From the article: Develop Coping Skills for Living With Fibromyalgia
It's hard to stay optimistic or hopeful when you have unrelenting pain or fatigue from fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome. What coping skills have helped you keep a positive outlook? Share your experiences so we can all learn from them. Share What Works!
A higher power exercise and a good doc
- It was hard at first with not finding a doctor that could help me. I keep telling my parents my sons father I hurt all over I can't sleep etc. my mom and bf understood to an extent my father actually told me to stop complaining I found a great dr i take lyrica it helps with fatigue flexeril for cramps and sometimes loritab when Advil doesn't work for joint pain. My doctor trust me and I him. I Also have a higher power I call god who Is my life line I know what doesn't kill me makes me stronger. I didn't exercise much at first becuz I have 4 college classes and a16 month old to handle plus keep a clean house on top of having fibro but I push thru I have to so I don't get depressed. I now exercise and stretch 3 timed a week I will do a hard work out even if ur hurts but it helps me sleep and I feel detoxes me and makes my body take in extra oxygen! It really works I also make gratitude list and say self affirmations! Love to all who understand!!
- —Guest Morgie
Prioritize and say no
- Things are always going to come up - small or large - to catch us off guard. But if we know our priorities then we can right away know what we can drop or put on hold if need be to put our attention elsewhere. And similarly, I think, we know when to say know too, because we know our limits. Some things you may have to fit into your schedule, but others you can just say no to, and you should be able to. I think these things are very important when you look at the broader picture of coping skills, because they are enablers. They provide some space from within one can cope. Without that space, I don't think it would be realistically very possible, at least not for me, to cope in day to day life with fibromyaldia.
- —Guest Margo
restorative yoga
- I have been doing restorative yoga since August and it has helped alleviate pain and fatigue. Also have added some meditation and breathing techniques. Recently diagnosed with hypermobility syndrome which probably led to my Fibromyalgia. Fatigue is my greatest complaint.
- —DebSus
Clothes
- I have to cut tags out of clothes. They bother my skin. And I wear loose clothes because my skin is sensitive. I get burning shooting pain. Throbing pain. Wide spread that last for weeks.
- —Guest Pamela
Living with fibromyalgia
- Taking regular gentle exercise, even when you don't feel like it, is a good way of staying "normal" as it increases satisfaction in what you can achieve while easing the pain. I've found Tai Chi classes very helpful - the gentle stretching and breathing gives a real buzz. Millions of elderly Chinese practise TC for a good reason! Also aquarobics in a WARM pool really helps, and Voltarol suppositories when the pain is bad.
- —Antikdragon
Kim
- I have found that DHEA, B-complex, Mg, & D help. Especially DHEA for the fibro fog!
- —Guest Kim
Warmth
- for my b-day my husband got me a heated mattress pad, I only keep it on 3 or number 4 setting, but I wish I had known about these from the begining. I had been using electric blankets and they would break within the year, but this works so much better. altho u won't feel it under the pillow area if u use a pillow, I definatly feel less cramping and less stiff when in bed on the nice warm pad. costs around $79 but well worth the price.
- —Guest B
Keep life interesting!
- For me the biggest problems was the depression that went with it. I found some volunteer work that didn't require me to be able bodied - I record audiobooks that are distributed free online. It uses my love of words and stories, and knowing that I have brought pleasure to others helps those feelings of uselessness and self-pity fade away. I am learning Mandarin through one class a week, with some online backup. Stimulates the brain, and gets me out of the house. Music helps distract me if things are very bad, and eating a healthy diet eases the IBS and seems to have strengthened my immune system. I get far fewer infections since I started including plenty of vegetables in my diet. Never been much of a fan of vegetables, until I learned that can eat anything if it's curried. Except spinach.
- —MorganScorpion
Peaks and Valleys
- I have had CFS for 12 years and fibromyalgia for around 8. When I was diagnosed with CFS, I was surprised at the many bitter, angry women whom I met in "support" groups. I vowed I would try to avoid this outcome. I have become discouraged as the years pass and I try one thing after another and find that I cannot do anything in depth because of my health and therefore I am always on the periphery of events or left behind when people move on to greater involvement in a subject. At least I have retained my creativity, get books on tape free from the government, have two cats, etc. I guess what "works" for me is to exercise outdoors and spend time writing or creating visual art. The latter does not relieve pain, but does make my time more valuable in my eyes.
- —Guest Popcornpopper
God is the answer to all our pains
- it sounds silly but it worked for me. i just pray when icannot take it and i can fell the pain less. I can only cook thet is the best house thing i can do.People who are close to me accept that from me.tried everything nothing helps only severe side effects that pulls me down.My whole bodya(joints) is painful every min but coping as i know nothing helps. South Africa
- —Guest wise
Ouch, you describe me
- Learned Helplessness is easy when nothing works and everyone says that it is all in your mind. I had a long and bumpy road to finding things that work for me. I am now on lyrica for pain, paxil for the anxiety, vitamins, b12, d, and those actually work for me. At least for now. Thank you so much for your site. It is the first site I have felt safe to share on.
- —ForgetfulSky
living with it too
- I appreciate all the above comments as they echo exactly my daily life for the past 14 years. I've had unrelenting cfs/fibro since 1996, quit working in 2000. Just KEEP ON giving your best to yourself for your emotional, physical and spiriutal wellbeing. Puttering isn't so bad, even though it's not where we want to be. Missing our productive life will never stop. But, we mustn't and need not quit!!! Hooray for all those who do understand and give us enormous love and support.....thank you for your comments. We ARE survivors!
- —stillputtering
Exercise Does Help
- Having fibromyalgia for over 15 yrs. and trying everything, I have found that my chiropractor is right when he kept telling me that the only way to get some relief from my pain is by stretching and light exercise. It doesn't completely take away my pain, but it does give me some relief. After losing my husband at 50 yrs and both my folks 3 months of each other, my stress and depression has left me in a deep depression and much pain. Stretching and exercise is the best way, and on days that the pain seems worse, it is a great struggle to do this but I find that when I do not exercise I have even more pain.
- —Guest Carole
Taking my time
- I have learned that if I take my time I can do most things. But it might take me all day to do the dishes. I am talking about a skillet 2 plates and a couple of glasses along with silverware. Cleaning takes all day. But I have also figured out this house will be here when I am dead and gone. So if I am tired after a few minutes of cleaning I take a book and either sit down or lay down.
- —fanofmw
self
- I am learning to say I can not do it today. And I let everyone I know that, I may agree to do something tomorrow, but when I wake up in the morning I will let you know if I can. Because, as I open my eyes I know if Fatigue is with me for the day. I am learning to take it day by day. Started with a new holistic Dr.
- —Yorleny
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