I have had to change my diet- no junk food and limiting sugar, it's a struggle. I have to exercise more and cut negative/draining people out of my life. I have to utilise my energy carefully during the day and not over do it or I will be bed ridden for days or hurt all over. I have had to go on an anti-depressant [edited by forum mentor @MonBon for sharing medication name] which helps with the pain, but I plan to cope with it using natural methods rather than medication long term same for my major depression, social anxiety and Complex PTSD. Therapy helps a lot and support groups such as GROW and OA(Overeater Anonymous)

I got a diagnosis via a Chiropractor, 13 out of the 16 trigger points were sore more than normal, also having a history of PTSD, jet-skei accident at age 15 and trauma/non refreshing sleep put me at high risk.

Can i still take part even though i dont have an official diagnosis yet? :P

Day 04;

They reacted just like everyone does to an invisible illness - "Oh it's nothing." "You're young, you're fine." "People have it worse." (which I'm fully aware of, my conditions are mild). "It's probably carpel tunnel syndrome - I have it." (even though I get correct diagnosis' of tendonitis)

Today, I saw the POTs specialist and spoke to a patient who hasn't been diagnosed yet but faints a lot and we had soo much in common, including the fact that people think you're faking it. I think it opened my mum's eyes to my POTs and she took it a little more seriously. I gave her some advice on how to manage her condition (if she gets diagnosed) and calmed her about having a tilt table test; it was insightful to us both.

My dad is a hypochondriac and always likes to be the "illest" out of everyone. It's ridiculous - he's ridiculous. He's pretty useless, doesn't know what's going on in my life so I don't expect much from him.

All in all, it's just like "it's not going to kill you, you just have to manage it" and swipe it under the rug and don't pay much attention to when I'm not having a good health day. My mum has health conditions too which she gets through, so she doesn't have much sympathy for chronic illness suff, only if you've got an infection or you're puking your guts up.

Day 2

My illnesses have had a big impact on my life. I quit school, I'm not working. I need to sleep lots and I also need to rest, the amount of exertion I can deal with safely is limited.

It wasn't always this bad, but I also used to have many symptoms and not know why.

Fear is also an issue now, as my laryngeal attacks have gotten worse, I don't know how bad the next one might be. Dying due to one is a concern.

There's also just the stress of doctors appointments and medication. For quite a while I had multiple medical appointments for a week. Now I deal with different pharmacies and a blood bank.

Dealing with my HAE medication is stressful. Starting an IV on myself isn't always easy. Carrying around my medication with me a hassle and I need to pay attention to the temperature.

Day 1

Hi everyone i am Joy. I have been suffering for 5 years in chronic pain.

In the last 2 years things have progressed and gotten a lot worse so i started to end up in the hospital and down the doctors more regulary. I had many tests dont but no definitive answers have been given.

The doctors have mentioned that i have hypermobility to my joints and could have fibromayalgia which is causing chronic fatigue.

I am also suffering with Asthma and have been all my life. its suckity :(

From the chronic pain i have had many mental health issues arise from it and yeah...

So this is me :)

Day 2:

How have migraines affected my life?

They have affected my day to day activities, when I do things, where I do things, where I go, and more too. You never know when or the severity of a migraine until it hits, and it's very very very time sensitive to take a preventive medication if you have one.

Feel free to share your illness with us as well! Tagging some more friends: @Amelia @amazingrea @Quickjazz

My friends were better than my own family, my family said I dont look sick and need to diet and lose weight to FIX it and cure it. While friends were more understanding and caring however some don't even know what Fibromyalgia is etc etc:P

Fibromyalgia makes me feel tired and having less energy to deal with too many activities or negative people who cause drama. It makes me feel fairly isolated some days for sure, like I lost a part of myself to the illness

I would have told myself to not give up and research as much as possible...cut out sugar mindfully eat and to exercise as my own pace and not at everyone elses pace. and to forgive myself and let it go:)