Latest news with #supportgroup
BBC News
5 hours ago
- Health
- BBC News
Support group helps Bristol woman with endometriosis
A 21-year-old living with stage three endometriosis said a support group has helped her to feel less Harrison, who lives in Bristol, has suffered with the condition since she was 12-years-old. Every month, she is left with "all encompassing" pain affecting her legs, stomach, back and the years, Ms Harrison has undergone two surgeries and trialled different contraception methods, diets and exercise plans, but has found nothing to drastically ease her pain."It's not just painful periods, it's so much more than that. It controls every single aspect of my life, from my work, university, my friendships, relationships, my mental health," she said. Ms Harrison spent seven years trying to understand why she experienced more pain during her periods compared to any of her friends or family was dismissed by many doctors who told her that painful periods are normal, that she has a low pain tolerance and she was "too young" to have a condition like endometriosis."I started to feel like I was going crazy and I was making it up in my head," she said. Endometriosis causes cells similar to those in the lining of the womb to grow in other parts of the body, leading to severe is no cure for it. Ms Harrison said the condition is "really difficult" to live with and leaves her feeling anxious about making plans in case she has to cancel them at the last minute."It's really difficult to explain to people who have never gone through it."She hopes that talking about the condition and raising awareness of it will help others dealing with it and help to validate those who have not yet figured out the cause of their pain."I empathise with people that really struggle with the pain but don't know why."It's such a lonely place to be," she added.
New York Times
a day ago
- Health
- New York Times
Seeking Jobs and Purpose, Fired Federal Workers Form New Networks
When Scott Gagnon was fired from his government job earlier this year, he and his laid-off colleagues kept in touch to vent, comfort each other and share job opportunities. It quickly turned into an informal but crucial support group. And they happened to be uniquely qualified for the task, having worked at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, a relatively small agency within the Department of Health and Human Services. 'It was very familiar territory for us to rally around each other, knowing that we're all going through this trauma, being separated from jobs that we all loved very much,' Mr. Gagnon, 49, the agency's former New England director, said in an interview. Their ad hoc network, which meets virtually every couple of weeks, mirrors the way hundreds of laid-off federal employees are dealing with the stress and pain of abruptly losing their livelihoods as part of President Trump and Elon Musk's slash-and-cut-some-more approach to reshaping the federal work force and government programs. Tens of thousands of civil servants across dozens of government agencies have been fired or have resigned since February. The groups that have emerged in response are large and small, impromptu and more formal. They meet for happy hours in the Washington area, gather virtually and stay connected through messaging apps. For the most part, those involved said, the focus has been on helping people with similar expertise or experience navigate their next chapter in the private sector or elsewhere. Getting laid off is difficult for workers in any industry. But federal employees, in many cases, sought out roles in government because of the unique combination of job security, benefits and public service. Not only are people losing their careers, experts said, they are losing a sense of self. Their challenges are compounded now by a job market where fewer and fewer opportunities are available. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Fibromyalgia leaves Denbighshire woman in constant pain
For 48-year-old Nia McGregor, talking to people and even wearing clothes hurts. She has fibromyalgia, a condition that causes extreme physical pain and tiredness, and said at her lowest she was taking 79 different tablets a McGregor, from Ruthin, lived with chronic pain for seven years before receiving a diagnosis and said she tried to end her life three times due to a lack of of a new support group in Denbighshire have claimed doctors do not take patients "seriously enough", with some waiting more than 20 years for a Welsh government said it invested £8m annually into its adferiad programme which had expanded to address gaps in services for conditions such as fibromyalgia. Warning: This article contains references that some people may find upsettingMs McGregor previously worked in health and safety as a scaffolding inspector and liked to travel and ride her motorbike but now every movement causes severe pain throughout her told BBC-produced Newyddion S4C: "Wearing clothes hurts, talking to people hurts. I can't work or drive a car. I just sit there." Fibromyalgia is often triggered by an event that causes physical or psychological stress and Ms McGregor believes the trauma of having a hysterectomy after years of living with endometriosis may have caused hers years later."Doctors pass you around from department to department. You lose your independence, I had no-one to talk to," she said."I really wanted to kill myself." During years of tests, scans and "all kinds of medicine" before she was diagnosed in 2014, Ms McGregor said she felt very low because doctors were unable to give her answers and "spent my life sitting on the sofa crying my eyes out".She believes a lack of awareness among doctors is the "main problem"."They didn't know what to do with me. At one point I had to go to the hospital as I hadn't been able to go to the toilet for 49 days," she said. "All because of the number of tablets I was taking." Ms McGregor, who also underwent a double mastectomy after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020, said she had lost her independence because of fibromyalgia and relied on her mum to take her "everywhere".She said she was eventually given more appropriate medication and now "functions much better" by taking seven tables a day and morphine for the pain. For her things changed after she was seen by a rheumatologist who she said "took one look at me" and told her: "I know it's not in your head." Ms McGregor is one of 200 members of the community group that was set up to support people with fibromyalgia and their was started by Kevin Jones from Ruthin after seeing his wife Pam, who has fibromyalgia, "suffer alone". He is worried it is not taken "seriously enough" and it was "hit or miss" whether you are diagnosed in an acceptable Jones said not enough people understood the condition but hoped the group would inspire others to set up similar ones across Wales. Angharad Rees, who has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and fibromyalgia, said getting a diagnosis was difficult and claimed some doctors accused her of "telling lies" about her said she was in tears when