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
guestsharon71
- so this is why i can't wear necklaces that are moderate to heavy. they give me a severe headache within minutes.
- —Guest Sharon
I totally get it!!
- I've only recently been diagnosed but I absolutely understand everything you have said! For years, when I've come in from work I've gone straight for the nightwear! I can't have anything tight round my wrists, ankles or waist, and absolutely cannot stand anything round my neck. I've recently bought a couple of pairs of all in one fleece pyjamas (just like big babygros!) and they are absolutely fantastic, so comfortable, soft and warm. I'd definitely recommend them.
- —Guest Bunchkin
warm overalls
- I found a pattern for overalls that have no fasteners at the sides like purchased ones often do. I make them of soft fabrics, and living in Seattle, I will soon sew some with a flannel lining. My summer ones are flowered and I have received many compliments on them. If you put a sanitary pad in them you don't need underwear! The pattern is Kwik Sew #3270.
- —Guest Carolyn
Strapless gathered tube dress
- I am uncomfortable wearing clothing esp in hot weather. For aI made myself some "tube dresses" with looser elastic holding it on top...no sleeves, no elastic anywhere but under my arms. Covers everything important, no underclothing needed, gathered on top so modest, made of cotton (cotton sheets are easy to convert into these dresses). I also rip out back of neck tags, can't wear turtlenecks or any clothing that presses against the front of my neck (give me migraines), and cannot wear any kind of slacks, even the stretchy kind. Outside the house, I enjoy medical support panty hose but getting them on is the tricky part. I have added built in bras made from doubled T-shirt material and light elastic attached on side seams of the front of T-shirts I wear to avoid wearing bras. I wear loosely elasticized skirts with the T-shirts. In cooler weather, I wear blouses with a couple sleeveless T-shirts underneath.
- —Guest susanja
We are not crazy ladies
- I made my husband read these responses, because the moment I walk into my house my bra gets flung to the nearest chair, counter, floor, and I sigh with relief! I also just want to be naked or wearing something airy and cotton. Fibromyalgia is difficult on so many levels. Very few people can understand what life is like when you suffer unbearable pain. Good luck to all!
- —moominmom
Clothing touching my neck
- i haven't been diagnosed, but i haven't been able to wear anything that touches my neck. It makes my skin feel like it is badly sunburned and can send me right through the roof it bothers me so bad. The dermatologist I went to a while back said it was something that had to do with the sun. But reading all of these entries makes me think he was wrong. I don't really have any problems other than my neck and also my heat regulator seems to be broke. It feels like terrible hot flashes with some pins and needles or electric shocks going thru my body. Have problems sleeping at night because of it. I can only wear v-neck tops or something that doesn't come close to the neck area. If this is what I have, I hate it!
- —Guest lori2836
overalls, overalls, overalls!
- around the house, I usally wear lounge bra, soft tee shirt and a pair of overalls. I agree...it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks...it's a shame people judge sooo much on what someone's wearing. While I'm wearing my 'uniform' I just keep thinking 'relax, relax, relax'. Thanks for letting me know that I'm not alone with the problem of my clothes hurting me!
- —Guest deb
sue
- Hi I find a really soft thin t shirt works for me as bras are so painful I can only wear one for ten minutesor less!!. I keep a cardigan handy so if anyone comes to the door I can cover up and they cannot see my droopy boobs lol. Also a padded gillet ( sleeveless jacket) i think in the uS they are called a vest jacket, is also good as you cannot tell if you have not got the bra on or not. handy for popping outside in. I also have about ten zip front dressing gowns which I wash and wear round the house and sleep in as they are warm and sometimesI cannot bear weight of sheets/duvet etc on me. So glad I found your site...ooh to be amongst those who understand instead of those who disapprove. Wonderful. Best wishes to you all.
- —Guest suejay
Works for me
- My abnormal pain occurs along my spine, top or bottom. I avoid clothes with wastebands or tightness around my ribcage. I cannot wear necklaces for more than a couple hours, I remove all tags from clothing, shirts and pants and skirts. Sometimes, using a lumbar support helps by providing constant pressure to the entire area, rather than a small area from my clothing. I have suffered from this all my life and even my son, now 15 years old, threw a fit if I did not remove the tags from all of his shirts.
- —SEvans0531
do what you need to do ...for you!
- Wow, so much helpful info. I've had fibro and cfs for 15 yrs now. Haven't been able to wear a bra or any binding clothes for the last 6 yrs. The softer I can get my clothes the better, and only slip on shoes. I wear camisoles and layer upon layer over it. Hot and cold symptoms year round. I still work 5 days a week because of a family business. No husband to help with bills and living expenses but you gotta do what you gotta do. I know 10 people in my small community with fibro and all of us are in different stages. We all have agreed to not give a damn what people think we should dress like, more important to feel the best we can whatever it takes. Take care of yourselves!
- —hurtininvt
I've found unitards work.
- I wear unitards for underwear. It's worked (knock on wood) for a long time now for me. I got mine (I'm really not trying to promote, don't spam me!) from http://www.dashsportswear.com/ and I really like them. Still working on what to do about bra's. (I'm down to one nice feeling one)
- —Guest Lois
Can't carry a purse or wear a bra
- Since I can't carry my purse on my shoulder, it was the first thing I taught my service dog to do. Taking that weight off of my shoulders has been a GOdsend and the dog is a great medication. as for the no bra look, I wear a cotton sleeveless tee, and layer chiffon like tops over them, with sweatshirt shaped tops that are loose. The yoga pants are a great help and flip flops or Tom's shoes. At home i live in one of my eight fleece bathrobes and vistoria secret bikini string panties. My husband is cool with it although I cringe when he says I look sexy without clothes on....LOL.
- —Guest Mary
Versatile Pants
- I use yoga pants with the foldover waist. I undo the foldover and wear a dressy t-shirt wth it. (i.e. not crew neck work tee's). I can add an overshirt or blazer with certain tolerable jewelry pieces and look quite dressy. I can also leave it as is and go through the day - and often sleep in them. My problem is in finding long dresses these days. I had some in t-shirt material, and then gained weight. Now short dresses are all I can find (ick-I'm 54).
- —Guest Scribelle
Tops for Fibro
- I like to buy tank tops with the bra built inside. They seem to be more comfortable than a bra.
- —Guest Cheri
Clothing
- I did for along time think I was growing again and at the age of 40 no doubt, but after reain this about fibromyalgia and the clothing I no I'm nogowng aymore itis certain things that hurt to wear like a bra, I feel as if the dang thing is abusing me but now I know what it is and I am not going CRAZY !!!! LOL LOL Thank you to all who wrote abot the clothing and other affects ithelped me understand alot more and heled my research cause I'm the one wh has the fibromyalgia, got told of this a week ago. I hope to find out more about certain a different things that will ease mypain a little in the future thanks to others whom have the same discomfot or did have like myself. Please feel free to send me anything you think will help me in the future, it will be greatly appreciated.
- —MichelleLSherman
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