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Readers Respond: Tips for Reducing Fibromyalgia Pain from Clothes

Responses: 211

By , About.com Guide

Updated April 08, 2009

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From the article: How to Dress for Less Pain
I've listed all of my strategies and ideas here -- now it's your turn! What have you discovered that helps you avoid pain caused by clothing? Share your tips here so we can all learn from them. Share What Works for You

clothes

hi everyone i`m new to this site, i have had fybromyaglia for over 18 years now and i am still learning new things all the time. Always try and wear elastic waist bands and loose jumpers, and if you can its really helps just to relax and pamper yourself just for half an hour, works wonders for me.
—sueinpain

Comfy Clothing

I have purchased several pairs of Old Navy Yoga pants. There are no tags and they have a very soft waistband. You can dress them up easily. I even wear them to work.
—Guest Gina

Living with FM

I wear long cotton loungers at home. I also play a game that I pick up 20 things every time I get up. I have a set routine for bedtime, and sleep until I wake with my CPAP for sleep apnea. I am not ashamed to use my handicap parking permit, and the motorized carts at the store. Even doing that, shopping wears me out. It is definitely a huge adjustment.
—Guest Cynthia Fowler

dressing for fibro

I discover genie bras. They are comfortable and do not cut me like other bras. Sport bras without metal zippers are also good.
—Guest Nancy

clothes hurt

Buy all cotton,silk,or flannel. Downy silk touch double the amount it helps.
—Guest bambi

my new uniform ...

... is the Danskin Now racerback sports tank and matching yoga pants, plus a soft-soft-soft cotton or linen button-front shirt -- all one size bigger -- with "light" Jobst graduated compression support socks (need 'em for the dysautonomia/keep down swelling) and Crocs. I have a couple of pairs of real shoes I can wear sometimes when I need more support, but nothing dressy. Around the house, it's soft cotton mightiest or lounge wear or way oversized Ts, usually inside out. I have some huge soft loose men's socks I can wear in bed when it's cold. I dread winter -- I have a really soft zip front fleece jacket and a soft puffy zip front quilted parka, but even they tend to press on the back of my neck -- I had to get rid of more shirts and sweaters and coats!!
—Guest Ginny

If you must wear hose

Try maternity hoses. They are much more comfortable with their large-not-too-tight waist band and often last longer than regular hose. Thanks for your site!
—Pamelajkent

Comfortable Clothing

I am so thrilled to have found the clothing part of FMS/CFS. I wear pajama jeans; I cut off the string tie as it cut into my stomach too much when sitting, inserted cut to fit 1" elastic. Also am going to try the Genie Bras when I can afford them sounds heavenly. I bought a pair of Walmart's Sketchers, the kind with the arched arch and they make walking great...help with my replaced knees and bad hips..Im 69 yo. I wear a size larger in my Hanes cloth covered elastic underpants. I also buy the Pajama jeans in a size larger than I "used to wear"... I like loose long skirts with elastic waists, soft tees and loose knit blouses; prefer cotton so my body can breath in most of all of my clothes. Wear Cuddle Camis...they are so comfortable under tees and blouses. Love my silk long handles, got from AZ Cabelas sold cheap because it was Summer there =) Use Olay Body wash to help with super dry skin, during Summer doesn't cause me to sweat, use Vaseline Aloe lotion for all over body.
—Guest his1sparrow

hopefully helpful

I have just descovered the "genie " bra and so far so good. I am overweight, but working on it, so I have a hard time with my bra's rolling, but with this bra it is not really a problem !!!! I am 42 years old and basically live in men's t-shirts and sweats or knit pants. Nothing the least bit tight across my stomache !!!! For me it is a learn as you go kindof a thing !!! Beast of luck !!!
—missyrene18

A mother and daughter Fibro-thingy

Thankyou all for all the help. I've made many note. I came looking to help with my mother's clothing needs, and in reading realized I'd already travelled exactly this same path, making these exact changes and choices over time since I was a teenager... now, I'm and Aarp member. As for my mother, she still struggles with the fashion identification aspect, buying more mainstream off the rack, maybe trying to make the impossible work. This gives me two hundred vioces to share back to her about this journey. By the way, my first uniform was six identical pairs of very soft corderoy overalls, unitards and big loose cotten shirts. Like I've heard before... you do what you must. Looking back, how I was recieved sure separated the posers from the people I really wanted to know anyway. The clothes were like a perfect social filter. Funny were you find a silver lining. Hmmmm. GO FORTH, SMILING SWEETLY.
—Guest suzanne

add modal to the list!

Modal is a super soft fabric that is made from beech tree bark. I have a dress, some pajamas and sheets made of this, best thing since sliced bread.
—Guest atoro

comfy under wear.

l wear my knickers inside out so that the seams don't rub so much. l also wear a nice chemise instead of a bra.
—Guest Margaret Bird

Correction on name of bra company

I wrote a note above about a comfortable bra. I said it was made by Dream Works. The correct place to go is www.dreamproducts.com.
—Guest Judith

Hawai'ian shifts are perfect

I lived in Hawai'i for 25 years and every woman wears these wonderful comfortable shifts...not the muu-muu, but dresses that fit the bust and hips and leave the waist alone. Very sharp looking for business wear or casual. Reyn's, Tommy Bahamas, Kahala all make these Hawai'ian shifts. Plus the lady who promoted www.womanwithin.com site is GREAT! UNDERSTANDING WOMEN ONLINE ADVISORS!! We need to support each other while we get "support" with the right support bras. (Okay, bad pun!) I just had a core biopsy for abnormal mammogram and now need a lumpectomy...and with FMS it's a bitch! (Sorry Ladies...) I wear nothing but satin, cotton against skin. Surgical scrub bottoms and tops work very well and are cheap. No-iron, drawstring waists, comfortable tops.
—Nuschlerwill

clothing/bras that work

I have found a wonderful company that seems perfect for our clothing problems; Decent Exposures. www.decentexposures.com they will do their best to make the clothing to fit your natural body and look good too. Their bras are a blessing! They will take your special needs into account when making them. I just love this company!
—Guest Sarah

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Tips for Reducing Fibromyalgia Pain from Clothes

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