Let’s talk about 2 simple words that we all use, I imagine, every single day.
“What if”.... My labs are worse, I start itching, I can’t get all of the housework done, I’m too tired to go to that wedding I really want to go to, I can only walk for short distances in the future…… we all know the list goes on and on, doesn’t it?!
What would be on your list of “what ifs”? Maybe some of you can share with us.
It has been said many many times in any self care session I have ever attended that we need to decide what we CAN and CAN’T control. Put all of your “what ifs” in a big list somewhere. Give this some thought about your own life and circumstances. Everyone’s list might well be different.
Then draw 2 circles….
#1 the circle of concern - what concerns me BUT I have no control
over? I have absolutely no control over the outcome. Worrying won’t change one thing ie the lab results, when my itching might happen, I might too tired to attend that social event etc….
#2 the circle of influence - what I CAN control if I choose to..
If I’m anxious, I can help that by practice relaxation techniques - deep breathing, meditation, stress management therapy, yoga …. What else do you think that you have influence over?
Maybe you feel like you’re not the person you were before diagnosis. Start by just taking some inventory about yourself… in what ways am I really different? What can’t I do now that I was able to do before? In this regard, maybe we need to make adjustments to our daily schedule or social commitments, but always being honest with yourself.
Just some food for thought today. We have to decide what we can and can’t control. All too often we worry about something we can do nothing to change.This can so often be a complete drain of our energy - with no results at all from it. I hope you all take some inventory today or in the near future about what you can influence or have some control over, the circle of influence, and what you have absolutely no control over - the circle of concern.
itchy help. PBC diagnose questions- where do we go now
Hello PBCers
side effects from Urso
A Robert Rant!!
New diagnosis; itching not improving 
