Living with an autoimmune disease means your life has many ups and downs, living with two means life is like a wacky amusement park ride. Some days and weeks are great and fun and then some are so miserable with many turns and pivots that you just want to hide and disappear.
Those with one autoimmune disease have a 25% of developing an additional disease, it is like a buy one get one free deal. Fun!. I am not even discussing the higher probability of developing a third one, that is like a late night TV infomercial – but wait there is more.
All of these diseases suck, no fun in having any of them and the cost of living with one is expensive. Expensive medication costs, expensive life changes and a heavy cost on our daily lives and the lives of those who live with us. Each one of us has a different coping mechanism that allows us to continue living our everyday lives. I schedule meetings I can not cancel to force me to function, even if I function in minimum capacity.
Now, flare ups are a different thing. Flare ups are like going on a rollercoaster that does 360 degree loops. You know that the 360 ends at some point but while you are upside down it feels like it lasts forever, at least for me. Some think that stress and anxiety create a flare up but when we have a flare up we get stressed and anxious. So what came first? It’s a chicken and an egg story. Functioning with a flare up is so hard and stressful. I especially love it when other people tell me to stop stressing and to calm down. Sure, great idea, I am leaving now to find the off button!
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