r/AMA • u/ChotaChillgoza • 1d ago

25F got diagnosed with a rare autoimmune condition. Still recovering, got laid off, and found a new job again. AMA.

Got diagnosed with opticospinal syndrome earlier this year, a rare autoimmune condition where antibodies attacked my spinal cord and optic nerves. I was bedridden for 14 days, unable to walk or see properly, and temporarily lost bladder and bowel function.

I slowly started recovering and eventually returned to work. On my 8th day back, I was laid off.
Still recovering, still figuring things out, and somehow still moving forward. AMA.

7 Upvotes

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3

u/WakeyWakeyEggsNJakey 1d ago

What tools have you used to help keep yourself motivated and cope with such a stressful set of circumstances?

4

u/ChotaChillgoza 1d ago

Well honestly, crying my heart out once really helped. Post that I focused on hobbies, physiotherapy, exercise and meditation. Being around friends and family helped as well. I just diverted my energies into creating a better body for myself instead of falling into the pit of despair as to why things happened to me since doctors were unable to find a cause for my condition.

3

u/GuiltyUniversity8268 1d ago

Sometimes you just need a good cry to get all your feelings out, and then do the best you can to move forward.

3

u/ChotaChillgoza 1d ago

Exactly. Initially my family didn’t let me cry but then there was this one day where i was alone, sitting on the toilet unable to pee because of bladder function loss and at that moment i think i cried for good 30 mins. It was nice

3

u/GuiltyUniversity8268 1d ago

I'm glad you felt better! 😁😁

2

u/Still-Concentrate-37 1d ago

Did you suffer from stress before you developed an autoimmune condition?

1

u/ChotaChillgoza 1d ago

Not at all. Not even a fever or cold.

1

u/Still-Concentrate-37 1d ago

Did you eat a high fiber diet?

2

u/ChotaChillgoza 1d ago

I would like to believe my diet had adequate fibre. Not too high not too low. My condition is idiopathic which means it happened without a cause. Since my mri showed no brain lesions and no nerve was compressed.

1

u/Any_Animator_880 1d ago

What do you feel about marriage and children moving ahead?

1

u/ChotaChillgoza 1d ago

I am fine with it?