CF and Depression

M

mewncariad

Guest
Hi, I was wondering if anyone else has struggled with this as well.

First I should give a bit of background... when I was little I was sick quite a lot, in and out of the hospital constantly, but since I was 8 I was very healthy and not in again for 12 years. Unfortunatly, this recent bout of hospitalization has really had a negative impact on me... I was studying in Wales, on an exchange year, and got sick at the end of the year, spent 2 and a half weeks in hospital there, including 1 week in ICU... The staff were wonderful but it was a regional hospital and there were no CF doctors, so I probably didn't get the care I really needed. We all thought I was better though, and I was released... still with a bit of a cough, and very weak, naturally, but feeling optimistic, I felt like it was over and everything would be all right. I had had plans to work in Scotland that summer with my friend, and at this point I thought they were just postponed, I would go home for a month and recover and then come back (and also get to see my boyfriend again, who lives in London).

But it didn't work out like that. It was only two weeks before I was in hospital again, this time back home in Calgary (Canada) and with my regular CF doctor. I was miserable there, I hate hospitals and I'd already felt enough, and it was clear my plans of going back weren't going to happen. I suppose I should be thankful that I did get all the way better in the two weeks there, but I was very depressed, I cried all the time and lost interest in things... My doctor told me I might have to reconsider going back to school in the fall (I attend university on the other side of the country) and I became so upset, I felt just despair, like my life as I knew it was over, like I would keep getting sick and never get to do anything I wanted to, like travel or see my boyfriend, ever again.

Most of this went away after a little while, although all summer I wasn't especially happy, but there are a lot of factors there I won't go into. However, upon coming back to school this fall (I didn't get sick again over the summer) I entered into a severe depression, I felt like I just couldn't cope, overwhelmed by everything, so sad and miserable and pessimistic. I am on antidepressants now, which are starting to help, but it's only been 3 weeks. Furthermore, I seem to have a bit of a lung infection again and it's scaring me and making the feelings worse... I coughed until I threw up this morning which made me feel miserable, and again like I couldn't deal with this... I've started geting out of breath when I climb stairs, etc., which only makes me feel like I can't cope even more. I know I need to go to the doctor, so it's temporary, but I feel right now the CF is just making it all worse. When I feel physically all right I get depressed, but then when I'm mentally all right I worry about my physical health. And I'm so scared of it all happening again. It's been just the worst year.

Anyway! I was wondering if anyone has gone through anything similar and has any advice to offer? Thanks so much!
 
M

mewncariad

Guest
Hi, I was wondering if anyone else has struggled with this as well.

First I should give a bit of background... when I was little I was sick quite a lot, in and out of the hospital constantly, but since I was 8 I was very healthy and not in again for 12 years. Unfortunatly, this recent bout of hospitalization has really had a negative impact on me... I was studying in Wales, on an exchange year, and got sick at the end of the year, spent 2 and a half weeks in hospital there, including 1 week in ICU... The staff were wonderful but it was a regional hospital and there were no CF doctors, so I probably didn't get the care I really needed. We all thought I was better though, and I was released... still with a bit of a cough, and very weak, naturally, but feeling optimistic, I felt like it was over and everything would be all right. I had had plans to work in Scotland that summer with my friend, and at this point I thought they were just postponed, I would go home for a month and recover and then come back (and also get to see my boyfriend again, who lives in London).

But it didn't work out like that. It was only two weeks before I was in hospital again, this time back home in Calgary (Canada) and with my regular CF doctor. I was miserable there, I hate hospitals and I'd already felt enough, and it was clear my plans of going back weren't going to happen. I suppose I should be thankful that I did get all the way better in the two weeks there, but I was very depressed, I cried all the time and lost interest in things... My doctor told me I might have to reconsider going back to school in the fall (I attend university on the other side of the country) and I became so upset, I felt just despair, like my life as I knew it was over, like I would keep getting sick and never get to do anything I wanted to, like travel or see my boyfriend, ever again.

