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I tried to post this on the brain injury forum, but for some reason it wouldn't let me. I guess I'm just looking for support from others who are dealing with chronic disease processes.
I have a history of several chronic medical issues that have all kind of accumulated on top of each other and then I got very, very sick about a year and a half ago with an illness that was kind of the icing on the cake.
I don't know really where to begin. Umm. I've had severe asthma and food allergies my whole life, been intubated/ICU admissions many, many times, but never really been disabled for long as a result of it. ADD, allergies, migraines and stomach ulcers that began as a child. I was an athlete in high school and college, so I did okay in spite of all of it. Then, partially because I was a gymnast and a runner, I developed an eating disorder when I was 10 and everything kind of spiraled from there.
A lot has gone on the last 10 or so years. My esophagus ruptured twice, I was diagnosed with Addison's disease. In and out of treatment centers for the eating disorder. Some depression and PTSD/anxiety. Was in a bad car accident and got a TBI and a seizure disorder as a result of that. Was fairly successful despite all this. Got through college, med school and residency. As I was finishing residency, I developed meningitis and infections in the bones/discs of my spine and abscesses in my brain and spinal cord. This is where the main disabling features came into play. A lot of complications as a result of this. Central Pontine Myelinolysis during fluid resuscitation. Septic for a long period of time. In the hospital for over 6 mos., then in a rehab for several more mos. Had several surgeries and procedures. Have some gait disturbances, myoclonus, tremors, seizures, depression, memory loss, swallowing problems and cognitive changes as a result of all this. Currently dependent on a mediport for IV fluids and a feeding tube for supplemental feeding. And I'm still struggling with the eating disorder. I don't know if I'll ever be able to go back to work as a physician, which is heart breaking. I'm working part time doing other things right now, receiving SSDI.
I guess that's the gist of it. I just wanted to connect with others who were going through similar life complications and maybe get some advice along the way.
Sorry this is so long.
Thanks for listening.
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