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Flare - confused about what to do

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Fibromyalgia
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Posted 8/14/2011 3:19 PM (GMT 0)
I just went through an IVF cycle which required pumping lots of hormones into my body. I came down with a fibro flare soon after, which is unusual for me these days. It's been 12 days now, and it's worse today. Usually when I have flares, they resolve in about a week, even if that week is incredibly painful.

I'm confused about what to do. I used to use limited pain meds to get through the day, sleep more, take baths, have a massage if possible and force myself to do limited exercise in the form of stretching and walks until I felt better enough to go back to my regular schedule. I really, really forced myself to exercise.

But my acupuncturist (who I'm seeing for something else) says I should rest meaning "relax" and lie around. And I noticed that doing anything has left me exhausted and worse the next day. Is this flare just worse? Or, is not forcing myself to exercise making it worse?
Posted 8/14/2011 6:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Luminescent, and welcome!  I'm glad you joined our family!  Well, I disagree with your accupuncturist.  If you sit or lay too much with fibro, you will be stiff as a board and have more pain and less energy.  I do gentle stretching exercises and I walk at least a mile daily.  Walking is fabulous for anyone but especially for fibromites.  I started out slowly but worked up to the mile.  I could walk further but I do this before breakfast and my stomach is screaming at me to feed it!  Perhaps you can start out slowly and gradually build yourself up again.   I still have to force myself to exercise because I hate any form of exercise.  But I do feel more energized when I get back home and have less pain, too.  So it's worth it.  Besides, I get to check out everyone's landscaping!  smilewinkgrin

 

You are doing many things correctly for fibro.  Be sure to pace yourself.  Everything will get done but in a different time frame.  The accupuncturist is correct in saying to relax, though.  If you are stressed out and tense, the fibromyalgia will be worse.  You can meditate, pray, listen to good music, watch a good movie, etc.  Find something to take your mind off how you are feeling.  I do genealogy and that helps me forget what is going on in my body. 

 

Be sure to check out Fibro 101...the second thread on the forum.  There are links to good info about fibro and you will learn a lot there.  A good starting link would be A Thorough Explanation of Fibromyalgia.  There is a link with the gentle stretching exercises I mentioned, too.

 

I'm looking forward to getting to know you better.  Don't hesitate to ask questions because we are here to help you.  I hope tohear more from  you soon.

 

Sherrine

Posted 8/14/2011 11:42 PM (GMT 0)
If you are being much more sedentary than usual, it's probably making you stiffen even more than you would be otherwise. I agree with Sherrine, try building up your activity and getting up and moving a bit again, even if it is only a bit.
Posted 8/15/2011 12:19 AM (GMT 0)
Mine's been right around 2 weeks now. Wasn't sure if it's the arthritis or the fibro. Even
with my herbs I'm up at least once at night taking a painkiller, waiting for it to kick in,
taking a HOT shower and trying to get at least a couple of hours of sleep. My day starts at
3:30 in the morning so I really need my sleep. Seems to be a nationwide flare this time.
Posted 8/15/2011 4:51 AM (GMT 0)
NANA, What herb(s) are you using for your pain? I am still looking. The stuff I made with some of the essential oils does work for me a little. I thought it didn't because I was in a lot of pain at the time.

HARA
Posted 8/15/2011 1:29 PM (GMT 0)
At Raintree Nutrition, you can find herbs for pain and many other things.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 8/16/2011 11:16 PM (GMT 0)
Where is Raintree Nutrition? Are they on the Internet also?

HARA
Posted 8/24/2011 12:58 AM (GMT 0)
Just wanted to update that the fibro pain lasted 16 days total. I believe that light stretching and walking helped. Unfortunately, lowered immunity during the flare led to a virus, so I'm still struggling with that. But I hope to be well soon.
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