My niece is very ill, and lives in Somerset. I travelled down to be with her in hospital on Tuesday, coming back yesterday (Friday). It was indeed very very stressful, and although she did know me before I left, I feel absolutely exhausted. Does anyone know how to combat this kind of stress. Tea does not do it!!!
Grace
It's always very stressful when these emergency problems arise whether you have PMR or not. I never found the answer to it apart from a very long rest once it was over or I got home. I'm talking days, not hours.
In order to recover from that kind of situation I was lucky in that I could cut my activities to the bone and do no more than I had to for a few days. I really can't offer much more than that and usual de-stress activities - a hot bath or a gentle massage or a visit to the hairdresser (some find retail therapy helpful but it's not for me).
With PMR itself demanding I rest as much as possible under normal circumstances, it did and still does also demand that a few days 'off' after any tiring or stressful episode is necessary.
Sleep, sleep sleep... the best stress buster I know (and that cup of tea when you wake up!)
Thank you for your reply. I feel today as if I am still asleep even when I am walking about!
I think because I am still worried about my niece, I am unable to relax, but certainly cups of tea help greatly.!!
In the long term, stress is best relieved by two things... physical activity, ie, exercise. And meditation.
But in your situation, sleep and taking loving care of yourself while you're at home is vital. Then you're better able to take care of your neice when with her.
I find it very difficult to plan my day nowadays.This morning I felt exhausted and thought I would have to rest all day but after a few hours I felt able to to mow the lawn and that's what my life is like.Unfortunately it's not always possible to only do things when you feel like it.I recently had to attend a specially loved uncle's funeral and I knew that my aunt would find it dfficult to understand if I couldn't attend.Fortunately I was having a good patch.I have just had to learn to rest when I need to and ignore any unnecessary chores in order to be able to attend to the unavoidable ones.
Muirkelsi, I'm sorry to hear about your niece - not fair for someone so young to be so ill.
To add to the other's tips for de-stressing, a meet-up with a favourite friend for a cuppa and a chat can do wonders.
I'm terribly sorry you have been so stressed and so fatigued, I hope you are
feeling much better.
Thank you all for such encouraging comments. I have Lucentis eye
injections every 4-6 weeks for cystic macula edema and didn't realize the
stress of this brings on a vague achiness but such dreadful fatigue for several
days. I try to rest but feel so guilty that I'm not my usual self, I am my own worst
critic but at 86 am getting better at it!!!!!!
Judygirl
I try to rest but feel so guilty that I'm not my usual self, I am my own worst critic but at 86 am getting better at it!
And get better you will with a positive attitude like that, I'm sure. Good luck!
I would be totally exhausted if I had done that. Just going to see my rheumatologist in London takes it out of me and a friend gives me a lift. I need to really take it easy the following day as I seem to just seize up. I have bought one of those things you stick in the microwave and smell of lavender to put round my shoulders, as they become very painful after any exhursions particularly driving anywhere. Stress is bad news with pred.