HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

I Faced a Giant Yesterday...and WON!

Support Forums
>
Fibromyalgia
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 6/1/2012 2:18 PM (GMT 0)
As most of you know, I've been having problems walking because of pain in my legs this past winter.  I'm far better now but my legs are still a little weak. 

 

Last month I was out with my daughter and needed to use the restroom.  We had to go to the second floor so we went to the escalator.  I was still using a cane and my heart starting racing.  I was so afraid I would fall.  I managed to go up on the escalator but, when it was time to go down, I just couldn't.  My legs were like jello and my heart was pounding in my chest and I retreated to the elevator. 

 

Yesterday, I had a gift card I wanted to use at a store I don't usually shop in.  Of course, there was nothing on the first floor that I wanted so I went to the escalator (after asking where the elevator was nono ) and proceeded to go on the escalator even though I was having anxiety over it.  I made it to the top.  I found some things and, as I was standing in line to pay for them, I could hear the sound of the escalator and I started having a major anxiety attack.  Again my legs were like jello, my heart was pounding so hard in my chest and up in my neck, and I thought I was going to faint.  I paid and headed for the escalator anyway, while saying that scripture I have in my signature.  I was NOT going to let fear stop me from doing something like this.  Yes, I got on the escalator just fine and, boy, was I happy!

 

I was still quite shaky as I was heading out to my car and then rememberd that I still had money left on that gift card and I didn't want to go back to a store I generally don't shop in.  So I turned around, went up on the escalator again, bought something, and used the escalator to go back down.  This time I was barely hesitant! 

 

Soooo, I've been giving myself pats on the back for that.  I was terrified to go down that stupid escalator the first time but didn't give in.  This is what we have to do with fibro.  We all are strong people.  Just face that monster and beat it!

 

Sherrine

Posted 6/1/2012 3:12 PM (GMT 0)
yeah smilewinkgrin Good job, Sherrine! It's so hard sometimes not to let those monsters beat us.

My dd had a fear of escalators after she fell and scraped her leg when she was little. She is an adult now, and it took her most of her childhood and early teen years before she worked up the courage to get on one again. She had to learn that if she just pays attention and gets on very carefully, she will be fine. A lot of things with fibro (or back injuries, or walking issues, etc.) are the same way. We just have to pay attention, do it carefully, and we will be fine. :-)

Congrats on adding to your freedoms!
Posted 6/1/2012 3:16 PM (GMT 0)
Rah for you! Durned people movers! But you moved yourself!
Posted 6/1/2012 4:55 PM (GMT 0)
smilewinkgrin Good job!!!!! Try to do something that scares you at least once - you can do it!!!
Posted 6/1/2012 5:04 PM (GMT 0)
Way to go, Sherrine! You should be proud. I'm proud of you, too!  yeah  

Debbie

Posted 6/1/2012 5:16 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone!  The thing is, I don't usually have anxiety problems at all and I have never had a fear of escalators...not until last month.  My legs were wobbly, etc. and that triggered this.  It really ticked me off and I wasn't going to stand for it.  I knew if I used the elevator, I'd never use the escalator again.  I was terrified, but I did it.  Yes, we do have to face these things and beat them!

 

Sherrine

Posted 6/1/2012 5:33 PM (GMT 0)
You go girl!  Because of Meniere's Disease, I get lightheaded and dizzy whenever I get on an escalator or elevator(or anything with motion)  but I just bite the bullet and do it anyway...easier on my legs then walking several flights of stairs!

Donna

Posted 6/1/2012 6:00 PM (GMT 0)
Me too, Donna! Let me ask you, is it a visual thing with you too - escalators, I mean - the "stripes?"
Posted 6/1/2012 6:17 PM (GMT 0)
I get light-headed and dizzy with heighths.  That's why going down an escalator is more difficult for me.  

