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Posted 2/12/2009 11:38 PM (GMT 0)
So when you guys get depressed and all down...what are some things you do to chear up! I am in a major slump right now and no matter what I do, I can't seem to get out of it. Ideas????
Posted 2/13/2009 2:28 PM (GMT 0)
I take an extra Lortab, leave the kids with DH and hit the Thrift stores.  Nothing perks me up like finding a great deal, new clothes or something cool for my home.  A coule weeks ago, I found the neatest canister set for coffe and sugar, the tops have ceramic monkeys on them and they make me smile everytime I look at them.  Hope you feel better soon. 

Posted 2/13/2009 4:50 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Aims,

 

My initial honest answer is this... I cry my head off.  I open the valve and just let her rip. Sometimes that's the only thing I can do to get some relief. I also do a lot of praying.  I notice we both have the same scripture in our signature lines. Do you have a good support network at church?  Just knowing that our physical bodies are temporary here and that someday our bodies will be perfect and we'll have no pain or worries or disease, really gives me the boost I need.  I give Jesus my burdens. His yolk is light....

 

I also find that my cat Willow is super duper therapy!  I can burry my face in her fur and give her big kisses and she loves me right back, no conditions.  I can play with her and that puts a huge smile on my face. Pets are so joyful. I'm also on an anti depressant. Zoloft. It's worked really well.

 

Don't forget to reach out to the one who can support you the most. Jesus! Take that scripture, and apply it to your life! When you get burdened, give it to Him and He'll give you His grace.

 

Blessings!

Ginny

Posted 2/13/2009 8:36 PM (GMT 0)
I allow myself to grieve and try to pinpoint exactly what is setting me off. I go ahead and allow myself to feel sad, cry or stay in my pj's . . . then I make an earnest effort to pnpoint all the positives in my life and take advantage of those things. We love sunrise, sunset and campfires. We can do all of those w/o too much sun exposure or heat and it gets me out in the fresh air while the UV is low or none. My best pick-me-up is sometimes this forum!!! ((((((( aimspirl ))))))))) I hope you feel better soon!! Some hot tea for you!! Blessings!
Posted 2/13/2009 8:38 PM (GMT 0)
OH! and this might make you laugh!! I can at least be happy it wasn't me behind the steering wheel!! When women drive . . . . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygtBxhFc24A
Posted 2/13/2009 9:38 PM (GMT 0)
That video was hillarious. I made the mistake of opening it up at work and all my coworkers now think I am crazy because I just randomly started laughing really loud and hystaricaly(sp) for about 10 mins. I was laughing so hard I was crying. Which made them start laughing. Then they said it was good to see me laughing. That it had been awhile. I think I am gonna go home when I get off work and get in the tub, listen to my favorite songs...(little side note, Have any of you heard What life would be like? Its a christian song about I wonder what life would be like if you let Jesus live in you and me. I might say it is one of the powerfullest songs I have heard.) but get in the bath and jam out to the songs and just let myself cry my little heart out. To be honest, I think that the fact I have Lupus and the fact the I am having kidney problems due to Lupus has just hit me and I don't know how to handle it. Before when it was just joint and muscle pain/fatigue, it was something I could handle...just pop more drugs and make the pain go away. Now I am constantly worried about is the treatment working for my Kidneys...what is Lupus gonna attack next? Am I gonna live to be 22 or 30? Will I be disabled before 25? I know I know, I shouldnt have those thoughts but with all the meds I take, the side effects I have been having from the meds, I feel horrible all the time. I just found out 2 days ago that my blood pressure is ranging anywhere from 130/104-130/115. I called my Dr and since I have an apt on Tuesday said that they would work with my blood pressure then. So meaning I will probably be on BP medacine as well. And yes I have a great church family. Actually I have 2 great ones. I grew up in FL and my church in FL found out about my problems and they have been emailing me and sending me cards of encouragment. Which really does mean a lot to me. Then my church family here is constantly keeping up with me and sending me cards and calling me...making sure I am doing ok. My coworkers are amazing as well. They give me little gifts, gift cards to help pay bills. When I was having all the water retention, they bought me a 30 dollar pair of slippers that looked like work shoes, so I could wear them around the office and not have my feet being squezed off by a pair of shoes. They will buy me fruit and cranberry juice and all the foods that are really good for your kidneys. My family is also just as supportive if not more. To be honest, I know I am very lucky to have such great support. It makes me feel guilty for feeling so down and for the thoughts I have, but I can't seem to stop thinking them. I do thank God everyday that our physical bodies are temporary. Sometimes I wish that it would over and then I realize that there is some reason I am here...Somewhere down the road I might be needed to help someone. Maybe even help someone who is struggeling with what I am struggeling with now. It is such a relief to know what is in hold for us after this earthly life is over! Thanks Ginny, your post really helped me a lot. I think it actually made my day One more question...Anyone know how I can meet people in my city that have Lupus? I think it would be good for me to have a support group that I could get together with and talk with and share our stuggles/battles/good times. Things like that. Maybe even find someone close to my age that has Lupus. Sorry this turned into a book. I didnt mean for it too! But I am actually feeling a little better now that I have gotten my feelings out. Thank you guys so much **Hugs Amy
Posted 2/14/2009 12:42 AM (GMT 0)
I am like some of you, I like to shop when I am down and to be a part of this forum. I also (when it's warm) like to work in the yard with my kids and hubby and of course I can't forget about my Taterbug, he's my little dog. I also teach Sunday School to 3-6 yr olds, that really cheers me up!

