Re: Remissions

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Bless your ever lovin heart! And wisdom! I was not sure how much time I was

going to be able to put into going back through 6000+ messages being new to this

site but I am so glad that I have the curiosity of the cat using his 9th life.

Having EN for 3 years and not knowing what it was and being talked to by the

doctors I have seen I like was a nut case that just needed to lose the weight to

take care of my leg problems. Also not being able to stay on my legs for too

long at a time I have only been able to do what is absolutely needed done as far

as house work. Our home looks a mess. I hate this. I am not meticulous but I do

like a regular dusting, picking things up, vacuuming, blah blah...but cannot do

it regularly enough to make a dent in the big stuff.

My point here is that sometimes you need to hear it from someone that

understands saying to you to heck with what you cannot keep up with today. It

will be there later and if you feel up to doing it tomorrow that it will be OK

to do it then and if not, so what.

I am going to print that message off and put it where I can see it when this

EN makes me depressed because of the inability to do what I know I have been

able to do.

Thank you!

Love,

> Dear Group,

> It seems to me that we have been discussing a lot about flare-ups

> lately and if I may, I'd like to address the topic of " Remissions " .

> Of course if we can avoid our " triggers " we can keep our

> remissions going longer. Trouble is, many if not most of us aren't

> able to identify our triggers, if they indeed exist at all. I am one

> of those " idiopathic " types myself and I have just about given up hope

> of finding that elusive trigger.

> Still, there are some rules that seem to keep those blessed

> remissions going and I'd like to list what works for me and invite

> the group to add what you have found to work for you.

> Rule #1: Don't declair you are in remision prematurely. I can't

> even count the times I have woken up, seen a big improvement, and

> decided I was ok to go about my usual business. Big Mistake.

> Improvement is on the road to remission, but it is not full remission

> as far as my own experience.

> Rule #2: When you think you are in remission, ease into full

> activity slowly--don't go full bore. Your lumps may look flatter, and

> not be red or hot. Still, the area has suffered an insult medically,

> and can get re-inflamed if put under stress of activity.

> Rule #3: Avoid stress especially when you are just coming into a

> remission. That means no staying up late. If a certain " friend " has a

> way of arguing with you and upsetting you, avoid getting into

> confrontations with him/her.

> Rule #4: Don't go to places where you must wait in line. This

> may be just for me, but I find standing to be a real killer. Those

> injured tissues just start to swell and inflame EN areas just on the

> mend.

> Rule #5: Do things that are relaxing while keeping the legs

> elevated as much as possible. This includes reading, watching

> enjoyable videos and TV, having visits from friends who can serve

> themselves (and you) while you relax with your legs up. Meditate or

> pray.

> Rule #6: Let someone else do the housework if it needs to be

> done. The beginning of remission is the time you will want to get to

> doing the stuff you've been putting off. It is better to give someone

> else the job or put it off a little longer... and don't try to do it

> all in one day once you start back to a normal routine .

> Rule #7: If you are a walker--go around the block--don't expect

> to walk a few miles until the remission is secure. Likewise, if you

> planned a hiking trip and you are just getting into remission, it

> would be foolish to go at that time.

> Rule #8: Don't allow yourself to concern yourself about how

> others view you. They may very well think you are lazy. That is not

> the way a person who loves you will feel, and they are the only ones

> who really count.

> Rule #9: Be especially careful not to bump the legs or areas

> where your EN flared up. This means being on guard and mindful. I have

> often banged into furniture and sure enough, here we go again. The

> legs are really vulnerable when they are just getting over a flare-up

> and a bump you may be able to take when you are in a full remission

> might be too much for the EN just getting into remission. If you are a

> gardener like me, be careful of the garden hose. That thing can really

> slap the legs if you aren't careful.

>

> Ok, I can't think of any more, but maybe you can. I have done

> things wrong countless times, and have been sorry for it. Remission is

> a lovely state and you have to work to get there and to stay there as

> long as possible. Once there, you may be able to feel normal with only

> slight activity restrictions. It is worth it, considering the

> alternative.

> Think of it this way: You're either in remission now or you are

> doing everything possible to get into one or stay in one. I thank God

> every day for my health. This includes running my hands over my legs

> when I wake up and thanking God for my legs in whatever state they are

> in.

> Have a great day, everyone!

> Love,

>