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.

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Muscles & Bones
/ Fibromyalgia Support Group

Physical activity

littlemart
littlemart
First of all I have several illnesses that could cause pain. So I might be barking up the wrong tree but I don't think so. I see several specialists in different fields and they all say "well, the Fibro could be causing this pain and that pain". You get the picture.

What I want to know is if you all feel instant pain when you do a little bit of work that uses muscles and movement. Such as raking the yard, lifting anything more than five pounds etc. I just raked 2 little piles of grass clippings and was immediately in pain around my back, shoulders and chest.

I've dealt with MS and Fibro for years so I know what pain is. Just not sure where it's coming from. I'm almost 65 so I understand that things are changing. But I keep thinking I should be able to do a little work!! I feel like such a quitter. I keep hearing that we need to be active... get a little exercise. This is good for the MS and the Fibro. But I honestly cannot overextend myself even a little.

So, are you able to do chores at all??
megsmom8816
megsmom8816
I have not yet been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. I have degenerative disks, but I have constant pain everywhere....legs, shoulders, headaches, back, hips, etc. I have it as soon as I do anything too. I start to hurt the minute I fold clothes. That hurts my shoulders. If I walk up stairs, my thighs burn. I am 51, and this has been going on for about 10 years and continues to get worse. My doctor tries to tell me that people get diagnosed with Fibro when they don't know what else to tell patients. That is so frustrating to me!
Fantod
Fantod
I have Fibromyalgia, Degenerative Disc Disease,with stenosis and severe Osteoarthritis.

Repetitive motion is not my friend. Before I start anything repetitive or mildly rigorous, I apply Arnica Gel to the areas most likely to be affected. I take frequent breaks, change up how I am moving and generally try to respect my limits.

No one who tries to accomplish a task is a quitter in my book. I try to be grateful for anything that I get done. Doesn't matter if it was only emptying the dishwasher. The fact that you tried/did it is what counts. Take care.
Fantod
Fantod
BTW staying active to some degree with Fibromyalgia is far better than doing nothing even when it hurts. I try to focus on the task at hand and not on how I am feeling. Usually, once I get started, I feel somewhat better. Take care.
trainerjill
trainerjill
My problem is always overdoing it. I need to find a new normal for how much I can do. I am a personal trainer so my daily life is very active, but I take regular breaks and I pay attention to what is going to make me worse in the long run. My own workouts are very short and focus on either whole body (more bang for my buck) or on stretching/yoga things. My goal is to stay at a 2 or 3 on a 0 to 10 pain scale. I'm supposed to remember to take meds if I get to a 5 as I can go from a 5 to an 8 very quickly :( I also have osteoarthritis in places and osteopenia in my cervical spine. There are things I can't do because of these problems that have nothing to do with my fibro. I am supposed to be learning how to tell the difference.
karensmuzk
karensmuzk
I'm 58 and have had fibro for many years. I've had to come to terms that I either had to change how I did an activity or not do it at all. I use to walk 1 mile daily but injured my knee and can't do my walks now. I have felt the effects now and my general pain has increased. I feel the more active you can be the better it is mentally and physically but you have to know your limits.
puppymom06
puppymom06
I am 38 and all of these problems began shortly after I turned 30. I have a "very high" tolerance for pain, probably because of a family history of severe migraines which has left me with 2-3 a week since I was 15. I mention that because the model I was shown growing up was that you "go" until you collapse, regardless of how you feel. This is not a good model to follow!

During my education I learned about "kerchunking" as a method of stress management. In other words, divide a big task into multiple "kerchunks" to get it done. Each chunk is a step, every step counts. I find it works with physical activity as well, although I find when I get "warmed up" it is easy to keep going an overdo it!
lalab707
lalab707
Post too close to home! Lately depressed due to lack of ability to keep up. I feel good if I get the kitchen cleaned. No amount of pacing helps pain and fatigue are always there, so everything I do is forced.

I still work to be positive and tell myself tomorrow will be better. I am 64 not sure if year's of pain or multiple health issues have come to have.

I am working on simplifying my life and still try to get some good belly laughs each day. No matter how small find something to do for just me.

My body is not playing fair but then life is not fair.....so is life fair? But forward I must go so I still wake up and write down three things to happy about. It does help my outlook.

laurab
megsmom8816
megsmom8816
I love your attitude lalab....what else can we do but play the hands we are dealt. Life isn't fair....but I always remind myself I could be worse.
marsharebel
marsharebel
I refer to that kind of exhaustion as feeling like I climb out of the Grand Canyon every day, with no hope that I will ever get to the top.

I hope everybody realizes that what we endure is nothing less than torture. And people question our illness. Hummph.
trainerjill
trainerjill
I had my kids before I had fibro so I wasn't trying to do it 'all' at once, but I did learn a nice trick I use now. My rule is 'I do what I can, I start with what is most important to ME, and whatever I don't get done... tough' So if I think 'I need to do a load of laundry and dust the LR' and_I_ think the laundry is more important, that is where I start. If that wipes me out and I don't get to dusting... tough. Anyone who complains, I hand them the dust rag.
larks
larks
Yes, any kind of repetitive motion like raking, painting, etc. will send me into a flare up. I can feel my muscles are instantly sore. The weather too affects me when it is damp especially. I am 48 and still have a lot of energy if I get a goodnight sleep, but just do not have the stamina to get it all done anymore. It is so frustrating because my mind is saying yes but my body is saying no!
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