Most of this went away after a little while, although all summer I wasn't especially happy, but there are a lot of factors there I won't go into. However, upon coming back to school this fall (I didn't get sick again over the summer) I entered into a severe depression, I felt like I just couldn't cope, overwhelmed by everything, so sad and miserable and pessimistic. I am on antidepressants now, which are starting to help, but it's only been 3 weeks. Furthermore, I seem to have a bit of a lung infection again and it's scaring me and making the feelings worse... I coughed until I threw up this morning which made me feel miserable, and again like I couldn't deal with this... I've started geting out of breath when I climb stairs, etc., which only makes me feel like I can't cope even more. I know I need to go to the doctor, so it's temporary, but I feel right now the CF is just making it all worse. When I feel physically all right I get depressed, but then when I'm mentally all right I worry about my physical health. And I'm so scared of it all happening again. It's been just the worst year.

Anyway! I was wondering if anyone has gone through anything similar and has any advice to offer? Thanks so much!
 
M

mewncariad

Guest
Hi, I was wondering if anyone else has struggled with this as well.

First I should give a bit of background... when I was little I was sick quite a lot, in and out of the hospital constantly, but since I was 8 I was very healthy and not in again for 12 years. Unfortunatly, this recent bout of hospitalization has really had a negative impact on me... I was studying in Wales, on an exchange year, and got sick at the end of the year, spent 2 and a half weeks in hospital there, including 1 week in ICU... The staff were wonderful but it was a regional hospital and there were no CF doctors, so I probably didn't get the care I really needed. We all thought I was better though, and I was released... still with a bit of a cough, and very weak, naturally, but feeling optimistic, I felt like it was over and everything would be all right. I had had plans to work in Scotland that summer with my friend, and at this point I thought they were just postponed, I would go home for a month and recover and then come back (and also get to see my boyfriend again, who lives in London).

But it didn't work out like that. It was only two weeks before I was in hospital again, this time back home in Calgary (Canada) and with my regular CF doctor. I was miserable there, I hate hospitals and I'd already felt enough, and it was clear my plans of going back weren't going to happen. I suppose I should be thankful that I did get all the way better in the two weeks there, but I was very depressed, I cried all the time and lost interest in things... My doctor told me I might have to reconsider going back to school in the fall (I attend university on the other side of the country) and I became so upset, I felt just despair, like my life as I knew it was over, like I would keep getting sick and never get to do anything I wanted to, like travel or see my boyfriend, ever again.

Most of this went away after a little while, although all summer I wasn't especially happy, but there are a lot of factors there I won't go into. However, upon coming back to school this fall (I didn't get sick again over the summer) I entered into a severe depression, I felt like I just couldn't cope, overwhelmed by everything, so sad and miserable and pessimistic. I am on antidepressants now, which are starting to help, but it's only been 3 weeks. Furthermore, I seem to have a bit of a lung infection again and it's scaring me and making the feelings worse... I coughed until I threw up this morning which made me feel miserable, and again like I couldn't deal with this... I've started geting out of breath when I climb stairs, etc., which only makes me feel like I can't cope even more. I know I need to go to the doctor, so it's temporary, but I feel right now the CF is just making it all worse. When I feel physically all right I get depressed, but then when I'm mentally all right I worry about my physical health. And I'm so scared of it all happening again. It's been just the worst year.

Anyway! I was wondering if anyone has gone through anything similar and has any advice to offer? Thanks so much!
 
M

mewncariad

Guest
Hi, I was wondering if anyone else has struggled with this as well.

First I should give a bit of background... when I was little I was sick quite a lot, in and out of the hospital constantly, but since I was 8 I was very healthy and not in again for 12 years. Unfortunatly, this recent bout of hospitalization has really had a negative impact on me... I was studying in Wales, on an exchange year, and got sick at the end of the year, spent 2 and a half weeks in hospital there, including 1 week in ICU... The staff were wonderful but it was a regional hospital and there were no CF doctors, so I probably didn't get the care I really needed. We all thought I was better though, and I was released... still with a bit of a cough, and very weak, naturally, but feeling optimistic, I felt like it was over and everything would be all right. I had had plans to work in Scotland that summer with my friend, and at this point I thought they were just postponed, I would go home for a month and recover and then come back (and also get to see my boyfriend again, who lives in London).

