Comments on: Mind Over Matter

By: RA Guy

RA Guy — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 01:39:36 +0000

Thanks for all of the kind comments support – they really help, especially during tough times like these.

Ann Marie, I’m not exactly sure why I feel less scared, but I think it comes from the gradual realization over the past years that these feelings of being scared/anxiety/losing control don’t help much, especially during times like there. So I think I’ve just stopped thinking this way, and instead try to focus both on what is within my control, and on my familiarity in dealing with these flares.

Terry, hope the new meds work…sorry to help that the Orencia is not working.

By: Terry

Terry — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 20:45:53 +0000

Must be going around, I know of 3 others struggling right now also. Hang in there, hope you get to feeling semi-normal soon.
On an off note, I am going to change meds, the Orencia is just not working for me.

By: Lana

Lana — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 18:07:44 +0000

I know what you mean about the marathon. I have those days too and the days where RA seems to be winning and I am merely trailing behind are the worst of it. It is really depressing so hang in there, better days are always ahead. Hope you feel better soon.

By: Laurie

Laurie — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 17:46:13 +0000

((((((RAGUY)))))))sending gentle hugs and good thoughts your way.

By: ann marie

ann marie — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 15:42:07 +0000

I’ve done a lot of spiritual “work” (and i only use the quotes because the word isn’t generally used in this way – not because it isn’t work- hard work), particularly over the last four years. Feeling very discouraged one day recently, i thought “My god, this work is difficult. And what’s changed?” What came to me was the realization of how much my fear level has gone down. Physically i would say i feel worse than i ever have (generally), but minus the anxiety that once seemed chained to the illness, flares really are a whole different beast to deal with. Gentler. Smaller. And this feels like a miracle.

It’s incredibly challenging to deal with a long-term illness, what with going through the grieving process again and again with each transition, but i find the faster i’m able to acknowledge what’s happening and accommodate what my body seems to be asking for (again: NOT easy!), the better everything flows: i don’t do into anxiety. i recover quicker. Things don’t feel so overwhelming.

I was wondering: do you know why you are less scared?

Love to you during your low. Don’t forget: coping with the hard times gracefully is crafting us into brighter and clearer and stronger and more beautiful beings.