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ME/CFS Recovery – A Mine Field of Variables

4/10/2018

2 Comments

 
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If everyone who was suffering with ME/CFS were to write down all of the variables that affect them, it would be a long list.  Life in general challenges us but add to that all of the knowns and unknowns of ME/CFS and it can be overwhelming.  During the time when I was bedridden with ME/CFS, I must admit that for a good number of my waking hours each day, I cranked over that list.  I allowed it to feed on the precious little energy that I had and erode my will to get well.
 
It was when I finally jettisoned the list and began to focus on one or two variables at a time that my health started to improve.  Instead of wandering through the entire mine field where it was certain that one of them would blow up, I carved out smaller areas with a limited scope.  Usually this would include a shorter timeframe to focus on and only a couple of life’s issues to act on.  It didn’t always work but most of the time, it allowed me to intentionally focus the energy I had on things that were realistically within my reach. 

 
How do you keep yourself within a realistic window?  What strategies have worked for you?  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


2 Comments
Tim Boland
4/17/2018 02:05:31 am

My current short list, Martha, is attending to how my body is feeling as I sit, lay down in my chair, walk. I am seeing a Feldenkrais practitioner, who helps with very slow and gentle movements, to gain as that practice is also known 'awareness through movement'.

One evening not long ago as I was standing, I became aware more than usual of how very tight my muscles were. There have been many small and larger stressors, mainly from business and some financial concerns.

I was alone so I said aloud quietly 'relax', and as I felt my body relax almost a once, I said the word again, I tuned in once again saying 'relax' and could feel how much tension was there, and also how attending to the muscle tension helped in just a short period of time.

I remember speaking with a younger woman who worked at a local pharmacy who also has fibromyalgia, and she takes medication, muscle relaxers. For some reason, this illness tends to 'cause' some muscle groups to tighten more so, or at least there is far more awareness of this. When I was well, like nearly everyone in our culture had some tight muscles, but then it just felt like an uncomfortable tightness, not something which brought about real and lasting pain.

So being more aware and then acting upon that is making a significant difference, though it is a matter of continually being aware and making adjustments, to stand, to sit in a more balanced way.

Reply
Martha
4/17/2018 08:25:29 am

Body awareness is an important key back to wellness. I also found that a muscle relaxant made a big difference especially in getting deep sleep. Thanks Tim!

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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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