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Posted 3/11/2010 3:16 PM (GMT 0)

Yesterday I returned to volunteer for the first time in a long time.  I really didn't do much, but had a good time.  Last evening I was really tired (after an afternoon nap).  Today I am dead and have a lot of pain.  I really miss volunteering.  My question is - do any of you just work through the pain - do the job even if it hurts?  Does it make the fibro worse?  I don't know if I should push it or not, but I get so tired of being home and doing not much of anything.

Posted 3/11/2010 4:06 PM (GMT 0)
greetings,
there are days when I have to work through the pain just to get a few things done even just around the house. However; the next day I find that I pay for it. I try so hard to stay active but it is so hard. My doc is always saying stay active, but it really is hard. I'm not working at the moment to so that is hard. However; just doing basic things to keep my house going is hard for me, and then to take care of my dog and make sure she gets walked well thats a challenge. So be kind to yourself, and yes it is hard andyou will have those days where you will be able do things and then you will have days where you will need to special to yourself. Each day we have is a gift even when we hurt...take care
Posted 3/11/2010 4:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, pacing yourself is one of the trickiest things when you have fibro. Many times you don't
realize you have overdone untill you are flaring later on.

When I start feeling more than my average day to day type pain I already know that I've
done too much. Yesterday I was out with my friends the entire afternoon. I knew I was
going to really hurt today but I chose to spend time with my friends. I had lots of fun.
Sometimes there is a trade off and you have to choose. If I'm flaring to begin with I will
generally turn down opportunities that are going to hurt me more.

I also have been active in volunteering over the years. I have to pick and choose now what
can be done. You can still lead a happy fulfilling life. There is just more you have to take
into consideration!

Hugs, Robin
Posted 3/11/2010 4:38 PM (GMT 0)
I seem to be on the other end of the spectrum.... I work full time (secretarial position so I'm seated most of the day) and try to make it through the day til bedtime. I do have days where I am worse and I'm in a bout of that at the moment. I struggle most with aching, joint pain and exhaustion, and the severity changes from day to day...and the events of the previous day (or night) seem directly related. I also volunteer locally and I'm lucky the organization is at it's slow time.

Is there a way to volunteer for a shorter amount of time or break up the blocks of time? Can you change to a position of less stress on your body or mind? Volunteer more on an organizational level or from home, while making a meeting or two a month? Little changes may add up big for you. Just a thought. It was so hard for me to cut back, so I understand what you mean. Volunteering does have benefits, too, such as making you feel better or more significant in this world.

Good luck!
Posted 3/11/2010 4:54 PM (GMT 0)
I'm with you guys on deciding what needs to be done vs what you feel like you can do vs being able to do what you want to do. I spent yesterday with my mom and elderly aunt and am really feeling it today. The 45 minute drive (one way) the stairs, the visiting, etc. All I want to do today is lay on the heating pad. My ribs are killing me for some reason. So today I am choosing to move around a little as I do a few chores hoping to work out some of the stiff pain, run me a warm bath and relax. Then I'll see what I feel like doing. By pampering myself today I know I am doing my family more good than pushing to get more done. I'm really trying to do good because I want to have the strength, be pain free long enough (if that's possible) to be able to enjoy the birth of my grandson in the next few weeks. That's the gift I am giving myself. (to be there for my daughter) Fibro Fog has gotten me and I forgot where I was going with this post...hahaha BUT I get taking it easy, pushing and suffering. It's a decision you have to make and a balance you have to find. What works for me may not work for you, but I love all the different things here I learn. Without all of you I'd be totally lost!

Take care
Cathie
I'm not having a good day, but I am making the best of what I can-the warmer weather, birds singing and being alive.
Posted 3/11/2010 7:13 PM (GMT 0)
I always have pain so I do keep going but pace myself.  BUT, if the pain is really bad, then I stop and take it easy.  I'll use moist heat, take some ibuprofen or Tylenol, and try to get the pain under control again.  Stretching sometimes helps and I also have a pad that will vibrate and that helps my muscles.  Sometimes, if the pain is really bad, I have to sit around for a day or two.  I'll usually work on the computer then....something not strenuous. 

 

You will learn what your body can take and also how to pace yourself. 

 

Cathie, your painful ribs could be costochondritis.  I have that.  Sometimes it can hurt to take a breath.  There is a link all about it in Fibro 101 if you are interested.

