A Roll of Energy: Myositis & Energy
Author: Jerry Young
I was explaining what it is like to have a chronic muscle disease like Myositis to my family. I said it is like getting a roll of pennies every morning. Each penny is an energy disc. You will need one to start your day, one to make breakfast, one to drive to work, one to walk into work etc. I have to try to group my tasks together so that I can get an energy discount. If I were to run out of pennies before I run out of day one of two things happen, either I shut down and do nothing but watch TV or go to bed early (but not sleep early because I have limited sleep) or I borrow a couple pennies from tomorrow with interest. However borrowing tomorrows pennies create a deficit and can lead to energy bankruptcy. This is why I have to say no to some things that the previous me would have never said no to, like taking a walk with my grandchildren.
As time goes on pennies will be added to your roll, and you will learn how to use them where they are more important. A clean car is not nearly as valuable as a game with children.
Do not try to save your pennies for the next day, if you do not use them you loose them.
Try to manage the pennies so that at the end of the day you have used them all, but have not gone over your quota. In proper penny management more pennies are added and through time, life can be somewhat normal. However there is days when we get “shortchanged” and have to get through the day with fewer pennies, as well as occasionally bonus energy. One of the mysteries of these diseases is that we never know when we will get one of these “super days” or when we will have an energy defunct day.
One thing we do know is that whatever kind of day we are having, we still must remember we are on an energy budget and must stay within our budget, or pay the penalty, and this penalty could be painful, which is another story.
Tags: family support pain management
a HI Jerry
I a been trying to send you message in reply to your message to me last week, no luck, I ambterribleam terrible with this android phone computer! You explained my daily struggles so well borrowing pennies of tomorrow to get thru constant legs muscles 24/7 calves & hamstrings both legs! My doctor cut pain meds when my pain levels us increasing, cold weather, muscle weakness, I took a fall at home not hurt just very stressed not able to get up & very difficult a good friend Dan & my wife get me unto my bed & then I can get up on my feet on my own.
I need a new pain management doctor close to my home in Huntington Station NY that knows how to treat IBM muscle pain & my regular physician for 20yrs just retired needs replacement knowledge if IBM is close to home, tuff traveling.
I have Dr. McWilliams neurologist 20 miles away at Saint Charles Specialty Care Unit, I do Zoom with him he is wonderful has 2 IBM PATIENTS MY AGE MAKE & FEMALE ON GRAMAGAURD HE HAS PRESCRIBED FOR ME WAITING ON APPROVAL. THANK YOU JERRY! TOM
a HI Jerry
I a been trying to send you message in reply to your message to me last week, no luck, I ambterribleam terrible with this android phone computer! You explained my daily struggles so well borrowing pennies of tomorrow to get thru constant legs muscles 24/7 calves & hamstrings both legs! My doctor cutting pain meds when my pain level us increasing, cold weather, muscle weakness, I took a fall at home not hurt just very stressful not able to get up & very difficult a good friend Dan & my wife get me unto my bed & then I can get up on my feet on my own.
I need a bew pain management doctor close to my home in Huntington Station NY that know how to treat IBM muscle pain & my regular physician for 20yrs just retired need replacement knowledge if IBM close to home, tuff traveling.
I have Dr. McWilliams neurologist 20 miles away at Saint Charles Specialty Care Unit, I do Zoom with him he is wonderful has 2 IBM PATIENTS MY AGE MAKE & FEMALE ON GRAMAGAURD HE HAS PRESCRIBED FOR ME WAITING ON APPROVAL. THANK YOU JERRY! TOM
a HI Jerry
I a been trying to send you message in reply to your message to me last week, no luck, I ambterribleam terrible with this android phone computer! You explained my daily struggles so well borrowing pennies of tomorrow to get thru constant legs muscles 24/7 calves & hamstrings both legs! My doctor cutting pain meds when my pain level us increasing, cold weather, muscle weakness, I took a fall at home not hurt just very stressful not able to get up & very difficult a good friend Dan & my wife get me unto my bed & then I can get up on my feet on my own.
I need a bew pain management doctor close to my home in Huntington Station NY that know how to treat IBM muscle pain & my regular physician for 20yrs just retired need replacement knowledge if IBM close to home, tuff traveling.
I have Dr. McWilliams neurologist 20 miles away at Saint Charles Specialty Care Unit, I do Zoom with him he is wonderful has 2 IBM PATIENTS MY AGE MAKE & FEMALE ON GRAMAGAURD HE
This is the absolute best explanation I’ve ever come across. It takes into account the “short-changed” for no reason days. The likely outcome of over “spending,” and how you never can tell what kind or how much your ‘budget’ will be on any given day. And that pain days are another line item altogether.
Very helpful. Thank you for sharing!
I just absolutely love how Jerry Young explains a great way for us to explain to our family and friends how much energy it takes for us to do simple things they may not realize and how if we do go overboard, we certainly pay a price; whether it is pain, extreme fatigue or worse. Thanks for sharing this with us Jerry!