Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Strategies For Daily Life When You're Feeling Lousy

jumpingjuniper

Recommended Posts

jumpingjuniper Rookie
jumpingjuniper
Posted

Hi,

I posted another thread about how I've been sick lately, after ten years of being completely gluten-free, if you want some background.

Anyway, I'm curious to hear what kinds of strategies people use for getting on with daily life when you're feeling lousy. I find I cannot wrap my mind around much right now, my focus is terrible, and I'm tired. But this has been going on for weeks now and I can't just accomplish nothing!

So, what are your strategies for getting things done when you've got brain fog and it feels like you have cotton balls in your brain?

I've been thinking about -

- cutting back on internet time (this usually adds to my brain fog feeling, I don't know why)

- trying to do work in 15-30 minute increments with breaks in between

Thanks in advance for any ideas you share!

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


jswog Contributor
jswog
Posted

Can't help, but I'm looking forward to reading others' suggestions!

pondy Contributor
pondy
Posted

How about a short walk outside?

If not that, what about art? For some reason, doodling helps me focus. I've been doing these things called "Zen Tangles" - which is really just "focused doodling". Don't know how or why, but it helps me a little...

sandsurfgirl Collaborator
sandsurfgirl
Posted

I'd like to hear those responses too. I have small children and it takes so much out of me to take care of them.

T.H. Community Regular
T.H.
Posted

The short increments of time to be 'active' is something I do, too. For a while, I made a list of chores, sorted by 'quick, medium, and long,' in terms of how much time it would take to do them. When i'm feeling awful, I would just take care of the chores in the 'short' category, and leave the long ones for later, or just do them a teeny bit at a time. It worked for a while there, but it wasn't perfect.

cooking-wise, I have been trying to cook double batches ALWAYS, so that I freeze half of ever dinner I make. That way, whenever I feel awful, I always have something I can just heat up and eat, and it's not an issue.

At least, that's what I've just started doing - I don't have much of a store built up, yet!

Paper plates and plastic silverware were another thing I did for a while, to cut down on dishes when I'm feeling blah.

Bubba's Mom Enthusiast
Bubba's Mom
Posted

I find I have to make lists..things that need to be done, errands (including names of the stores and what to get there), foods I have on hand and meal plans, etc.

I can't seem to rely on my brain to remember anything.

I tend to sort out what to do by what is the most urgent or important on my list that day.

Strawberry-Jam Enthusiast
Strawberry-Jam
Posted

I second the taking a walk thing. The only times when I ever think to myself, "huh, I'm not really that tired right now" is when I'm out walking somewhere. When you're done with your short walk, use the momentum and energy from it to get some things done. If you sit down to rest after the walk, you won't get up again. I know I won't. But if you absolutely must rest after the walk, you may have overexerted yourself.

Rationing energy, like you mentioned, is good. Resign yourself to getting less done than usual/normal people. Prioritise like crazy. sleep a lot and rest when you need to.

I've always suffered from really low energy levels. and while my energy is a lot better now that I am gluten-free and exercising regularly, I'm having a relapse too (like I mentioned to you).

computer makes your brain fog worse because of all the artificial light bombarding your eyes. computer hurts my head too.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


mbrookes Community Regular
mbrookes
Posted

I'm a list maker.

List the things you need to do. Then prioritize them. Cut the list from the bottom. Then you have left what absolutely must be done. Do the rest IF you feel like it.

Be sure the top of the list includes some pleasant stuff..(sort pictures of grandchildren is a good one for me).

I sometmes eat a bowl of ice cream as a reward for finishing a task.

T.H. Community Regular
T.H.
Posted

List the things you need to do. Then prioritize them. Cut the list from the bottom. Then you have left what absolutely must be done. Do the rest IF you feel like it.

That is such a good idea. I don't know why I don't think of doing that, but I really usually don't. That really jives with the 'spoon theory' I read once. Just looked it up, for anyone interested who hasn't yet seen it: Open Original Shared Link

It's just the way this gal thought of to describe what it's like to live day to day with lupus, but I remember thinking that it was a great way to describe days for anyone who has a chronic illness, on the day when you are just knocked flat.

Basically, this gal grabbed a handful of spoons, handed them to her friend, and told her that for everything she had to do that day, it was going to cost her a spoon. So...what would you do, if you KNOW you only have a certain number of spoons to spend today? If you know by the end of the day, you can cook food, or do dishes, but not both? If you can spend time with your kids, or time with your friends, but not both?

It's hard for me to prioritize like that, I think, because I just tend to try to do it all, and then stall out and feel like I've failed if I can't get everything done that I think I should be able to. I've gotten better at just accepting I'm at my limit when it hits, but planning for that limit, prioritizing intentionally, is something I never quite managed. And it seems much smarter, and...I believe I'll be doing that, soon!

So glad you made that comment, mbrookes.

AVR1962 Collaborator
AVR1962
Posted

I find if I jump start my day with even just a small brisk walk outside I will have a more productive day. Not always easy as it is more tempting for me to sit at the computer so I have to make myself at times.

