I'm having a very rough morning. I woke up, barely had the energy to get out of bed and had to take 30 minutes to motivate myself to get up and get ready for work. I cried on the way into work today because my pain is elevated and I'm exhausted. I'm trying to remind myself that I am strong, that I can do this; just having a difficult time believing it today. I thought to myself, "Something is failing. I'm not a failure, but I feel like my body is failing me". It is so very difficult to cope with the fact that I am a young, able-bodied (mostly) person, and yet I feel so weak sometimes. I walked slower into work today because my leg muscles were on fire and felt like I had just run a marathon. I have been in a flare since Saturday and it is starting to wear on me. I know there is light at the end of the tunnel because I can feel each day that I'm starting to come out of the flare.
It was very embarrasing on Sunday when I went to lunch with my mom, step-dad and husband. I have no reason to be embarrased because they all support and love me, but here is what happened. I was sitting at the table in the restaurant. It was very loud with people talking. It was warm in the restaurant because there were a lot of people. I started to feel flush, nauseous and felt pain spread all over. This caused my anxiety to rise. My mom noticed I wasn't very talkative and asked if I wanted to go to the bathroom with her to take a break. She knows when I'm not feeling well. My mom and I stayed in the bathroom for about 20 minutes. It was cooler in the bathroom, less noise and I was able to calm down. Has this ever happened to anyone when they are out with family/friends?
Hi Sara,
Sorry you are struggling with so much right now. I just came out of a 6 week flare myself and I now realize how a flare works. That it will get better but can take a long time. I too struggle with what you are describing while out for lunch. I try to be selective about where i go, trying to avoid crowds or noise. I’m considering carrying ear plugs with me, just in case. I’ve become completely intolerant of heat so we’ll see how that plays out here in the already warm California. I know you don’t want to completely stop going places but maybe on your rough days you can have a lunch date with your parents and husband at your house. Also consider those earplugs. This ever changing condition forces us to find new ways to cope with what used to be normal everyday tasks.
I wish you much comfort and strength to get through the day and I hope you feel much better soon:)
Blessings, Dyana
Thank you for the kind words and suggestions. It is sincerely appreciated *Hugs*.
Sara
Dyana said:
Hi Sara, Sorry you are struggling with so much right now. I just came out of a 6 week flare myself and I now realize how a flare works. That it will get better but can take a long time. I too struggle with what you are describing while out for lunch. I try to be selective about where i go, trying to avoid crowds or noise. I'm considering carrying ear plugs with me, just in case. I've become completely intolerant of heat so we'll see how that plays out here in the already warm California. I know you don't want to completely stop going places but maybe on your rough days you can have a lunch date with your parents and husband at your house. Also consider those earplugs. This ever changing condition forces us to find new ways to cope with what used to be normal everyday tasks. I wish you much comfort and strength to get through the day and I hope you feel much better soon:) Blessings, Dyana
hi sara, i am glad you appreciated the hugs i sent you. i was hoping you didnt think it was not good or nice enough of me not to say anything more. thanks. :-)
Oh yea! Couple month ago my hubby and I was at California kitchen we ordered and I just burst into tears for no apparent reason. My hubby didn’t know what to do or say he just pointed to the restroom thank goodness we were very close and didn’t have to walk through restaurant. Lucky me cried for about 30 min. Thank goodness nobody came in I could not control myself. But I did feel better when it was over. But right before I had the same things happen. All of your systems you described ? Feel better soon hopefully the flare will get better over weekend. Rest when you can, try a warm bath with some kind of bath soak. Lavender, mint, eucalyptus works for me before bed. Good luck. Big Soft Bear Hugs.
Thank you for the reply and support : ) I'm sorry that happened in the restaurant you and your husband were visiting. This is the first time that has happened to me with such intensity. I literally could not focus on anything. All I could feel was my body and the pain. It's like the room went silent and was spinning. Thanks for the advice!
Hugs,
Sara
Donna said:
Oh yea! Couple month ago my hubby and I was at California kitchen we ordered and I just burst into tears for no apparent reason. My hubby didn't know what to do or say he just pointed to the restroom thank goodness we were very close and didn't have to walk through restaurant. Lucky me cried for about 30 min. Thank goodness nobody came in I could not control myself. But I did feel better when it was over. But right before I had the same things happen. All of your systems you described ? Feel better soon hopefully the flare will get better over weekend. Rest when you can, try a warm bath with some kind of bath soak. Lavender, mint, eucalyptus works for me before bed. Good luck. Big Soft Bear Hugs.