But it didn't work out like that. It was only two weeks before I was in hospital again, this time back home in Calgary (Canada) and with my regular CF doctor. I was miserable there, I hate hospitals and I'd already felt enough, and it was clear my plans of going back weren't going to happen. I suppose I should be thankful that I did get all the way better in the two weeks there, but I was very depressed, I cried all the time and lost interest in things... My doctor told me I might have to reconsider going back to school in the fall (I attend university on the other side of the country) and I became so upset, I felt just despair, like my life as I knew it was over, like I would keep getting sick and never get to do anything I wanted to, like travel or see my boyfriend, ever again.

Most of this went away after a little while, although all summer I wasn't especially happy, but there are a lot of factors there I won't go into. However, upon coming back to school this fall (I didn't get sick again over the summer) I entered into a severe depression, I felt like I just couldn't cope, overwhelmed by everything, so sad and miserable and pessimistic. I am on antidepressants now, which are starting to help, but it's only been 3 weeks. Furthermore, I seem to have a bit of a lung infection again and it's scaring me and making the feelings worse... I coughed until I threw up this morning which made me feel miserable, and again like I couldn't deal with this... I've started geting out of breath when I climb stairs, etc., which only makes me feel like I can't cope even more. I know I need to go to the doctor, so it's temporary, but I feel right now the CF is just making it all worse. When I feel physically all right I get depressed, but then when I'm mentally all right I worry about my physical health. And I'm so scared of it all happening again. It's been just the worst year.

Anyway! I was wondering if anyone has gone through anything similar and has any advice to offer? Thanks so much!
 
M

mewncariad

Guest
Hi, I was wondering if anyone else has struggled with this as well.
<br />
<br />First I should give a bit of background... when I was little I was sick quite a lot, in and out of the hospital constantly, but since I was 8 I was very healthy and not in again for 12 years. Unfortunatly, this recent bout of hospitalization has really had a negative impact on me... I was studying in Wales, on an exchange year, and got sick at the end of the year, spent 2 and a half weeks in hospital there, including 1 week in ICU... The staff were wonderful but it was a regional hospital and there were no CF doctors, so I probably didn't get the care I really needed. We all thought I was better though, and I was released... still with a bit of a cough, and very weak, naturally, but feeling optimistic, I felt like it was over and everything would be all right. I had had plans to work in Scotland that summer with my friend, and at this point I thought they were just postponed, I would go home for a month and recover and then come back (and also get to see my boyfriend again, who lives in London).
<br />
<br />But it didn't work out like that. It was only two weeks before I was in hospital again, this time back home in Calgary (Canada) and with my regular CF doctor. I was miserable there, I hate hospitals and I'd already felt enough, and it was clear my plans of going back weren't going to happen. I suppose I should be thankful that I did get all the way better in the two weeks there, but I was very depressed, I cried all the time and lost interest in things... My doctor told me I might have to reconsider going back to school in the fall (I attend university on the other side of the country) and I became so upset, I felt just despair, like my life as I knew it was over, like I would keep getting sick and never get to do anything I wanted to, like travel or see my boyfriend, ever again.
<br />
<br />Most of this went away after a little while, although all summer I wasn't especially happy, but there are a lot of factors there I won't go into. However, upon coming back to school this fall (I didn't get sick again over the summer) I entered into a severe depression, I felt like I just couldn't cope, overwhelmed by everything, so sad and miserable and pessimistic. I am on antidepressants now, which are starting to help, but it's only been 3 weeks. Furthermore, I seem to have a bit of a lung infection again and it's scaring me and making the feelings worse... I coughed until I threw up this morning which made me feel miserable, and again like I couldn't deal with this... I've started geting out of breath when I climb stairs, etc., which only makes me feel like I can't cope even more. I know I need to go to the doctor, so it's temporary, but I feel right now the CF is just making it all worse. When I feel physically all right I get depressed, but then when I'm mentally all right I worry about my physical health. And I'm so scared of it all happening again. It's been just the worst year.
<br />
<br />Anyway! I was wondering if anyone has gone through anything similar and has any advice to offer? Thanks so much!
 
W

welshwitch

Guest
Hi mewncariad,

I know what you mean about CF getting to be too much. It is an incredible overwhelming condition. However, it is possible to live with it and incorporate it into your life as just another "thing" to deal with.