Also, I a terribly sluggish without D from the sun, and live in an area with nlots of clouds and rain, feel like I could hybernate for the winter. I have found going to a tanning salon a few times a week and only spending 10 minutes in a bed helps. I have recently found a place that has UV lights where you can sit and read so am thinking of trying that.

My B12 and D levels are in the toilet so I also know I have to be more careful with my diet. I love sugar but it does not do much good for my energy level overall. So I try to fill my diet with more foods with B12 and D. Not the funnest choices but itdoes make a difference in how I feel.

jumpingjuniper Rookie
jumpingjuniper
Posted
  • Author

These are good ideas, thanks. I forgot about that spoon analogy, it is apt.

I agree that a walk, but not too much of one, helps, that is good to remember.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,243
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Maya Baum
    Newest Member
    Maya Baum
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.6k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • knitty kitty
      Accuracy of testing concerns

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Welcome to the forum, @McKinleyWY, For a genetic test, you don't have to eat gluten, but this will only show if you have the genes necessary for the development of Celiac disease.  It will not show if you have active Celiac disease.   Eating gluten stimulates the production of antibodies against gluten which mistakenly attack our own bodies.  The antibodies are produced in the small intestines.  Three grams of gluten are enough to make you feel sick and ramp up anti-gluten antibody production and inflammation for two years afterwards.  However, TEN grams of gluten or more per day for two weeks is required to stimulate anti-gluten antibodies' production enough so that the anti-gluten antibodies move out of the intestines and into the bloodstream where they can be measured in blood tests.  This level of anti-gluten antibodies also causes measurable damage to the lining of the intestines as seen on biopsy samples taken during an endoscopy (the "gold standard" of Celiac diagnosis).   Since you have been experimenting with whole wheat bread in the past year or so, possibly getting cross contaminated in a mixed household, and your immune system is still so sensitized to gluten consumption, you may want to go ahead with the gluten challenge.   It can take two years absolutely gluten free for the immune system to quit reacting to gluten exposure.   Avoiding gluten most if the time, but then experimenting with whole wheat bread is a great way to keep your body in a state of inflammation and illness.  A diagnosis would help you stop playing Russian roulette with your and your children's health.      
    • trents
      Accuracy of testing concerns

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the celiac.com community, @McKinleyWY! There currently is no testing for celiac disease that does not require you to have been consuming generous amounts of gluten (at least 10g daily, about the amount in 4-6 slices of wheat bread) for at least two weeks and, to be certain of accurate testing, longer than that. This applies to both phases of testing, the blood antibody tests and the endoscopy with biopsy.  There is the option of genetic testing to see if you have one or both of the two genes known to provide the potential to develop celiac disease. It is not really a diagnostic measure, however, as 30-40% of the general population has one or both of these genes whereas only about 1% of the general population actually develops celiac disease. But genetic testing is valuable as a rule out measure. If you don't have either of the genes, it is highly unlikely that you can have celiac disease. Having said all that, even if you don't have celiac disease you can have NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity) which shares many of the same symptoms as celiac disease but does not involve and autoimmune reaction that damages the lining of the small bowel as does celiac disease. Both conditions call for the complete elimination of gluten from the diet. I hope this brings some clarity to your questions.
    • McKinleyWY
      Accuracy of testing concerns

      By McKinleyWY · Posted

      Hello all, I was diagnosed at the age of 2 as being allergic to yeast.  All my life I have avoided bread and most products containing enriched flour as they  contain yeast (when making the man made vitamins to add back in to the flour).  Within the last year or so, we discovered that even whole wheat products bother me but strangely enough I can eat gluten free bread with yeast and have no reactions.  Obviously, we have come to believe the issue is gluten not yeast.  Times continues to reinforce this as we are transitioning to a gluten free home and family.  I become quite ill when I consume even the smallest amount of gluten. How will my not having consumed breads/yeast/gluten for the better part of decades impact a biopsy or blood work?  I would love to know if it is a gluten intolerance or a genetic issue for family members but unsure of the results given my history of limited gluten intake.   I appreciate the input from those who have gone before me in experience and knowledge. Thank you all!
    • trents
      A little about me and my celiac disease

      By trents · Posted

      I know what you mean. When I get glutened I have severe gut cramps and throw up for 2-3 hr. and then have diarrhea for another several hours. Avoid eating out if at all possible. It is the number one source of gluten contamination for us celiacs. When you are forced to eat out at a new restaurant that you are not sure is safe, try to order things that you can be sure will not get cross contaminated like a boiled egg, baked potatos, steamed vegies, fresh fruit. Yes, I know that doesn't sound as appetizing as pizza or a burger and fries but your health is at stake. I also realize that as a 14 year old you don't have a lot of control over where you eat out because you are tagging along with others or adults are paying for it. Do you have support from your parents concerning your need to eat gluten free? Do you believe they have a good understanding of the many places gluten can show up in the food supply?
    • Peace lily
      Gluten Free Coffee

      By Peace lily · Posted

      Okay went online to check green mountain k cups .It was said that the regular coffees are fine but they couldn’t guarantee cross contamination.with the flavors. im trying to figure out since I eliminated the suyrup so far so good. I’m hoping. thanks it feels good to listen to other people there views.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.