It's only Monday and I'm exhausted already. Work is very busy and I'm pushing through the pain and fatigue to keep going...
I'm sitting at my desk wondering how I am going to make it through the rest of the day and be productive? I honestly just want to lay my head down on the desk and take a nap.
Work is a must and I am not eligible for FMLA until December of this year.
I'm also planning for a very busy Thanksgiving and holiday weekend. I have to go to 2 Family members homes for Thanksgiving this year, where as previously, my hubby and I were just able to relax at 1 family gathering. I'm dreading it this year because I know I'm going to be tired and I don't want to be irritable, in pain and exhausted on Thanksgiving. This is the first year that fear has accompanied a holiday because of how unmanageable my Fibro has been over the past few months. I never know what each day is going to bring. I'm silently praying for an exception this Thanksgiving to my pain and fatigue. I know praying doesn't change the outcome though. A small amount of anxiety is also accompanying this year's festivities because of the uncertainty of how I will feel. ON TOP OF ALL THAT, I got called into Jury Duty beginning on December 1st. Bleh!
Does any else experience anxiety around the coming holidays regarding this diagnosis and how we feel on a daily basis?
I can totally relate to how you're feeling, as the holidays approach. I know if I don't pace myself and do too much, I will be grumpy with my family - and that's not fair. Even if I think I've got it right I will still experience anxiety, as we all do, not knowing how far th Fibro will let you go.
So, suggestions to cope: pace yourself, delegate any jobs you can, so you save your energy for the celebrations. Get in little naps if you can. Sorry I can't do any better.
I dread the holiday season because of all of the disruption to my schedule. I end up not eating right, weird sleep patterns, stress of relations...etc. I just try and pace myself. That said, I have terrible symptoms because of the anxiety and stress. Do I have any advice? Not really, I just keep trying to limit myself. I just know the frustration!
hi.. since i dont go to work i think it may be somewhat easier for me to coordinate as the folks that go to work. I did decide not to go to or have a large crowd at my house.. and not going to a hour away to the family crowd. It is only going to be my hubby, daughter and her boyfriend., possibly one or two friends who may be alone so the door is open to them.,. the menu has already been thought about and i already made two sides and they are in the fridge. daughter will bring one side. Hubby will make a mexican chicken dish as her bf loves mex food, the only things i will make thurday are 2 simple sides. my daughter is vegetarian so made stuff that she and i like and the rest probaly also. i cut out the baking that i normally do and opted for store bought in a nice bakery near the house. i have it all figured out so it makes it that much easier for me.; I feel less stress now that i know what is going to be done and who will do what...all the best to you and HUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGS for the holdidays and always.
Those are great suggestions Suzie! I also am not cooking this year. I offered money to the host and that worked out well. So tomorrow I will be relaxed AND well-fed! Hugs!
suzie said:
hi.. since i dont go to work i think it may be somewhat easier for me to coordinate as the folks that go to work. I did decide not to go to or have a large crowd at my house.. and not going to a hour away to the family crowd. It is only going to be my hubby, daughter and her boyfriend., possibly one or two friends who may be alone so the door is open to them.,. the menu has already been thought about and i already made two sides and they are in the fridge. daughter will bring one side. Hubby will make a mexican chicken dish as her bf loves mex food, the only things i will make thurday are 2 simple sides. my daughter is vegetarian so made stuff that she and i like and the rest probaly also. i cut out the baking that i normally do and opted for store bought in a nice bakery near the house. i have it all figured out so it makes it that much easier for me.; I feel less stress now that i know what is going to be done and who will do what...all the best to you and HUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGS for the holdidays and always.
Sara,
I dread all the ruckus that comes along with the holidays–it’s not that I am anti social or like the grinch, but I find that the added stress of family get togethers & all the expectations that go along with them–I just want to run and hide–take a very long nap & sleep thru it all. The noise, crowds, it all seems to throw me into a flare up with pain from FMS & FMS also works to get my arthritis pain flaring up as well. Right now my left knee is throbbing so much that it is hard to put any weight on it, much less walk on it. My husband loves the holidays, especially Christmas, & he still doesn’t get how all the extra activity makes me nervous & initiates a flare up. He wants to have a Christmas Open House for our church which would be super nice if my house was immaculate and if I did not have a full time job outside of our home, if money was no object and I didn’t have these health issues! Yes, I fully understand your feelings & I feel the same way. I only take it one day at a time & not allow myself to commit to more than I know that I can handle. HUGS!
