It is safe to say that all of our lives have significantly changed over the last month. It is important to acknowledge that these are uncertain and unsettling times. As you continue this challenge each and every day, The Myositis Association walks beside you.
Here are some vital tips to help you cope with fear and anxiety in these challenging times.
- Stay informed – Get the facts. TMA has created a COVID-19 Resource Page for people living with myositis. This page includes videos, webinars, blogs, and the latest resources relevant to the myositis community. TMA has also created a separate COVID-19 page for clinicians with training guides from the NIH and the CDC and other relevant resources.
- Don’t become oversaturated – Step away from the news and social media. The constant loop of press briefings, headlines, and charts can make you more anxious, overwhelmed and raise your blood pressure.
- Take care of your health – Exercise and eat healthy. Being home-bound can make it more difficult to find the motivation exercise. And with limited access to the grocery store and food in more limited supply, eating healthy is definitely more challenging. But small efforts can have big impacts. Even 20-30 minutes of brisk activity a day can have a big impact according to the American College of Sports Medicine. Even if you can’t get out to fill your plate with fresh fruits and veggies, you can improve your diet by watching salt intake and drinking lots of water.
- Look for the good – Look for the good in the world. Even in challenging time there is a lot of good in the world. Read and share “feel good stories.” Share good memories from the past. Watch comedy movies. TMA is hosting Feel Good Fridays every Friday as a way for our community to come together, relax and enjoy the good in the world together. Join us! For more information visit our website at https://www.myositis.org/myositis-library/webinar/ Suzan Fishbein, TMA Support Group Leader and Social Worker at The Hospital for Special Surgery recommends that you try to be GLAD.
G- think about one thing for which you are grateful; it can be small or large
L– think about one thing you have learned today
A-think about one thing you have achieved today
D- think about one thing that has given you delight - Seek help if you need it – If you are experiencing serious anxiety or mental distress or need assistance you may reach out for mental help from the CDC by calling: 1800-985-5990 or by texting TalkWithUs to 66746
With concern about receiving ivig in the clinic, as I do every 6 weeks, I spent hours with medicare supervisors, who assured me that I qualified, through the CARES Act, to return to a home health nurse come to my home to set up the iv with a pump, as I had done for 10 years, prior to my 65th birthday. Unfortunately, there were so many complications and roadblocks to make this happen that I just went to the clinic where they tried to maintain distance, etc. There were still patients there with no masks, and, as dedicated as I had been, for 5 weeks, to follow every precaution, there I was, with my mask, still feeling vulnerable. Why would Medicare make this so difficult during this stressful time for seniors?