Pain Circles
Hi Everyone! I'm new to this world. I've yet to be officially diagnosed with AS but I've done quite a bit of reading and had many disucssions with my GP and I definitely fit the profile for NR-AS
I'm curious to know if anyone else struggles to find balance between listening to your body and resting becuase you're so sore and pushing through the pain because you know it'll be worse tomorrow if you don't?
Welcome to the site,
- hoping you get the chance to visit and read up on some of the topics and articles that many in our community offer here. You pose a great question that many in our community deal with. Balance is crucial with spondyloarthritis -
- making a distinction between remaining active and doing too much or overexerting yourself while coping with a chronic illness is difficult. There is a fine balance and only you know this. Everyone is different - pain tolerance, disease status, fatigue, etc. I am personally dealing with fatigue currently and it is wreaking havoc in my life and activities I am capable of doing. In the long run, I am choosing to nurture and ease up on activities a bit currently so that I am not so tired overall. I tend to listen to my body's signals and go from there. If something is just overwhelming me - I rest. If I find I can perform light activities, I go with that. I just don't overdo exercise, family gatherings, etc, as I know tomorrow will be all telling. Modifying my life has been the trick in coping while I struggle with the pain and fatigue of AS/AxSpA. I also brought it up with my attending practitioner who has recommended I lighten up and has provided supplementation to assist in energy recovery. Hopefully, it offers up healing and better recuperation from feeling this way for so long. I truly miss begin active and am over being lackadaisical and tired most of the time. I wanted to drop a few articles in your lap as it pertains to this "balance" you seek. https://axialspondyloarthritis.net/living/rest-productivity-balance -and- https://axialspondyloarthritis.net/living/balance-social-life -or-https://axialspondyloarthritis.net/living/finding-balance-in-managing-my-as
I wish you well as you travel this health journey. Also hoping you find the answers you are searching for as you work with your treating physician while coping with discomfort. With warm regards, Rebecca (community moderator)Finding the right balance between rest and activity is an ongoing process, and it may vary from person to person. Be patient with yourself and make adjustments as needed to maintain a healthy lifestyle that supports both your physical and mental well-being. A few things to remember - pay attention to body signals, plan activities mindfully, practice self-care every day, set reachable goals and have realistic expectations, gradually build up activities especially now when energy is fleeting, and search out support, as you have been doing. It may take some time, but getting up off the couch will become easier once you find support and therapy - hoping you can get in sooner than 3 months but that sounds typical to get into a specialist as of late. Wishing you relief and send strength to endure this journey to and through diagnosis and treatment. Warmly ~ Rebecca (community moderator)
Here's another article that may help - https://axialspondyloarthritis.net/living/movement-symptoms Best of health Rebecca
Agreed
Well, I will speak for most in the community, and I will say, most of us do. I wish I could say it will be Ok, it will not magically get better. Still with time and listening to your body, will pay big dividends. Best of luck, I think you will get the hang of it quickly.
I completely understand. But know that in the US a 3 month wait for a rheumatologist is fairly typical. Mine is at leas 6 months and she is young, and great and completely inaccessible for the most part. Unless you have a crisis. Then you understand why she is tough to see. That helps me forgive her. That's fair enough and I do get it, just sucks being on this end of a three month wait