Hey Sara, I know just what this feels like. Though I love my job, sometimes I start counting down til the days I'm off to keep myself sane. I am also very young and when people look at me I usually get the classic "but you don't look sick." line. Drives me up a wall. Lately I have also been having a lot of nerve pain and fatigue in my legs. My knees are noticeably swollen and I hobble a lot when its really flaring at work. I hate this because I don't want my coworkers to pity me or my clients to feel uncomfortable, but we can only take so much pain at a time. I also get anxiety or panic attacks when my fibro is really killing me, I think that is our bodies way of telling us ok I have had enough, we need to get away from irritants and bring the pain down pronto. I hope that you start feeling better even this moment!
Thank you for the reply and support : ) I’m sorry that happened in the restaurant you and your husband were visiting. This is the first time that has happened to me with such intensity. I literally could not focus on anything. All I could feel was my body and the pain. It’s like the room went silent and was spinning. Thanks for the advice!
Hugs,
Sara
Donna said:
Oh yea! Couple month ago my hubby and I was at California kitchen we ordered and I just burst into tears for no apparent reason. My hubby didn’t know what to do or say he just pointed to the restroom thank goodness we were very close and didn’t have to walk through restaurant. Lucky me cried for about 30 min. Thank goodness nobody came in I could not control myself. But I did feel better when it was over. But right before I had the same things happen. All of your systems you described ? Feel better soon hopefully the flare will get better over weekend. Rest when you can, try a warm bath with some kind of bath soak. Lavender, mint, eucalyptus works for me before bed. Good luck. Big Soft Bear Hugs.
Thank you for the supportive response : ) My knees have also been visibly swollen lately and I've been icing every night when I get home to keep the swelling down. It really helps reduce the pain. My Chiropractor advised me to ice nightly, 5 mins on, 5 mins off so that I don't over ice or cause any damage. It is a process and somewhat of an inconvenience, but I switch on a good 1/2 hour TV show and view that time as "me time". I ice my knees, while watching a TV show that makes me laugh or smile. It makes it feel like not so much of a burden to have to ice nightly. I also got a pair of memory foam slippers I wear around the house so I'm not barefoot. We have a lot of wood floors in our home, which can be hard on your feet and joints. The slippers are inexpensive, help regulate my body temperature and provide additional support for my feet and knees when I'm walking around.
I hope you are having a good day *hugs*,
Sara
Ahava31 said:
Hey Sara, I know just what this feels like. Though I love my job, sometimes I start counting down til the days I'm off to keep myself sane. I am also very young and when people look at me I usually get the classic "but you don't look sick." line. Drives me up a wall. Lately I have also been having a lot of nerve pain and fatigue in my legs. My knees are noticeably swollen and I hobble a lot when its really flaring at work. I hate this because I don't want my coworkers to pity me or my clients to feel uncomfortable, but we can only take so much pain at a time. I also get anxiety or panic attacks when my fibro is really killing me, I think that is our bodies way of telling us ok I have had enough, we need to get away from irritants and bring the pain down pronto. I hope that you start feeling better even this moment!
Sara, it sounds like maybe you had a bit of an anxiety attack, maybe a combo of the noise, crowd and pain. I also carry earplugs in my purse, especially for loud movies. I am very sensitive to crowds, heat and noise also so I just won’t go to a restaurant where these things are present. I’ll choose another place that is calm, cool and uncrowded. Hopefully your family will understand.
Thank you *Hugs*. This weekend was much needed and my mom had a wonderful Mother's Day celebration that we put on for her. If it was up to me, I would celebrate her everday : ) I'm doing better this week, last week was really rough at work and very busy. I'm tired today because I overdid it a little this weekend for my mom, but I planned it and I knew I would probably have to take it easy this week. I hope you are having a good day.
Hugs,
Sara
BaltimoreBaby said:
Sara, I hope this week is much better! Hugs, Laurie
Thank you for the response. I indeed did have an anxiety attack due to all the noise, crowded restaurant and warm temperature. I'm going to choose a different restaurant that I know I can tolerate next time. This was the first time I had been to that restaurant and it was just too much going on around me. I hope you are having a good day : )
Hugs,
Sara
Starr said:
Sara, it sounds like maybe you had a bit of an anxiety attack, maybe a combo of the noise, crowd and pain. I also carry earplugs in my purse, especially for loud movies. I am very sensitive to crowds, heat and noise also so I just won't go to a restaurant where these things are present. I'll choose another place that is calm, cool and uncrowded. Hopefully your family will understand.
I was wondering how you are doing now. I was sorry to hear of your experience, but can relate. I have had similar experiences where I feel an overwhelming feeling creeping up on me while I am out and about usually with lots of stimulus going on around me. And suddenly I am overwhelmed and have to get away. I think it is awesome that you are surrounded by so many loving and supportive people. Your mom sounds like a dear. Big hugs Sara, and please let us know how things are going!!