 

Sherrine

Posted 3/12/2010 12:35 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Sherrine! I'm going to check it out now, but I think it is. The heat has really helped today. The rain is here for a few days and the damp is not to great, but at least it's not cold and snow. :)

Take care & here's to having a better day tomorrow for us all!
Cathie
Posted 3/12/2010 10:54 AM (GMT 0)
I find that pacing myself is the best thing. I know that I am going to have pain no matter what. But by pacing yourself it isn't as bad. Work though the pain. The more that you move the better it is for you. You loosen up the muscles. Stretching exercises is wonderful. In the beginning, it hurts. But your muscles will thank you later on when you get use to it.

I guess we have to go through a little pain to get anywhere. So get use to that. And in time it will be a lot better.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 3/12/2010 3:21 PM (GMT 0)
I must admit I am really bad at pacing myself. When I'm feeling good and have energy I push knowing I'm going to pay for it later but do it over and over again. We had our living room furniture pulled out from the walls while I was working on my photo project and day before yesterday, while DH was in bed sick, decided I could push everything back where it belonged, dumb, dumb, dumb idea. Patience is something I haven't learned yet. I used all my spoons really quickly doing that.

 

I guess we have to decide whether something is worth the price we have to pay for it. Cathie, no matter how long your daughter is in labor I'm sure you will be there for her, that is worth paying the price for. Last year when my granddaughter was expecting my great grandson I kept saying a little prayer that I would hold up no matter what time a day it was or for however long it took her to have him, she doesn't have a mother in her life, so I knew I had to be there and of course I wanted to be. As it turned out she wasn't in hard labor til 9:30 in the morning, when we got to the hos, and she had him at 1:30 in the afternoon so I was home by the time I got really tired, bless her little heart for accommodating me and having him on my schedule. smilewinkgrin

 

Today, there is 50% chance of rain and I'm still recovering from my stupidity so it will be a light day for me even though I should mop floors I will use my head today.

 

luv and hugs

Marlee

Posted 3/12/2010 4:54 PM (GMT 0)
I agree, pacing yourself is the biggest thing. Im still learning how to do this haha. Im in the military and i like to do alot but i pay for it by afternoon, i hurt... And yes i push thru the pain most of the times. If i didnt have all the meds i have i think i would b a potatoe rolleyes  There is a thread in Fibro 101 post called "Spoon Theory", so i need to "count my spoons" accordingly. Sometimes its very challenging but im still learning. Make sure that on the days that you feel somewhat ok go for a walk or do a little bit of work around the house, take breaks and lay down for 5 mins or so... Take trips to the lake or sea shore or park just go out there and enjoy the nature, relax, i found it very nice and stress releaving. BTW eleminate stress as much as you can as that causes us hurt alot more...

So thats my side of the story , hope it helped!

 

Posted 3/12/2010 5:37 PM (GMT 0)
Marlee, thank you for sharing!!! Bless your granddaughter's heart. I get the furniture thing. I used to always move the stuff just for a change & to clean under or behind it. Now I just look at it, smile and know it's not worth what I would suffer. So, I wait til my hubby can help. lol

ksny_ru, I shared the "spoon" story with my mom since she has fibro also. Since then she's asked me if I've used all my spoons yet usually knowing by my voice I have. lol It's my mother's way of reminding me to slow down without making me feel less of an adult. I love her for caring so much. I've got a few saved in my pocket for cooking supper. lol Now I'm going to lay down for my "me time" to watch the news.

Take care everyone, hugs, luv & a good day to you all!
Cathie
Posted 3/15/2010 3:31 AM (GMT 0)
I joined a year or 2 (?) ago and am just getting back. I've had Fibro for at least 20 years. My pain has been getting worse since I'm NOT helping my parents anymore (they both died in '08.) I wonder if my body held back out of necessity and now is letting me have it!!! I don't want to be too drug-dependent, I'm already on Nortriptyline and Klonopin, and Darvocet for breakthrough pain. But "breakthrough" lately is every other day and I'm doing less and less to cause it. It's scary! I don't want to be totally disabled at 55. Tried Lyrica and Tramadol - no good. Anyone tried Cymbalta?
Posted 3/15/2010 11:28 AM (GMT 0)
I'm sorry you're having so much pain. I am on day 13 of 30mg of Cymbalta. So far it's helped with the pain IF I take care of myself like I should. For the first two days I wasn't sure I was going to stay with it because it totally zapped my energy which was already gone. I also had some nausea, but that's gone. I stuck it out and have more good days than bad for now. I will up my dose Wednesday to 60mg. We'll see how that does. If I don't get some sort of movement/exercise I can tell a big difference in the pain department. It's a fine line though-doing too much vs not doing enough. Also for me if I eat a lot of sugar or processed foods I have that dragging feeling plus more pain. As for the depression part, Cymbalta has worked great. Mind you that there isn't a magic pill no matter what you take. It's what works best for you. For me I do a lot of self talk too. Ok, so I can't do that today, but I can do this today kind of thing. This is a hard process for all of us and we all have good and bad days. The support here, well, I can't say enough good about it. No matter how I feel I know I will ALWAYS get love and understanding from this group and that helps like you wouldn't believe. My doctor told me that I will not ever be 100%, but I will be able to function again. I am still in the learning process-learning to ask for help and take care of myself. I am getting ready to flare again (sometimes I hate being a woman) so I am taking extra care. Sorry I got carried away & winded. lol I hope you find what works for you and feel better.

