Do You Find Your Health Holding You Back

I can really relate! A lot of things that I used to be able to do I can't anymore. Sometimes my brain will say "you can do it" but when I try my body says "no you can't".

My depression and anxiety holds me back from being around people, so I seek out activities that I can comfortably do without involving myself with people, I go to the gym and I always have my ipod on, so I don't have to talk to anyone and no one talks to me which I can deal with. I do not socialize or go out where there is crowds, I find going to the cinema a no no and eating out I just cannot do. I don't meet up with friends because that would mean getting public transport which I avoid because of my panic attacks. Finding a job is virtually impossible, there are not many jobs I can do, I am a hard worker and prefer to work on my own, so if I had my own office or a place I could work where I was left alone to get on with it on my own I could cope. It is very restrictive but I have learnt to live with it. I know because of this I will always be single for the rest of my life, I am in my 40s and accept that. I can't do relationships, I don't like to be held or cuddle, fear of getting too close to someone and I find it very oppressive. I am a loner, mainly because of my social fears and my depression and not being able to relate to people.

Hi Kraus! Some people are just plain lucky not to have these ailments which stop them from doing things they want to do. At this point of my life I could say that I am one of those lucky people who see no hindrance to whatever it is I want to do. I go to the gym, dance, do what I want. I hope and pray that you will be able to move freely and not be hampered by health issues. Just don't give up hoping and praying.

Absolutely. Ten years ago I contracted a bone infection that destroyed one of my lumbar vertebrae. The docs tried to fix it, and they did, to an extent, but not quite good enough. I had to quit my job. Now, I can only stand for a few minutes without pain, and walking is very difficult. There are lots of things I would be doing if I was not limited...going to the mall, just going for a walk, and simply being more physically active. I love amusement parks, and the shore, and a lot of other things that I can no longer do. I get very discouraged and depressed at times. Ths is not how I saw my life.

Most definitely my health holds me back from getting a job. I have hearing loss and a bad back. The jobs I use to do was in the nursing field. I think most of my back problems are from the line of work I've had. Tried and applied for disability, but apparently my health isn't bad enough. I'm the one that was the disabilities and I know my limits. The jobs I use to do, I can no longer do. Any other jobs, if I could handle not having to deal with mu back, then I have to take into my consideration of not being able to hear.

I do, I have been having a roblem with low pressure. it casued me to have a heart attack last year at 33 . I still get tired after a long day. I keep going to diff. drs. To see if they can get it under control. So far Im ok. Wish i was better.

I can totally empathize with what you're feeling. I also have a chronic disease, though my problems are more cognitive than physical. Four years ago, I was working as a personal shopper in a grocery store, and while I loved it, I struggled in the beginning because I was SO out of shape. After five months, I had gotten much faster but realized that there was no way I could survive making $8 minus union dues, working fewer than 25 hours a week. And that's when I began working as a merchandiser, which I still do, although it did get considerably more physical last year. I was previously employed as a secretary; after that, I became a graphic artist. But my skills are SO outdated in both areas that I don't think I'd be able to obtain a new position in either capacity any longer. I've done sales, and feel quite confident, but I used to bring hundreds of pounds of stock with me, and by the time it came in, I was completely worn out! That is why I'd like to try selling real estate-considerably less taxing on my health, and flexible enough to allow me to take a day off if necessary. One Wednesday mid-morning, I was hit with such a bad case of vertigo that I was bedridden for more of the day-and didn't eat for a day. I think that's when I realized that I can't do this particular merchandising job (and they've sent so much stuff to me here at home that I can't even move in my living room!). So I'll be praying again, and try working at the other merchandising jobs that I have to save up and get my real estate license. I wish you the best and for you to stay strong while you wait for an answer to your prayers.

My health has held me back since I was in my twenties. I almost feel like I never got a chance of having a life.