I don't know much about depression, except my ex-boyfriend suffered from it and it sounds really tough. I think, though, that I can help w. some tips on managing CF so that it becomes more doable.

It sounds like the despair you are feeling is coming from a notion that you don't have control over your CF. All those recent hospital stays and questions about where your life is headed sounds really rough and it makes total sense that it is stressing you out to the point of depression.

In my experience, it is really easy to let your mind wander to The Dark Side w. this disease. I mean, if you start to think negatively there is really nowhere to go but down. For me, the only way to deal with it is Proactive positive thinking mixed with proactive care on my CF. Let me offer the following tips:

*exercise, exercise, exercise. not only is it a proven weapon against depression, but it WILL help you physically. what are your PFTs right now? You mention that you get shortness of breath when you climb stairs. is there anyway you could join a gym and run on the treadmill a couple times a week? This has really helped me not only control my cough, but also the endorphins make me feel like i could do anything.

*change your outlook. you have two choices: to either look at the negatives with CF (what you don't have, glass half empty, you will die early, etc.) OR to think about the positives. What DO you have in your life? How are people in your life going to benefit from your talents and virtues?

*stay on this board. there are lots of people here who are successfully managing their CF, having families, getting married, having kids, having amazing jobs, buying houses, etc. despite their disease. it is really helpful for me to read success stories about people who are accomplishing so much.

*get a role model with CF. this too you could find on this board. this is someone older than you who can be an inspiration to you. mine is the triathelete Lisa Bentley, but there are many others too.

*stay away from negative reading material. when i read really sad and depressing stories about CF it makes me go to the Dark Side that I mentioned earlier. it really has no good purpose for me.

*meds: do you do all your meds, take your pills, get enough sleep, etc?

*fun. make time for fun in your life. what do you do for fun????

Perhaps this advice isn't helpful to you, but when I first started really dealing with this disease someone who was in their late 40s w/CF told me some of these things. I never forgot them!
 
W

welshwitch

Guest
Hi mewncariad,

I know what you mean about CF getting to be too much. It is an incredible overwhelming condition. However, it is possible to live with it and incorporate it into your life as just another "thing" to deal with.

I don't know much about depression, except my ex-boyfriend suffered from it and it sounds really tough. I think, though, that I can help w. some tips on managing CF so that it becomes more doable.

It sounds like the despair you are feeling is coming from a notion that you don't have control over your CF. All those recent hospital stays and questions about where your life is headed sounds really rough and it makes total sense that it is stressing you out to the point of depression.

In my experience, it is really easy to let your mind wander to The Dark Side w. this disease. I mean, if you start to think negatively there is really nowhere to go but down. For me, the only way to deal with it is Proactive positive thinking mixed with proactive care on my CF. Let me offer the following tips:

*exercise, exercise, exercise. not only is it a proven weapon against depression, but it WILL help you physically. what are your PFTs right now? You mention that you get shortness of breath when you climb stairs. is there anyway you could join a gym and run on the treadmill a couple times a week? This has really helped me not only control my cough, but also the endorphins make me feel like i could do anything.

*change your outlook. you have two choices: to either look at the negatives with CF (what you don't have, glass half empty, you will die early, etc.) OR to think about the positives. What DO you have in your life? How are people in your life going to benefit from your talents and virtues?

*stay on this board. there are lots of people here who are successfully managing their CF, having families, getting married, having kids, having amazing jobs, buying houses, etc. despite their disease. it is really helpful for me to read success stories about people who are accomplishing so much.

*get a role model with CF. this too you could find on this board. this is someone older than you who can be an inspiration to you. mine is the triathelete Lisa Bentley, but there are many others too.

*stay away from negative reading material. when i read really sad and depressing stories about CF it makes me go to the Dark Side that I mentioned earlier. it really has no good purpose for me.

*meds: do you do all your meds, take your pills, get enough sleep, etc?

*fun. make time for fun in your life. what do you do for fun????

Perhaps this advice isn't helpful to you, but when I first started really dealing with this disease someone who was in their late 40s w/CF told me some of these things. I never forgot them!
 
W

welshwitch

Guest
Hi mewncariad,

I know what you mean about CF getting to be too much. It is an incredible overwhelming condition. However, it is possible to live with it and incorporate it into your life as just another "thing" to deal with.