a specialist told her she was not telling the truth after being sent to hospital in 2023 following a flare up. "What they see is that you get upset and cry and then they tell you that it's definitely a mental health condition," Ms Rees said. The 45-year-old, from Llandegla in Denbighshire, wants medical professionals to "listen more to the patient".She said she found comfort in meeting others in similar situations at the support group. The Welsh government said it had extended its adferiad programme, which was set up to treat long Covid, to other conditions such as added: "While we acknowledge more progress is needed, particularly around data collection, we remain committed to ensuring these services develop as our understanding and evidence base grows." What is fibromyalgia? According to the NHS, it is a long-term condition with symptoms including:Increased sensitivity to pain, muscle stiffnessDifficulty getting to sleep or staying asleepProblems with memory and concentrationHeadachesIrritable bowel syndromeFeelings of frustration, worry or low moodThere is no cure, but there are treatments to help relieve some of the symptoms. If you or someone you know is struggling with issues raised by this story, find support through BBC Action Line.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Stroud mum finds safe space in group helping others with postnatal health
A CHARITY'S support group in Stroud has been praised for helping parents with their mental health. The Gloucestershire Breastfeeding Supporters' Network (GBSN) runs seven free weekly groups across the county to support parents who are breastfeeding. They offer free one-to-one support through trained peer supporters and breastfeeding counsellors. One of these groups takes place in Stroud, which mother Danni Smith began attending after she had her second daughter. Danni wanted help with breastfeeding and in the group found a 'safe space' where she could talk about her postnatal mental health struggles. She said: "When I first got to the group, my baby was just a few days old and I just felt immediately safe. "There was no judgement. "This was a space for my whole family, my husband and toddler could come along too and feel supported." Danni has since been inspired to become a breastfeeding counsellor and a trustee for GBSN. She said: "Being able to now be a breastfeeding counsellor who can walk that journey with somebody else and support them through it is a huge privilege." Now, the support offered by the network is being recognised nationally. The charity has been shortlisted for a national mental health award by BBC Radio 4 as part of their All in the Mind awards. This recognition underscores its contribution to providing not just breastfeeding support but also mental health support to parents. GBSN chair Kirstie Clarke said: "We are so proud to be shortlisted for this award which recognises the dedication of a wonderful team of peer supporters, breastfeeding counsellors and volunteers who make our groups the nurturing and welcoming space that they are. "Breastfeeding support at GBSN is not only about helping a mother with feeding her baby – our ethos is about providing a holistic approach to caring and empowering parents at all stages of their breastfeeding journeys. "Even if it's just about giving mums a cup of tea, a slice of cake and a chance to chat with other mums." The All in the Mind final will be held on June 18 at a ceremony in London. For more information, visit the Gloucestershire Breastfeeding Supporters' Network website.
BBC News
4 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Forest of Dean support groups help those with chronic pain
Three women suffering from chronic pain and fatigue have spoken about the daily struggles they face after starting a group to help Panait, 51, Louise French, 45, and Shannon Dunkley, 29, from Gloucestershire, all suffer from debilitating chronic pain conditions including fibromyalgia and women described a lack of support services, adding that often medicines they were prescribed only seemed to make things worse. NHS Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board and Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust have been contacted for comment. Both Karen and Shannon were prescribed anti-depressants to try and ease their pain, but both said these had not solved their problems."We weren't depressed. We're getting depressed because we're in pain," said Karen, who set up the first support group in Lydney to provide better "empathy and understanding"."It can be soul destroying. It's scary because you're just trying to live a normal life. "And especially for all three of us as mums, you're trying to do the best you can for your kids," she being prescribed many different anti-depressants, Shannon said they never helped, instead leaving her feeling "zombified". Louise was initially diagnosed with hypermobility as a teenager, and her symptoms began to worsen about 12 years was later diagnosed with fibromyalgia, a condition that involves chronic pain and fatigue, as well as other conditions including arthritis and diabetes."For years, I just wasn't the person that I was before. I don't think I'll ever be that person again," said Louise."One of the big things is the fact that I'm a different mum."All three of my children have been my carers. When I can't get out of bed, they've cooked. They helped me get dressed when I can't move."It's not just us that it impacts. It's the people that we live around and the people that are closest to us that are impacted because their lives aren't their lives anymore, because they have to constantly make sure that we're all right," she a lack of services available to support people living with chronic pain conditions, the three women decided to take matters into their own set up chronic pain groups across the Forest of Dean, offering people struggling with these issues a "safe space" to come and chat and support each other. With the help of social prescriber - which links people to a wide range of community groups and services - Karen set up the first support group in 15 months later, there are also support groups in Coleford and Cinderford."You feel understood. There's empathy, understanding, and there's even friendship in the groups," said Karen."One thing we find in particular with the younger members of the group is some of the girls started suffering when they were at school. "They feel very isolated because they'd come out of school and not been able to work. But they've met other young people with the same problems as them and they're now being supported within their own peer groups," she added. The groups have the support of other health practices in the area and have recently had GPs attending the three women are eager to help set up more support groups across the Forest and Gloucestershire, with interest from Chepstow, Ross-on-Wye and Stroud."It was nice to know that I was not alone, that I had someone," said Shannon, who runs the Coleford group with Karen."It just makes so much of a difference. It connects everyone, and the more people we can reach, the better," she added.
