I want to start out by saying I hate when I'm like this. I'm in the midst of a flare. I'm noticing that my fatigue level is up and my endurance for exercise is down. For some reason, I tend to freak out during a flare because I fear that perhaps this is the disease progressing and maybe this is my new 'normal'. I'm trying to take better care of myself, but I find that my endurance for exercise has gone down instead of up. It scares me. I know there are people far worse off.
I know my flares normally last a week. I know that my vitals are pretty good. (I had a physical for work this week). I am resting well. I've been dealing with this for 4 years now. I know the pattern. But what is different this time is that I've had some things health wise that have slowed me down and my body is trying to get back on track from it. I'm trying hard to sort it all out in a reasonable manner. Notice I said 'trying'. Do any of you get this way? If so, what do you do about it? What gets you through? I do pray. That is helpful. I just was hoping for something I could attempt to keep on somewhat of a more even keel instead of freaking out during a flare.
Any advice is welcome. Most importantly, thank you for listening to me go on.
Since you said you pray I'm going to stick my neck out and assume you are a Christian. If not please forgive me. I have found that when I start experiencing a flare I surrender it to God and ask that He be glorified through whatever happens. That letting go and letting God helps me relax and seems to lessen the pain.
I am and I do. I think the oddest thing is when I'm in a stressful situation that God keeps my mind calm most all the time. The harder part is my body tends to internalize that stress and it takes longer for that pain to lessen. I just know that while in the midst of the process I get scared. I appreciate you reminding me though. Lupus is a strange and curious disease. I do pray though. If it wasn't for God's mercy and grace, I am not sure how well I'd function. Thanks for responding!
I have started claiming His promise of His peace when I start getting scared. I guess that for me it could be easier since in the last 4 years I have been on a constant roller coaster so I haven't figured out my "normal". I have been blessed through out this time, but I do know that there are times I get frustrated, scared, and really mad. I think that is called "being human".
Indeed. I do everything from praying to just repeating in my head "Peace be still", and just resting and reminding myself God is with me. You brought up a very important point: figuring out what normal is. I think that's part of why I get scared at times. I'm so afraid that anything new in my flare ups may be what my new 'normal' is to be. Sometimes it's not that bad and it doesn't enter my mind. However, when it gets bad- I get scared and mad too. It is part of human nature. I'm just glad I have friends here that understand the journey. :)