The last few days have been hot and muggy in New England. Summer is definitely here. Over the weekend we were doing some yard work and were working up a sweat. I commented that I wanted to go for a swim and my son remarked that I don’t swim. I only float. From his perspective, it was true. My version of swimming is mostly with floatation – usually a noodle. And I definitely don’t swim strokes over any distance. But it hasn’t always been this way.
Before I struggled with ME/CFS/SEID, I swam laps in a pool every day at lunch or early in the morning if my schedule allowed. Then came ME/CFS/SEID and all that went away. Skip forward several years to when I was finally following the protocol and getting better. I was avoiding push/crash cycles and feeling stronger each month. Then I got the bright idea to try swimming again - major crash. More time passed and I was back on track and feeling stronger. Yes, I tried swimming again – another crash. Full disclosure, I did this three times. What was I thinking? I never tried to swim again. Even after I climbed Kilimanjaro, I was afraid to try swimming again.
My brain is now hard wired to avoid swimming. Even though it makes no sense, somewhere inside me I still fear that swimming will trigger an ME/CFS/SEID crash. I used to think I was crazy for still thinking this. But I came to realize that instinct is important in survival and that I’m not much of a gambler. What crash triggers have you learned? What do you avoid? 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
Before I struggled with ME/CFS/SEID, I swam laps in a pool every day at lunch or early in the morning if my schedule allowed. Then came ME/CFS/SEID and all that went away. Skip forward several years to when I was finally following the protocol and getting better. I was avoiding push/crash cycles and feeling stronger each month. Then I got the bright idea to try swimming again - major crash. More time passed and I was back on track and feeling stronger. Yes, I tried swimming again – another crash. Full disclosure, I did this three times. What was I thinking? I never tried to swim again. Even after I climbed Kilimanjaro, I was afraid to try swimming again.
My brain is now hard wired to avoid swimming. Even though it makes no sense, somewhere inside me I still fear that swimming will trigger an ME/CFS/SEID crash. I used to think I was crazy for still thinking this. But I came to realize that instinct is important in survival and that I’m not much of a gambler. What crash triggers have you learned? What do you avoid? 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
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