Sports personality dx with Sjogren's

[Catilee2]

Hi everyone,
    I am not a tennis fan, but a good friend of mine told me that Venus Williams was interviewed on TV  and has dropped out of the  US OPEN due to Sjogren's. Several on line links for ABC and newspapers carried the story today. What a opportunity for more people to understand what we go thru. When she spoke of feeling beaten up by the fatigue, I could really relate to that. 
Maybe more individuals will take this condition seriously!!!
  thinking of all of you and how you strive to do your best in spite of how you feel.
Catilee2

[Shade]

Catilee,

There are a couple of posts on the Discussion side on Venus.

Take care,

Shade

[jade]

I will tell you this.  I started a bootcamp workout.  My energy level even with all kinds of energy feeding fruits and things taken prior was almost non existent.  So my workouts are of course grueling for me.  I used to workout and it amazes me how impossible it is to do certain things even with good intentions and all your might.. anywho, I was motioned by the trainer at the end of the class, and he said that he doesn't think I am pushing myself hard enough.  So, I said I am sorry and that I will try harder.  I dind't want to explain becuase a lot of times, people take my explanation as an excuse so I have stopped explaining to anyone.  So after this Venus thing came out, after his usual "suggestions", I asked him if he had heard about Venus and her withdrawal.  He'd said no.  I said look it up when you have time.  That will let you know why I am behind from everyone in class.  Even people that weigh 3 times more than me.  I am the slowest in class.  I am not a big person. I have good form in my excersices since I used to be a workout maniac in my days and have good build.  But still, I lag behind everyone in ANY workout that's put forth.  NO wonder why the guy thinks I am slacking.  Anyway, I said, when you have time look that up, that's what I have and hopefully, that will explain and will releave you of your frustration ..lol .. Next workout,  he came to me and apologized for "nagging" he said.  But I understood the motivation thing they have to do.. He said he will be more considerate   I thought that was nice!  And I didn't even have to say anything about myself.  I just asked him to read on Venus.  I think she will be my poster child now!  lol

[A66eyroad]

Any kind of physical exercise is tough for me. I've gained about 20 pounds in the past 2 years, and the two guys I work for are all about physical fitness. One of them bicycled across France for a vacation last year, and this year he & his wife bicycled across Switzerland. They work out for an hour during their lunch break, run or bike every day. And I know they look at me like, get off your duff, woman!

One of them knows I have Sjogren's, but I'm sure he thinks it's all dry eyes and dry mouth. I try very hard to not let them see me looking weak or sick, although I do have to call in with "flu" or "probably something I ate" or "really bad headache" once a month or so. I know they roll their eyes about it.

Honestly, I don't know how you do any kind of workout, let alone how Venus can WIN a full game of professional tennis. I can barely walk to my car in the afternoons!

[dj]

It's hard being perceived by others as lazy.  We don't want to sound like a hypochondriac.  I like the idea of being able to say, "I've got the same illness as Venus." 

[aussie mum]

I agree dj, surprisingly Venus' illness has hardly rated a mention in the mainstream media in Australia.

It's interesting though, my husband got more understanding of what having SJS means from a 3min interview with Venus over the net, than 4 yrs worth of me explaining our daughter's illness.

He has always been a keen sportsman, whose answer to everything is to get fitter. Seeing an elite sportswoman affected by this disease has opened his eyes.