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ME/CFS Apprehension – Letting It Go

3/4/2014

4 Comments

 
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I’ve recently had a series of emotionally challenging events in my life.  It’s resulted in hesitancy about what’s coming next – an apprehension about the future which I know will at some point entail more of the same kind of challenges.  And of course it renewed the feelings that used to affect me when I was struggling with ME/CFS.
 
I had tried mightily to not let feelings of anxiety or fear of more bad days get to me.  My cognitive brain accepted that I would have to deal with them as I
slowly recovered but my emotions and psyche were uneasy – waiting for the signs and body pain that would be the harbinger of a bad day. Sometimes I would allow this anxiety to effect my day even if it was by comparison a reasonable day.  It took a great deal of intentional focus to see the positive side of how I was physically feeling.  And to ignore
the anxious voice inside of me.

The strategy that finally worked for me was planning ahead.  During the time I was bedridden, I would plan by the hour.  What should I be doing during the next few hours to achieve a good outcome?  As I got healthier, I planned by the day.  What should my
day look like in order to stick to the protocol and have a successful day?  Eventually, I was looking at a week and planning a well paced reasonable series of days that generated a positive result.  It seems simple but it worked.  How do you let go of the apprehension?  What are your strategies?  Please COMMENT on this blog or Send in your thoughts and I’ll post them with your permission.  You can use the Contact Form or send an email to Martha at DefeatCFS dot net.  And Guest Blogs are most welcome!

Look for a weekly posting on Tuesdays.  And consider being part of the conversation.

Be Well Again,
 
Martha

4 Comments
Tim Boland
3/8/2014 06:23:00 am

Though perhaps a little off topic, night before last, I had forgotten to take my sleep aid so I awoke about 4 am, and then continued to just rest until about 8 in the morning. I didn’t feel that bad but I did have noticeably more pain than I usually do on awakening, my daughter came to help out in the morning with business things - she is a ray of sunshine. Later after resting again, I went for my walk and noticed how very tired I was, unusally so.

So I decided that I would re-institute a habit where I take my sleep aid and pain pills on going to sleep at a specific point in my ‘going to bed’ routine, and also make a mental note that I have done so. Last night, I slept from about 11 at night until nearly 9 am, getting up once as I usually do. My body felt so good on awakening, then after having something to eat, I went to my easy chair to relax and listen to Qigong, and fell asleep again - that’s common because it’s so soothing to listen to. I realized again, Martha, how important it is to have a routine and to follow it, and as I thought about last night, really attend to how my body is feeling ... when tired, rest; if sleepy, even if earlier than usual, go to bed.

Reply
Martha
3/8/2014 08:48:44 am

A solid night's sleep is a blessing when you're struggling with ME/CFS. And when we stick to the patterns that work, we get good results. Thanks Tim!

Reply
Donna
3/10/2014 12:43:09 am

Yes...the anxiety that leads to the fear that leads to the feelings of victimization that leads to the dark pool of despair. I've been there more than once, not my favorite vacation. :-) The path to wellness is pretty much a full-time job, but the earth continues to rotate and life moves forward. There are major catastrophes and minor annoyances. Plans fall through; people hurt you. There are times when a skewed perspective makes them all of equal weight. In these times I remind myself that emotion is energy, and energy is motion, and allow the emotion to flow in, around, and out. I know that I have weathered worse storms, and survived. I know that tomorrow is another day full of possibilities, and miracles do happen. (Also popping a tranq now and then is in the realm of possibilities! lol)

Reply
Martha
3/11/2014 04:33:24 am

Understanding and accepting the emotional rhythms of the struggle with ME/CFS is necessary to recovery. This is a cruel disease. One can't avoid a dark day but we can learn how to cope with them and to make sure they are short lived. To know that you have gotten through them before and to able to look toward tomorrow is a great strength. Donna, you posses strong acceptance, understanding and foresight. Congrats and Thanks!

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    Hello,  I'm
    Martha Kilcoyne

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    After struggling with CFS for four years I am fortunate now to be fully well and making choices about how I want to live my healthy life.  One choice is to be an active part of the CFS community and to offer one voice from the fully recoverd to the dialogue.  I'm glad you're here!   For more about me, here's my Bio.

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