 

Sherrine 

Posted 6/1/2012 9:21 PM (GMT 0)
Sherrine, I'm happy for you...overcoming a fear calls for a celebration!

Here comes the happy dance....

:-)   turn smilewinkgrin yeah :-) turn smilewinkgrin yeah :-) turn smilewinkgrin yeah :-) turn smilewinkgrin yeah :-) turn smilewinkgrin yeah

You go girl!!!

Hugs, Robin

 

Posted 6/1/2012 9:58 PM (GMT 0)
I find the 'Down' escalator is my biggest problem. I feel like I'm going to pitch forward. The 'Up' doesn't bother me as much till I get near the top, then I just worry about my footing. I have a problem w/ elevators, I've been 'lucky' to get stuck in a few, plus, that drop as it hits the floor. OMG. I try to get in and hold onto the railing or handle. If none available, I have been known to yank the shirt out of a fella's pants who happened to be standing in front of me. Well, I had to grab onto something or I would have fallen.  devil

Sherrine, I'm glad that you were able to overcome the fear. I don't know how other ppl perceive us, but we are a very strong group of women. There are many things we have to face in a day, and Heaven knows, we do. We are strong, we are invincible, we are women. Hey, that would make a great song, LOL!

I used to run up & down stairs, never thought a thing about it. Now, yeah, not so much. Flat surfaces are easier on me overall. But as long as we keep moving (forward - hopefully) we're good.

Keep up the good work, Sherrine! We are all proud of you.

God bless.  Alice.

Posted 6/1/2012 10:59 PM (GMT 0)
Sherrine, way to go! I am claustrophobic and recently found out following a closed MRI. Holy Smokes....I'm quite aware of the courage it takes to have to face a fear. So, fantastic job! tongue
Posted 6/2/2012 4:02 AM (GMT 0)
You conducted your own therapy session.. Heights bother me a lot too!
Posted 6/2/2012 1:01 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, guys!  I knew you could relate.

 

SignaturePink, I had a closed MRI when they were trying to figure out my sudden hearing loss.  They were checking for tumors.  Not only was it a closed MRI but my head was also put in a box with a cover over my face with little slits so I could breathe and see a teeny bit!  OMG!  It was Christmastime so I just kept my eyes closed and sang Christmas carols for about 40 minutes. 

 

Then, they brought me out, opened the box and I was soooo thankful until they pulled out an IV thing and put dye in my system, closed the box and put me back in the machine for another 20 minutes.  I couldn't wait to get out of there!  LOL

 

I recently had to have two MRS's on my hips and was dreading it.  Well, they now have made the machines shorter.  My head was totally out, I was laying on a foam pad, and I was worrying for no reason.  It was a piece of cake.

 

Sherrine

Posted 6/2/2012 5:14 PM (GMT 0)
Sherrine,

I am so proud of you. I have never been on an escalator, I am always afraid that I will mess up on that last step. Get my shoe caught or something. They have them at the casinos. Maybe next time I go, I will try it just to see if I can do it. But boy would it be embarrassing if I couldn't. lol... Either way, I am happy for you...

Kudos to you Sherrine...

You all have a great day!!!

Hugs, Karen
Posted 6/2/2012 9:17 PM (GMT 0)
Sherrine, I didn't think an MRI could get any worse (a cage on the head)?! Whew! shocked
Posted 6/2/2012 9:25 PM (GMT 0)
Way to go girl!!!! You show that escelator how its done!!!! WoooHooo

I've had about 10 MRIs, usually on my back, and almost fall asleep. Two weeks ago, they wanted me to stretch out on my stomach. Ha! Didn't happen, no can do.

So they sent me to get an open one. I was sitting up, looking out, watching the tech. Way cool!!!!
Posted 6/2/2012 9:40 PM (GMT 0)
Spookiesmom...thank goodness for the open ones, huh? Frankie, Ellie Mae Jenkins, and Vienna Sausage (my weenie doggies) send a hello to spooky.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply