Off Topic Anyone here got any experience recovering from a long term mental/physical health issue?

Over the last 6 months or so, I've been having these weird symptoms that I'm still not getting answers for.

I've had tonnes of blood tests and nothing leaps out at me as the cause. Had samples of me blood and ****e taken, nothing leaping out. Doctors are insinuating it's all in my head, and starting to consider that it is just psychosomatic, but not sure. Still having tests. Tests showing no obvious deficiencies or problems.

It's dominated my life for the last 6 months.

I cannot do any significant exercise, even just walking because after any prolonged physical activity, even just an hour long walk, I feel lightheaded/dizzy, depressed, irritable. When I stop any significant exercise, the symptoms calms themselves, but don't go away completely.

I'm getting random bouts of tinnitus and gastrointestinal problems now. There's exacerbated physical and psychological symptoms.

It seems to have come out of nowhere really, and I've been off work now for about 5 weeks because the stress of it, which I can usually handle, just adds to the issues and I cannot properly concentrate.

Seeing docs and getting tests and also paying for a private psychologist since the waiting list is so long in NHS.

I feel like the last 6-7 months of my life has been wasted because it's really impacted my ability to enjoy many things.

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TL;DR Just looking for any stories of any of you having problems for weeks, months maybe years and then finally recovering?

 

Personally I’d say not to mention depression as exercise wouldn’t cause that and doctors (from my experience) hear certain words and they focus in on that.

If blood tests have ruled out clots. strokes, heart attacks or lung function or infections then it shouldn’t be anything major.

Could you be having panic attacks? From experience, cutting out caffeine will significantly alleviate symptoms such as dizziness

 

The gastro side of it may well be from the stress it’s causing you and you’re having an ibs flare up.

 

No caffeine for 4 years, no regular alcohol for years. Healthy diet. Not always consistently worked out, but walked/hiked consistently.

I understand what you mean about docs immediately wanting to say it's psychological to get you out the door. I only mentioned depression/anxiety months down the line when I asked to be put on waiting list for therapy, and immediately they started to say some of my symptoms are stress.

I never had panic attacks before this issue, but since I stopped hiking I haven't had one. It was only mild really. Just had to spend 15-20 minutes in the shower doing deep breathing.

I've been eating healthy for a long time, no smoking or anything.

 

Yeah. I've never had this issue before. So many symptoms came on at once. **** sucks.

 

Hi Tash how about looking at two things which may help a little as I've had a bit of turbulence over the years:

1- Hop on a plane somewhere warm and chill. The Vit D will help your mood and general wellbeing.. the relaxation will help calm the mind and help mindfulness. Go on your own, just you. Maybe even try Yoga or soft stretching whilst you are out there.

2- Read some mindfulness books. A recent one I read was by Michael Mosely 'Just one thing' and took a load of really good ideas (more than one!) out of it to help me physically and mentally.

The other thing to think about is sleep quality. Get a sleep tracker watch and do a deep dive into your sleep patterns etc. Good sleep quality is key to mental and physical wellness.

 

Already do meditation and have done for a while. The hiking I did was primarily to keep me present. Thank you for the advice though.

My sleep quality has been impacted by these issues, but I still get decent sleep most nights.

 

Thing is mate, you might feel or think you get good sleep... but take a closer look via an tracker. A lot of folk are surprised.

 

I will look at it. My sleep has been interrupted quite a bit tbh.

I used to get plenty of good sleep at one point, recently, I wake up most nights, but often get back to sleep.

 

Have they put you on any medication at all mate? That can have a major impact.

 

No meds as of yet. I'm going for one last blood tests at a place that tests for food intolerances or allergies, after that I'm at a loss and can only assume it's psychosomatic.

 

Depends on your stmptoms I guess, but there's still not enough evidence of what ongoing impact Covid vaccines, or 'long Covid' can have. If you had either.

 

Yeah I may ask for them to test for long covid also, that's one thing I considered.

 

I had a virus about 8 - 9 years ago that took months to fully recover from. Just felt knackered/drained and no stength or energy, low motivation Medics couldn't identify exactly what it was, but said there were a number of very similar cases around at that time. They put it down to an 'unknown virus'. No real treatment, it just steadily improved over about 8-10 months.

My daughter had similar symptoms recently a few months after having glandular fever. Apparently.it can stay in your system for months.

 

If you've had numerous blood tests I'm sure this has already been considered but, you mentioned a lot of hiking and this sounds similar to long term Lymes disease symptoms. Are you aware of any tick bites?

 

He’s a vegan

 

The doctors are useless and need replacing.

I hope you get well soon Tash... keep grinding and focus on your goal and nothing else. Follow your heart and you'll find freedom from your woes.

If the task seems impossible just remember that if you keep chopping at a tree eventually it will fall down.

 

Tash is a vegan

 

He doesn't have to eat the tree, but the same principle applies.