Ongoing HEalth Issues - Does it make you selfish? (Full Version)

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optimusprime -> Ongoing HEalth Issues - Does it make you selfish? (8/10/2008 7:21:57 AM)

For some time now, I have been going through different health issues over the past 2 years, starting from Sinusitis, tension type headaches etc.

I had been jerked around from going from one doctor to another to find some answers, and eventually I did find some answers when I completely changed doctors.

I get told I have Somatization disorder, which I know what that is by the way. (and in my opinion, it is utterly ridiculous that I was told I even had it, as I knew my issues where physical)

Not long afterwards, and this is where I completely changed all my treating doctors, I suddenly find that my facial pain started to hurt more towards my left jaw area, but because I was on anti dep meds at the time (light dose, but still affected me), I couldn't work out why my pain issues were not getting better.

A few months ago, I finally found out I have a TMJ Disorder (with Myofacial Pain too). I had to go through so much hell to find out why my issues were not getting better. My tension like headaches I kept on getting, I found out I also have a loss of neck curve (but I know the TMJ disorder can cause this as well)

Now that I have finally found out what is wrong, I am finally getting proper treatment, and am doing a hands on approach that is actually treating the problem, not taking anti dep medication that simply sweeps the problem under the carpet.

Now with this disoder I have, I have in ways now become more self centred and I suppose selfish, but selfish in a way that I have to prevent myself from not getting any worse, doing all I can to try and get better (and yes now I am thinking about myself now, because I know this disorder can get worse).

I had to go through so much, and yet prior to changing doctors, all my issues were just being passed off as tension and stress. It is absolutely pathetic what I had to go through.

Anyone else been through similar situation, where they are told they have some kind of psychological disorder, when in actual fact they have a physical problem.

Sorry for the rant, just had to let out some steam.



agapetos -> RE: Ongoing HEalth Issues - Does it make you selfish? (8/10/2008 2:53:17 PM)

I'm confused by your thread title and the actual reason you're posting.

Your title sounds as though you're wondering if people become selfish when they have ongoing health issues.

Your post is simply that you've been very frustrated by being told that you have a psychological problem when it's really a physical problem.

It can be very hard for doctors to diagnose illnesses and sometimes it can only be done through treating what they think the problem is.

You've now changed doctors and been diagnosed to your satisfaction, just make sure you do what you can to take care of yourself.



csl7037 -> RE: Ongoing HEalth Issues - Does it make you selfish? (8/11/2008 6:01:51 PM)

I agree, it's hard to tell where to go from your post. If you're thinking that being convinced it's physical and you were getting wrong diagnoses from doctors too lazy to take time to figure it out, then that's not selfish. If you're letting this take over your life, maybe you are. Do you mean the doctors make you feel like you're being selfish? If that's the case, I assure you, they're just worried about what they have to squeeze into the day for their HMOs and not wanting to be bothered! If it's your friends or family telling you you're being selfish, maybe you're drivin them crazy.

My first thought, to be honest, was you may just have a low tolerance for pain. But your post may have just been written out of frustration - and I can understand that! I suffer from vicious seasonal allergies that bring sinus infections that leads to bronchitis if I'm not careful. I also have a touch of TMJ. I have learned to deal with the sinuses before it gets to full blown infection and I just can't chew gum or I'll regret it. But I did spend several years with a lousy group of doctors that I could never get in to see when I needed to...that's when the sinus issues became full blown bronchitis...so frustrating, I know. Oh, and I did have one doctor in that group tell me I was imagining a ringing in my ears that my new doctor told me was the TMJ! GRR! So I've been through some of what you're describing and no, it's not selfish...it's from lousy doctors!



Liveloved -> RE: Ongoing HEalth Issues - Does it make you selfish? (8/12/2008 4:58:53 PM)

I have asked a similar question or expressed a similar thought in the recent past. I, too, have been having health problems. And that is exactly what I have noticed---it causes you to turn inward and think of yourself and I DON'T WANT TO!

So I was lamenting about this to some friends, my brothers and sisters in Christ. So I do understand.

And what I have come to see and understand is that the Lord is using this time for me to come to a deeper understanding of what it is to deal with chronic health problems so that I can minister to others more effectively. Such as Paul speaks in Corinthians about our being comforted by God so that we "may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God"(2Cor 1:4).

God is not going to waste anything we go through and even these times of illness, frustration, and apparent self focus will be redeemed and used for His glory. YEAH!

I went through years of chronic pain, seeing doctor after doctor, before finding out what was at the root of my problems. And God has used it all wonderfully and I wouldn't have it any way but His.

So be encouraged, dear. You are His workmanship and He only does good things! Bless ya![:)]



optimusprime -> RE: Ongoing HEalth Issues - Does it make you selfish? (8/13/2008 4:48:30 AM)

csl7037

I did write that out of frustration.

Funny you mention about the ears, I too have had some ear issues lately. Occasional ringing, occasional burning feeling, fullness of ear. Which I am going to a ENT to get my ears further investigated now. I know some of these ear symptons can be related to TMJ, but at the same time they may not be.

Going to get a hearing test done, and depending how that goes, but I think it looks like I will be getting a MRI. I think I do have a somewhat hearing loss, but nothing major I don't think (probably minimal).

Liveloved

That is exactly what I am doing now, thinking about myself only, as now, me trying to get better is all I care about and that is now a priority in my life.



agapetos -> RE: Ongoing HEalth Issues - Does it make you selfish? (8/13/2008 7:07:12 AM)

quote:

That is exactly what I am doing now, thinking about myself only, as now, me trying to get better is all I care about and that is now a priority in my life.
You can still do this while caring and taking an interest in other things.

Speaking from experience, it's much easier to do this when you're dealing with a physical problem than mental health problem.



HenriettasCat -> RE: Ongoing HEalth Issues - Does it make you selfish? (8/13/2008 7:18:29 AM)

Stress related illnesses are very real. Sometimes the worry of not knowing what the problem is - just knowing there is one - can also turn us inward.

I have had alsorts of niggling problems in the last few years - but I have also had a lot of stress - stressful childhood, stressful twenties, I've always shouldered a lot and my mental and physical resilience has just reached a low ebb. I've had gallstones, thyroid probs - I get headaches fr days at a time, tummy problems etc etc. If it's not one thing it's another and it is frustrating. Recently I have realised that I just have to take stock of my life some more and change what I can to give myself some slack - that's not selfish, its being responsible. My body is trying to tell me something. Hopefully by listening to it I will prevent more serious illness further down the line.

[sm=kitty.gif]



MrsTracy72 -> RE: Ongoing HEalth Issues - Does it make you selfish? (8/14/2008 12:15:20 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: optimusprime


Now with this disoder I have, I have in ways now become more self centred and I suppose selfish, but selfish in a way that I have to prevent myself from not getting any worse, doing all I can to try and get better (and yes now I am thinking about myself now, because I know this disorder can get worse).



I have depressin and anxiety. I have been spending the past little over a year learning what triggers those emotions and trying my hardest to avoid them or redirect my focus. I am not that good at it, but I do feel selfish because in order to get myself out of a place that I should not be in, I often times have to just walk away and take a few minutes. I know that every person needs to do that, but part of me feels like I have to do everything and when I let my husband take over, I feel like I am in a way cheating him of his free time. So I do know how you feel about the selfish part.



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