Young With Serious Illness-has MFP been helpful to you?

TheOriginalGinging
TheOriginalGinging Posts: 171
in Motivation and Support
My 23-year-old daughter has an autoimmune disease and she did join MFP but hasn't been on much. For those of you are young with chronic illnesses--have you found support here? I've been encouraging her to feel free to open up here as I've been able to be honest about my weight, numbers, diary etc without judgement. Wondering if you've had the same being younger. She's very private about her condition so keeps it to herself. Thanks!

Replies

  • Simone_King
    Simone_King Posts: 467 Member
    There was a thread, a few days ago, with a person having some type of autoimmune disease too. Yet I don't know where it went off to.

    YET! I don't think it really matters what you have. On this form. (You have to surf through stuff) there is people from every walks of life and every kind of body on here. While I have been on here, I found nothing, but, support.

    So, there will be a good chance that she would find this support too.

    Though, I know I wasn't the answer that you where looking for. I hope this helps!
  • TheOriginalGinging
    TheOriginalGinging Posts: 171
    You've helped a great deal! You're right in that we're all struggling with something here and like you, I've only found support. I'll keep encouraging her--in a non-mom-nagging way! Thanks!
  • Simone_King
    Simone_King Posts: 467 Member
    Then again, some people just don't get forms. It takes a person a while to get use to.

    Though I am glad to be of help!
  • juicy011
    juicy011 Posts: 200 Member
    I have chronic pain and MFP has helped me stay motivated. Sometimes I get discouraged because I can't exercise as much as I used too or I see others participating in challenges I wish I could be part of. But I've been able to come to grips with it and feel a part of the community. When I feel down, I search ways others have overcome obstacles to stay healthy & it's motivating!! It's nice of you to encourage your daughter. Hopefully she'll find her way.
  • Elizabeth_C34
    Elizabeth_C34 Posts: 6,376 Member
    I have a congenital heart defect, and while not as serious as an autoimmune disease, it is chronic and causes some serious health problems for me.

    I've had incredible support here. Though, sadly, I've met very few people with the same condition. I think this is a great community of people who are supportive no matter what.

    I find that MFP offers me an outlet for talking about my condition more than I can get away with in my real life. I air my frustrations, down times, and my feelings here more than I do with most of my friends. This is a great safe community here.
  • cloud2011
    cloud2011 Posts: 898 Member
    It sounds like you're trying to help...have you talked to your daughter about it? If she was recently diagnosed, she may just need some privacy and time to deal with the diagnosis. In your 20s you are still developing in so many ways; even without extra challenges, it can be a trying time for some people.
  • LilacDreamer
    LilacDreamer Posts: 1,364 Member
    Hello,
    I have been here since the end of January.

    I was born with a genetics condition (inborn error of metabolism) and I have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis (auto-immune disease)

    And MFP has been helpful, but the journey is still a hard one, with many obstacles.
  • Bella1hud
    Bella1hud Posts: 530 Member
    I've noticed there are a few people on MFP who have MS, I take notice as it's in my family. I think from their posts they found the support helpful
  • CharisSunny
    CharisSunny Posts: 276 Member
    My 23-year-old daughter has an autoimmune disease and she did join MFP but hasn't been on much. For those of you are young with chronic illnesses--have you found support here? I've been encouraging her to feel free to open up here as I've been able to be honest about my weight, numbers, diary etc without judgement. Wondering if you've had the same being younger. She's very private about her condition so keeps it to herself. Thanks!

    23 with fibromyalgia (among other lovely little battles) and I haven't been here very long however so far its been really good. Obvioulsly you pick, choose and refuse friends but those who frequent my wall are cheerful, supportive and relatable :)

    Also found support through my Toutube channel
  • dr0p4ah0y
    dr0p4ah0y Posts: 22
    23, blood disorder. Vitamins (supps included) don't absorb into my blood, they just pass right through (painfully). MFP has helped a bit, because while it still doesn't stick too well, it's better for me to try to get the vitamins from food than from a pill. So I can track a few of the vitamins on here and see how much I'm eating in a day, which is nice. :) Tell your daughter hiiii! x
  • territhefrog
    territhefrog Posts: 1,134 Member
    I've noticed there are a few people on MFP who have MS, I take notice as it's in my family. I think from their posts they found the support helpful

    I have MS. I am 42 and way overweight. It's affecting my walking now. That is one reason that I am on here. Plus I don't like being this big. I was always small until about 1999.
  • territhefrog
    territhefrog Posts: 1,134 Member
    I used to try and hide the fact that I have MS....but the wheelchair I had attached to my butt at the time didn't really help in hiding the fact that I have a neurological disorder. It would embarrass me to talk to people about it. It took me about a year to really be able to talk about it with people. Now, if a person asks me why I have a medical bracelet (most think it's for diabetes) I am fine with talking about it. It was the support of my family and friends that helped me accept it and deal with it everyday. It's not easy but I am a stubborn woman and I won't let it take me over again.
    But that's just me and being stubborn works for me. I should have gotten stubborn about my weight a long time ago too.
  • taintedbutterfly18
    taintedbutterfly18 Posts: 189 Member
    I am just shy of 32. I have had Ulcerative Colitis for nearly 4 years. Gained 40 lbs from prednisone to manage the symptoms. Still trying to lose. Very hard as I can't eat many things that are good for dieting! I will get there someday though! I am very open to discussing my condition. Exercise has put me into remission for the most part. I can not say enough about its benefits!

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