Asthmatics: how much to say?!
Question: I'm severely asthmatic but really shy and quiet. My friend heard about how I had a bad attack and wanted to check up on how I was feeling. I said I was ok but it acted up again this weekend. Then I just said quietly, "yesterday was pretty bad...but other than that, it's been good."
Would u want me to talk more about it? I'm so unsure about how much to say. I've been struggling with the attacks and find it so frustrating, upsetting and limiting. I'm also shy so it's hard for me to open up. Should I open up more to her? Or should I just keep these feelings to myself?
Answers: I'm severely asthmatic but really shy and quiet. My friend heard about how I had a bad attack and wanted to check up on how I was feeling. I said I was ok but it acted up again this weekend. Then I just said quietly, "yesterday was pretty bad...but other than that, it's been good."
Would u want me to talk more about it? I'm so unsure about how much to say. I've been struggling with the attacks and find it so frustrating, upsetting and limiting. I'm also shy so it's hard for me to open up. Should I open up more to her? Or should I just keep these feelings to myself?
Just guessing here. It sounds like you would like to be able to talk to someone about it, the two of you do not really know each other well enough to have a feel for the interaction yet, and you don't want to overwhelm her.
If you want to get an idea of how much you can say and still stay within her comfort zone first thank her very clearly for caring enough to ask and give her an opening - "yesterday was pretty bad...but other than that, it's been good. Thanks a lot for caring enough to ask. It's nice to be able talk about it some." That offers a chance for her to either ask for more or just accept your thanks and let it go. The next time you talk thank her for calling while you were sick and give the same opening.
In little pieces like that she can stop asking and you can stop answering whenever one of you reaches the boundaries of your comfort zone.
yes if she is concerned let her know she seems to care. the thing now there is so much you can do these days. there is meds to take all the time and their are enhalers to take once in morning and stuff to stop alot of the attacks you can do this have parents take you to doctor and get started on those meds it will help and stop alot of this mess you are having and your life will be better also better quality. good luck
What makes you more comfortable? Some people are very open about their health and others are not. If she is a very good friend it would be in your best interest to let her know what she can do for you when you have an attack to help you. If you feel comfortable in telling her what symptoms you have and how to best manage them. If you are not comfortable then you must decide how much she should know. It's your body and health, your decision on how much others should know. Please don't hold back with your doctor though, he can only treat what he knows is going on and he can't read minds. Best of luck to you and I hope you feel better.
Only tell people what you are comfortable with. Taking care of your asthma involves a lot of things- diet, medications, exercise, handling stress, clean air, healthy surroundings.
You are the most important person here. Take care of yourself and try to relax with the asthma.