“It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan.” – Eleanor Roosevelt Remember that some days you will not be capable of doing things, but you will always have days that you can. On the days that you can create a strategic plan to guide you during the days you cannot. We refer to it as good days and bad days but the truth is you can have many levels of pain and /or symptoms in one day. The terms good and bad encompass a multitude of layers. I am keeping the metaphor of t

Navigating Life With Chronic Illness It is hard to believe it has been so long since I have made a post. This chronic illness has taken a toll on me. Good news is my blood work has been okay for over a year and I completely off of the Prednisone. I take an immune suppressant Azathioprine and I had hoped when my body had this under control I would return to my previous self. Unfortunately this is not the case with Chronic Illness and I still struggle every day with symptoms.

The good, the bad and the ugly. I’m feeling good, this is amazing! What can I accomplish in the next day, tomorrow, next week or month that is going to benefit me when I can’t do anything in between. The good, the bad and the ugly. Somebody stop me! Around the end of July I had three or four really good days in a row and I was so excited. I thought - yes, I’m going to have some predictable balance, so bad and good days I can do this. Some days are better than others, but ev

Guess I'll go eat worms. The need to consistently remind myself - this is a process and not to take it all too literally and stay focused on the fact this is side effects and not let it destroy me. Prednisone The Saga Continues Here is a list of the wonderful things I am dealing with now. Headaches- anytime for any length of time Random cramps and spasms from the knees down in both legs into my feet Small sores appearing for no reason randomly on my body I gained 5lbs in on

Yesterday was the worst day yet. Prednisone has been associated with more serious problems such as psychotic disorders, delusions, and dementia. Prednisone Withdrawals Prednisone affects areas of the brain that manage the regulation of different neurotransmitters, including serotonin and dopamine — the “feel-good” hormones. The adrenal glands make cortisol, a substance similar to prednisone and, they need to be given the opportunity to take over production again. If not, ther

It will be a last resort if I am ever on prednisone, long-term ever again in my life. Being on prednisone is not an easy journey for me, but this time it is better and I think it’s because I’m supplementing what my body is being depleted of and my strategic plan has helped. Prednisone Update It will be a last resort if I am ever on prednisone, long-term ever again in my life as it nearly destroyed me. I did find it necessary to change doctors and luckily my new doctor is ama

Just absurd moments when my mind is clear in my body feels good, but I’m not out there working, building and doing. . Yesterday I had a panic attack; in a few hours, who knows what my physical and mental state will be... Ridiculous I taught myself to be a strong and independent woman. I have survived in a long-term mentally and abusive relationship as a mother and then raised children as a single mom. I moved across country, started over again and became very successful. I wa

This takes a toll on any relationship Unless you live with someone with chronic illness you, I don’t think you can fully understand what the entire family is going through Relationships Not only does all this take a toll on you but and your family as well. Your family is taking on more responsibilities and having a lot more emotional physical things to deal with. They also don’t know if from day to day or hour to hour how you’re going to feel or how you’re going to change. So

Cravings and planning Prednisone causes hunger cravings because it’s turning off the signal in your brain that would tell you you’re full. Insatiable Hunger Let’s be clear here. I’m not talking about being hungry, having the munchies or craving a certain food. I’m talking about feeling like you’re starving and you can feel this all day every day, even after you eat a big lunch you still feel like your body is starving to death. 1- Remember just because you’re hungry doesn’t m

My fatigue is different than your exhaustion Think it’s important to remember every day is different and you have no control over it. Keep encouraging yourself to go with the flow and not put any pressure on yourself or loved ones Fatigue I try to find ways to deal with the fatigue without just monging out in front of the TV all the time. I find that floating in water is very healing for me. The key for me is to keep it simple. As you know if you experience fatigue most lik

Lifestyle changes are a fact of life for me. I’m very fortunate to have a partner that is willing to live this lifestyle with me. My husband is English and likes to have a bit of fun and is a bit cheeky. So, I have given myself a nickname for when I am experiencing Prednisone fall out, I refer to myself as Bunny, a take on my Psycho Bunny ballcap. Now I can issue warnings “Just wanted to let you know Bunny is having a cup of coffee 😉 so things might go a bit Pete Tong!”

Everthing is twice as hard…… Mentally and physically My primary care physician said I’m probably not realizing the trauma that I experienced when this disease first started Coping - anxiety, tears, and fears My first incident, this time around, was actually before I started the prednisone. I was supposed to start prednisone the week before but I wanted to wait a week and get a new blood test and hope that my liver enzymes and straighten them self out. My Primary Care Physic

Diet-doctors-supplements -medications and recipe I cannot determine how I’m going to feel from hour to hour much last day today. Having a plan is important even if any type of schedule and being able adhear to it can be completely impossible at times. Whether it is the mental confusion, brain, fog, or fatigue, not even mention the body pain. Of course, all this leads to struggles with depression, anxiety and all over well-being Strategic Planning Parking Going somewhere, not

The Seasons of AIH - history - emotional trauma