Thank you Ginny for your post, I need to remember that this body is temporary and things won't always be like this smilewinkgrin I think we all need to be reminded of this from time to time. One day there will be no more tears, no more death, no more pain, etc.
Posted 2/14/2009 2:16 AM (GMT 0)
For a support group in your area, goto the lupus.org web site - you can find your closest chapter by zipcode. Then give them a call and see what's happening in your area! Good luck!
Posted 2/14/2009 2:18 AM (GMT 0)
(((((((((( aimsgirl ))))))))))) You really DO have a lot to be concerned about . . no doubt. I'm glad the video made you laugh!! Ha haa!! I loved Ginny's post too!! Isn't it the truth? There is a link (the last one in my signature) for a Lupus Chapter locator. If you click there, and find your nearest chapter, you can call them or go to their website and see where the local support groups are. They generally meet once a month. Will you let us know what you find out??? I think your post will be beneficial to lots here who have similar issues they are working through. It is a really important topic. Blessings!
Posted 2/14/2009 2:55 PM (GMT 0)
Amy,

Hi, thank you for responding to my post below. Please know, that you can live many years with your kidney disease. I have had lupus since I was 15 years old. My kidneys flared when I was 28 and I am now 47 and I am still here. I have had the same fears that you had 10 years ago when my kidneys had flared for the 3rd time. I did an aggressive treatment with cytoxan and was in remission for 10 years. With each flare, although there is damage that has occured in my kidneys, I still do have normal kidney function in regards to clearance. Protein is somewhat elevated as well. My renewed faith in Jesus Christ is what has helped me the most. And from what I can see you already have a relationship with Him.

Here I am with my 4th flare underway and I must say that I do not have the fear I had in the past...because of Christ; as well as having lived through this disease for 37 years.

Realize that getting treatment will help to stabilize your disease and you know that God has provided us with more kidney than we need. Hopefully continued research will lead the medical community in continued progress for those of us that have this disease.

I will keep you in my prayers. Where do you live now? Where in Florida did you live? My parents live in Florida and I recieve prayer cards from their church stating that they are praying for me.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. He loves you so much that if you were the only person on this earth...Jesus would have died for you!!

I have just lifted your name in prayer that your fears would subside. Sit them at Christ's feet. I'll continue to remember you in prayer.

