Weight gain

Another aspect of struggling with chronic panic, at least for me, was weight gain.

Because I was so active prior to the pain, weight gain seemed to come easily once I could no longer be active. Compounding the inactivity was also my struggle with depression, and being perpetually exhausted as I could no longer sleep. Lack of sleep and depression, I believe, led me to turn to food for some relief.

So I had less calories expended, and far greater calories consumed - this obviously led to weight gain!

Prior to this, I had never been overweight. Typically, quite the opposite. Because of this, I found it emotionally difficult to gain weight, lose tone, and not fit into my clothes anymore!

In fact I didn't go shopping for clothes for 3 full years, because I wasn't willing to puchase anything in the plus sizes. But I was of course willing to walk around in clothes that were old and falling apart - AND didn't fit me!

Very attractive ;)

The solution for this (for me anyway) was to manage my pain. As a result, bit by bit, I am getting fitter and feeling great about myself.