Living With Chronic Conditions

I am a little past midlife at 72, and over the past coupke decades have acquired various chronic conditions. These include GERD--managed with diet & medication, IBS--managed with diet & medication with flares, Osteoarthritis--managed with some over-the-counter medications & movement when I CAN move, and Trigeminal Neuralgia, managed with medication.

Past few months, have had stiffness & pain in my lower back, & shooting pains down my legs followed by numbness and a feeling that my legs will give out. Not all the time & usually brief, but as it was getting more persistent, let my PCP know.

Seen by a doctor, X-Rays, and CT scan, I now have new diagnoses, Spinal Stenosis, along with Spondyloarthritis & Degenerative Disk Disease. So new, I have yet to see a Spine Specialist or have a treatment plan. It will come in time, in process now.

This affects my ability to walk, to handle stairs... to keep up with my kids, steps, & grands.

Professionally, I worked in health & human services, my latest was in elder advocacy, as well as with clients & caregivers with chronic and terminal illnesses. And now those categories include me!