Struggling with a partial recovery after a very long illness

[KatyMac]

I've had CFS since 1995 & IBS since 1996 & FM more recently

I've been diagnosed with B12, Vit D & Zinc deficiency so I'm taking supplements & also Amitriptyline

I have lived in balance for many, many years knowing how much I can manage, how much I can borrow from tomorrow without having to spend a day in bed & what my energy needs have been

& now they are all different, I have no idea if a task will wipe me out, be an acceptable activity or merely a precursor to the next task

& I am struggling to deal with the differences plus I am struggling emotionally with dealing with them too

Which sounds a bit pathetic - in my defence I am less than 3 weeks into this & it is so confusing

[RockinD]

You. Red to give yourself more time. Once you get those deficiencies properly sorted out, you may well be able to say farewell to all three of your diagnoses.

[RockinD]

Sorry. You need to give yourself more time. It's early days.

[gobbin]

KatyMac I'm sorry you're having a rough time. It can be tough coming to terms mentally with your state of health especially when feeling down and "Woe is me, why is my body so shit and everyone else's seems to work?"

The only thing you can do is try.
Try to do one thing and see how it affects you. Don't do it again if it hurts, or do it differently/ for a shorter time if it leaves you wiped out.
Try to change your mindset from "my body is shit" to "it is what it is, right what am I going to try to do today?" (hard I know).
Try to rest when you can and if working, take time off when appropriate. Health is more important than work when the chips are REALLY down.
Try to give yourself one tiny thing to enjoy each day, even if that is a favourite biscuit or an early night.

And do you know what, if you've tried and it hasn't worked/helped, then so what. Tomorrow is another go round on the wheel.

gobbin, understanding exactly where you're coming from.

[KatyMac]

I feel like I could climb mountains & I suppose compared to 3 months ago I can - I guess I just don't know how far up I can go

I know it's early days & it might all end at any time; but I do feel good right now

So I'll go & tidy & see how far I get

[KatyMac]

I packed 3 boxes in the attic 7 now I can hardly eat my tea I am so tired

I'm all out of kilter

[ItIsntJustAPhase]

Katy, I am in a similar position. Weird, isn't it?

[KatyMac]

It's so confusing - work today could be fun

[KatyMac]

So 2 weeks on & although I am eating better I am struggling with this loss of equilibriam

[ItIsntJustAPhase]

It is difficult. I am still usually very cautious and make sure I can generally maintain a slightly increased level of activity for a few days before increasing again, iyswim.

[KatyMac]

I don't think I am even meeting my pre-improvement tasks most of the time

& although I feel better I'm doing less

[ItIsntJustAPhase]

Do you think you maybe feel better BECAUSE you are doing less? I'm sure you know if it is that way round!

[KatyMac]

I'm not sure - I'll think about it

I had pain; I have less
I used to wake up & feel not better than when I went to sleep

So I feel better,

But I sleep more
& I can definitely do less

Hmm maybe I'll think on it some more

[ItIsntJustAPhase]

Maybe it would help to just see this as a different phase? So you have managed your illness one way so far, maybe this is a stage of recovery that needs a different management.

Wonderful that you have less pain. Sleeping more and feeling more refreshed by it also sounds good.

To be honest, I find that when I am well enough to do things they come relatively easily. The secret for me is waiting until then, if I can, and then not overdoing it.

[KatyMac]

You could be right

Thank you