Shorts and Sandals
I've been hanging in pretty good lately, trying to stop activities when I get warning signs (very difficult) and considering I feel pretty horrible most of the time, hard to tell when to quit. Weather has been nice, have tried to go to nice spots for tea and cookies or icecream. Enjoying my Netflix and audio books at night. I finally made it to a new Mental Health support group that is a large established program run in one of the cities hospitals. Was VERY impressed, good facilitators and empathy among adults of all ages (some have clinical depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, or bi-polar disorder). I told them I've had cfs for 25 yrs and hell would freezes over before I would get a proper diagnosis of depression.
I am so glad they run in the summer. My only challenge is, I get overstimulated with a large group and even if I'm "having the time of my life" my symptoms get VERY severe and this is very scary, as a relapse can render me helpless for 2 months! I get angry about that often, but it is the reality.
Now I am busy preparing to deal with the heat. Have to carry cooler bags, head freeze bands, portable hand spray fans, etc... And hard to,carry because I am so weak. Hope all my DS friends are coping ok and pls leave your message with me, love to get them.
I am so glad they run in the summer. My only challenge is, I get overstimulated with a large group and even if I'm "having the time of my life" my symptoms get VERY severe and this is very scary, as a relapse can render me helpless for 2 months! I get angry about that often, but it is the reality.
Now I am busy preparing to deal with the heat. Have to carry cooler bags, head freeze bands, portable hand spray fans, etc... And hard to,carry because I am so weak. Hope all my DS friends are coping ok and pls leave your message with me, love to get them.
Replies
Hi Pouty! Knowing when to stop has always been a challenge for me. And not wanting to stop! Lol. That\'s awesome you found a support group you like. I too get overstimulated. When I was more functional and could get out, I\'d actually stuff my ears with cotton to muffle all the noise. Whatever helps, right?!?
Hope you\'re able to keep going. Sounds like a great program.
Love, light and hugs to you...
I\'m happy you found a support group that really pleases you! That is so hard to do.
I know about the pacing problem! We all try to do it, but fail miserably. I was out of the game for two and half months last year! No fun, that\'s for sure. I do TRY to limit my activities, but stuff keeps happening! LOL...Not my fault. We just have to do our best!
Our weather in Jersey has just turned to shorts and sandals. I hope it stays that way! I\'m like you, once the heat starts up. I\'m worthless for the summer. Winter is my time of year. I\'m heat intolerant.
Hang in there!!! xoxo
I wish I knew how to pace better, I just crashed for 4 days after I had helped mow the yard. It is so hard to know how to pace & how much we can do. Somedays, I can do so much more & nothing happens & then I do the same thing again & I crash. I can certainly commiserate with you on this.
You are doing so well getting out & doing things, I so envy you your stamina & your ability to get out there. Love that you go for tea or ice cream everyday. I am really happy you found a support group, that must be so interesting. The association with other people can heal the loneliness, hopefully you will find one or two that you really connect with.
I do not do well with heat either, keep doing what you are doing to cope. We will just have to make it through the hot days.
Take care, hugs to you, Denise
Thankyou for all your heart warming messages. It\'s so great to have friends that understand this crazy pacing thing! It is a constant worry. We all have some blessings in our life and I am grateful for my car, my husband and my knowledge of community programs - it has gotten me through many hardships. The girls that work at the coffee shops have become special to me. I probably look about 40, but I am 56 and fumble in with my walker or folding stool, I,feel like a frail 95 year old. These local people being friendly to me, really cheer me up! Blessing to you all!
Pouty, Three cheers for the effort you make to go to the support group even though it causes so many symptoms. I can totally relate to that - people, noise, concentrating, stirred up emotions - all very taxing. But, it\'s a good way to take care of yourself. That and the cookies and ice cream :-). It\'s hot here too - staying inside with the shades drawn in the hottest part of the day.
Aww pouty, have an icecream for me please . Ever since I lost my gallbladder.Oops sounds like I dropped it on the ground or something LOL!! Ever since my gallbladder surgery, I haven\'t been able to eat icecream, bummer man.Makes me really sick.So next time you\'re out indulging in that yummy icecream, think of your poor old aussie mate ha ha.So glad you found that support group, sounds like a good one.Hey pouty that\'s a lot of gear you have to carry to keep cool.I can\'t handle the heat so well anymore, wish I could move to subtropical, but no money honey.Our climate here is warm, hot and hotter and when it\'s unbearable heat they call it troppo season.That means crazy season, when people can\'t handle the intense heat and humidity that builds up before the wet season hits.We are just starting the dry season now which is our winter and it is just heavenly, not hot or cold.Take care pouty, love Di xo
Hi pouty, Just wanted to say glad you are getting out, and I get the overstimulation in groups issue. We\'re such sensitive people, and the energy of those around us can really overpower...sometimes I can imagine a psychic bubble around me as protection and try to just tune out the rest of the people for periods of time when I\'m in a group; and sometimes I go hide in the bathroom for 15 min with my mp3 player and guided meditation to help keep me centered.... just some thoughts. But yes, have an ice cream for me, too! Like AussieDi I can\'t have it anymore since GB surgery.