Just Seeking Some Advice/People Who Can Relate
Hi All,
I don't tend to post on reddit often, but I guess I'm just seeking some support and to find some people who can relate with what we're all going through. I was diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis and dermatomyositis about a year ago, and am still struggling with persistently high ESR. I've had countless MRIs and am just feeling so frustrated that I still am not in remission or have this condition under control. I had a pelvic MRI recently that found that I had enlarged veins around my uterus which has caused me to now be referred to a gyn (probably unrelated to my autoimmune issues but just another thing to figure out). I'm just feeling so tired of the constant specialists, doctor's visits, and physical therapy appointments.
I've spent all of my 20s (currently 24) in and out of the rheumatologist and getting bloodwork done to try and manage/find the source of this chronic pain. While it has gotten better, I'm just still so fatigued all of the time and struggling to maintain a healthy lifestyle with the constant rounds of steroids to try and control my inflammation. It's highly likely that I'll be put on an injection soon and that's a very scary thing to think about.
I've been on antidepressants as a result of this for about 3 years now and I am seeing a therapist that I speak to about this often, but I could use some advice about how others manage this uncertainty and frustration. How do you maintain a healthy lifestyle and manage your symptoms (both physical and mental)? Thanks all for listening.