Ask HN: How do you deal with chronic illness?

It's hard. You have to go through pain, fear and disappointment but at the same time going through all that is a testament of your strength and gives you a unique perspective around life and experience in general.

That's on a more personal perspective based on how I managed to deal with the psychological effects of something similar. The current thread has some great advice on many other aspects of dealing with it.

Why should GP post at all then? Sounds like he or she has given up on something that some others have been able to defeat. I realize it’s hard to get over the idea that there isn’t a magic pill to “fix” you and allow you to continue treating your body/mind like a garbage can, and yah, big changes are hard. Looking for pity maybe?

1) Learn to advocate for yourself. One wise doctor told us "we're all just guessing". I don't know exactly what you are dealing with, but do your own research and seek out health practitioners that are on the leading edge of that community. 2) Learn your "dose". Every body is unique and has its own limits. There is no "normal" with chronic illness 3) Trust your gut. Remember that the struggle is real. There are a lot of doubters, questioners, and "helpful" people. You know what is best for your body. 4) Seek out a community of faith/meditation/prayer/therapy/etc. Dealing with Chronic illness is often more mental than physical.

For me, it's mostly diet. No alcohol, no/low dietary fats while trying to make sure I get enough B12, iron and protein as I'm anemic and my diet mostly rules out red meats now. And for pain, some codeine (or when things were/are worse, Dilaudid) or acetaminophen or ibuprofen. That's about it.

My focus is on what I have and what I want to do from here out. The initial circumstances nearly killed me, and that kind of thing is, cliche as it may be, but nevertheless, enough to alter one's perspective.

In short, mine's a case of dietary efforts to prevent an organ from failing and pain management. So I do that and get on with it, no more spinning the wheels. I feel good when I'm moving forward with something else.

I had surgery and I am basically living a normal life, I didn't have symptoms until I was about 25 years old. The thing is it made me lactose intolerant and very sensitive against sleep deprivation.

What basically happens is stomach pains from time to time and that I need to visit the bathroom quite often, sometimes in a big hurry.

I'm living basically as before, eating too much lactose still and getting too little sleep. I am starting to get better on it though.

Get enough sleep is a big point in general I believe if you want to your body to be healthy. Also eat healthy and move a lot. I have a standing desk and tries to stand most of the day. It helps a lot.