I don't know much about depression, except my ex-boyfriend suffered from it and it sounds really tough. I think, though, that I can help w. some tips on managing CF so that it becomes more doable.

It sounds like the despair you are feeling is coming from a notion that you don't have control over your CF. All those recent hospital stays and questions about where your life is headed sounds really rough and it makes total sense that it is stressing you out to the point of depression.

In my experience, it is really easy to let your mind wander to The Dark Side w. this disease. I mean, if you start to think negatively there is really nowhere to go but down. For me, the only way to deal with it is Proactive positive thinking mixed with proactive care on my CF. Let me offer the following tips:

*exercise, exercise, exercise. not only is it a proven weapon against depression, but it WILL help you physically. what are your PFTs right now? You mention that you get shortness of breath when you climb stairs. is there anyway you could join a gym and run on the treadmill a couple times a week? This has really helped me not only control my cough, but also the endorphins make me feel like i could do anything.

*change your outlook. you have two choices: to either look at the negatives with CF (what you don't have, glass half empty, you will die early, etc.) OR to think about the positives. What DO you have in your life? How are people in your life going to benefit from your talents and virtues?

*stay on this board. there are lots of people here who are successfully managing their CF, having families, getting married, having kids, having amazing jobs, buying houses, etc. despite their disease. it is really helpful for me to read success stories about people who are accomplishing so much.

*get a role model with CF. this too you could find on this board. this is someone older than you who can be an inspiration to you. mine is the triathelete Lisa Bentley, but there are many others too.

*stay away from negative reading material. when i read really sad and depressing stories about CF it makes me go to the Dark Side that I mentioned earlier. it really has no good purpose for me.

*meds: do you do all your meds, take your pills, get enough sleep, etc?

*fun. make time for fun in your life. what do you do for fun????

Perhaps this advice isn't helpful to you, but when I first started really dealing with this disease someone who was in their late 40s w/CF told me some of these things. I never forgot them!
 
W

welshwitch

Guest
Hi mewncariad,

I know what you mean about CF getting to be too much. It is an incredible overwhelming condition. However, it is possible to live with it and incorporate it into your life as just another "thing" to deal with.

I don't know much about depression, except my ex-boyfriend suffered from it and it sounds really tough. I think, though, that I can help w. some tips on managing CF so that it becomes more doable.

It sounds like the despair you are feeling is coming from a notion that you don't have control over your CF. All those recent hospital stays and questions about where your life is headed sounds really rough and it makes total sense that it is stressing you out to the point of depression.

In my experience, it is really easy to let your mind wander to The Dark Side w. this disease. I mean, if you start to think negatively there is really nowhere to go but down. For me, the only way to deal with it is Proactive positive thinking mixed with proactive care on my CF. Let me offer the following tips:

*exercise, exercise, exercise. not only is it a proven weapon against depression, but it WILL help you physically. what are your PFTs right now? You mention that you get shortness of breath when you climb stairs. is there anyway you could join a gym and run on the treadmill a couple times a week? This has really helped me not only control my cough, but also the endorphins make me feel like i could do anything.

*change your outlook. you have two choices: to either look at the negatives with CF (what you don't have, glass half empty, you will die early, etc.) OR to think about the positives. What DO you have in your life? How are people in your life going to benefit from your talents and virtues?

*stay on this board. there are lots of people here who are successfully managing their CF, having families, getting married, having kids, having amazing jobs, buying houses, etc. despite their disease. it is really helpful for me to read success stories about people who are accomplishing so much.

*get a role model with CF. this too you could find on this board. this is someone older than you who can be an inspiration to you. mine is the triathelete Lisa Bentley, but there are many others too.

*stay away from negative reading material. when i read really sad and depressing stories about CF it makes me go to the Dark Side that I mentioned earlier. it really has no good purpose for me.

*meds: do you do all your meds, take your pills, get enough sleep, etc?

*fun. make time for fun in your life. what do you do for fun????

Perhaps this advice isn't helpful to you, but when I first started really dealing with this disease someone who was in their late 40s w/CF told me some of these things. I never forgot them!
 
