Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Support Group
Find support with others who have gone through a traumatic experience. Whether you have chronic or acute PTSD, we are here for you.
I have kidney disease related to PTSD because 4 years ago I had a doc overprescribe high dosages of meds that caused permanent kidney damage. It helped me short term with my own PTSD symptoms as I worked with trauma victims in the ER as a hospital chaplain. Obviously, though, it was a bad idea for the long term, the rest of my life.
Since then chronic kidney failure has caused painful nerve damage in my feet (neuropathy) that make it hard to walk or exercise. CKF brought skin problems. I have growths surgically removed from my face regularly, and grew a beard to hide dark discoloration in patches on my face. I have lots of itching, itching even in the roof of my mouth.
Since I'm down to 40% kidney function, I only have 40% of the energy I used to have, so fatigue is a constant every day. Though I live on a strict diet I keep to carefully, eighty pounds of weight gain came with it. I have problems with eliminating fluids, and swelling, swelling, swelling.
I work my job with it nonetheless. I'm proud of that. I posted a while ago that this semester I have a perfect attendance record teaching at my community college. That's incredible with all of these symptoms every day. I got lots of support for that here at DS PTSD.
Today I made it to school, too, but I had trouble. My feet swelled to the point I couldn't get my usual shoes on. I had another bigger pair for swelling emergencies, but it really shook me up. It's the first time the swelling has put me up 2 shoes sizes bigger. 2 whole shoe sizes.
I don't know when or how the progress of this kidney disease is going to stop. I am on the verge of needing dialysis or a transplant. I see my doctor Friday.
Anyway, nothing much went wrong today. I had a good day teaching at work. I showed that movie in class about PTSD in my psych class and the students seemed to get it. But this new wrinkle of swelling so much I need new shoes shook me up.
I hope others here don't mind my complaining so much about such a small thing. I apologize for whining about swelling when there's so much pain here over much worse things. It was just another thing to adapt to. But it did get to me, and so I do ask for your support, please.
Since then chronic kidney failure has caused painful nerve damage in my feet (neuropathy) that make it hard to walk or exercise. CKF brought skin problems. I have growths surgically removed from my face regularly, and grew a beard to hide dark discoloration in patches on my face. I have lots of itching, itching even in the roof of my mouth.
Since I'm down to 40% kidney function, I only have 40% of the energy I used to have, so fatigue is a constant every day. Though I live on a strict diet I keep to carefully, eighty pounds of weight gain came with it. I have problems with eliminating fluids, and swelling, swelling, swelling.
I work my job with it nonetheless. I'm proud of that. I posted a while ago that this semester I have a perfect attendance record teaching at my community college. That's incredible with all of these symptoms every day. I got lots of support for that here at DS PTSD.
Today I made it to school, too, but I had trouble. My feet swelled to the point I couldn't get my usual shoes on. I had another bigger pair for swelling emergencies, but it really shook me up. It's the first time the swelling has put me up 2 shoes sizes bigger. 2 whole shoe sizes.
I don't know when or how the progress of this kidney disease is going to stop. I am on the verge of needing dialysis or a transplant. I see my doctor Friday.
Anyway, nothing much went wrong today. I had a good day teaching at work. I showed that movie in class about PTSD in my psych class and the students seemed to get it. But this new wrinkle of swelling so much I need new shoes shook me up.
I hope others here don't mind my complaining so much about such a small thing. I apologize for whining about swelling when there's so much pain here over much worse things. It was just another thing to adapt to. But it did get to me, and so I do ask for your support, please.
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I haven't written in my diary on my computer since May because I thought that my computer was dying. I got away from writing but my computer is hanging in there. I think that I will start writing in it again. It's so therapeutic.
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First, I hope everyone is doing well, and continuing to fight that good fight! Keep up the great work on yourselves; I'm rooting for all of you!So, I started doing therapy at the beginning of the year, when I was in my most depressed state, but with my therapist, I made big changes and steps in the right direction. But, over a month ago, she couldn't take my insurance anymore, and I had to stop...
I don't know whether a transplant could be good news, bad news, or just frightening, and a mixed bag.
So I'll hope for some relief for you -- either through miraculously improved kidney function or some medical Hail Mary pass that DOES bring you better health.
You're in my thoughts and prayers, my friend. I promise you that.
In the morning, when I wake up, I turn so that my butt is near the wall and I put my legs up against the wall for about 15 minutes, to help drain the accumulated fluid out. Might you try this to get at least a little relief?
No, we don't mind you complaining so much as long as you let us get away with calling you, "Whiney Wonder." WW for short?
Oops! Did I say that????
Get a lunch size thermal bucket and chill a pair, also keep some in the microwave, a hit of 2-3 minutes is enough to heat. Always lay a separate towel between the bags and skin, to prevent damage to skin. Repeat.
I hope this helps, you may already know it, but a reminder never hurts.
Ramble vent as needed, I can only think of how much you help as an offset to us.
Hugs J.
Perhaps Im hoping it just goes away. idk
Your doing so great , an inspiration to me .And many others here.
much love
jewells, thanks for the advice that said "Get a lunch size thermal bucket and chill a pair, also keep some in the microwave, a hit of 2-3 minutes is enough to heat." I'm picturing doing that with Croc shoes, maybe? Am I off base? It sounds good.
Thanks to those who said I gave here or was an inspiration. Wow, that's nice. It's mutual. I was feeling down, of course, when I wrote this. Your kind words are inspiring to me, in turn. You all sure do inspire me every day.