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.
After being diagnosed with FM, I realized that some things in my everyday life would have to change. It's been hard being sick, not working, not sleeping well, and never knowing how long your "good days" will last! I'm NOT a Martha Stewart type of person, but...I love cooking from scratch, have a clean house, cheerful interior, and absolutely, need my hair to look good!
So....how can I pull this off, while taking care of my ( 50 year young) broken FM body??? Here are my changes, or tips, that worked for me. I'd love to hear what works for you!
Cooking shortcuts:
I purchased a "hot water on demand`` appliance, wow, it`s great for quick green tea, hot chocolate, instant cereal. It sits on the counter, like a big Thermos, and I refresh the water once a day. The whole family loves it!
I keep chopped onion, garlic, ginger in ziplock bags in the freezer, re-stock on my good days, works well! Throw some in the pan with your frozen chicken or veggies.
On weekends, make ( or get someone to make it) a "sandwich platter" if there's lots of young people around, who will want to eat at odd hours, and MESS UP the kitchen! A large platter with cut-up sandwiches, pickles, cheese, cut up oranges, keep in the fridge. Now all can serve themselves, use a napkin, no dishes! I make enough to last 2 days.
Stock your pantry with nutritious," quick meal" ingredients: canned beans, minute rice, frozen chickenbreast, frozen fruit ( this is my favorite) etc...
Lower your expectations! But, don't call it that...just say...ummm...health concious! For supper, do you REALLY need more than chicken breast, piece of fish, and salad, and some whole wheat bread for hungry folks????
Cleaning:
Cleaning wipes! Totally into those! I used to be extremely environmentally concerned, still am, I recycle or reduce the container. I keep wipes in every bathroom, and get everyone to wipe out dirt before it becomes a big mess!
Overall, reduce clutter. Makes your house look cleaner, I swear, and less to dust!
Beauty maintenance: get a haircut that looks good when "messed up", and get hair colour fairly close to your own colour, so you can go longer between appointments. But, do NOT scrimp here, invest in a good cut every 6 -8 weeks, because you look in the mirror every day, right?
Train your family! Sure, I can say that....it's a work in progress at my house! If they complain, tall them to assume that you are ALWAYS to tired/in too much pain to do something, and surprisingly, they'll find other solutions! This way, if I do have the energy to go for coffee with them, they are VERY appreciative!
Ok, the above are some of my best plans, but as we all know, plans and real life do not always work out.
I have FM with severe CF....and I still want to have a life!
Hugs, from Scoot.
So....how can I pull this off, while taking care of my ( 50 year young) broken FM body??? Here are my changes, or tips, that worked for me. I'd love to hear what works for you!
Cooking shortcuts:
I purchased a "hot water on demand`` appliance, wow, it`s great for quick green tea, hot chocolate, instant cereal. It sits on the counter, like a big Thermos, and I refresh the water once a day. The whole family loves it!
I keep chopped onion, garlic, ginger in ziplock bags in the freezer, re-stock on my good days, works well! Throw some in the pan with your frozen chicken or veggies.
On weekends, make ( or get someone to make it) a "sandwich platter" if there's lots of young people around, who will want to eat at odd hours, and MESS UP the kitchen! A large platter with cut-up sandwiches, pickles, cheese, cut up oranges, keep in the fridge. Now all can serve themselves, use a napkin, no dishes! I make enough to last 2 days.
Stock your pantry with nutritious," quick meal" ingredients: canned beans, minute rice, frozen chickenbreast, frozen fruit ( this is my favorite) etc...
Lower your expectations! But, don't call it that...just say...ummm...health concious! For supper, do you REALLY need more than chicken breast, piece of fish, and salad, and some whole wheat bread for hungry folks????
Cleaning:
Cleaning wipes! Totally into those! I used to be extremely environmentally concerned, still am, I recycle or reduce the container. I keep wipes in every bathroom, and get everyone to wipe out dirt before it becomes a big mess!
Overall, reduce clutter. Makes your house look cleaner, I swear, and less to dust!
Beauty maintenance: get a haircut that looks good when "messed up", and get hair colour fairly close to your own colour, so you can go longer between appointments. But, do NOT scrimp here, invest in a good cut every 6 -8 weeks, because you look in the mirror every day, right?
Train your family! Sure, I can say that....it's a work in progress at my house! If they complain, tall them to assume that you are ALWAYS to tired/in too much pain to do something, and surprisingly, they'll find other solutions! This way, if I do have the energy to go for coffee with them, they are VERY appreciative!
Ok, the above are some of my best plans, but as we all know, plans and real life do not always work out.
I have FM with severe CF....and I still want to have a life!
Hugs, from Scoot.
I love my slow cooker - many nights I'll do hot cereal overnight, and it's ready when I get up and my hands are too stiff & sore to work well.
At night I put out clothes to wear the next day - so I don't even have to think about it in the morning.
And yes, and wash-n-go haircut is a must!
Thanks for reminding me I can still have a life =)