I know my health keeps me back but I try not to let it, I had leukemia for 5 years which affected my spine and central nervous system. I find that I don't have the same amount of energy or even the same immune system that everyone else my age has. I also have a lot of hormone problems and my cycles can vary a lot between 2 weeks and 10 months and I have a bent spine so am probably 2 inches shorter than I should be. Though I am in the clear now a few years on I try to keep the positive up in that things can always be worse and there is always going to be someone worse off than you so you should appreciate what you have and just be thankful. I try never to use my previous illness as an excuse and so far I have graduated from uni 3 times, abseiled down the university building for a cancer charity traveled to 3 different continents and am trying to currently launch my own business while working in a garage and doing the avon on the side all in the hope that I will have enough money to travel to Tokyo Japan some time in the near future. Though I get really annoyed when people expect too much of me and try to get me to do more when I work really hard already and am close to breaking point, I know how much my body can take nobody else does and I just wish some people would back off and be more considerate sometimes.

Dear TINA, I think we all get frustrated with our challenges and our health at one time or another. When I feel this way, I pray and ask the Lord to help me to be more patient. God works all things together for good, Tina. You are in my prayers.

Yes, it has. That is why I'm frequenting the gym to get better. So far, it's working. I feel healthier and more physically fit. I think a healthy lifestyle should be a habit when people are young. They should reinforce or maintain this habit throughout their lifetime. I know this will not stop us from having problems, but having our health makes everything else bearable. Without that healthy feeling, the simplest problems can be quite depressing.

This happens to me all the time, and not just me holding me back, but others holding me back. I got my iron infusions done, and just made it worse (instead of good). I find since getting it, I ahve been so exhausted and barely doing anything. My GI symptoms tend to hold me back with most things, and I try not to let it, but that little voice always gets you. But then there are the people who always say you cant do it, or let me do it because you cant.

It is really frustrating especially when you are very accustomed to things then suddenly you can't anymore because your body will not allow. Whenever this thought comes to mind, I just pray and ask for courage to face life again but this time with limitations on things I cannot do anymore. I find strength in my prayers and just look at the brighter side of things that I can STILL do. We would really often feel the frustrations once in a while because we know in ourselves that we are not the same person, merely physically, from what we are before but rest assured that those limitations we have could be a reminder that not everything is what it seems, we still have other options as to how we can be able to live our lives to the fullest.

I work in the long term care industry and I see people of all ages and walks of life that come to live in the facility because they can no longer care for themselves. This is so very sad because sometimes the people who come are really young. When an individual suffers from any disability or limitation that prevents them reaching their full potential, then frustration and depression can be a by-product. During our life we must continually make those small adjustments on the inside that will enable us to be flexible enough to successfully deal with life. When unable to reach the former activity levels, it is time to change focus to what you can do. Focusing on the negative or the things that can no longer be done will not lead to the productive thinking that is necessary for one to have a better quality of life. So perhaps another prayer would be 'What can G-d do?' rather than 'Why'because the why may never be answered but the what probably will.

I have a chronic illness that has kept me from working for 16 years. I feel I have been sitting on the sidelines while life passes me by. However, I also realize that me being home with my children as they grew up has benefited them greatly. They are the most awesome girls (16 & 19) who love and laugh together and with me. They are good kids. I turned 50 last week. About 6 months ago I made a bucket list and as my birthday approached I was determined that it was time to start doing stuff for me. My husband was reluctant as we have been struggling financially with me not being able to contribute much over the years. But he has always found the money to golf or go visit his family every summer so I insisted this time was for me. Went went to Hawaii and he fell in love with it the minute we arrived. I did too. We had the most awesome week. What's so amazing is that all my fibromyalgia symptoms disappeared while away (and unfortunately returned when I got home). I was able to surf, parasail, zip-line, sleep normal hours, have no trouble getting up in the morning, enjoy all sorts of shows, and have the best time I have ever had with my husband. (We never had a honeymoon). As we prepared for this trip I felt guilty because I knew we couldn't afford it. I was even scared. But people pushed me. They told me I needed it and deserved it and they were right. I am a spiritual church-going woman. I have never prayed for healing because this illness has brought many good things to my life. I thank God every day for the life I have. Yes, there are times when my illness is overwhelming and I pray for relief if only for one day. I prayed that it wouldn't interfere with my vacation and God answered my prayers. I prayed that our vacation would strengthen my marriage, and it did. I don't wish this illness on anyone and I do what I can to control it with supplements, pacing myself, knowing my limitations, exercise, massage therapy and vibration technology therapy. But I have to say the very salty air of Hawaii along with the warm weather may be the cure all us fibro sufferers have been looking for. I'm going to ask my doctor for a prescription to move to Hawaii. I have more fun things on my bucket list including sky diving, and I look forward to doing them. To answer your question, yes my health has held me back for 16 years but now at 50 I feel my life has passed me by and it's time to step out of this stupid box and live the life I want.

