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Low days

Bsr92 profile image
17 Replies

How does everyone cope on days when they are feeling low/what do you do?

Feeling completely fed up at the moment, recently started on xolair and waiting for it to kick in but I’m just so impatient and fed up, asthma has compleatly taken over my life and I just want it back!

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Bsr92 profile image
Bsr92
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17 Replies
flossiew profile image
flossiew

Sorry you are having a tough time. I am just recovering from another flare up and it can be very isolating when you are too ill to go into work or in my case, go to be with church family - I have missed three Sundays on the trot! It impacts on family life too... Sorry, I am not being helpful: I guess just rest when you can and look forward to warmer days ahead - that's what I'm doing anyway!!😊

emmasue profile image
emmasue

I agree with Flossiew. It's hard when you have been ill. I have been ill now since before Christmas. I have two kids and I feel bad that I haven't been able to do as much. I have had to learn to enjoy smaller things and expect less. It's not ideal but it's life. I just hope that I get better eventually.

strongmouse profile image
strongmouse

I think it is difficult when we are ill for any length of time as we don't know if we will get better, when we will get better or by how much!

Adapting to what is each day is the only way I find of coping. Telling myself how well I am doing in the circumstances. Okay I might have been able to do x y and z last year but at this moment just achieving y is a huge thing!

Sometimes if it is an off day I remind myself 'this too will pass' but when it goes on for a while then I don't know. Finding small things to enjoy that day: the colours of the clouds, remembering to send a card to a friend, watching the birds in the garden, living in this moment and looking for what gives me pleasure or a cause to be thankful. There is a wonderful video by David Stendl Rast on how each day is "good".

youtube.com/watch?v=3Zl9puh...

Hope you feel better soon.

CDPO16 profile image
CDPO16 in reply to strongmouse

Lovely video which reminds me of my dearly loved Godmother who always reminded me to take pleasure in simple things like nature and also of a much loved elderly relative who had the following phrase pinned on her kitchen wall - 'yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift which is why it's called the present'.

Jandm profile image
Jandm

Any debilitating illness can be difficult to cope with. Isolation is probably the worst parts as we are naturally social creatures. I’ve had years of practice at it now due to a complex condition. I can only tell you that it does get easier. The great thing about humans is that we can adapt and we are very successful at it. No doubt you will have days when you get down, but keep sight of your goal to get better. Find some interests at home, make it your happy safe place rather than just your 4 walls. Read, write, browse, watch and potter around. Take joy in the little things, plant herb seeds (easy stuff) watch them grow. Don’t think too much about the things you can’t do, but find the things you can. Stay positive.

starveycat profile image
starveycat

Watched the video thankyou

ChrissieMons profile image
ChrissieMons

All very wise advice. Impatience is your enemy as it ramps up your stress levels and makes asthma worse. While you’re ill, give in to it. You will get better, so you just have to wait! Believe me, I know how hard it is, but rest is essential.

warmlight profile image
warmlight

Really needed to read this today- day 10 of a flare up from nowhere.. the type that leaves you shaking with the exertion of just managing a shower and some clothes y’know? Definitely important to rest when you can even if you don’t want to as it will only prolong the recovery... do what helps recovery, steam, warm showers, slownpottering bit not overdoing it. music helps , listening to podcasts etc And Alexa has come into her own when it’s too hard to mess about with the stereo she just plays what I say! Having said that I have been in a very low place this last week not even been out the house for 9 days no energy and the air is so cold...!

Hope you are better soon - you are not alone...

WheezleSneezle profile image
WheezleSneezle

I can relate to what you say. I don't have any wise words on how to cope with it because I'm in a bad place emotionally myself at the moment. It's true that anxiety and being upset in general will make asthma worse. I guess just try to hang on to hope and try to be patient and wait for the Xolair to kick in. It took a while to kick in for me but when it did it saved my life. I hope you feel better soon.

Bsr92 profile image
Bsr92 in reply to WheezleSneezle

Thank you, that’s great to know! I’ve only had one lot of injections just can’t wait for them to kick in! X

Jsc3 profile image
Jsc3

hi sorry to hear that you are feeling down .try and get out even just to shops or invite friends over for coffee .or do a jigsaw they are fun and pass many hours.

Bsr92 profile image
Bsr92

Thank you everyone for your lovely responses, it’s nice to know I’m not alone!

Finding it hard to be off work for so and my life be on hold, it’s hard to see when it will all end and adapt to a new way of life. X

strongmouse profile image
strongmouse in reply to Bsr92

It is difficult. All we can do is try to take it a day at a time. Sometimes it seems like steps forward and then backwards!

Over the last few years I have lived opposite a field and watching the different seasons amazes me. Sometimes winter seems to last for ever then there is a sunny day, then snow. Now tiny snowdrops appear and the evenings get lighter and I think yes, there is a natural cycle we just can't alwasy see it at the time.

Asthma-girl profile image
Asthma-girl

I watched the video, it really helped cheer me up.

Thank you very much

strongmouse profile image
strongmouse in reply to Asthma-girl

Yes it's great isn't it! A friend shared it with me, so I'm glad to pass it on...

Tree20862 profile image
Tree20862

I'm sorry you are struggling. Xolair took time to work for me but I had a couple of rough years before starting... I guess I waited too long. Now I have been on it 31 months. I have only needed prednisone 2x. And the last time, I went 15 months without prednisone!

There is light at the end of the tunnel.

AutumnHedgerow profile image
AutumnHedgerow

Sorry you’re low. Sometimes I find a good radio programme or podcast to listen to and walk - I march quite fast in fact when I’m not too unwell - around a circuit downstairs in my house. It’s very mindful and soothing and gets the exercise feelgood endorphins going, regardless of how slow you might need to walk. Usually I manage to build up a really good pace over time even if having a dodgy day. When I’m feeling really good, I add dumbbells into the mix. The important thing is listening to something that sparks your interest and takes your mind off your worries, gives it a break and some respite. I’m lucky in that the design of my house means I’ve got a very doable circuit round hall, dining room and kitchen. There’s always marching on the spot, check out Leslie Sansom online.

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