Chronic Illnesses Sucks!!!!

Ugh.  As I find myself feeling like crap on my lunch hour, it occurs to me how often lately I have been feeling like crap. 

I was diagnosed with IBS in 1997, high blood pressure in 2003, Psoriasis in 2009, and Psoriatic Arthritis in 2010.  On top of that, combine structural damage in my neck and ulcers from prescribed medication from a car accident in September 2010, and I feel either pain or crappy on a daily basis, it is just a matter of how much.

My IBS went into remission in 2003 with the removal of my gall bladder and I felt like a normal person up until the diagnosis of Psoriatic Arthritis and the car accident.  Then, all hell broke loose with my body and it is a daily struggle to live without some type of pain.

Now I am fighting extreme fatigue and exhaustion on a daily basis.  I get 8-9 hours of sleep every night and I wake up exhausted and it just continues througout the day.  I used to be a woman who never left the house without makeup on and now I could care less.  The last thing I want to do in the morning is put makeup on.  I have been wearing the same outfits to work for the past month and a half.  This new development makes me think I have more going on within my body.

I know what some of you may be thinking or asking--you may be depressed.  Believe me, I have been severely depressed in the past--in despair even.  I know what depression is and I am not depressed.  My life is great other than my health issues. 

I have made an appointment with my Rhumatologist in May to ask questions and get some answers regarding the massive fatigue and exhaustion I am feeling.  I am making a valid attempt to exercise 4-6 days per week and have restricted my caloric and fat diet intake and I am not dropping any weight and not feeling more energetic at all.  If anything, I am even more tired.  But I am determined to keep doing it because I know it is essential for my health.

I try to mimic the spirit of my late grandfather Dale, Hompa, who always said while fighting prostate and bone cancer, that it could always be worse.  I agree with him.  I am great compared to people who are so disabled with chronic illness that they cannot work. 

I guess writing this post is a way for me to vent my frustration at my body.  I also wanted to let the people who read my blog to know how lucky they are to be healthy and not struggle to feel well and, well....good even.  Be thankful that you don't have pain.  Be thankful that you don't have a chronic illness--ugh....

Well...that is my rant for today.  Thanks for reading.