u/Similar_Concern_1666

I know I said I wouldn't be returning here, but I have to ask you all something that's been worrying me for years.

I, like many sufferers have completely lost my friend groups over the past 4 years. I won't get into details as I'm sure you all know the deal, and have experienced similar issues. I don't get any contact from close friends, work friends, friends of friends etc these days, and have no intention of returning or rekindling my old friendships after the way they treated me once I became ill (and before I got ill in hindsight haha).

I am sick of friends discounting my situation and long COVID in general and waiting years for responses to messages that never come. I've had 4 visits total from old friends in 4 years, and no real contact since '24. Many don't respond when I tell them my 'pacing rules' for visits, and many I didn't hear from at all.

My question for people in a similar situation is, how have you managed to make new relationships when housebound etc and when hobbies/activities and communication is extremely tiring? Or were your friend groups more accepting and emphatic to your situation?

It's something I'm extremely worried about if/once I recover, since I'm no spring chicken anymore. My one outlet atm is a monthly catch up call with my HR manager at my work haha....(Not counting therapy or any other paid instances).

I've tried replacing it in some form with social media, but that was a very bad mistake haha. I have been part of LC groups, but keen to find friendships outside of LC and other medical spheres.