HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

The Embarassment of Fibro

Support Forums
>
Fibromyalgia
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 3/28/2012 5:40 PM (GMT 0)
Today, I am flaring, and have been for a week. I can't really 'relax' for another ten days, but get through the best I can.

I hate when I do stupid things in public. I lose my balance easily, and stagger as if I am drunk. I teach, and will say the wrong word in the classroom, or write the wrong word on the board. A student will walk in my office and I look blankly at them. Or send me an email and I have no earthly clue who they are.

Usually, I just laugh it off as best I can. But with so many silly moments, it becomes harder to ignore.
Posted 3/28/2012 8:00 PM (GMT 0)
when you stumble in public or stagger real bad .. just blurt out stange stuff REAL loud ..like "baseball gloves inside tri-cycles"... every one will think you have touretts...at least people understand THAT disease......lol
Posted 3/28/2012 11:34 PM (GMT 0)
I think that would just draw more attention... And nothing good.

Myself, I do the same thing. I have literally tripped over a floor tile that was slightly raised. Its really embarrassing, because I feel like I should be able to walk normally. I also have the "blank stare" look sometimes, and my friend (whom I work with) will often stand there and stare back at me until I realize whats going on. Hes good about getting me to laugh about the silly things I do.

I also work with a man who has MS, and I have seen him stumble so many times. Ive seen him fall several times, too, and every time--whether a stumble or a fall--he turns very red from embarrassment. I try to help him, but in a way that wouldnt make him feel more disabled than he is.
Posted 3/29/2012 12:11 AM (GMT 0)
When I have a hard time walking, I use a walking stick... hence, less embarrasement cuz people realize somtthing is wrong
Posted 3/29/2012 12:37 AM (GMT 0)
prisonerofGod, your off-the-wall sense of humor cracks me up!  smilewinkgrin

Myself 09, I feel for you...it's really hard, but I think maybe SmurfyShadow is onto something with the walking stick (or cane) idea, but of course that doesn't help with the mental lapses.

It's good to try to keep a sense of humor, but I know that doesn't always help...I wish I had better advice, but I do feel your pain!

 

Posted 3/29/2012 2:52 AM (GMT 0)
maybe we should all start wearing notes pinned to our shirts with our names and a phone number to call if we are lost, at least it might make people laugh
Posted 3/29/2012 3:05 AM (GMT 0)
I recently bought a walking cane but so far I am too self-conscious to use it! I will get over it and do the practical thing; takes time I suppose.

My biggest embarassment though is the forgetfulness. I forget entire conversations! I forget that I have already written down info so I won't forget it and I write it down again then later find the multiple copies but don't remember making them. I wonder how I'll be when I'm in my 80s?? (in my 40s now)

On the bright side, I can watch tv shows or movies multiple times because I forget what's happened in them when I watched them the first time. My husband thinks this is hilarious. :)
Posted 3/29/2012 6:48 AM (GMT 0)
I have gotten worse this year with remembering things. I get ready to rent a movie and my daughters says mom you have seen that already. I seem to cannot watch or listen to someone very long. I just space out after just a few minutes. It's really bothering me. I am going to bring it up to the Dr. tomorrow. I know there is not much I can do about it.
Posted 3/29/2012 3:11 PM (GMT 0)
I do not think I need a cane, yet. I just have supremely poor balance. When I ride my bike, my stopping is more like a controlled crash. When I am seriously tired, like now, the crashes become more common. My background includes movement training (yes, I know this sounds odd), and so I am very aware of my surroundings and how my body occupies space, despite the balance problems. I just hate the staggering and sudden direction changes. If I stay careful and aware, the lack of balance is easier to hide.
Posted 3/29/2012 3:58 PM (GMT 0)
I know what you mean, Myself09...I've had rheumatoid arthritis for many many years, and it has deformed my feet to the point where it gives me balance problems (it's kind of like walking with marbles taped to the bottom of your feet), but I have steadfastly refused to get a cane.  Like you, if I really focus on my balance and where all of my body parts are, I can do better at hiding the issue.

I guess I've always ascribed to the "if you don't use it, you lose it" theory, plus I'm afraid that motoring around under anything less than 100% of my own power is somehow an admission of defeat.  (I will say that I love having a shopping cart to help me around the store, as no one can tell how much I'm relying on it!)  wink

I'm 52, and I wonder how old I'll have to be before I "give in"...since getting the RA at 26, I've felt "old" for a long time, but I'm nothing if not stubborn!  The thing is, when I see someone with a cane or other assistive device, I would think it was silly for them to feel embarassed at needing help.  I would be more likely to think "wow, look at what they have to deal with, and they're still out here plugging away--good for them!", and yet, I have the same embarassment you speak of, and I've often asked myself why...vanity? 

 

Posted 3/29/2012 5:00 PM (GMT 0)
Myself09- not to discount what's happening but be glad that you're not the only one. When it happens imagine all your fibro friends are doing the same thing! LOL
Posted 3/30/2012 1:02 AM (GMT 0)
Here's another indignity. I am very sound- sensitive. When I am in a flare, it is far worse. My actors were giggling about so ething tonight, loudly and unexpectedly, and I actually reared back.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply