Re: Wondering if it's normal...

[Guest guest]

Hi .

 

I can so relate to this.  I used to do everything all the time each day until

my RA struck me.  I tried to continue the way I always did things, but things

changed.  I found if I did some things, then I would be in bed 3 or 4 days

recovering from what I did do!! I was so exhausted I too could not sleep, etc. 

I am the type of person who can't function without a good nights sleep. I talked

with my Rheumy about this.  She told me I had to pace myself, and if I didn't I

would end up spending more days in bed.  Trying to pace myself was so hard for

me to do.  Before, I could do anything I wanted to do!  So, I had to learn to

slow down, pace myself, and it was not easy for me to do.

 

I finally did master this both, mentally and physically.  I loved my home neat

as a pin and very clean and tidy.  So I began this way. When I woke up in the

morning, I would mentally decide what I would do that day.  I also had to make

up my mind, that if I did not accomplishe all these chores, I would put them off

for the next day.  That has worked well for me.  I do know the price I paid

for over tiring myself.  Too many days in bed to recover, and too much pain and

suffering!!!!!  Now, for shopping etc. or going out with my friends.  This was

a tough one for

me!  I felt so guilty saying no to my friends, and at the time they did not

understand this ugly monster of a disease that was making me so sick, and the

worst pain and suffering I ever had.

 

I finally told every one, I will go out when I can, but I can't do too much

walking etc.  My feet and ankles were struck the worst with RA. Some days, I

could not bear to stand on them, let alone walk on them.

 

These are all the same things I still do.  I do not feel guilty about

anything!  I have to take care of myself so I can have my life back.  And I do

have it back.  Some things I can't do so I either try to do it another way, or

ask for help.

 

I hope this helps you.  I do know what you are suffering with, and feeling like

your life is over.  No one in your family or friends can even begin to think

they know what we are dealing with, 24/7.  All of us here do!!

 

I hope you feel better soon, and I wish you many pain free days ahead.  Just

take care of yourself, and rest as much as you can.  Resting does help so

much.  Don't feel guilty about resting either.  No one else is in your shoes!!

 

Hugs,

 

Barbara

BARBARA

From: & Otto <ottofamily5@...>

Subject: [ ] Wondering if it's normal...

Date: Thursday, April 7, 2011, 10:55 AM

 

to have a couple of " semi " good days and then crash for the next few days? The

reason I ask is this, I felt good (well, good for me at least) from Sunday until

late Wednesday afternoon and then felt miserable, didn't sleep worth anything

(late night tv sucks btw) and now I just want to sleep and sleep and I have all

this stuff to do. How in the world do I manage my time correctly so I don't burn

myself out again?/ This rollercoaster has got to stop.

Thanks

[Guest guest]

Hi

Sounds pretty normal to me. I haven't found a way yet of predicting what I can

and can't manage without causing total exhaustion etc. I guess that's just the

nature of the beast. I hope you are able to get a consistent good period soon. I

know that when I was feeling really good for a couple of months straight it made

a huge difference to my outlook. Try not to put too much pressure on yourself to

get everything done - easier said than done I know.

Ali

[Guest guest]

>

> to have a couple of " semi " good days and then crash for the next few days?

The reason I ask is this, I felt good (well, good for me at least) from Sunday

until late Wednesday afternoon and then felt miserable, didn't sleep worth

anything (late night tv sucks btw) and now I just want to sleep and sleep and I

have all this stuff to do. How in the world do I manage my time correctly so I

don't burn myself out again?/ This rollercoaster has got to stop.

I wish I knew. I'm supposed to help at a retreat sponsored by my church this

weekend and they want us to be there from 6am until 11:30pm on Saturday. When I

saw the schedule I almost fell over, but I feel like a whiny baby if I say I

just can't put in a day like that.

J