Oh that rollercoaster ride ! This is actually one of the reasons many people have a hard time explaining it to their family , friends, co-workers and others. They do not understand how one minute you may be able to walk, talk , function and then five minutes later you need to lay down and are out for the count. Maybe one day you are strong enough, well enough to cook a meal but for ten more you can't. Maybe you can walk to the corner three days in a row but for months later all you can do is get around your little apartment or home. Maybe exposure to a chemical triggers it, maybe sensory overwhelming to the brain issues, maybe the muscles are too weak and maybe the disease is flaring up due to it's own cycle.
If anything trying to educate those with lyme disease and without that this is something that happens to all of us on different levels, is a breakthrough for awareness. It can be devastating and extremely disappointing to be unable to do things you want to do. Many are called lazy and told to just 'go do it' get up 'off their rear' and do something. Well, what if you can't. Or what if you know you need to rest, and if you push yourself you will get worse ? Because you see, the further stress and drain on the body when you are already weak makes your recovery from that flare up prolonged.
Pacing ourselves as lyme patients is something we figure out through trial and error. And what we have become accustomed to for one situation and moment in time - may not be consistent with another. Because the disease and our abilities are ever changing. The Rollercoaster !
If anything trying to educate those with lyme disease and without that this is something that happens to all of us on different levels, is a breakthrough for awareness. It can be devastating and extremely disappointing to be unable to do things you want to do. Many are called lazy and told to just 'go do it' get up 'off their rear' and do something. Well, what if you can't. Or what if you know you need to rest, and if you push yourself you will get worse ? Because you see, the further stress and drain on the body when you are already weak makes your recovery from that flare up prolonged.
Pacing ourselves as lyme patients is something we figure out through trial and error. And what we have become accustomed to for one situation and moment in time - may not be consistent with another. Because the disease and our abilities are ever changing. The Rollercoaster !
