https://linktr.ee/flissyscorner

Chronic illness fighters, Sydney (2025)

19/07/2025

*Trigger warning* talk of meds and body image/weight.

After my last post, I did speak to my GP... but of course had to advocate to get a cortisone injection, but was only given a referral for one, she said no to both hips. To be honest I couldn't be bothered fighting her as it was a roundabout conversation because she asked me about losing weight and where I was with that & i said it would be a lot easier to exercise if I wasn't in pain daily. I said I'm in a vicious cycle at the moment. I said its effecting e everything at the moment. I am tired and cranky and over trying to survive each day.

I then began thinking about all the medication I'm on and the stuff I dont talk about. I'm on an antipsychotic to help me sleep (which has done wonders) but i dont know the long term effects... but it makes you gain weight. Then there’s the change of antidepressants I did at the end of last year, another side effect, weight gain, I also have PCOS and insulin resistance. Im on the pill because its been the only effective "bandaid" to stop the horrendous periods because of the PCOS, but it did cause me to gain weight again, so it's easy for my GP to remind me that I need to focus on losing weight to help with the pain and i know there is truth in it, but its not so easy for me right now.

I feel like im struggling to stay afloat but I wont stay like this forever. I always get back up, but I feel like there would be so many people who can relate to this.

So if you're feeling something similar, I see you and hear you and you're not alone 💜

13/07/2025

Today is my 6th and final day off before going back to work tomorrow. I've had a good week of rest and things that bring me joy.... but today I'm feeling sorry for myself.... the pain is so bad. I think it's time to speak to my GP about cortisone injections or something else because I can't keep trying to function like this. I'm not living, but trying to survive each day. I'm frustrated because the physio wants me to be doing my exercises almost every day, (but some days I can barely function after work to do the exercises) my Dr wants me to lose weight but again, how can I get motivated when I can barely move.... I feel like i'm trying but it's not enough.

22/06/2025

Today is a day I miss my podcast because this weekend would be a prime example to speak about trying to keep your head afloat when your body is not in good shape. I'd like to say my chronic pain is being managed, but not yet. I've been doing physio again, but winter has got in PAIN. My fatigue levels are beyond a joke. I've spent most of this weekend resting or sleeping and its not what i wanted to do, but needed. That's the trouble when you're high functioning during the week, your body crashes. This working week has been huge, not to mention, Rosie tore her ACL last month and had surgery two weeks ago so our routine has changed a lot. I've felt really challenged with all my health issues lately. I woke up this morning thinking I need to make a plan for my wellbeing because I want to do so many things and be so much more than the shell I am.

28/04/2025

Hello 👋 it's been a while since I've provided an update. I wish i could say that my MIA has only been because I've been lost in life; work, guitar/singing lessons, family time, nails, lashes, trauma therapy, exercise classes, chiropractor appts, outings with friends. But I've been struck down by pain for months. It started in my hips before Xmas (that's how I know it's been a while) and not being at my desk during the holidays I felt a difference. So I thought sitting was the trigger, I'll monitor once back at work and make effort to stand more and move away from my desk. I was okay for a while and then the pain began. I went back to the chiropractor to see if that made a difference but after months it didn't. Just before Easter, I went to my GP and told her of my pain and said I wanted to get tests done. She may have been surprised by my request given I have never told her of my pain. Like many of you, I fear the medical community. I don't trust them and I will suffer until I can no more, before seeking help. This isn't a great mentality I know, but its due to years of being thrown around drs, specialists, tests, diagnosis' and meeting people who don't always believe me. It takes a toll. But this afternoon, I recieved my results - bursitis and tendinitis in both my hips. I feel overwhelmed. I'm relieved but sad. Relieved it didn't take me as long to get a result (unlike my bulging disc a few years ago) and that what Im feeling is not in my head. But sad because now I need to change my whole routine, AGAIN, to focus on recovery. I envy those who haven't had to do this time and time again to make themselves well. I guess what I'm really feeling is grief. Grief that I'm here again, grief knowing what I must go through, to start to feel better again. I've been tired and cranky for over a month and it's impacted my mental health. I'm angry there is never an end date to this fight.

