Preparing friends, family and co-workers
Patients tell us that one of the hardest things about being on steroids is the way they can strain their relationships. The tips below may help.
Know what to expect
Your steroids are likely doing their job to control your inflammatory condition, but you may find that this “win” is at the cost of other parts of your physical and mental health. Add in the common side effect of troubled sleep, and it’s easy to see why you might feel and behave differently than usual. Arming yourself with information and preparing those around you can help minimize any potential upset and give you a bit more control during this daunting time.
Make time to talk
If you can, set aside time for a short conversation where you can explain that your doctor has put you on a strong medication. Depending on who you’re talking to, you might explain that these are steroids, but not the sort that bodybuilders use and that they’ve been prescribed to help you manage an ongoing health condition.
Remember, awareness is low
As you may have experienced, steroids can have a wide range of unpleasant side effects, but not everyone knows this! If the person you’re talking to isn't close to anyone taking steroids, it can be helpful to give them a little context. You can explain that many steroid-treated patients experience sleep disturbances, low mood, and trouble concentrating and flag that you may not be your usual self while you adjust. You don’t even have to share private details if you don’t want to.
Preparation is not “fuss”
You may feel that your friends, family and coworkers have already “made allowances” for your condition and that updating them on your medication is “making a fuss,” but the medical experts at Sam would likely disagree! Patients tend to cope best when they (and those around them) are aware of the challenges they may face and can prepare in advance. Besides, those close to you may notice you seem a bit “off.” Having already spoken about it can relieve some pressure.
Think about possible impacts
Spend some time thinking about how things like sleep disturbance and low mood might affect relationships in different areas of your life.
Work may need special thought. You could check your company’s policies on sick leave and flexible working. Meanwhile, colleagues may appreciate a heads-up that you could struggle with brain fog or prefer shorter meetings for a while.
You might also let friends know that you’re not feeling very social at the moment and that you may need a good listening ear from time to time.
Finally, partners and children will benefit from knowing you could have less patience than usual. They’re often the ones who see us at our most vulnerable and might feel the brunt of a sudden mood swing.
If things get tricky…
Know that post-flare-up reflections, apologies or even just explanations can make a real difference to how everyone involved feels. Simply saying, "It's not me, it’s the steroids,” or “I think that’s the steroids talking” can help. And don’t forget, you and your doctor are likely already working towards a solution to get you back to your old self–the lowest possible therapeutic steroid dose for your needs.
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