From the article: How to Dress for Less Fibromyalgia 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
Thank You !!!!!
- thanks to all of you who have shared. I have been having increasing trouble with clothes, especially bras and pants that make my stomach and chest/ribs hurt so bad. I thought i was just weird.......even being diagnosed with Lyme, I didn't put it together, even though FM and Lyme can have all the same symptoms. I feel so much better mentally, just knowing that I'm not the only one out here that can't stand to wear most of the clothing that is in the stores. Thank you again, from the bottom of my heart for all your suggestions and for sharing your pain.
- —Guest Achy Wakey
clothing hurts
- People thought I was crazy for years even before I was diagnosed& knew anything about fibromyalgia. I went braless for years. When I was working wearing scrubs plus the bra plus the shoes on concrete floors all day. I literally would be stripping on my way home. Shoes& socks first then the bra& Upon entry of my door the rest was peeled off. I've worn my socks wrong side out for ever even the grain of them felt like I wore steel screens. Sweat pants were comfortable if wrong side out. Today I'm on disability wearing the softest knit clothing I can find wrong side out. If I go out or run to store I am changing clothes often during the day. Not even the slightest wrinkle can I stand. It feels like a days work just trying to settle into bed without feeling I'm sleeping on rocks twigs.
- —Guest cherie dotson
ms
- I have suffered from fibromyalgia for 20 years and recently changed my bed from a latex one to a pocket spring with memory foam. I have found this completely uncomfortable and unsatisfactory, although a 2" memory foam topper has helped to some extent. The base of the bed is solid, not sprung, which was a mistake! I have had hip/back pain since buying it and the shop will only change it for another bed after 40 days but sadly none of the beds offered are suitable and I cannot exchange for anything else, i.e. furniture. You must look into the terms of exchange when you buy and the possibilty that the store will not have a suitable bed. I will now be forced to sell the bed at a loss privately. I intend now to buy a memory foam mattress.
- —Guest rosina
comfortable clothing
- I also wear pajama pants when I am at home with a soft cotton t shirt. I tend to go to the men's department for the shirts cuz they are more roomy. I am coming to realize that I am not the only one who can't stand a bra. I will have to try the genie bra. I am also type 2 diabetic and can't stand socks but doc said no bare feet. I found these slipper socks at walmart that are like the spa socks but have a firmer bottom that I love. I have found a lot of great ideas on this website.
- —Guest elmomom
No males???
- Can't see many males with this problem. I have this burning kind of pain where the clothes touch the sensitive are - 70% of the body. Have tried different fabrics, makes. Even being without clothes doesn't help as the the air brushing against the skin or my own skin brushing against skin causes immense pain and misery.Can't stay without socks, but can't be comfortable in them. Same with jumpers and trousers and pyjamas. Have tied merino wool, cashmere, plain cotton to no avail. Synthetics cause more harm than good.
- —turbovin13
RSD, CRPS & Fibromyalgia
- Developed RSD,CRPS in 2004 from a fall. I am convinced that the pain is akin the pain to Fibro. Unfortunately I get illtte sleep. Usually no more than 4 hours at one time at night, in which morning is extremely uncomfortable with pain, and an occasional 1 to 2 hour nap after meds at noon. My meds are Neurontin, Methadone and Celexa, Somewhat sop for pain from what I read. I dose at 6am,12pm and 6pm. I was on too much Methadone, I feel anyway. I would just pass out while standing, and was hurt more than once. I decided to decrease it and while pain increased, I stopped falling. Currently I am reducing again but have been very uncomfortable as my legs ache constantly.
- —Guest mQOZJBHZqjgFkerCEM
OUCH
- I buy the pure cotton camis at the Gap and "Boobies" stick ons to wear underneath for modesty. In the winter this works underneath a long tee with cotton leggings and a tunic for going out. For dress up, I have used the Brallelujah by Spanx but would recommend buying a size larger than normal. I had my long hair cut in a cute wash and dry shorter style that doesn't take too much work!
- —carogirl1122
Reminding myself I REALLY am sick
- I started looking through articles today for about the umpteenth time to see if I can improve my energy. What is it about this illness that I have to remind myself--yeah, you are sick? As I read through various articles, I am reminded again that I share this illness with others: we have the same symptoms. Why should I feel guilty about something I cannot help? By the way, right now, I am sitting in my recliner at 1 pm, wearing pajamas and a robe. It is good to be reminded that it is OK to be comfortable, that it is OK to wear pajamas, especially when I feel too tired to get a shower right now. Eventually, I will drag myself in there, but I am going to relish my guilt-free moment. Thank you fellow FM and CFS suffers for reminding me I am not alone.
