Still love yourself : mental effects of illness

Every illness is personal, no one should forget that everyone is different and is effected so differently, never feel inadequate for being in pain, being tired or just feeling down and not even knowing why. Never be made to feel bad cause you have to cancel plans or cause you had to lay in bed just little longer today- we are always told putting ourselves first is important and by doing these things you are doing a fab job! Your body matters, you matter!

Three years ago I was diagnosed with “celiac disease” I went undiagnosed for so long I have destroyed layers of my gut and as a result I suffer from malabsorption, this led to other diagnoses such as “iron deficiency anemia” & “chronic headaches” at first I was destroyed by these and the rest of my diagnoses, even seeing them as labels and restrictions on my life, I was exhausted for months to the point of sleeping for days unable to wake up, I was losing my social life and watching everyone eat the foods I was once able to eat and as stupid as it sounds this destroyed me. The craving for doughnuts is real.

I am one of the few unfortunate people who still suffers through my 100% gluten free diet the stomach pains still come on strong most days, the fatigue still effects my daily life, the headaches through the blurred vision still creep up on me, and the muscle aches that shoot down my legs and arms still ensure I struggle to get up every day.

There was so much information to take on board all of a sudden, it all felt so personal, they were telling me what I could and couldn’t do or have. I was overwhelmed and didn’t want to learn about something I didn’t want to have. Accepting this had suddenly become accepting myself, my new way of life. Every illness comes with change and acceptance, and for every person this means something different. What I found was I wished there was so much more available for people who are struggling with the mental effects of physical illnesses.

As the days past of sitting in dark rooms unable to move, with little interaction with anybody, I was on a downhill spiral I questioned everything to why am I here, thinking I was a burden to everybody to how do I be happy not being able to be who I once was. But we should all be able to look back and go I may not be exactly where I wanted to be but I’m so much closer now and I’m good enough in my heart and my soul to achieve something still, whatever that may be.

But through research I realise I am not alone in this and so many people struggle to put across we don’t do it for a fad diet, allot of us didn’t need to lose weight and we’d literally do anything for a Krispy crème! So many people are fighting this battle, each having to make so many changes in their lives and families home life, after being told “it’s simple just eat gluten free”  it’s not easy and it’s not simple at all for many of us being effected by the disease side of gluten free.

Always remember its ok to have a bad day whether that be mentally or physically. These days remind us who we are and what we are facing, and what we can still achieve through them. Making our achievements so much greater, because we did it with a battle.

Please feel free to contact me, or share your experiences.

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Email: Kristy.robertson@outlook.com