Fibromyalgia Support Group
You're not alone in your pain. Fibromyalgia is a condition that can be difficult to diagnose and manage. If you're trying to cope with pain throughout your body, sleep problems, general fatigue, or other common fibromyalgia symptoms, you're in the right place. The community is here for you to talk about therapies and share your challenges.
I have had fibro for almost 30 years and I finally broke down yesterday and bought the book "Fibro For Dummies". I have read many articles but still feel that I don't have a handle on this. I try to pace myself but there is always so much to get done. I have no one who can help me so it is up to me. But there has to be something I can do to stop this constant flare that I am living in. I have described it to my daughter a few years ago as living in my own hell that never never stops. I try to exercise with gentle stretches, walking, and small weights but every time I do my pain is so out of control for days that I can't lift my arms or use my hands. I need to find some answers or I will lose my mind.
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88FIn 1969 we decided to get married without a big wedding. Most of our friends and family liked large over the top for the time kind of weddings and I did not. First, I didn't see why spending so much money for one day when we have the rest of our lives to live. I have never regretted not having a big formal wedding. Another issue is not liking all the attention. Also, we have gone to big...
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We're all troubled.WSo, to remind ourselves we're not at rock bottom (this is a reverse optimism thing I learned as a kid):We are not living on the island of Krakatoa when the volcano goes boom!Yeah, okay, that sucks.***Toay in 1942, Pierre Laval announced that the way to free France was for Germany to win WW2. Pierre did not win a lot of friends. When the war ended, quite quickly he was tried...
Time I would love to read it and share thoughts with you. Thanks for the hugs both of you.
I would advise against using any weights unless you don't have pain in those muscles.
Even though you are busy, busy, one of the few things that works for fibro is to tone down all the activities of your life---give your nervous system a lot of R& R. It's hard to do, but worth it. Self care in fibro is talking nice to oneself and slowing down, keeping the muscles as loose as possible. Good luck!
I just bought the book as well and am looking forward to digging in. I may be a bit slow with it since classes just started up again so I will mostly be reading textbooks for the next couple of months. I hope that it is helpful to you. I have only read part of the first chapter so far but it has already helped me understand some of how I am feeling about having fibro at least. Best wishes to you! I hope your appointments go well and that you are able to find some relief :) Hang in there!
What has helped me has been talking to a therapist on a regular basis over the last 5 years. I also have ptsd from my accidents and illnesses, so working through my frustration and someone talking me through the walk of being gentler with myself has really helped me. I looked for a therapist who would be willing to read along with me and who understands fibromyalgia.
I am reading Wired for Healing and it is mind blowing. I keep reading how the medulla in the brain can be "rewired" for healing. It also affects my ptsd and it's where my injuries have been. I also have some OCD so I understand how badly you want to have everything just so. I make deals with myself that I will accept an imperfect house so I have less pain and fatigue. For 3 years I would run run run and bam, hit the wall. I got tired of that because I would be down for almost a week when I did that. It keeps your body in a flare.
ALSO, when you say you are in constant flare, I believe that means your sympathetic nervous system won't shut down. A lot of that can be your mind not shutting down. I used to be up all night and didn't understand. The following has helped me, Acupuncture, epsom salt baths, hot and cold on muscles both for inflammation and arthritis relief, medication like gabapentin, cymbalta, nsaids, pain meds for flares, tizanidine for muscle relaxation, massage, mindful meditation to start my day or when I am stressed out.
The book has an awesome quote that says, "Every cell in your body is eavesdropping on your thoughts". There is research showing that if you change the pathways in your brain, you can turn on the parasympathetic nervous system, thus shutting down the sympathetic. This brings down the ocd AND the flares. It's your nervous system that idles high, and keeps the muscles tense, and the nerves flaring the pain signals.
Do everything you can to take extra care of yourself in these flares. Whatever feels good and works for you. I wish you less pain, fatigue, and peace of mind. xx JP
I remember reading the book "Fibromyalgia for Dummies" back then and it had a section about assembling your health care team. I decided to create a team of multiple specialist to help me manage my illness. As I built my team I used the following practitioners: Integrative Medical Doctor (Regular MD who uses wholistic medicine), Acupuncturist, Neurologist (she diagnosed me), Nutritionist, Massage Therapists, Myofascial Release Therapist, Physical Therapist (Aqua Therapy), and Chiropractor. My integrative doctor is the head of my team and keeps abreast of all of my other practitioners.
Some of things that have been helpful for me are: diet (paleo diet), massage therapy, heated blankets, hot epsom salt soaks, hot tubs, saunas, nutritional supplements such as Vitamin D3, aqua therapy, meditation and visualization (several times a day), pacing, essential oils, medicinal cannabis, and not pushing my self and crashing.
I hope that you can find a helpful regimen soon. Best Wishes to you.