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 would like to know how to deal with Fibromyalgia flares. I seem to have distinct flares, that manifest themselves as severe pain and heaviness in joints, severe exhaustion, burning eyes, and generally being uncomfortable to the point of not even being able to watch TV or read. I do not always know what will cause a flare, but so far it's things like stress, disrupted sleep, and most recently : extensive dental work. I had a rootcanal AND a flu shot in the same week, and was out of commision for 3 days.
My flares have lasted anywhere from 1 to 14 days, but more common is 2-3 days, sometimes up to 4 times per month. I just hate them! It makes it so difficult to plan things!
My flares have lasted anywhere from 1 to 14 days, but more common is 2-3 days, sometimes up to 4 times per month. I just hate them! It makes it so difficult to plan things!
I just got over a 2 week long stressful time and flare - I was moving and me and my dad both have fibro and so having two people with fibro move an entire apartment is just a bad idea. Then some really bad things happened at my new living space causing lots of stress and I had to deal with that. I spent a week after that just not doing much then on Monday I said "okay, time to try to work out again" and went for the gym and have been feeling much better. I had to really force myself to go, I didn't want to because I was in pain but for me, if I do the right kind of exercise then my natural endorphins start going and I feel amazing. I've also been using the sauna at my gym so next time I have a bad flare I am going to try sitting for 30 minutes in the sauna and see if it helps since I love heat.
I try to do things where I don't think about anything. Lately I have been trying to meditate and as crazy as it sounds, it is helping me. I also have PTSD so it's hard for me to "forget" about things, and that causes my fibro to go nuts. I have to keep my mental health in check or my physical health will go sour and vice versa.
In the past I felt like I was flared up for days and months. But now that I have found "manageable" it seems like babying myself for a day or however long I need, and then convincing myself to work out (it takes a lot of convincing sometimes) really helps.
If you're unable to work out, then obviously my way of dealing with things isn't very useful. I try to get a massage or see my physical therapist as well as sometimes I will try a new vitamin or supplement and see if it helps (I've been taking Royal Jelly for the past couple of days, and I guess its too soon to say if its working but I have noticed a reduction in inflammation and my nerves don't feel so painful... it's not technically vegan since it's made with honey and I hope no bees are harmed, no one tell me if they are because this might be helping me. I also started taking hops for when I'm super anxious and don't want to take a xanax)
Mizroze
I remember in my earlier days how I would make a list of all that needed to be done and then cross off everything that wasn't absolutely necessary. I had kids so there was just no getting out of a lot of it, but every chance you get, lie down.
While you're lying there, doing nothing, take a minute to review what just happened. What happened the last time you flared? What happened in between.
Try to analyse triggers, or stressors that you may have missed before. Find ways to eliminate or get around the things that make you flare.
Delegate what you can't delete.
If you're not practicing any exercise program, pick one and commit. Start slow - really slow - and build with care. On the worst days just do breathing exercises. Just get into the habit of doing something.
Yoga and tai chi not only tones us and keeps our blood flowing, but with regular practice it will bring you better balance and peace of mind.
Don't be the victim of your flares. Take control. You are in charge of your own health care.
Gentle Hugs and Prayers for you!
I usually build up to 15-20 mins on the elliptical, every other day. Also, yoga stretches, sun salutations. Walking the dog is not that much exercise, because of all the sniffing and stopping to pee! It is good to go outside, even when it gets cold outside( I mean really cold, this is Canada)!
Fortunatlly, I am still able to work. I teach second grade. I drag through each day and crash when I get home EVERY NIGHT. I drag myself to work and start it over again. I will crash the entire weekend and start it all over again.
I do obviously have problems with dealing with flares. I try my best and try to pace myself. I am a single mom with no extended family support system. (My family lives 500 miles away.) Now that my boys are older and teenagers they can help out more but it is still means a lot of work for me. If any of you find a fix it please share with us. I really need some help too.
I have my horses at home and taking care of them keeps my mind off the pain. Horses are my passion!
I also rest a lot and am very body aware, that is, I listen to my body and its reactions to situations. This helps me to see things and accept them before they can cause me stress.