Up and Down and All Around
When people ask me how I'm doing, I tell them "Up and down and all around" because I don't want to bore them with my fatigue, brain fog, headaches, lethargy. But I know you all understand. I try not to talk about my stuff with anyone outside my immediate family. I certainly appreciate this group - the folks who know what it is like.
I'm allergic to ragweed and this allergen is high this time of the year. It seems that I have a constant headache that never goes away. Yesterday I took good old fashioned aspirin and wore a mask when I went out to walk with my neighbors. The aspirin actually seemed to help my headache when nothing else touched it. Maybe it was a combination of aspirin, mask, and getting a decent night of sleep (with the help of a small dose of clonopin) that produced a "normal" day. I usually have to lay down for hours when I get home from my very part-time job, but yesterday I found myself energetic enough to visit a friend, make some phone calls and do some research on the internet. My brain felt clear for the first time in weeks. What a nice relief. I also felt a more lightness of spirit, like a weight had been lifted off me. I am so grateful to have a day like that. Thank you all for being here and letting me share. And sharing yourselves with me.
I'm allergic to ragweed and this allergen is high this time of the year. It seems that I have a constant headache that never goes away. Yesterday I took good old fashioned aspirin and wore a mask when I went out to walk with my neighbors. The aspirin actually seemed to help my headache when nothing else touched it. Maybe it was a combination of aspirin, mask, and getting a decent night of sleep (with the help of a small dose of clonopin) that produced a "normal" day. I usually have to lay down for hours when I get home from my very part-time job, but yesterday I found myself energetic enough to visit a friend, make some phone calls and do some research on the internet. My brain felt clear for the first time in weeks. What a nice relief. I also felt a more lightness of spirit, like a weight had been lifted off me. I am so grateful to have a day like that. Thank you all for being here and letting me share. And sharing yourselves with me.
Replies
Allergies are a killer this year. I live out East, but we are seeing ragweed levels that are really high as well. I am slightly allergic, but my hubby is very allergic and works outside. Poor dear! Anyway, I can only imagine how your allergies are exacerbating the CFS. I understand not wanting to be specific when people ask how you are. When I was working with international students at my college, I had to tell them that, in America, when someone asks how you are, it\'s just a greeting. They don\'t really want to know how you are. The internationals were pretty shocked by that. They figured if someone asked, it was an invitation to say how they were really doing. It was kind of sad to have to burst their bubble, but I told them that if I asked, then I really did want to know how they felt. My buddy from the UK said the other day that she was having more ups and downs than a \"tart\'s knickers.\" I had to smile. Love you, dear. Heather.
Ah, yes. The inevitable \"How are you\" greeting. I always used to reply, \"Just great. How are you?\" Now when I am greeted that way, I feel put on the spot. I don\'t want to say \"just great\" anymore because I am not great at all. But neither do I want to list my complaints. I usually just mumble \"okay\" and change the subject really fast. I like your answer better. I may even use the \"tart\'s knickers\" like Heather\'s friend. I love that!
Thank you for sharing your \'normal day\'. It is so wonderful to be able to open up on this site, read people\'s entries, and know we are not alone in our struggles. Here are compassionate folks who understand the difficulties we face and also understand what a blessing it is to have a \'normal day!\' Hope you have many more!
When people ask me how I am, of course they don\'t really want to hear the truth I learnt that one the hard way a long time ago..Now I just reply \"still alive and kicking \". A lightness of spirit and a good physical day sounds wonderful . I\'m happy for you.Sleep certainly helps.I am bedridden and have severe insomnia at present. Hope your ragweed allergy eases up my friend and you continue to have better days.We are indeed blessed to have this wonderful support group here.Love and healing Di xo
I love all your comments! And that \"tart\'s knickers\" had me laughing aloud. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings on this subject and different ways to respond when someone asks how we are doing .
Heather, I wonder if it would help if your husband wore a mask? I wore one part of Tuesday and I wonder if that is why I had a \"good\" day. Now I\'ve had a headache for two days that just won\'t quit no matter what I do or what I take. I\'m going back to wearing that mask no matter how funny it looks!
Di, I am sorry to hear you are bedridden dear one. I am sending you prayers and good wishes.
Love Renee
Hi There -- I just have to add my two cents about allergens and wearing masks: it works! I have allergies her also (northern CA where I am is called The Allergy Capitol of the World) Had I realized this I probably never would hsave settled here. Anyway, I gave up caring if I looked funny, odd or eccentric years ago. I wear a mask when the allergens are bad because it makes the difference betweein feeling miserable or feeling well and able to function. Allergies are SO exhausting - they wreck havoic w/ immune sytem and cause deep fatigue. So go for it. Wear he darn mask. People would ask, \"Does that thing really help?\" and I\'d say, \"Well I\'m out here with my dog at the park enjoying myself rather than being stuck in bed at home. Yes, it works.\" And, of course on bad days Zyrtec really helps, too. I am reallhy happy that you had a bright day. How wonderful for you. May you have more of them....
Love
Denise, thank you for reinforcing my thoughts about the masks. You live pretty close to my brother in Sebastopol. Last time I went to visit him, I felt worse than I do here in Austin. I guess the allergens are worse in N. Cal., even though I didn\'t think that was possible. I visited southern Oregon in July (Grants Pass/Ashland area) and I felt sooo much better there. I woke up without a headache and my energy was better. I\'m going to try to stay there for two months next summer to see how that works out. I would love to get out of the heat here. It makes me faint and nauseous. Even today (9/20) its so hot and humid that I will not go outside the rest of the day.
I\'m in the process of adopting a rescue pup (a mix of australian shepherd and border collie). I have not had a dog since childhood. I know she will be high energy, but she will also be a good companion when I\'m house bound. I\'ll make sure she has play time with the neighbors\' dogs.
How are you doing?
Oh, a rescue puppy - how exciting! Good for you. Puppies are so adorable. The only thing cuter is a little lamb. :) With those bloodlines, she certainly will be high energy, work driven, and very smart. My two little house dogs are a great blessing to me. I\'m sure you will have many good times with your new critter.
Thanks for the encouragement! Its a bit daunting to adopt a high energy dog, but I just KNOW it is the right thing to do. Sometimes we have to step into something with faith without sweating all the details!