Living with Chronic Illness

Most people will experience two or more chronic, long-term illnesses during their lifetimes. Almost 60% of us have a chronic condition we deal with on a daily basis. Those of us with chronic illness need to find ways to live a life that’s as healthy as possible in spite of our ailments.

Whatever chronic illnesses you’re dealing with, be it arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, depression, liver disease, bipolar disorder, emphysema, cancer, stroke, or other diseases, not only do we have to deal with physical symptoms like pain, inflammation, stiffness, etc., but we also have to cope with the psychological symptoms like frustration, anger, fear, and helplessness. Living life as fully as you can while you have a chronic illness can be tough. Some days the hardest part is not the pain itself, but the way it affects your mood, your plans, and your energy.

So, how do we manage to find a way through the physical, mental, and emotional symptoms we have to contend with? There are things you can do to make your situation better. Finding others who have the same disease or condition can reduce feeling as though no one understands you or recognizes what you’re going through. Sometimes it can help if you know other people are living with the same thing and are doing so successfully. It provides a bit of hope when you’re feeling bleak. A support group, a trusted friend, or even one honest conversation can help you feel less alone.

Avoid developing the mindset that your illness is all there is and that you are the disease. When you filter everything in your life through the lens of the disease or condition you have, you lose sight of what’s important and who you really are. You are more than your illness! You still have your interests, your humor, your skills, your values, and the people who care about you. It can help to make time for one thing each day that reminds you of that. Maybe it is listening to music, calling a friend, reading, praying, or sitting outside for a few minutes.

Try journaling how you feel about the disease and what it is costing you. Putting it down on paper can help you identify your feelings. If you know what they are, you’ve got a better chance of working through them and not letting them define you. Journaling can also help you prioritize the issues and questions you want to discuss with your doctor. You do not have to write a lot. A few lines about pain, energy, sleep, stress, or side effects can be enough. Some people use a notebook. Others keep notes on their phone.

You are the expert on what you are going through. Sometimes you have to keep your health care team focused on what’s important to you as they tend to see only the disease and not the person behind it. Remember, we don’t always respond in the same way. Medications can affect people in different ways, and our illness may manifest in symptoms, unlike those other people experience. If you don’t fit the mold on a specific disease, then you may have to treat your symptoms rather than the disease. It might help to keep track of your symptoms. If you can see improvement in how you feel now compared to how you felt last year, you can see that you’re making progress. Bringing a list to an appointment can help. You can note questions, new symptoms, pain levels, changes in sleep, or anything that seems worse or better.

It is your responsibility to take the best care of yourself as possible. Seek out ways to live as fully as you can. Don’t give up. It is possible to live with chronic illness and still have a meaningful life. That may mean setting limits, resting when you need to, asking for help, and making room for joy when you can. Small steps count. A short walk, a healthy meal, a call to check in with someone, or getting to bed on time can all support your health.

If chronic illness is making daily life harder, remember that you do not have to figure everything out alone. Disability Network Lakeshore can help people with disabilities in Ottawa and Allegan counties find resources and support. Our services are free, and we can help you look at options that fit your needs. You can call us at (616) 396-5326.

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442 Century Lane
Holland, MI 49423

Services

Advocacy

Assistance Animals

Information & Referral

Peer Support

Emergency Readiness

Social Security Disability

Social Participation

Veterans

Skills Development

Employment

Transition

Nursing Home Transition

Youth Services