People will be aware, either through experience or just general common sense, that a doctor will prescribe you medication, advise you on therapies and give you general best practice information to help day to day life. For illnesses like fibromyalgia, and many many more, the cause and triggers are unidentified. 'We know it's there but we don't know why' was the explanation my specialists often used. So in these cases you cannot treat the disease it's self but manage the symptoms. For example, the umbrella term that describes your illness may have a symptom of pain, so you'd take measures to combat pain (pain medication, injections ect), or tiredness (sleep is usually the go to). But you often get many other suggestions.
I cannot in any way say that I'm perfect in looking after myself. I don't believe anyone can. I often don't do myself any favours in fact. There's a lot I should do, but there's also a lot I shouldn't. Should I drink alcohol? No, probably not. Do I drink alcohol? Of course! Albeit not often and rarely in large quantities. Should I get tattoos? Definitely not. Do I? I have 4. When my immunologist saw them, he almost had a fit! He started with the speech of how I could have caused ridiculous complications and have had horrendous side effects, but not long after halted to the realisation that it wouldn't have stopped me. Yes it could have been a stupid move on my part (not probably, it was) but they went fine (they took longer to heal than they typically should and they still can be raised to the touch but they're pretty).
I wouldn't call it a rebellion; I'd call it me just being an arse. When people tell me I can't do something, I either don't even try or do the opposite. A lot of doctors orders I often take as polite suggestions. Serious things like medication, therapy and general life changers, I of course take those on board, they are the professional after all. But others, not so much.
The way I see it is if I did everything that was in my body's best interest then I wouldn't have a life. I wouldn't enjoy my meals, or go out with friends. I wouldn't have the experiences I have had if I played it safe. My worst thing I do is overdoing it. I'm supposed to be aware of my limitations, take it easy and not burn myself out. I was warned before I started university by multiple people that I'd taken too much on. 'I think you should either study or work. Both will be hard. I don't think you can do it'. I proved them wrong, so far. I'm in my second year. And it's difficult, I’m not going to lie. Though I'm so happy I did.
I take advantage of my good days. I run up stairs and skip down corridors. I push the gym a bit harder too. I just happen to forget that the more I do on a good day, the longer or worse my flare ups will be the following days. Take Disney Land for example. I wanted to go. I was adamant I was going to do everything I wanted to do in one long weekend. That meant walking all day, every day (running in some cases when I saw characters walking around). I knew even before I did it that my body will have to pay for that one.And it did. For about 9 days post trip. But god was it worth it.
Yes, I have limits. Yes I need to be careful. But is that going to control my life? Is it hell. If my body is going to give me hell for enjoying myself, I say bring it! My advice to anyone though, is if you are going to pay for your great experiences with awful flare ups, make sure the experience is worthwhile, make it count, do what you love and never look back.
As always, I'm always here for anyone who needs the support.
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