I'm always sick, it never ends. What do I do?

I have an spinal disease that makes me arthritic all day long. On top of that the medicine I take lowers my immune system as well as the disease itself is an auto-immune disorder. I am sick every day. If it's not the arthritis and back pain...it's cold/flu, nausea, headaches, vertigo, eye infections..or something I have caught. I've been on disability for 6 weeks now. I have to go back to work next week. I dont know how to live a normal life and am starting to get really upset and frustrated. You don't know how important having decent health is until you lose it. I'm only 24 and am a newly wed. I can't take this any more. If you have any advice please help me. I am at my wits ends and have given up basically.

I'm so sorry to hear that you've been having such a hard time lately. I was born with a disease that causes chronic pain, weakened immune system, and anemia among other things so I know what it's like to always be sick (I'd imagine it's probably worse if you were normal at one time though). As corny as this sounds the only way to deal with any kind of life-long disease is to take life one day at a time.

I turned 31 in September and after so many years of being in pain I started to get a little bit depressed so my doctor recommended I see a psychologist. I wasn't thrilled at the suggestion but I have to admit that talking to someone that knows your condition and what you're going through can be really helpful. I haven't gotten back to my normal cheery self but at least I'm feeling a little bit better so that helps.

It's not going to be easy going back to work so just break up the day into short 1 or 2 hour segments in your mind and then focus on getting by 1 segment at a time. There really is nothing remarkable about me so if I can last 31 years with my condition then I know you can get through yours.

Try to relax and focus on the good areas of your life (your new husband for example). I'm by no means a medical expert but if you feel the need to talk then my door is always open...feel free to toss me an e-mail.

Don't give up HolaKitty. Look deep inside yourself and you'll find the strength to go on.

God bless you.

Do not give up. I know exactly what will help you:

for weakened immune system:
http://www.amritaveda.com/doctors/defaul...

They are Siddha Masters from India; highly-trained in BOTH Ayurvedic medicine AND Western medicine. They have herbs which POWERFULLY strengthen the immune system. Safe, all-natural, and can be taken with your medications.

for inflammation/arthritis:
http://www.zonediet.com/EATING/QuickStar...

This "diet" (not originally designed for weight loss, but instead to prevent and reverse disease) reduces inflammation in the body and optimizes health. It is given to everyone from cancer and AIDS patients to Olympic athletes.

Also, take Highly Refined Fish Oil as a supplement. Order it from the Zone website; the kinds in the stores are somewhat contaminated.

Also, read (or watch) the Secret.

May you have health and happiness. :)

I know how distressing and scary it can be if you take strong medications as you do, but feel no better or, even, sicker as weeks and months go by. I've been through it. Don't give up on yourself or medicine. But get informed and consult better doctors.

Rheumatic diseases are the result of a defective gene and collagen inflammation, often from a chronic infection. Collagen is present throughout the body, from the eyes, skin and joints to the hearth. Hence, the multiplicity of symptoms, depending on the location of the most affected internal organs or body parts.

I have had seronegative rheumatoid arthritis for 27 years. The telling signs of seronegative rheumatoid arthritis are the following:
- Joint pain in the feet (or cracking ankles) in the early 20's or late teens;
- Fatigue;
- Blood test showing a negative or low level of Rheumatoid factor;
- Joint deformities of the fingers, over time, a specific sign of rheumatoid arthritis;
- Consecutive X-Rays showing bone erosion, a consequence of rheumatoid arthritis;
- Generalized arthritis, involving the whole body;
- Elevated levels of C-Reactive protein and Sedimentation rate, as evidenced in blood tests.

NSAIDs like Voltaren, COX-2 inhibitors like Celebrex, acetaminophen like Tylenol, and codeine are all used to control inflammation and relieve the pain of arthritis.

Regular exercise like walking, biking and swimming is also helpful for most patients. Make sure that you are not overweight as carrying too much weight can only increase the pain of arthritis in the supporting joints of the hips, knees, ankles and feet.

For any form of arthritis, you should consult an Orthopaedist who will order blood tests, joint scans and X-Rays to better diagnose the type of arthritis from which you suffer.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (http://www.aaos.org) maintains a public online directory where you can find the address and phone number of orthopaedists who belong to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Orthopaedists are listed by geographic location and family name, inside the USA and in most countries.

The membership directory of the AAOS is located at:

http://www6.aaos.org/about/public/member...

Lyme disease could be a possibility. Ask your doctor to test you for the bacteria causing Lyme disease.

Are there any other cases of arthritis or rheumatic diseases among your relatives? Chronic forms of arthritis are usually prevalent in families where a defective gene is passed on by parents to their children.

There are a few hundred types of arthritis and rheumatic diseases. The good news is that science is progressing rapidly in its understanding of rheumatic diseases.

Antibiotics are now used to achieve full remissions for at least 40%, if not 65% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. For more info, please join our group at:

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ant...