my photo

[hamble99b]

I've changed my photo to a sunset as I'm feeling sad at the mo and don't like seeing the me I've become and not how I think I look.

sandra

[HiveMind]

Hi Sandra,

I think we all feel like that at some point or other, what with the steroid bloating, our hair falling out (or is that just me?) and the various other changes that the meds/our medical conditions wreak on us. I understand that others have more serious issues to contend with and that must be so hard, on top of everything else.

Underneath it all we are still the same beautiful, unique, human beings we have always been. When you next look in the mirror Sandra, I'll guarantee you see that.

You're not alone. X

[DevonLottie]

You're definitely not alone Sandra. With all the other problems we have, it might seem a minor thing and my husband always says 'but you're alive' yet, maybe especially for women (?) it is hard to accept. Any bloating will improve with the reduction of the steroids and careful diet management can also help (I'm not very good at that one!). As Berkshirebird says, we're still the same people underneath so try to keep positive. x

[nannie]

I know how you feel Sandra. After 9 years I have had lots of wobbly moments but I absolutely refuse to let them get me down for long. Everyone says they don't know how I keep so cheerful but I don't normally let them see the hurt inside. I find if I put a smile on my face people respond to that and don't look at the 'blubber' behind it. I do hope you feel better soon. At least here when we say we know how you feel, we really do! [I am currently in full bloat]

[longbank123]

Come on try & cheer up, I too have had many down times, depression, councilling after losing my daughter 2 years ago, but I am still alive & fighting back, there are people worse than yourself out there, but I can sympathise with you, keep taking the tablets & try to cheer up.

[Kezzia]

Chin up Sandra you're not alone. I hate what the steroids do to my appearance but they have a job to do, and as we all know the bloating reduces with the dosage. I become particularly upset when people I know really well, but haven't seen for a while, don't know who I am.

[PollyPocket]

You are allowed to feel sad sometimes. I find it frustrating when my family and friends don't always understand. However, be reassured that this is a glitch and you know that ordinarily you probably feel more positive, more often than not. I hope that you feel brighter soon, and remember that things aren't always so bad ... Just sometimes they are harder to see past.

I hate how I physically look and feel, and most definately how I feel emotionally due to my illness, on more occasions than I care to say. I allow myself to feel sorry for the life I had, and the adaptations I have had to make. And then, as do many, I dust myself off ready for the next battle.

Love and light to you ... You will feel better again. Perhaps not 100%, but better

xxx

[fillyhome]

Hi Sandra. Steroids are a curse for what they do to our appearence, and if i could have walked around with a veil over my face I would have done. I felt so embarrased. I have put on just over 3 stone during treatment. However, that was the bad time and now the good time is here. You have to brush yourself down and focus on what you can do ( not what you can no longer do ). Altho I am still on 10mg steroids I am now at slimming world and lost nearly 1 stone. It's coming off slow BUT it is coming off. This in itself will make you feel better about yourself. Try to change things slowly each day, perhaps swimming ( if you feel up to it ) and start to feel positive and dont let this beat you. You are worthy of getting better and being more positive is the first step. Good Luck chick XXX

[hamble99b Volunteer]

thank you everyone your messages mean a lot.

regards, sandra

[mandijt]

Hey Sandra99b, were well into september and i hope your feeling better! I have been going through crazy times and havent been on here so much lately (i do that when i go into "denial" as my cousellor calls it! Apparently there are 5 stages of something but i havent got past "denial" yet......lol). I love the steroids as much as i hate them but they make me hate myself more - 3st must be the average weight gain for them! I've never LOVED chocolate, cake, sweets as much as i do at the moment ! I think i may have mentioned in another of your posts that........i also have curly hair now (not because of the pred or a perm either) i've never laughed so much lately as i did at myself yesterday. Today, mentally i feel so much better. I did start swimming too but them everyone and his dog decided to go at the same time as me, so i'm looking to a more suitable time (the olympics were to blame i think).

Lots of laughs and positive thoughts are the way forward!

Stay well

mandi

[hamble99b Volunteer]

thankyou mandi, I'm touched that you're following up on my message. I like looking at the cute budgie pic, so I think I'll stick with it..

I'm sorry you're having problems, but counselling does help. I'm having CBT at the moment. good luck with the swimming, I think you are right about the weight gain - I put 3 stone on too.

I've just had a relaxing break in London we did our sightseeing by boat and borrowed a wheelchair. I saw the "gherkin" and pointed it out to my friend as the "pumpkin"!!

regards, sandra.

[02061949]

You are NOT how you look. My daughter is having the same feelings due to Prednisone. You are still YOU. Please...outward appearance is just that....appearance. The real YOU is still there. Those who love you see the real you and that is who they love. Please don't feel sad. We care about you too.

[hamble99b Volunteer in reply to 02061949]

thank you so much for replying to my post, your daughter is lucky to have such a kind supportive family, I wrote this at a time when there was a lot more going on than just looks, but yours and the other messages I recieved help bring me back to what is important, family, friends and the wonderful new friends I have met on here. I was feeling a bit low tonight, thank you for choosing tonight to read and reply so caring and supportively, just when I needed it.

regards,

sandra.