ok, we just have to do what we can for now and try enjoy the small things.

I also try focus on the future, the surgery etc, how good I will feel after it and with a diangosis

To be blunt though, it’s shit and it’s bloody tough. But you’ve got this!!!❤️ feel free to DM me. Sometimes chatting to someone who’s going through the exact same is so helpful!!! Xxxx

[endo_the_stigma in reply to TennisCourt]

Thank you so much🥺 Honestly just hearing that I am not the only girl in her mid twenties feeling like this gives me some comfort, although I wish we didn't have to feel this way. Acceptance is something I am finding difficult and I am stuck in a cycle of feeling a little better so pushing myself too hard to do 'normal' things and then causing a flare up or plunging into darkness/exhaustion again.

You're defo right about not bottling anything up too, I recently broke down to my bestfriend/flatmate as I had been trying to hide how I'm really feeling and it felt good to just let it all out.

Thanks again for replying and I really hope you're doing okay and I wish you all the love and luck with everything💛💛💛