06/12/2024

This was a special episode to me, as Courtney is a long time follower of this page. Join me as I interview my last guest of the season. Courtney discusses with me her diagnosis of fibromyalgia, her journey to planning pregnancy and being a Mum with a chronic illness! Episode drops 11AM AEST!

https://www.instagram.com/courtgarfoot/

https://courtgarfoot.com/category/fibromyalgia/

https://courtgarfoot.com/pregnancy-with-chronic-illness/

29/11/2024

Episode 38 drops tomorrow ! This focuses around on questions I was asked from listeners about me and my illness. Drops 11am AEST

22/11/2024

New episode drops tomorrow - Bonnie R. Armstrong spent decades as an apparently normal person who knew nothing of the complex dissociative infrastructure that hid much of her childhood from her conscious memory and supported her from within. She functioned as an effective and happy wife, mother, sister, friend and advocate for children and families. Professionally, she specialized in youth development, education and preventing child abuse, not knowing she was also a resilient survivor.

Join me as Bonnie discusses her journey and her book 'An apparently normal person'. Bonnie talks openly about the highs and lows of her journey, in the hope that people understand "emotional, physical, spiritual, healing is possible, no matter how deep the trauma"

https://www.bonnierarmstrong.com
https://emeraldlakebooks.com/bonnie-r-armstrong/

15/11/2024

Dropping tomorrow 11am AEST. Read about Dr Saloni below.

Dr Saloni Surah is a published author of her first children’s book Flora Investigates: The Case Of The Missing Gold eggs. This is a funny, zany book for 5-9 year olds. Her second book The Last Fairy Guardian is due out in spring. This is a middle grade children's book about a forbidden friendship between a fairy and human girl when the fairy forest is under threat.

She is also a HIV & sexual health consultant and has a PhD on HIV Infection & drug use. She has worked with marginalised populations from all over the world (people who inject drug, sexworkers, people who has been sexually abused and assaulted). Working in her particular area of medicine, Dr Surah became acutely aware of the mind-body connection with regards to ill-health and wellbeing. She has an active interest in meditation, self-development and other healing modalities and also works a spiritual coach using EFT and energy work.

Flora Investigates is available to purchase through:
https://salonisurah.com/missing-gold-eggs/ or Amazon

Website: salonisurah.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SaloniSurahAuthor
Instagram: https://instagram.com/salonibook
Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/
Youtube channel:
www.youtube.com/

07/11/2024

Episode 35 dropping on Saturday! I feel like many of you will be able to relate to this. It's taken a long time to be where I am today.

31/10/2024

Health update since my last post about withdrawal symptoms. I took these photos to document my journey but also as a reminder one day that i got through it.

It's been over a week now since I started to feel some normalcy. I've been on the new antidepressants for 9 days. In the midst of this, i finally got to see my psychologist which was good as I haven't seen her since June. My headspace is slowly clearing. I'm not out of the woods yet though, as healing isn't linear and I know that well.

Each day I'm taking baby steps but I'm one step closer to hopefully enjoying life again and not living to survive.

25/10/2024

Episode 33 drops tomorrow. I wanted to acknowledge all the support I've had in ten years with my chronic illness and mental health. It was a nice reflection on how far I've come!

20/10/2024

*Trigger warning* meds, withdrawal symptoms and side effects.

The last time I changed meds my highest dosage of Lexapro was much lower to the highest mg of what I am currently on. I've been taking 120mg of Cymbalta aka Duloxetine and now being moved over to to Zoloft, aka Sertraline. My coming off the meds last time was nothing like what I've been through in the last week but more so the past 24-48 hours. Last night I didn't think I was going to make it through the night.

I was delusional, my speech was incoherent, I felt i was floating within my body, my whole body was buzzing/vibrating, I couldn't move my eyes without feeling a stream of nausea and dizziness, I had an upset stomach all day, I couldn't sleep and if I did, I felt like I was hallucinating. I was hot and cold. Icepack on the head to regulate myself and heatpack on my back for my sore muscles. I was itchy, twitchy, angry & irritable. Hungry but couldn't find anything to satisfy me. I was on the verge of crying all day. I've never felt anything like it. There were moments where I needed help up and had to take it easy walking.

I thought for sure i wasn't going to wake up today. I went to bed scared. I went to bed wondering if this will be worth it because it's all about trial and error. I made the decision to change meds because I couldn't live being so unhappy. Life is meant for living not being in a constant state of survival. Last night I took my last 30mg off this medication and I'll be back to NIL for two days before beginning my new brand.

On Tuesday I see my Dr for my check up and will tell her all about the above.

After a better night's sleep, I woke up rested and feel my body. I'm resting and taking it easy today. Got a big working week ahead of me.
I'm keeping up my fluids and monitoring everything I feel to ensure I tell the Dr. I'm very paranoid the sensation is going to change again and I'll feel as bad as last night. I'm still not feeling 100%

What a whirlwind.

I'm documenting this for those who may feel alone, to educate those who haven't been in this space before and to remind myself one day, how far I've come.

I have to keep going.

Chronic illness fighters