Re: Depression in Chronic Illnesses!

[Guest guest]

The lesson I've learned the hard way is when people don't listen,

don't believe, don't support me with this illness, our relationship

is jeopardized. Scleroderma is not just testing me, it's testing my

family & friends, and only a handful are passing the test.

I recently was telling a long-term friend how expensive Minocin and

my supplements are. He replied that I should take the generic,

there's no difference. He quickly refuted me with 'science' when I

tried to explain, ending it with a shameful " Well, it's your

choice " . Later in the conversation I was telling him how I've felt

so lost since I became sick. He said I should just 'laugh it off',

and that I'm starting to sound like his grandmother. I felt totally

unheard, and said I had to get off the phone to work on finding

cheaper ways to get meds. He replied that if he were me, he would

just give up & die because that's his life philosophy, to let nature

take its course.

I never would have guessed how insensitive people can be until my

dx. A true friend with good communication skills would have asked

me more questions, let me talk it out and let me know that he really

hears me. Would have offered on-point support, helped me brainstorm

solutions, just been on my side. If he was uncomfortable with

my 'negative' feelings, they would have passed naturally had he

taken a helpful role, instead of throwing out his surface level

advice.

Since my dx I've lost so many relationships over insensitivities.

Our entire culture seems to be needing lessons in empathy and

communication & especially listening skills.

Since everyone in these forums is in the same boat, that's the one

thing I feel we can count on one another for, shared understanding.

These forums keep me functioning emotionally. These forums are an

essential component to my physical and emotional health.

I don't post often, but I read every post, and every post makes me

more knowledgable, and stronger. I feel somehow bonded with you all

in this magical electronic world. What the heck did people like us

do before this electronic medium?

Hi lynne

> > > >

> > > > As you know my Dr. prscribed Medrol 2 mg 4 days a week

> > > > to lower my inflammation. my ESR is high 120.

> > > > I thought it is not a bad idea because i read high

> > > > inflammtion doesn't allow minocin to penetrate cells.

> > > > anyway last nightI took my first medrol and I got up

> > > > with less pain and less stiffness. My hands are no

> > > > puffy right now. wow I didn't know a low dose of

> > > > steroid can make a big difference. I don't like to

> > > > take steroid because of side effects. my Dr. also

> > > > doesn't like it. I am going to take it only 3 days a

> > > > week. I hope it helps me to put on some weight.

> > > > what do you think?

> > > > By the way you do lots of work. I couldn't do such

> > > > amonth of work even when I was healthy. like you I

> > > > always followed a healthy diet, did excersize. no

> > > > smoking and drinking but I was not a happy person.

> > > > I didn't realize the most important thing is my

> > > > health.

> > > >

> > > > enjoy the weekend

> > > >

> > > > soheila

> > > >

> > > > __________________________________________________________

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