Sounds like it was a very well planned out day : ) I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I did, but am a bit tired today. It's nice that I took the day off after the holiday to rest and unwind from the busy day! I made 4 dishes, 2 for each house that went to (Mom and Mom-in-law), 2 green bean casseroles and two homemade pumpkin pies..which were a success : ) It was difficult to make it through the entire day, but I wanted to give each family the proper time and attention they deserve; they are all amazing, caring people who love my husband and I. I got a little grouchy near the end of the night at my Mom-in-law's but she was kind enough to let me take a nap in the spare bedroom. The shopping, preparation and all the goes into the holiday season can be a challenge with Fibro. I'm trying to focus on the happiness of the season vs. the anxiety it can bring.
Talk to you soon,
Sara suzie said:
hi.. since i dont go to work i think it may be somewhat easier for me to coordinate as the folks that go to work. I did decide not to go to or have a large crowd at my house.. and not going to a hour away to the family crowd. It is only going to be my hubby, daughter and her boyfriend., possibly one or two friends who may be alone so the door is open to them.,. the menu has already been thought about and i already made two sides and they are in the fridge. daughter will bring one side. Hubby will make a mexican chicken dish as her bf loves mex food, the only things i will make thurday are 2 simple sides. my daughter is vegetarian so made stuff that she and i like and the rest probaly also. i cut out the baking that i normally do and opted for store bought in a nice bakery near the house. i have it all figured out so it makes it that much easier for me.; I feel less stress now that i know what is going to be done and who will do what...all the best to you and HUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGS for the holdidays and always.
Thanks Deb! : ) Wow, that's sounds like a big party your husband wants to have...I don't think I could handle that and all the commotion. My hubby and I are finishing up Christmas shopping and I did most of mine online..it was fabulous. No lines, no crowds and no noise..just a few clicks and shopping is complete : ) I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving.
Sara
Deb said:
Sara, I dread all the ruckus that comes along with the holidays--it's not that I am anti social or like the grinch, but I find that the added stress of family get togethers & all the expectations that go along with them--I just want to run and hide--take a very long nap & sleep thru it all. The noise, crowds, it all seems to throw me into a flare up with pain from FMS & FMS also works to get my arthritis pain flaring up as well. Right now my left knee is throbbing so much that it is hard to put any weight on it, much less walk on it. My husband loves the holidays, especially Christmas, & he still doesn't get how all the extra activity makes me nervous & initiates a flare up. He wants to have a Christmas Open House for our church which would be super nice if my house was immaculate and if I did not have a full time job outside of our home, if money was no object and I didn't have these health issues! Yes, I fully understand your feelings & I feel the same way. I only take it one day at a time & not allow myself to commit to more than I know that I can handle. HUGS!
Thanks for advice Anne! : ) It was definitely helpful.
Sara
AnneV said:
Hello Sara,
I can totally relate to how you're feeling, as the holidays approach. I know if I don't pace myself and do too much, I will be grumpy with my family - and that's not fair. Even if I think I've got it right I will still experience anxiety, as we all do, not knowing how far th Fibro will let you go.
So, suggestions to cope: pace yourself, delegate any jobs you can, so you save your energy for the celebrations. Get in little naps if you can. Sorry I can't do any better.
Thanks for the reply! : ) Limits and boundaries are very important with this diagnosis, I couldn't agree more.
Sara
MrsWeatherill said:
I dread the holiday season because of all of the disruption to my schedule. I end up not eating right, weird sleep patterns, stress of relations...etc. I just try and pace myself. That said, I have terrible symptoms because of the anxiety and stress. Do I have any advice? Not really, I just keep trying to limit myself. I just know the frustration!