Have you ever gotten a gift that you couldn't use because of your fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome? I get these all the time -- mostly body washes that give me a rash or have headache-inducing fragrances. I've also had event tickets go to waste because of a flare, or gotten foods that I can't eat because of my gluten sensitivity. Some gifts might even be offensive, if, for example, someone who hounds you to "exercise more" gives you a Pilates DVD.
It's a difficult position for our friends and family to be in, because they obviously care about us and would like to give us something we'll use or enjoy. We're a tough bunch to buy for, though, with all of our odd symptoms and sensitivities. To help both us and those buying for us, I've put together a holiday gift guide:
I hope this helps the people in our lives choose gifts that reflect their true intentions.
I also have to take this opportunity to remind you that your holidays will be a lot more manageable if you start planning now. Here's how:
What's the best gift you've gotten since you've been sick? What's the worst? Has anyone given you something that hurt your feelings or made you angry? Leave your comments below!
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- Living With Someone Who Has Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- A Simple Explanation of Fibromyalgia
- A Simple Explanation of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
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Salt bar deoderant and exfoliating glove and a purple hard plastic glass turtle back rub but most of all an electric toothbrush.
Stuff I liked: fuzzy socks- they are not too tight on my skin and help keep my feet warm.
Foot spa- pain in the butt to set up but works great on feet that just won’t warm up.
Bathrobe- who doesn’t like a big fuzzy bathrobe?
Believe it or not- a Tai Chi DVD! It is a beginner one and I bought it for myself on Amazon. It’s not painful like “real” exercise because you do stuff in slow motion. After you get your bod moving again, then it is easier to move on to something a little more active.
Fruit baskets!- good for you and usually 100% edible.
Notebooks, pens, stationary, journal, etc. Also “all occasion” card collections- we like to send out cards but it is hard to remember or have the energy to go to the store for a greeting card.
A pillow, rug, table cloth, curtains, something to liven up our surroundings and make a little change. Some of us are stuck looking at the same four walls for days or weeks at a time! No knick-knacks though- more work to dust.
Maid service! I wish someone would give me maid service for a day. Imagine a group of workers coming in and giving your place a DEEP clean, all that Spring cleaning that you haven’t been able to do.. That would be my most favorite gift.
I love getting warm fuzzy throw blankets, you can never have enough!
One Christmas shortly after I was dx w/Fibro, I had gained some weight due to inactivity from flare and meds. My dad and stepmother gave me a scale that measures body fat!
For my b-day this year, my fiance bought me a 1 hour massage at the hotel we stayed at. I was still under the assumption that deep tissue massages were good for me. I left that spa with one of the worst flare ups I can remember. The whole day afterwords was a blur. I now have my massage therapist only do light massages.
I’d say the best gift I’d received is simply when my fiance will take over certain chores of mine and tells me to just rest. I really don’t need anything fancy, just to have someone make sure I’m pacing myself.
One of the best gifts I’ve received is the support and understanding from friends and family. They encourage me to take care of myself (ie: pacing, sleeping enough, eating right) and reassure me that I’m sick, not lazy. I haven’t gotten, but would LOVE, the gift of a housekeeper every once in a while. That would be heaven.
I would love pre-cooked healthy meals delivered to my home, heck i would love to pick them up even…
My favorite gift to receive is a gift card to my favorite restaurants or to one of the stores I order from online.
I tell all my grown kids which ones I like and they give me gift cards for Christmas, mother’s day and my birtday. This works really well for me.
For Sue…call Schwans and see if they deliver in your area. The food is good, including a “Livesmart” secdion. It’s frozen, has less sodium than store bought frozen meals and deliveries are every 2 weeks. Using this service has made my life so much easier. Because I’m eating better I’m also steadily losing weight. The # is 888 724-9267.
I have been to the center in PA and i have meet the dotor G and he told me things that i already knew about my condition that no one else would have known but god. he gave me a plan that he wants me to do and i agree. But since that visit i have made several attempts to get the help even through other doctors and i cant understand why no one has contacted me back so i can start my treatments, and the sad part is i believe that thy can help me for many years i have been searching for the answer and the doctor that would believe me and he did. Dr. G believed in me and i just cried inside, now i need the help. I don’t wont to go to anymore doctors who says its in my head or i’m making it up. So much of my life has changed for the worse because of this disease. its time for me to speak out.
The best thing I have been given is a handmade beanie made of the softest wool..not fluffy and no bits to fly around… it has become almost my best friend