Schizophrenic Weather

The schizophrenic weather we experience in the upper Midwest this time of year can throw those of us living with autoimmune disease a real curve ball.


I slept all day today. I'm not depressed. I normally keep my rests to a single one hour nap these days. Every time I sat or laid down today to read, to stretch, or to just simply rest my legs, I fell asleep. I sat down to watch HGTV with Faith after school...thinking as long as I'm talking with her about the Property Brothers remodel, rubbing her belly for her and sitting up straight, I should stay awake. Nope, I fell asleep again!


While I slept, it rained. While I slept again, it snowed. I woke up tonight for dinner, and it was windy, with the greenish grass covered with snow. I feel I could fall asleep as I type this - but so far I'm staying awake;)  


Five days ago, Saturday, it was Faith's birthday party. We got hot sitting outside under the sun doing our art projects. There was no wind and temps were in the upper 70's. The kids actually were too hot to sit outside under the beautiful sunshine! And today it is snowing.


My complaint about the weather today is being felt and heard throughout many states during these weeks of transition from winter to spring. In fact some will continue a long transition into May, like my friends in Wyoming. We are all ready for new, ready for growth, ready for green, ready for the birth of calves and robins to lay their eggs. We may even welcome the return of our tiny insect friends such as mosquitos. We are done with the snow and cold. We get worn out on the schizophrenic weather by the time spring is actually here.


I'm not sure if the non autoimmune patients in my readership are aware of how the schizophrenic weather affects those of us living with autoimmune disease. We experience flares. We feel sick, we feel very tired, we swell and we hurt. On the scientific side of why it happens, it's the change in atmospheric pressure that affects us, creating flares.


I struggle with feeling guilty that I have to sleep all day. I feel guilty when I don't accomplish much of anything on my bad days. I know that if I don't give my body the time it needs that it will affect my family and friends in  a negative way. I have to take care of me before I can take care of anyone else. We all need to take care of ourselves first. 


If you know anyone struggling with an autoimmune disease and the schizophrenic weather today, this week, this time of year; be patient with them, encourage them to put themselves first right now, and give them a hug. And then pat yourself on the back for being a compassionate friend or family member. This journey can be difficult for patients; but, it can also be difficult for those that love us.


The calm and peace of spring and summer will soon arrive. We will all be ready to embrace its beauty with open arms! Take care of yourselves as you patiently wait:)