- —Guest Deb
Guest
- I thought it was just me with the bra issue, I stopped wearing bras a couple of years ago, but because I am well endowed everything was going east, south, west, then I found the Genie bra advert on TV so I bought a pack and they are fantastic. I also keep getting tummy ache and constipation. I cannot travel very far, even as a passenger, if I do the next day I am shattered, it makes me feel like a real wooze. This site has made me feel better. Gentle Hugs
- —Guest Daisy
Socks!
- Aside from bras my worst culprit was always the socks, so I found a good, cheap brand of slipper socks that are the right length for me. I bought them in every color I could find and I practically live in them. I happen to also have raynaud's syndrome, so the extra warmth of slipper sock combined with the comfort kills two birds with one stone!
- —Guest Lorna
Fibro painand clothing
- I too, love pajamma jeans! Don't wear a bra, but have several cammisoles I got for less than 6 bucks each, from Big Lots. I have several lose knit dresses that are just "shifts" and I wear soft knit leggings, bought in a larger size, so as to not irritate my waist. Since shoes hurt and so does walking without them, I got slipper like boots and use gel inserts. I keep my long hair braided or in a soft bun, because my hair moving around causes pain. Can't pull it in a pony tail, for the same reason.
- —Guest Robbie
Shoes & Waist Problems
- Thanks for all your suggestions above! I haven't noticed anyone recommending Merrell shoes, but they are my lifesavers. They come with a "Q" factor, meaning they are designed for the way women walk, and are based on the fact that our pelvis is different from a man's, so our gait is too. They have cushioning in all the right places and come fleece-lined for winter as well as mesh for summer. I might as well chuck out all my other brands except for some Keens. I've experienced the waist and chest binding problem for ages and couldn't figure out any reasons for that. I do buy only bikini underpants in cotton with soft edges and loose elastic in a size larger than I need. I sometimes have to wear a back support when all my back muscles feel like they are collapsing or I've pulled a muscle. I just discovered Maidenform Flexees "waist nippers" that I can adjust up or down in my midsection for support -- stretchy with stretch lace panel and much softer than a back brace.
- —Guest Beachy Woman
Throw Away Spandex Tank Slimmers!
- I bought those spaghetti strap tank tops with the stretchy (yet fitted) material that is meant to smooth out your muffin top, tummy, etc., so your T shirts, etc., look better. Well, I thought I was crazy, but I started getting the WORST pain on my left side. It feels like a runner's cramp, only higher up my spine, toward the left center. Ladies, if you're wearing these, pitch them or only wear them if you're going out for a few hours. I'm not THAT overweight & I bought the correct size, so I know it's "the squeeze" that is putting undo pressure on my nerves & spine. Has anyone else had this experience? Maybe it is just me....Idk?
- —Guest Hurdy Likhell
Let's all join a nudist camp!
- My daughter makes fun of me because I look like I'm having a seizure sometimes; neck scrunching, arms flapping, shrugs and grimacing. She says I'm not comfortable in my own skin. But it's my clothes. And you all know what I mean! I only wear a bra when I go out and it's all I can do to get home before ripping it off. Things are better around home, I go for "house dresses", and long ago gave up caring how I looked on my infrequent trips outside. Because getting clothes on with numb, weak hands and arms I never use buttons or zippers. Pull overs with generous necks work best. Unlike my other FM pains this is more of an acute discomfort or hypersensitivity issue. I wish I had better advice. In the end we all manage to put up with it .... sometimes.
- —JanDeer
flannel
- This is right up my alley. I wear flannel sleep pants with a drawstring waist, and 100% cotton tees (usually FTL whites). In summer it's unlined basketball shorts and tees. shoeless when possible, yet I have Type II DB so my feet hurt and get severely calloused and cracked. So, it's dearfoam house slippers and white ankle socks. That's it, no options - jeans/slacks and dress clothes are worn only when I have on 100%cotton undergarments to keep the cloth from rubbing against my torso. I've alsoo spent tons of time and $ on what I sleep in/on b/c of FMS.
- —Guest mandkowens
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