Nar! I think you just having flares. For me the fibro flare-up always causes the cfs flare-up, then when I am rested (huh) it calms down.

I totally agree with Vonnie. It's so easy for us to think we're psychologically nuts because our systems are so sensitive. But I do want to run for cover a lot more. I think the visual and audible stimulation from holidaze "stuff" makes it even worse. I walked into a store yesterday and felt assaulted by inanimate objects!!! Too many lights, smells and conflicting sounds.

Ugh.

It is reassuring to read others walk into a mall and have symptoms flare up....I'm sorry it happens but grateful I am not alone....:) Happy Thanksgiving...A'hem --

andrew

I think we're all super sensitive to everything. Normal, healthy people stress out at Holiday time. We have to be especially carefull. I think the tendency to run for cover is natural for us. Too much stimulation gets the anxiety thing going and we go downhill from there. I know I'm more than a little agoraphobic. I just now went to a small store with my husband, just to get out of the house. Every other day I take a car ride with him and get out in the air and listen to all the noise out there. We don't want to become housebound, but sometimes we are, for long periods of time. Just get out as much as you can and don't beat yourself up if you run for cover. It's the smart thing to do for those of us who have an illness that requires rest and stress reduction. Sincerely, Darla

ah yes even the slightest of colds can set me off. I think at least for me it is harder to get rid of those colds or anything else either. marilyn

The word "mall" is not in the CFIDS dictionary.

this is such a good subject, I run for cover so often my husband makes fun of me, in a loving way of course.I get both the fibro flares and CFS flares so often anymore I can't tell them apart ;-)We all need to be together on a island free of sounds and smells that make us sick. Mall, my teenager thinks I'm funny b/c I can't go there especially at holiday time, it's crazy!

Last time I went to a mall was AT LEAST 7 yrs. ago. It's probably closer to 12 years.

I love this site becaue all the things that make you think your going crazy someone posts and everyone else says they are dealing with similar if not the same things. I run for cover probably more than I should but everyone in the house knows if you can't find mom she is in her bed under all the covers

i am so glad to read these replys.it makes me feel so much better to know i am not alone with these feelings.good topic.((*.*))

I'm a little different - I make myself do the stores,( I don't do Malls cause its too much walking)I make myself get out and do normal things. Some days I do it in an electic cart and some days I walk it. But if I just stay put the chemical depressions takes over. Now I don't go if there is a know outbrek of flu or something going around. But I do make myself get out.

I have only to go near strangers, whether in a mall or just in the street and I catch some vile bug or another. Bug in system = hibernation for me. When I get well enough to venture out something else chases me down. I feel like the Addams Family / Munsters with the black rain cloud following me! LOL
I see why Jacko took to living in an oxygen bubble ;)

We are normal CFIDsy people just being our quirky and necessary selves. Not mad noooooooo! Or agoraphobic!
Love and light xoxo

Me too. I've just recovered from a virus I cought 6 weeks ago that everyone else had for one week, and now my eldest is home from work with a different one - that's me sick again soon then. That's the problem, it isn't just going out it's people breathing near you!! How dare they. LOL. I so agree with Becky, Michael Jackson may have had the right idea.
I had this conversation with someone the other day, he sugested that when I go shopping I carry a hairdryer in front of me to blow away the germs.lol The only problem there would be trailing the portable generator behind me!! No there's nothing else for it, hibernation is the only answer.

I have days where i don't even answer the phone and cannot talk to even those i am closest to. I just want to hide away and be alone.

I still enjoy getting "out" but the term has taken on new meanings. Malls? Not happening. Just not happening. Too many noises ... kid screaming bouncing off tile walls, EVERYONE SINGLE STORE has cheesy Christmas music being piped out LOUDLY to complete with the already cheesy mall music. TOO MANY SMELLS. People, perfume, fake seasonal smells being piped in. Off gassing from weird un-natural fibers. TOO MUCH. Oooo, the visuals. Too many people, too many colors, not enough ORDER, blinking holiday lights. It gets DARK early. It's COLD.

Color me Scrooge, but please use somber tasteful colors. Too many brights and I'll make my Scrooge self dizzy!!!