Kathy
Posted 2/14/2009 3:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Everyone, This thread is beginning to contain quite a few extended religion references, and I need to remind you of our forum rules: 10. No posts of an overtly political or religious nature OR posts promoting advocacy of particular personal, medical, legal, religious, political, or non-profit causes. The forums are intended for offering mutual personal support. Debating controversial subjects should be taken elsewhere. Limited religious references are allowed (ie. "my prayers are with you" or a brief quote as part of a larger post), but the forums should not be used to convert others. There are members here from all over the world, with a variety of religious and spiritual beliefs and backgrounds -- we need to keep the focus on lupus support and include everyone. Thanks, Lynnwood, Lupus Co-Moderator
Posted 2/16/2009 12:28 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you everyone for your great advice! I really appreciate it! Sorry about breaking the rules. I had never read the forum rules!!! Guess I better do that today!
Posted 2/16/2009 2:28 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Amy . . . I think this might bring a chuckle as well !!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2kNGhO8pn0&NR=1 Enjoy!
Posted 2/16/2009 4:08 PM (GMT 0)

Rosie I loved the woman drivers. For those of you who haven't seen this, scientist have studied it and say it's the only animal tested that actually dances to a beat.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJOZp2ZftCw

Enjoy! Love, Butterflake

Posted 2/16/2009 8:12 PM (GMT 0)
Absolutely adorable!! That bird DOES have a real feel for the music!!! I love his bow at the end!! Thanks!!
Posted 2/16/2009 10:59 PM (GMT 0)
Wow, those are so funny/cute. I love the dog....Sometimes I feel like doing that to my legs as well. haha
Posted 2/20/2009 8:28 AM (GMT 0)
Hey girl,

I was diagnosed with Lupus when I was 18 years old. I'm 23 now. I too have lupus nephritis, and recently spent 2 months in the hospital with a CNS SLE (central nervous system lupus) flare. Its incredibly frustrating to be young and deal with a chronic illness. All the posts have great advice, but the two things that have helped me the most haven't shown up yet.
1. Research - Read medical journals, go into your doc's office with questions, etc. I've found that having a working knowledge of the disease itself, related complications, general human physiology, and medications has taken away so much of the fear factor for me. The less of a mystery it all is, the more in control I feel and has greatly decreased the terror and anxiety that I initially felt.
2. Exercise! - I know it sounds counterintuitive, we suffer from a disease that's associated with a great deal of muscoloskeletal pain. But exercise creates pain relieving and mood boosting endorphines, keeps your muscles healthy and increases blood flow throughout the body. In addition, low impact activity such as an eliptical cardio machine, stationary bike or swimming loosens up you joints and doesn't create any additional stress. I've found yoga to be incredibly beneficial, both physically and mentally. After I joined a gym, I found that I felt like I was at least in part in control of my body again, which was incredibly empowering. Aside from that, I found myself regularly in a positive environment, where i made friends that had nothing to do with stressful aspects of my life (work, school, being sick), and that I had an outlet in which to just feel like myself, not myself with lupus.

Don't let your illness define you. Its a challenge, and a struggle, but its something you deal with, not who you are.

love,
chirstain
Posted 2/20/2009 1:31 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome Chirstain. Thank you for your advice. It is greatly appreciated. It is also comforting to know there is someone around my age who I can talk to about Lupus that has lupus.  I am in the process of researching everything I can about Lupus. What I can possibly expect now and what to expect in the future becuase I was schocked when I found out about my Kidney Problems. I knew it could happen but had the thought...that won't happen to me. I guess denial is a big part of the human thoughts!! When I get a chance I do exercise. I love to get outside and play basketball well for the matter of being outside....I am happy doing anything as long as I can be outside. Well, except for the dreaded thing called weeding the garden/flowers. haha. I hope you decide to stick around the forum. It is a really great place and the people on here are so encouraging and extremly helpful! Thanks again :)
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