W

welshwitch

Guest
Hi mewncariad,
<br />
<br />I know what you mean about CF getting to be too much. It is an incredible overwhelming condition. However, it is possible to live with it and incorporate it into your life as just another "thing" to deal with.
<br />
<br />I don't know much about depression, except my ex-boyfriend suffered from it and it sounds really tough. I think, though, that I can help w. some tips on managing CF so that it becomes more doable.
<br />
<br />It sounds like the despair you are feeling is coming from a notion that you don't have control over your CF. All those recent hospital stays and questions about where your life is headed sounds really rough and it makes total sense that it is stressing you out to the point of depression.
<br />
<br />In my experience, it is really easy to let your mind wander to The Dark Side w. this disease. I mean, if you start to think negatively there is really nowhere to go but down. For me, the only way to deal with it is Proactive positive thinking mixed with proactive care on my CF. Let me offer the following tips:
<br />
<br />*exercise, exercise, exercise. not only is it a proven weapon against depression, but it WILL help you physically. what are your PFTs right now? You mention that you get shortness of breath when you climb stairs. is there anyway you could join a gym and run on the treadmill a couple times a week? This has really helped me not only control my cough, but also the endorphins make me feel like i could do anything.
<br />
<br />*change your outlook. you have two choices: to either look at the negatives with CF (what you don't have, glass half empty, you will die early, etc.) OR to think about the positives. What DO you have in your life? How are people in your life going to benefit from your talents and virtues?
<br />
<br />*stay on this board. there are lots of people here who are successfully managing their CF, having families, getting married, having kids, having amazing jobs, buying houses, etc. despite their disease. it is really helpful for me to read success stories about people who are accomplishing so much.
<br />
<br />*get a role model with CF. this too you could find on this board. this is someone older than you who can be an inspiration to you. mine is the triathelete Lisa Bentley, but there are many others too.
<br />
<br />*stay away from negative reading material. when i read really sad and depressing stories about CF it makes me go to the Dark Side that I mentioned earlier. it really has no good purpose for me.
<br />
<br />*meds: do you do all your meds, take your pills, get enough sleep, etc?
<br />
<br />*fun. make time for fun in your life. what do you do for fun????
<br />
<br />Perhaps this advice isn't helpful to you, but when I first started really dealing with this disease someone who was in their late 40s w/CF told me some of these things. I never forgot them!
 
L

laulau555

New member
I felt like this when I was sick a lot a couple years ago. Its so hard when you know you don't have enough control over your cf, and there's nothing you can do about it. What I didn't realize was that it was the fact that I felt that I was dealing with it alone that made me so depressed. I would cry late at night because although I had a good support system they just didn't get it.

It wasn't until I read a book "Robyn's Book" about a girl with CF that I began to realize that I wasn't in fact alone. I then read another one "A little Love Story" about a man in a relationship with a woman with CF (both are on amazon.com !). I was able to come to terms with the fact that no, I might not be able to control my health fully, but Yes I can be optimistic about it and do the best I can, because these books were EXTREMELY positive about cf. (watch out for those that aren't avoid them at all costs!) I have had a positive attitude my whole life, and it was only that time that I started getting so sick that it changed. I found that if I thought negative thoughts it only made things worse, because I refused to MAKE them better.Optimism is the ultimate medicine with a disease with CF.

I also realized I could talk to people with CF about it, through this website and cf2chat.com. This was the final healing point for my sadness and confusion... in knowing that I was not alone.

I strongly recommend you join the supportive community of CF.com, read some blogs and maybe even get a blog to share your thoughts. The positivity most of us exhibit may help to inspire you to stop thinking negatively. Everyone here is so supportive, and I honestly have not cried late at night about my CF since joining. Sometimes all you need is just someone to understand!
 
L

laulau555

New member
I felt like this when I was sick a lot a couple years ago. Its so hard when you know you don't have enough control over your cf, and there's nothing you can do about it. What I didn't realize was that it was the fact that I felt that I was dealing with it alone that made me so depressed. I would cry late at night because although I had a good support system they just didn't get it.

It wasn't until I read a book "Robyn's Book" about a girl with CF that I began to realize that I wasn't in fact alone. I then read another one "A little Love Story" about a man in a relationship with a woman with CF (both are on amazon.com !). I was able to come to terms with the fact that no, I might not be able to control my health fully, but Yes I can be optimistic about it and do the best I can, because these books were EXTREMELY positive about cf. (watch out for those that aren't avoid them at all costs!) I have had a positive attitude my whole life, and it was only that time that I started getting so sick that it changed. I found that if I thought negative thoughts it only made things worse, because I refused to MAKE them better.Optimism is the ultimate medicine with a disease with CF.

I also realized I could talk to people with CF about it, through this website and cf2chat.com. This was the final healing point for my sadness and confusion... in knowing that I was not alone.

I strongly recommend you join the supportive community of CF.com, read some blogs and maybe even get a blog to share your thoughts. The positivity most of us exhibit may help to inspire you to stop thinking negatively. Everyone here is so supportive, and I honestly have not cried late at night about my CF since joining. Sometimes all you need is just someone to understand!
 
L

laulau555

New member
I felt like this when I was sick a lot a couple years ago. Its so hard when you know you don't have enough control over your cf, and there's nothing you can do about it. What I didn't realize was that it was the fact that I felt that I was dealing with it alone that made me so depressed. I would cry late at night because although I had a good support system they just didn't get it.

It wasn't until I read a book "Robyn's Book" about a girl with CF that I began to realize that I wasn't in fact alone. I then read another one "A little Love Story" about a man in a relationship with a woman with CF (both are on amazon.com !). I was able to come to terms with the fact that no, I might not be able to control my health fully, but Yes I can be optimistic about it and do the best I can, because these books were EXTREMELY positive about cf. (watch out for those that aren't avoid them at all costs!) I have had a positive attitude my whole life, and it was only that time that I started getting so sick that it changed. I found that if I thought negative thoughts it only made things worse, because I refused to MAKE them better.Optimism is the ultimate medicine with a disease with CF.

I also realized I could talk to people with CF about it, through this website and cf2chat.com. This was the final healing point for my sadness and confusion... in knowing that I was not alone.

I strongly recommend you join the supportive community of CF.com, read some blogs and maybe even get a blog to share your thoughts. The positivity most of us exhibit may help to inspire you to stop thinking negatively. Everyone here is so supportive, and I honestly have not cried late at night about my CF since joining. Sometimes all you need is just someone to understand!
 
L

laulau555

New member
I felt like this when I was sick a lot a couple years ago. Its so hard when you know you don't have enough control over your cf, and there's nothing you can do about it. What I didn't realize was that it was the fact that I felt that I was dealing with it alone that made me so depressed. I would cry late at night because although I had a good support system they just didn't get it.

It wasn't until I read a book "Robyn's Book" about a girl with CF that I began to realize that I wasn't in fact alone. I then read another one "A little Love Story" about a man in a relationship with a woman with CF (both are on amazon.com !). I was able to come to terms with the fact that no, I might not be able to control my health fully, but Yes I can be optimistic about it and do the best I can, because these books were EXTREMELY positive about cf. (watch out for those that aren't avoid them at all costs!) I have had a positive attitude my whole life, and it was only that time that I started getting so sick that it changed. I found that if I thought negative thoughts it only made things worse, because I refused to MAKE them better.Optimism is the ultimate medicine with a disease with CF.

I also realized I could talk to people with CF about it, through this website and cf2chat.com. This was the final healing point for my sadness and confusion... in knowing that I was not alone.

I strongly recommend you join the supportive community of CF.com, read some blogs and maybe even get a blog to share your thoughts. The positivity most of us exhibit may help to inspire you to stop thinking negatively. Everyone here is so supportive, and I honestly have not cried late at night about my CF since joining. Sometimes all you need is just someone to understand!
 
