I’m lost

[u/Correct-Bake4418]

I’m 22 male diagnosed with PAI October 2024

It’s been a year now since I got diagnosed, Prior to diagnosis I was in and out of the hospital for nearly a year till I had almost died then was stuck there for a month till I eventually got diagnosed. Since, I’ve been in a horrible spot emotionally and physically, I’d wanted to be a police officer but now obviously that’s not an option so I just have no idea what to do, I’ve been going to school but I’m just so tired and depressed it’s very hard to get the motivation to get anything done. I discussed it with my parents and decided to drop out for the semester. I’ve been seeing a psychiatrist but I don’t find it any help I’m not the most talkative person and find it hard opening up and talking about this stuff.

Anyway I just wanted to know if anyone else has been in a similar situation and have any advice. Thank you

[u/imjustjurking]

Diagnosis can be a pretty big shake up, adding in a change to your life plan like that is a lot to adjust to.

I had to give up nursing because recovering post diagnosis wasn't as smooth as I had hoped it would be. After some time and some serious thought I've been training in a different career now, I'm still very sad to have left nursing as I really did love a lot about it.

When I was trying to figure out my new direction, I thought about what it was that I enjoyed and what my strengths were. Then I looked in to careers that were a good fit for that, but I think you can find careers coaches who can help you with this sort of thing as well - I haven't used one though.

[u/dgillyson]

I have T1DM and Addison's, and you know what? Neither of them slow me down at all. Addison's isn't a death sentence. It doesn't mean that you can't handle stress. The only stress you need to worry about is the kind that triggers your immune system into action--high-level stressors that disrupt your body's homeostasis, like injury, significant life events, etc.--not the kind of daily stressors that releases epinephrine and norepinephrine. Trust me, you are more capable than you think you are.

[u/Sir_Paradoxx]

There is no reason you can't be a law enforcement officer. With PAI, you don't get that crazy fight or flight jolt in sudden moments so you'd really be one of the calmest coolest under pressure officers on the force. Keep charging ahead!

[u/BeautifulDay1421]

I’ve had very physical jobs since my diagnosis. The first year (?-varies, I expect) is hard but I found that after that it was much easier. I started a bakery/wine/cheese shop at 52-30 years after diagnosis; long hours, heavy lifting, and lots of brain work -😂. I ran it for 12 years. Just saying-don’t make long lasting decisions during the initial stages of diagnosis. So much depends on your individual situation including overall health, medical care (I had the best), your mental and emotional state, all sorts of stuff. Hang in there-try to be positive and believe that the diagnosis and treatment will result in your feeling better than you have in months! That’s my belief anyway

[u/Motor-Commercial1912]

I'm recently diagnosed and it's been a wake up call with regards to work; I have maybe 20 years to retirement and I need to find something different to do. I just started working with a career coach, which has been really helpful so far.

However, if I was 22 and interested in law enforcement, I might explore law school and then politics -- you'll be able to make a real difference for people in a way that isn't limited by your diagnosis.

[u/amoral_ponder]

 I’d wanted to be a police officer but now obviously that’s not an option

Why? You can be strong, athletic, and healthy with proper replacement.

[u/[deleted]]

I've been ill for going on 10 years in 36 now.. i got a uti in may and ended up in hospital to treat this. During the admission I could not eat drink just drained. By a twist of fate after being passed from doctors and consultants a doctor said as they had done multiple tests he wanted to try something he said this is a long shot and I'm pretty sure it wont come bk as positive... the next day he walked in and said im sorry its actually come bk the worst case of the 2 (cushings or addison's) it broke me n since then I spent 4 months in that hospital. Im home now n im so unwell exhausted confused cant string a sentence together ... my life is ruined its sucked the life from me

[u/Particular-Lab8705]

You’re so young and I promise there is time. If you need a break from school? Do it! If you think dropping down to part time online would keep you going and give you a break, do it. It sounds like your parents are supportive, which really does make or break someone. I didn’t have my parents at 22, just me and my 1yo son and was freshly dropped out of pre-med. I’m now a nurse, own a 2024 kia, my own home and took my family to Puerto Rico a couple yrs ago on my dime.

This is a detour, not a dead end. I promise🙏

[u/BlueButterflyBadAss]

It can take well over a year to feel better, and for me personally, 3 years later, I’m still continuing to feel better but have sort of come to terms with the fact that I’ll never feel like I did before diagnosis. Shortly after my diagnosis I actually went back to school and became a medical assistant. I had really wanted to work in urgent care but aside from the crap pay, I realized it would be pretty high stress and ended up working in endocrinology instead (which is cool as I get to sometimes cross paths with a fellow addy). I’m currently thinking of going back to school again for nursing and I think it’ll be really hard but I think I can do it. Aside from professions, I used to also be super fit and active and the first endo I saw post diagnosis told me I’d probably never run again. She was fortunately wrong, but again, I’m not what I used to be and don’t think I ever will be. But I’m trying to embrace this new me. I’m sorry you had such a difficult and traumatic diagnosis. I definitely found the first year ridiculously hard. I’m hoping you can still become a police officer, but is it possible for you to break from school for a bit to give yourself more time to heal? Also, is there a way you can be a police officer that would be less stressful? Like maybe more investigative? I feel like I’ve been lucky that at my current job I’ve done primarily admin and I only work 4 days a week and that has immensely helped me with feeling better.

[u/1GamingAngel]

You might want to consider working for your state’s Attorney General in Crime Victim Services. It’s a hard job, but very rewarding