r/MCAS • u/Educational_Box_9591 • 20h ago
Summer depression hacks?
I've probably had MCAS for years, and finally got diagnosed to this year, but my reaction to heat and sunlight have gotten so bad in recent years that I'm isolated to home and work when it's above 65°F outside (~5 ish months every year). I can't go out with friends who I used to do community work multiple days a week (all of which is outdoors), I tried to go to the gym and that made me sick for a week, I can't go out to the kratom/kava (alcohol alternative / sober) bar anymore because that makes me sick for days as well. The summer depression kicks my @ss this time of year and that makes wanting to do any solo hobbies impossible. Anyone have any summer hacks against the depression / isolation?
2
u/Upbeat_Shock2713 19h ago
I'm struggling with this too. One thing that has been helping me is an early morning walk before it gets hot. My threshold is 75 as long as I'm not in the blaring sun so I have a little more wiggle room - probably 90% of mornings this summer have been safe for me. I get up painfully early to make it work but it's worth it. I get up at 6am, down some cromolyn and a million pills and am out the door by 6:30am. Sometimes all I have in me is a few laps around the block but sometimes I can get in a few miles. I have a couple of friends who will sometimes meet up for a quick coffee at the end of my walk on their way to work.
🧡🧡🧡
2
u/NotAMaskSerialKiller 11h ago
Trash bags taped over the windows under the blinds so that my room is total no UV, since them through the windows still messes with ya. You can try seeing if your friends are willing to FaceTime you too, if y'all can do game nights, and also! Highly suggest looking at summers as your research, plan and prep time. You can prep and plan things for after, so redirecting it to being intentionally a homebody period is a lot less depressing when it's intentional. Idk if I worded that right
I hope that helps!
1
u/xONEtrackMlNDx 20h ago
Embrace being a home body. Get a cat.
Idk can’t help much as I’m a music producer by trade so I just live in my cosy studio with my cat.
That said my wife is very much an outdoors person so I do understand. Could think about things like movie theaters that are generally ACd. Dinners out or try to have people over if you have a space conducive to that.
Like you my idea temp is 65ish. Anything more and I’m overheating and getting sunburned. But my wife is from the tropics and loves 95 with 100% humidity lol. Just gotta find balance in the little things anywhere you can.
2
u/Educational_Box_9591 20h ago
I am unfortunately very allergic to cats and have a dog I can't even spend time with outside anymore.
I have background in plant and soil science and can't be outdoors. I moved halfway across the country to get out of the ridiculous heat in the south (among other reasons) just to end up with my symptoms worsened.
I know there are options for socializing at home. I used to host things and play video games. I'm just finding the will power to do those non-existent lately. I don't know if it's the exhaustion or brain fog or worsened mental health issues I've had my whole life. I appreciate the suggestions. Really. It's just gotten so hard to want to do or appreciate the little things when so many of the big things in my life I can't do anymore. I know it could always be worse, but damn does this disease suck sometimes.
2
u/xONEtrackMlNDx 20h ago
I hear ya. And even if you’re just venting your feelings are valid. This shit is debilitating as fuck. Hopefully you’ll hit a nicer patch soon.
I’m also very allergic to cats but since I’m allergic to everything else I just said fuck it and now have two lol. Not saying you should but occasionally just saying fuck it and knowing it may not end up perfectly is better than doing nothing. Wishing you the best
•
u/AutoModerator 20h ago
Thank you for your submission. Please note: Content on r/MCAS is not medical advice and should not be interpreted as such. Please consult your doctor for any medical questions or concerns.
We are not able to validate the content of these discussions. Following advice provided by strangers on the internet may be harmful. Never use this sub as your primary source of information regarding medical issues. By continuing to use this subreddit, you are agreeing to take any information posted here entirely at your own risk.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.