I'd been doing well but I'm having a set-back. So much has happened that is out of my control. I'm overwhelmed, and I'm having trouble functioning again.

I received notice that a property I own was being foreclosed and scheduled for auction, the bank never received the buyer's contract for short sale, I had to find a truck to move my remaining belongings into storage, I'm dealing with legal matters, my health insurance company told me I did not have drug coverage so I didn't get my Celebrex for about 2 weeks, when I got it the dosage had been cut in half, I ran out of my sleep med and the new sleep med isn't working.

I missed a medical appt, I missed an ophthalmology appt., I missed a neurology appt., I missed a dental appt., I ran out of my blood pressure meds and was late renewing them, I missed paying all my medical bills, also my homeowner's liability insurance bill and received a cancellation notice, and I missed my car's smog test and registration.

I'm in pain again, I'm sleep deprived, and I'm stressed out! Nothing is getting done! Everything is piling up!

Iris L.

Hi Iris, may I sit with you a while?

I'm so sorry that your pain is extreme right now. And I want you to know that I understand what it's like to have been highly functional, but have had to watch it all drift out of reach. And my goodness, I understand physical pain.

I'm really, really sorry that we have progressive illnesses. All our lives we were told to be optimistic, because we could take a bad situation and make something good come from it. But our diseases don't care, they're just doing what they do. And all the defenses we'd learned against despair, well, those apply to situations that will get better.

So, we need a new coping style. One that flexes with our current circumstances, and adapts as needed.

One thing at a time, one step at a time. Remember when that used to be easy?

Here's a suggestion, I hope useful: As much as possible, turn off everything in your home that's making noise, when it's really quiet outside. You might want to turn off the lights, if that helps you relax. Start listening to the silence. Take it in, with each slow, deep breath. As you do this, your body will whisper it's little stresses to you, and shifting your position a little will help.

I've got to go now. You just keep sitting in the silence, breathing gently and deeply, till you know it's time to move on.

Iris I am so sorry for all these situations.
Can't help you handle (you just live too far away lol) them but here is a chatroom virtual hug ((((Iris))))
You have been so strong but that is not what you want to hear so I think Alan has a very good idea. My world gets so overstressed that I also do some of the things you have mentioned and I don't handle well either.
So lights out and noise turned off...hum it is 5:15 AM and I am on computer, so on another night I will try that, as the computer is major source of irritation to my tinnitus but insomnia is a major irritation to my ....
Thank you for all the help you give in the chat room. You add logic when I sometimes get a little overboard.
May I use the email address you posted for Brittany the other night?
Know that I am out here and worried about you so take heart from that and just one more ((((Hug))))
Sheryl

quote:

Originally posted by Iris L.:

I'm in pain again, I'm sleep deprived, and I'm stressed out! Nothing is getting done! Everything is piling up!

Iris L.

Iris, I'm so very sorry! Being your own caregiver has to be unbelievebly hard. I feel so very bad... the only help I can think of for you is to call our 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900.

Alan offers go set with youj becauswe he is professionally competant. I offer to virtually set witrh you to bawl togegther.

Iris,

Hang in there! I know exactly what you mean. You are overwhelmed! Try to do what Alan suggested.

Then, Start writing lists of things to be done. Try to prioritize them if you can. Then, check them off as you do them to see your progress!

I'm sorry about your pain. That can be mind boggling in and of itself. I hope now that you have your meds you'll have better pain control.

I know how difficult it is to do this alone. Remember, you are NOT completely alone, Iris. We are here and we care! Call the AD Helpline if you need to.

Thinking of you.



Quiet, slow, deep breathing and relaxation should help.

Oh My Iris,

This sounds so like my life not so long ago. Life had spiraled out of control. I just could not keep track of appointments and prescriptions either. I screwed everything up I touched. Then one day it just started, little by little. One task at a time. I started to regroup and get control somewhat. Each task completed, was a victory.

I was most proud of figuring out how to use the mail order pharmacy. It took me a YEAR. YES REALLY! I'll bet my internest wrote me 5 RX for the same drug that I promptly lost. Getting it (my mind) back together most of the time was dealing with one thing a day. BTW = If you aren't taking your regular meds, stopping cold turkey really screws you up. I speak from experience. Experience By The Way happened on more than one occassion. So ASAP, well after you sit quietly and regroup, get the medication situation taken care of.

You are in my prayers. Please keep telling yourself, this too shall pass. But, darn it, remember that you deserve to have this pity party. It's OK. I did, I grieved over all of the mental losses and mistakes I had made. But then I had to move forward. Don't blame yourself.

It's OK. It's our life and our reality now. Life sucks sometimes, ok - so a lot of the time. You know Iris, you are one strong woman. Think, what would you advise someone else that wrote this letter. Then follow that advise. Just know that you have it in you to get past this. It may not be easy, you may not see the light right now, you may be your own caretaker, BUT, you have a LOT of friends here on the boards and on the Chat lines. We are here for you and for each other.

Keep On Keeping On Iris.

LYNN

Thank you all who wrote back to me. It's good to know I don't have to explain myself when my life spirals out-of-control.

Alan I took your advice. I had to unplug some things. For several weeks I felt like I had tinnitus because I could always hear a "motor" sound in my head. But I figured out it's the computer.

You said on another thread something about using up our reserves. Well my reserves are used up. I used to spend all day in bed to regroup. I had to do that today.

Sheryl, thanks for the virtual hug! It looks like you and I want to be computer night owls. It sounds like fun but it can overwhelm us. We need breaks! I haven't been checking my emails for weeks, but I'll look for an email from you.

Tom, instead of bawling we can laugh together! Sometimes we have to laugh to keep from crying.

Lisa, You're always so encouraging. I'm taking a break today, then I'll start back on my lists tomorrow.

Lynn, I'm having trouble with my medication schedule because I'm not sleeping and my circadian rhythm is off. The nurse from the Xyrem program called me today and we talked over how I can get this medication to work for me.

I'm feeling better already. Thanks again, everyone!

Iris L.