Getting the flu always makes my FA symptoms worse

Nobody likes getting sick. I’ve been battling a stubborn flu virus for a few weeks now. It’s likely the same one my husband, Dave, had for just four days. Not fair, I joke with Dave.

Not only am I dealing with this bug for much longer than he did, but I’m also sick on top of living with Friedreich’s ataxia (FA), a chronic disease. Any additional health issue makes my FA symptoms worse. I become wobblier, and routine transfers become much more difficult.

The aches and pains that come with being under the weather only intensify my FA-related discomfort. For example, I sometimes experience burning sensations in my feet from FA-related neuropathy, and those flare-ups become much more frequent when I have the flu.

The FA symptom I hate most is fatigue, which becomes overwhelming when I’m sick. I tell Dave, the math teacher, to multiply the tiredness he feels by three to understand my exhaustion, and then add another three for how much longer it drags on. Dealing with both FA and a virus means my fatigue is more intense and persistent than most people experience.

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Getting back into exercising

Exercise is off the table when I’m unwell, even though I depend on it for my physical and mental health. I have to remind myself that it’s not just that I don’t want to work out — sometimes, I truly shouldn’t.

As my illness finally fades, I never know if exercising will help me feel better or set me back. In the past, I’ve often rushed it and paid the price, so now I give myself an extra day or two before returning to my routine.

Easing back into workouts can be excruciating. I worked hard to reach my previous fitness level, so my instinct is to pick up exactly where I left off — lifting the same weights and doing the same cardio. But I’ve learned that pacing myself actually gets me back to my pre-illness strength more quickly.

My diet takes a hit, too. I rarely have the energy to prepare healthy food, and my cravings turn toward comfort meals — chicken pot pie sounds far better than a salad. When it’s a stomach bug, though, nothing is appetizing. After 44 years with FA, I’ve learned to give myself grace and allow comfort food when I’m under the weather.

The scariest part for me is the uncertainty. When FA and illness collide, I lose abilities and wonder if the decline is permanent. But these days, I worry less. I’ve managed to bounce back — albeit slowly — from many illnesses and even broken bones. Experience has taught me what to expect.

I try to show Dave — my main caretaker — how grateful I am for his help when I’m down. Those times, I rely on him more than ever. Dependence is difficult, even when I’m healthy, but I remind myself to appreciate the support.

I also try not to feel guilty when illness keeps me from doing my usual chores, which makes Dave’s load heavier. Letting go of that guilt isn’t easy, but as Dave reminds me, it’s not something I can control.

It’s flu season, and I’m finally at the tail end of my own bout. I’m starting to feel a bit more independent. While I’m eager to dive back into everything, experience reminds me that with FA, slow and steady wins the race. I will return to my usual routines, but, for me, recovery is always gradual.

Remember to ask your doctor whether a flu shot is right for you.

Note: Friedreich’s Ataxia News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Friedreich’s Ataxia News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Friedreich’s ataxia.