Having a chronic illness during the pandemic
I have lupus. I had to set up an appointment with labcorp to get bloodwork done. It's routine but it is causing me a lot of anxiety. I feel like I am lacking control when getting bloodwork under normal circumstances. Now there are appointment times, having to wear masks, social distancing etc... I will also have to have my appointment over the Internet as opposed to in person. As irrational as it is, this sort of change to my treatment plan gives me anxiety too. The odds of it actually altering anything are very slim but I suppose it's a reminder of how crazy life can be which is unsettling. It's frustrating because the last time I went I had the best appointment I've ever had. I'm in really good health for a lupus patient, but I'm just scared and have so little to distract me.
@JackRyanC0
@selfconfidentMelon5824. I think the key is your last sentence, .nothing to distract me. This virus is upsetting to Ll of us and when you have lupus it adds another worry. And didderent ways of relating to each other can be disorienting. It's most important that you take care of yourself. Keep up your appointments. Can you discuss your feelings with your doctor's ? Or a friend or someone in your family? We are always here for support too. Keep up for drvelop new hobbies or interests to keep your mind in good shape.
@selfconfidentMelon5824 Thank you taking the time to respond. I really appreciate it.
@JackRyanC0 It's hard managing chronic illnesses with all the changes. I've had some phone appointments. I was supposed to be going everything month for bloodwork, and that has been reduced to every 3 months.
It sounds like you have some positives going on for you, you're in a pretty good position despite having lupus. With bloodwork, you can have some control but I do find it needs to be asserted. For example, I prefer to save my inner elbows for my own use, sometimes it means getting someone who is more experienced to use my hands or forearms instead. There are other things too, like the position, which arm, you can bring a drink, you can bring a squeeze ball or something that can be sanitized, etc. I get you though, even with doing those things it's not fun.
Hopefully you can keep the lupus as well managed as it has been throughout all of this!
@AffyAvo Thank you for taking the time to respond. I really appreciate it.
@JackRyanC0 I hear you. I've had several facetime or zoom appointments so far, and it's strange and unsettling. The change is scary. I also relate to feeling out of control. A few months ago, I did not expect to not be able to see a doctor when I needed to! For me a big part of the anxiety around it comes from the fact that it's my *health* that's being put on hold, which is something important to me that I work hard for. I wonder if you feel similarly?
The appointments that I have had virtually have gone well. I'm able to pick up medicine from the pharmacy at the drive through window or even order stuff online to be delivered. And I had to go to an in-person appointment at one point for a urine test, but that went okay, too. Everyone stayed far apart and wore masks. I went early in the morning and didn't see a single other patient.
I hope the appointment goes well for you and that your health continues to be good!