It already has, for too long. I'm grateful I could still move, though imperfectly, and not for long periods of time. It's definitely been frustrating, and challenging to stay focused on God through the pain, weakness, fatigue. However, the improvements I've seen over the years have been encouraging. From experience, it's been more God than medical intervention that's greatly helped. Misdiagnoses & inadequate & even inappropriate treatment made things linger this long. I'm convinced that in your case too, the best solution would be found in God. We need great faith, & the support of Christians who have the same.

Boy Oh Boy can I relate! Between the amnesia, the agoraphobia, the panic disorder and the fibromyalgia, I have lost many of the things I used to love doing. I was never a serious sports person, but I used to love light hiking and going out in my ocean kayak for some deeper water fishing-- these days, especially in the cold weather, I can hardly lift a gallon of milk, much less paddle my way around the bay here. Fishing is the only thing athletic I really have left, and fighting even an ordinary dogfish can be a challenge now. The same with taking care of my animals. But the panic disorder has really crippled me-- I used to love museums, and craft fairs, and highland games, now I can barely face the local library at the end of a day, and the local library is tiny. I pray, and pray and pray some more, and I refuse to accept it. I have accepted the amnesia, because it's physical brain damage and it hasn't changed. Oh well-- I lost a lifetime of memories. I deal with the agoraphobia and the panic attacks, because they come from the amnesia, and I have only gotten worse over time-- but I don't ACCEPT them, I just deal with them. The fibromyalgia I will not give in to. I have already lost so much, I won't just sit down and give up and lose the few things I have left, but it is so hard, most days. My other half says that while I am, about most things, very flexible and open minded, I am totally stubborn when it comes to this-- I won't give up or give in. We both know a woman who's fibromyalgia isn't as bad as mine, but she gave in-- now she sits around zonked out on all kinds of meds, whines, and has gained 150 pounds-- even AFTER she had that stomach stapling thing to lose weight. She gained so much that she has ruined her knees, and now needs a double knee replacement-- but she weighs so much they won't do it. She always talks about how she is such a baby when it comes to pain. I finally lost it one day, and pointed out that if she had toughed it out and not given in to the pain, the way me and a lot of other people do, she'd be a lot better off. I feel bad for doing it, but nothing makes me angrier at times than seeing someone who has so much more opportunity than me to live a semi-normal life decide to roll over and give up-- then complain, endlessly, about the consequences. When it comes to jobs, I guess I am a lot luckier than you-- I found things to do at home to pay my bills. If it hadn't been for some hard thinking, I would have been doomed, because I can't go out--the down side is no insurance at the moment, however. I was reading when I researched an article lately that there are several call center companies that now are hiring mostly home workers to handle calls-- and some give benefits. You might want to look at doing something like that, if you can. I think we will see more companies hiring telecommuters, as they call them, so they can save money by closing offices and not have to cut benefits. But of course many businesses have already started laying off, firing, and closing up shop thanks to the election, and more will do so. We are keeping our people until the 31st of December, and that's it for the kettle korn business. The story behind that is a novel on it's own LOL. Adapt, Improvise, Overcome-- as the Army Rangers say. I now exactly where you are coming from. Both of us, and everyone else who toughs it out, owe it to ourselves to do so.

HI Tina: I can relate all too well. Remember me? Its been ages and ages since I last posted on here; My Health has steadily gotten worse too. I have many many days of where I just want to hang it all up you know? take care hope things improve for you; Jan

Five or six years ago, I climbed hills once in a while. Now I am sixty-three. Climbing stairs at times I feel a very slight pain at my left knee. My at times it is perfectly alright. I try taking more calcium enriched food. Sometimes, I take glucosamine.

Well, I wouldn't go to the extent of saying that my overall health is something that holds me back in my life. However, I will say that the pain issues that I've been dealing with over the last several months has been something that has been holding me back. First of all, it is keeping me from cleaning up the house that I would like to be keeping the house. It has also kept us from being able to do as much outdoors as we would have been doing otherwise. That all said, I really don't feel like I have a lot to complain about because of the fact that I do still have my life and that is the most important thing.