Energy Is a Casualty of Coronavirus Quarantine

Kristiana Page avatar

by Kristiana Page |

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As the novel coronavirus spreads across the world, my native Australia is slowly being coaxed into lockdown.

At the start of this week, state and federal authorities announced they would shut down all “nonessential” activities soon. In my life, this means that training at the gym, Brazilian jiujitsu, and yoga are canceled for the foreseeable future. I hadn’t realized how important regular physical activity was until it was deemed nonessential and banned.

Being shut in is such a small and temporary price to pay for the greater good. But I must admit that I am afraid of being isolated.

I started going to the gym in 2016, six months after my diagnosis. I had three reasons to go: I wanted to shake that extra prednisolone weight; I needed to reimagine the way I think about my body; and most pressing of all, I wanted to lift my fatigue.

It may have taken months for me to see a difference, but that small step changed my life exponentially. Being active was the catalyst for changing my life. And in the following years, I have built a routine that gets me up and moving, and pushes me in new ways nearly every day.

What began as a way to ease my fatigue and get me moving became an integral part of my week. Being active has become my passion, something I can’t imagine living without.

But now, I’ll likely have to do without these activities for weeks on end. Honestly, that has me terrified.

One thing that haunts me about living with lupus is that I am only one fleeting moment away from a downward spiral. I live perched on a precipice, and the entire mountain could implode without warning at any given moment.

I fear that when the lockdown begins, I will enter a rut I won’t be able to recover from. I am scared that a couple of weeks without work and without a reason to be up early could undo everything I have worked for.

I understand that in the grand scheme of things, when the world is gripped by a pandemic, having fatigue creep back into my life might seem like a minor concern. But if you knew how hard its grip on me was, and how much grinding and busting my butt I had to do for the past four years, you would understand.

Here’s what fatigue is like when it’s at its worst: You wake up first thing in the morning, drag a weighted blanket on top of yourself, and just lie there. It feels like being pinned down and stuck to the bed. Limbs are heavy and weakness is felt every day when fatigue is at its peak.

Every day I wake up fearing that this process of fatigue will be repeated. I can only hope that today it won’t happen.

What fears or worries do you have about fatigue? Please share in the comments below.

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Note: Lupus News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Lupus News Today, or its parent company, Bionews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to lupus.

Comments

Brenda avatar

Brenda

I feel that way most of the time! I had to stop going to my physical therapy, as I was experiencing some odd reactions! Dizziness ,and a rumbling in my right ear. Later found I pulled a muscle. I have been home with my daughter who is in her senior year of high school, and is being homeschooled via internet! With all the stresses, it plunged me into a flare up! I am on Prednisone again!I am now trying to think of only possative things! I keep up with my stretching exercises.

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Kristiana Page avatar

Kristiana Page

Sorry to hear you're in a flare up Brenda. That truly is a lupie's worst nightmare at a time like this and prednisolone is a battle in and of itself :(
How good is stretching?! I started doing Bikram yoga a couple months ago, before this all started, and it has become a truly wonderful part of my life amongst all the chaos. Having the time to stretch my body and connect with it, while I give my mind stillness and calm has been very needed and grounding.
I hope more and more positive things find their way into your life, I'm thinking of you!
Sending love from Down Under,

Kristiana x

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Bonnie F. avatar

Bonnie F.

I can so relate to your feelings!! I cannot go to the gym any longer, so I have replaced that with going to the local high school outdoor track and simply walking. Earbuds in, a smooth, cushy surface that my joints take well to, and walk to the beat of the music that's playing. I find it feels "safe" somehow to be outdoors, and I am still getting some activity in. I too feel like I am one step away from a slippery slope of falling into a rut or depression if you will, with my whole routine being changed, being laid off from work, etc. We have to do whatever we can to fight those feelings and keep moving! Thanks for yet another wonderful article.

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Kristiana Page avatar

Kristiana Page

Argggh, totally get that! I really am missing the gym and all the other places I usually find solace in my "normal" life but walking has become the best and closest thing for me. I've started chatting with a friend on the phone whilst walking to the supermarket. Gives me time to connect with the people I love and also gets me outside and moving in a way that's allowed.
Totally understand outside feeling "safe". I love to be outside and when you're cooped up indoors because you have to be it can feel almost claustrophobic.
I'm so happy you've found something simple like walking that helps you so much.
One thing that has really helped me has been growing plants. I've never had much of a "greenthumb" but having something relies on me and needs my nurture and care has been amazingly grounding. I water twice a day which gives me a bit of a routine and it has been such a wonderful feeling to see my tomato plants grow and thrive - almost feels like in a way I get to thrive with them :)
If you have the space and money, I recommend giving it a go. Can't live it has been a slippery slope into becoming a plant mum haha!
Hoping your well and sending love from Down Under,

Kristiana x

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