I am so depressed from disability pain and loneliness
I have been in a nursing and rehabilitation facility for 7 months, I have degenerative disc disease and spinal facet syndrome. I am in chronic pain everyday. I have also had both knee joints completely replaced. Life makes me cry everyday being 60 with no visitors and no income to get any snacks and they quite often feed me too little leaving me still hungry and 😡 ANGRY and sad in tears. I really hate my life right now.
@bgdave
Hey there! Nice to meet you!
I know about degenerative disc disease and I know that can be super painful. I'm not as familiar with spinal facet syndrome though. I'm really sorry to hear that you live with chronic pain. I do too and its hard.
It sounds like you are having a super hard time where you're living right now and that you may not be getting the care that you need 😞
Do you know that we do have a Disability Support Sub Community that you may find helpful? There are a few people that I can think of that also live in a rehab facility and it may be helpful to chat to them too?
Let me know if you would like this thread moved over to that sub community too so you can get a little more support
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@bgdave
Hello there bgdave, I am sorry to hear how depressing things are for you right now.
Do you think that meeting people on here could help feeling less alone? Beside the Forum Area, there's the sharing circle room where you can share freely for some time, having people's support, but there are also other rooms that can welcome you! 😊
If you feel to share, do you feel alone and not cared over there? Is there any hobby you would start to focus in something you like when the pain isn't too heavy?
Let us know how we can better support you, sending good vibes your way 💙
I'd visit you if I could. Both of my parents passed away this summer so I don't have many to visit. I'm so sorry you have to deal with daily pain. I have bone on bone osteoarthritis of the knee and shoulder and arm pain that hurts me daily so I can relate. My mother had degenerative disc disease.
Please tell them that you'd like more food. I don't like the idea of you going hungry. Wish I could help. Sending you hugs if accepted 🤗
Hi Dave,
Good to meet you and sorry things are tough right now. Everyone on here will help in some way so well done on reaching out.
So you are 60, I bet you have an amazing amount of stories to tell about your life, please share some with us and let's chat, laugh and get to know each other.
Talking and sharing is so beneficial mate.
Hope to hear from you soon
Steve
Hello Dave. Hope you're doing alright.
I am trying to remain as stoic as possible, however I feel like a broken mess with my mental health needs not being met only to leave me more tearful. I am not suicidal however I do feel very broken and hopeless.😢
I can imagine how hard it is. That is a very rough situation to be in for so long. Who would you go to where you are to see if they can offer more mental health support? They do usually have someone. Find that person. Talk to every physical therapy person, every nurse, every doctor, until someone listens.
Second, come here every day or night. Tell us about your day. There are people here who do care. Getting it out of your brain and having people listen is healing in and of itself. It is taking control of the situation back.
If you write stuff here, I will send back a daily response. I promise. Let us create that network that you need right now. @bgdave
How were things today? I have been thinking about you. @bgdave
Still thinking about you. You aren't forgotten. @bgdave
I am still struggling emotionally and in physical pain 24/7 unless I am unconscious, often being woken up by pain. It is hard not feeling helpless and hopeless and worthless. There is no empathy or kindness for those struggling with mental illness. I am alone in my personal ***.
I can imagine how hard all of that is, especially imagining anyone who cares. But at a bare minimum, there are people here who care. We count for something. We can't take the pain away or give you a hug directly, but there are still people walking beside you.
I promise that I will write every time that you write me. We will find you a better path forward even if it means shaking the cages of some of those doctors and nurses to get you better support. @bgdave
@bestVase7265 thank you for your kind empathy
How was your day today? Was there any minimally ok moments - a good bite of food, seeing a bird out a window, watching a good show? Those can all be lifelines for you.
At a bare minimum, you have people here who are thinking about you. You are NOT alone. @bgdave
@bestVase7265 things are progressing slowly in a more positive direction. Bless you for your kndness💚
Progressing is excellent! So what kinds of things are going a little better? I know how hard you are working. I have been watching specifically for your posts. @bgdave
I was just going to check back tonight. How's your weekend? I know that those can be a bit tougher because the staffing isn't as good.
I went out on a small wheelchair last Saturday and ended up walking the wheelchair and sitting in it where the surfaces would allow me safely to use it and ended up straining myself. I went to bed pretty early because I was in a lot of discomfort. I woke after a couple hours and needed to use the restroom pretty badly so I stood up from bed and got about 3 short steps toward the restroom and I fell really hard onto the concrete floor. I really hurt after that and had to lay back down. I tried to get up again after a while and went to sit in the wheelchair only to fall down to my knees. This really made matters worse and I called the staff for help to get me a pain med and an anxiety med. The nurse charted my falls but the *** facility has done nothing to follow up on any of it. This place REALLY SUCKS….I need to get out of here before I lose my patience and take it out on the staff. The single doctor they have on staff is only here to check on some of the patients as there are too many patients for 1 doctor to do a *** job caring for. She never checked on me once even during the entire week afterwards. I am still struggling worse a week after. I need to get out of this terrible nursing and rehabilitation facility that does a *** job of pretty much everything connected to the residents unfortunate enough to be here. I need to get out of here before I lose control of my temper 🤬
That does sound so, so frustrating. I would be mad too. Is there another place that you could transfer to? All of those places are so understaffed because they don't pay people enough. We have to find a way to do better.
How are you healing up now?
Sending lots of strength and peace. @bgdave
How have things been going? I have been thinking about you. @bgdave
@bgdave Hi, I'm Celine :) Your well-being is essential, and it's important to communicate your needs to the staff at the facility. Don't hesitate to reach out to external support networks, such as social workers or therapists, who can advocate for your needs and help improve your quality of life. Even though you can't have in-person visitors, consider staying connected with your loved ones through phone calls, video chats, or social media. Also, you can participate in activities or hobbies within the facility that bring you some joy. This could be reading, drawing, writing, or any other activity you find enjoyable. Engaging in activities can help distract from negative thoughts.