Take care, hugs & here's to better days,
Cathie
Posted 3/15/2010 4:57 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Cathie. I am seeing my doctor tomorrow to ask about Cymbalta. I've been on Nortriptyline for 18 years, and he always encourages me to stay on it, but maybe it's time for a change. If only there were a magic potion that could let us see everything going on in our bodies! Will try to be "good" today, if I can figure out what that means.

When is your grandson due? How exciting!

Hugs, Debbie

Diagnosed - Fibromyalgia, mild liver damage (unknown cause), IBS, migraine syndrome, Meniere's Disease, some lumbar disc damage, keloid scar tissue on back from graft following 3rd-degree burn

Meds - Nortriptyline, Klonopin, Darvocet, vitamins
Posted 3/15/2010 9:55 PM (GMT 0)
You're welcome Debbie. Let me know if you find out about being good means...lol Just kidding. Be good to yourself, take time to rest when you can, get some kind of exercise, eat well and spoil yourself on bad days. :-)

Logan is due in the next few weeks. Supposed to be April 19th, but I don't think my daughter will make it that long. She was dilated 1 cm last week, his head was down low in the canal and he weighed 5 pounds. I do hope she'll hold off for him to gain a couple more pounds. We'll find out more Wednesday afternoon. It's getting really exciting!

Good luck with the doctor and please let us know what happens. If you really feel strongly about trying something new don't give up. You know your body better than anyone. My doctor told me that if something isn't working for me then we need to make a change. Yes, I am lucky to have a great doctor who will listen to me.

Take care of yourself,
Cathie
Posted 3/15/2010 10:00 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, everyone - I understand about  pacing yourself but it is so hard when you have a full time job and have to take care of a household.  Today I was put on call which was a blessing since I woke up with a migraine and my body felt like someone had beat me up.  Then I ended up having another migraine in the afternoon.  Thank goodness for Relpax. I am a nurse in labor and delivery and work 12 hour shifts, which really are 13 to 15 hour shifts depending on what happened that day. Yesterday I felt like I could handle the day.  I still hurt but it was tolerable.  How it can change from one day to the next baffels me.  Today I also have a low grade temp.  I take Cymbalta, Lyrica, D3, and Topamax.  I also take alot of other medications for the other DX that I have.  I hate taking so many medications!  Well, I just wanted to vent and state that I understand.  I have started doing stretches and riding my exercise bike.  We will see how that goes.  Take care.

Ob1pooky

Posted 3/15/2010 11:29 PM (GMT 0)
I hope you feel better soon!

Take care,
Cathie
Posted 3/16/2010 12:14 AM (GMT 0)
I usually find it pretty hard to pace myself.  There's usually a day or two that I don't have to go to the office and I do get stuff done but I sit on my butt quite a bit.  Right now with momma & 2 pups downstairs it is down then up then down then up stairs, it is about killing my legs but I am sure I need the excersize. 

Mornings are the worst for me and after I get the dogs in the house,  fed pottied and somewhat settled...hubby wants breakfast.  Then it is out to the kennel / barn by 8:00ish.  Then he leaves ahhhh.....I can enjoy some coffee and read emails smile .  everyday, rain or shine but it is my choice to have animals.  To the office by noon and hopefully home in time to cook dinner.  Tonight dishes are still in the sink and they might stay there till morning.

To answer the original question.............I push myself unless I don't have to

Posted 3/16/2010 3:58 AM (GMT 0)
I want to respond to "it's a new day"- hi there! We have a lot in common regarding volunteer work. After 25 years of professional social work, I find that vol work is the most beneficial work AND the most costly. I'll explain that later if you need, but I suspect you already understand. Anyway, do push through it to your ability. Don't let it rob you, or else whats the point of being a true vol? :) Give the work some thought, consider the benefits you receive and the add up the drawbacks. If there are things you can do to temper the negatives, try them. I applaud you for what you do, and until the minuses overwhelm the positives, keep giving. Let us know how you are doing. Thank you for your contributions!
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