L

laulau555

New member
I felt like this when I was sick a lot a couple years ago. Its so hard when you know you don't have enough control over your cf, and there's nothing you can do about it. What I didn't realize was that it was the fact that I felt that I was dealing with it alone that made me so depressed. I would cry late at night because although I had a good support system they just didn't get it.
<br />
<br />It wasn't until I read a book "Robyn's Book" about a girl with CF that I began to realize that I wasn't in fact alone. I then read another one "A little Love Story" about a man in a relationship with a woman with CF (both are on amazon.com !). I was able to come to terms with the fact that no, I might not be able to control my health fully, but Yes I can be optimistic about it and do the best I can, because these books were EXTREMELY positive about cf. (watch out for those that aren't avoid them at all costs!) I have had a positive attitude my whole life, and it was only that time that I started getting so sick that it changed. I found that if I thought negative thoughts it only made things worse, because I refused to MAKE them better.Optimism is the ultimate medicine with a disease with CF.
<br />
<br />I also realized I could talk to people with CF about it, through this website and cf2chat.com. This was the final healing point for my sadness and confusion... in knowing that I was not alone.
<br />
<br />I strongly recommend you join the supportive community of CF.com, read some blogs and maybe even get a blog to share your thoughts. The positivity most of us exhibit may help to inspire you to stop thinking negatively. Everyone here is so supportive, and I honestly have not cried late at night about my CF since joining. Sometimes all you need is just someone to understand!
 
M

mewncariad

Guest
Thank you so much to both of you, what you've said is so true. I know that the only real way to deal with CF is to stay positive, but for so long I was so healthy and everything I felt like I didn't even need to 'deal' with it at all, I would just take my meds and do my physio etc., cough a little more than normal people, it wasn't a big deal. So I guess what's really hard for me since getting so sick in May is coming to terms with the fact that I DO need to deal with it, and I haven't really addressed that as well as I should have, I want to put it away in its corner again but I can't do that.

You're right, it does help so much to have people who understand, thank you. I will stay on these boards, I think, it helps to get insight. And your responses have been so kind and supportive, it's been a great start! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
M

mewncariad

Guest
Thank you so much to both of you, what you've said is so true. I know that the only real way to deal with CF is to stay positive, but for so long I was so healthy and everything I felt like I didn't even need to 'deal' with it at all, I would just take my meds and do my physio etc., cough a little more than normal people, it wasn't a big deal. So I guess what's really hard for me since getting so sick in May is coming to terms with the fact that I DO need to deal with it, and I haven't really addressed that as well as I should have, I want to put it away in its corner again but I can't do that.

You're right, it does help so much to have people who understand, thank you. I will stay on these boards, I think, it helps to get insight. And your responses have been so kind and supportive, it's been a great start! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
M

mewncariad

Guest
Thank you so much to both of you, what you've said is so true. I know that the only real way to deal with CF is to stay positive, but for so long I was so healthy and everything I felt like I didn't even need to 'deal' with it at all, I would just take my meds and do my physio etc., cough a little more than normal people, it wasn't a big deal. So I guess what's really hard for me since getting so sick in May is coming to terms with the fact that I DO need to deal with it, and I haven't really addressed that as well as I should have, I want to put it away in its corner again but I can't do that.

You're right, it does help so much to have people who understand, thank you. I will stay on these boards, I think, it helps to get insight. And your responses have been so kind and supportive, it's been a great start! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
M

mewncariad

Guest
Thank you so much to both of you, what you've said is so true. I know that the only real way to deal with CF is to stay positive, but for so long I was so healthy and everything I felt like I didn't even need to 'deal' with it at all, I would just take my meds and do my physio etc., cough a little more than normal people, it wasn't a big deal. So I guess what's really hard for me since getting so sick in May is coming to terms with the fact that I DO need to deal with it, and I haven't really addressed that as well as I should have, I want to put it away in its corner again but I can't do that.

You're right, it does help so much to have people who understand, thank you. I will stay on these boards, I think, it helps to get insight. And your responses have been so kind and supportive, it's been a great start! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
M

mewncariad

Guest
Thank you so much to both of you, what you've said is so true. I know that the only real way to deal with CF is to stay positive, but for so long I was so healthy and everything I felt like I didn't even need to 'deal' with it at all, I would just take my meds and do my physio etc., cough a little more than normal people, it wasn't a big deal. So I guess what's really hard for me since getting so sick in May is coming to terms with the fact that I DO need to deal with it, and I haven't really addressed that as well as I should have, I want to put it away in its corner again but I can't do that.
<br />
<br />You're right, it does help so much to have people who understand, thank you. I will stay on these boards, I think, it helps to get insight. And your responses have been so kind and supportive, it's been a great start! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top