How do I accept a chronic illness?

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??W.a.b.b.y??

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I'm 21 years old and was originally diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, but it turns out it wasn't.

I've had a positive ANA, a positive Sed Rate (ESR), negative Rheumatoid Factor and CRP.

My joints are hot, red, swollen and very sore. I was on NSAIDs which was helping, but my swelling wasn't under control. I'm now on Prednisone.

I'm seeing a Rheumatologist in a few weeks. But my GP rung and spoke to a Rheumatologist. They both agreed it was 'inflammatory, autoimmune arthritis".

I kind of expected this, but it doesn't make it any easier.. How do I accept that I'm most likely going to be on strong medication for the rest of my life? That I'm going to be unwell? That this isn't going to be?
I think you guys are confusing acceptance with feeling bad about it. I don't feel bad, I know that there are worse people out there than me and I feel fortunate that it's not more severe. I'm just struggling with the fact I had all these hopes and dreams and now I have to shift my goals. I'm 'lucky' in the scheme of things, but this is just been quite radical and it's affecting me. I'm not feeling sorry for myself. I just want to get able to accept it and get on with my life.
 
I know I have no right to say I know what you feel because my "illness" isn't as bad. I was diagnosed with ADHD in 7th grade or so and everyone treated me differently after they knew, like I was mentally retarded or something.

It killed my self esteem knowing everyone thought I was a poor helpless kid who wasn's up to par with everyone else. I eventually came to a point in my life where I stopped letting other people's interpretations of ADHD rule my life, I succeeded and am in college about to start my second year. I told myself there was literally nothing I could do about my illness....I was (am) literally helpless.

I was born with it, it wasn't my fault so I was gonna do the best damn job to show everyone that I was stronger than the negativity that held me back.

Look at it this way, you could be crippled in a wheel chair with only the function to move your eyes. I was just thankful I still had every limb intact and everything besides my brain working in full functionality.
 
Consider how fortunate you are.

A) you have great medical care. I know someone who died of a chronic illness. All the drs laughed at her. No one took her seriously. It wasn't untill after she died they found out what it was!! They could have cured her!! She was my friend and she died after a bazillion doctors examined her!! She could have been alive. This happened in america btw. She suffered for like 20yrs.

B) some people have no medical care. Right now I guarantee you someone in India or Africa has your disease and is suffering. I believe that some countries have leprosy and then there is also aids. And no medical treatment whatsoever. Read about those diseases. They are awful, and to be poor and starving on top of it.

C) go to a burn unit.

D) watch out for prednisone. Its a steroid that can make people moody and angry when otherwise they might not be. I was once on it and I acted really bitchy. I'm not very bitchy. Ask your doctor if there's something else especially if you feel like you might end up compromising relationships.

E) remember that for those people who do have treatment, there are lots of ppl with your disease. I know a bunch of ppl with it. Maybe you could find an online support group
 
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