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Is this unusual - even for fibromites?

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Posted 10/1/2011 3:33 AM (GMT 0)
Today I was subbing, and before the kids came back from lunch, I asked another teacher who was in the room if she would carry a big, heavy teacher's manual across the room for me.  It was - I can't tell anymore what things weigh - one pound? Two pounds?  But I knew that if I did it myself, I'd have a major increase in pain for at least the whole weekend, and need another adjustment.  Pow, just like that! 

I have to ask for help like this all the time, especially at the grocery...and people usually ask, "Oh, did you just have surgery?"   

She said, "Oh sure, no problem.  Fibromyalgia?"   

It really surprised me.  I mean, a lot more people these days know someone with fibro, as in this case, so that wasn't it.  It was the fact that she connected my problem with heavy objects TO the fibro.  Because I've gotten the impression from others I know with this DD, and people here, that this extreme a problem with weight isn't all that common.  Obviously, we all don't have identical symptoms.  In some ways, I get off easier than others. 

This is BY FAR the worst and most consistent problem for me - anyone else?

Debbie   

 

Posted 10/1/2011 3:59 AM (GMT 0)
Any thing heavey is out for me too, even some times something every light will up the pain or just moving my arm. i never know from day to day what will trigger the pain and make me drop things
Kathy
Posted 10/1/2011 4:18 AM (GMT 0)
Debbie, I don't have much upper body strength either and I guess I attribute that to the combination of fibro along with some of my other conditions. Having a weak neck and back, lifting is a problem. I struggle to carry a 12-pk of soda or a gallon of milk. I know you had mentioned in the past that would be something, you couldn't carry.

I find bending, stooping or squatting difficult. Today grocery shopping, I squatted to get a can of soup and couldn't get back up...had to get down on all fours and a customer came by and helped me up...that has happened more than once. When traveling alone, I have to rely on strangers to open up my bottled water sometimes. I've had people ask me if I have arthritis, but my hands are a give away. Nobody has asked me if I have fibro yet.

I'm just thankful there are kind people out there that are willing to help out.

Hope you have a great weekend :)

Hugs, Robin
Posted 10/1/2011 4:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Debbie,

I've got the exact same issue, and then add stairs to that combo, plus 40lbs because of meds and years of immobility:( However, co-workers/boss' have not been so accepting of my condition:( If they ask me to carry a heavy jug or box, they more or less look at me funny, and almost sneer and stamp away as if I offended their VERY existence....*face-palm*.

I'm glad you had a positive experience Debbie:D I still get the 'ooohhhhs and oooooohhs' followed up with "what's Fibromyalgia?" **double face-palm** LOL!!!
Posted 10/1/2011 4:12 PM (GMT 0)
I know what you mean, Kathy. Sometimes I can get away with carrying a little lamp from one side of the room to the other, others (like last night) it felt heavy. I did it anyway and paid the price :( It's just weird how sometimes it "weighs more" than others.

Robin, gosh that's got to be tough - what happened to you in the grocery store! I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't squat. That's how I pick up everything, would be scared to death to bend over....it's true, even though we all suffer with pain and fatigue, other things vary greatly.

Yes, there are so many kind and generous people out there! What would we do without them? You have a good one too :)

Debbie
Posted 10/1/2011 4:13 PM (GMT 0)
I used to be able to lift 70 lbs, now I have to be careful with 5.
Posted 10/1/2011 5:24 PM (GMT 0)
I used to be able to move my piano to clean behind it.  Now, ten pounds is usually max.  I will push myself at times to help me add more strength.  This past spring I spread 99 bags of mulch but I paced myself.  I didn't think I could do it but I'm stubborn and determined, too.  I figure I'm going to hurt anyway and I get so tired of asking for help so I just do it myself.  Yes, I'll hurt more but I'm really proud of myself when I do things without help.  That's really sad, I know, but that's a fact in the life of a fibromite.  shakehead   

 

I just keep trying and keep busy and do my own work because if I don't use the muscles, I will loose the ability to use them.  At my age, that can spell trouble.  I live by myself and I want to remain independent and not have to need assistance so I just keep on keeping on and so far, so good! 

 

Sherrine

Posted 10/1/2011 7:07 PM (GMT 0)
I have been making applesauce for two days. And the apples are cooking apples so they are hard to cut up. And peel. I like to try to get it all in one piece, did a couple like that. It takes my mind off of the job itself. But my right shoulder is already aching, so I imagine I will pay for the work I did. But the end result this winter will be nice...

Have a great day you all!!!

Hugs, Karen
Posted 10/1/2011 7:47 PM (GMT 0)
I have issues lifting heavy things. It isn't so much the pain as the feeling like I am going to drop it. My fingers just don't cooperate, and my arms feel so weak.
Posted 10/1/2011 9:03 PM (GMT 0)
I have trouble lifting things and I'm short so I have trouble reaching things. I always have trouble at the store. If my husband isn't with me I will ask for help from a stock boy. I have even asked stangers for help. I usually find a couple and I will ask the lady If could borrow her "man" for a quick second. People usually smile at this and say sure. One time I asked this couple if I could borrow her husband and she replied he's my father. Uh O, LOL. From now on I keep it general to "man".
I will also plan my trips to about 1/2 hour after I have taken my pain meds. This will usually give me about a good hour with minnimul pain to do my shopping. My husband is wonderful and will always bring all the groceries in for me. I will help put them away as long as I am able. He is very understanding if I have to rest.

I'm surprised at people that ask if you just had surgery. That is non of their buisness. If they work for a good company that has educated them they will also know that it can be viewed as discrimination. Your a customer and that is all that should matter. If you request to have assistance they don't need to know why.

At work I tell them if it is a bad pain day. They will usually offer their assistance if I need it.
Posted 10/1/2011 9:07 PM (GMT 0)
Erie, I'm short, too.  I head to the kitchen tool aisle and pick up the long-handled tongs.  (The kind they use for barbeque grilling.)  I use them to reach things on the upper shelves and then put the tongs back when I'm done. 

 

Sherrine

Posted 10/1/2011 11:53 PM (GMT 0)
I've also lost a lot of muscle strength and range of motion and I've only had bad symptoms since last November. I had a funny experience last summer. I was on a long car trip with my BFFs 87 year old mother. She had a bottle of water and couldn't open it so she handed it to me to see if I could. I couldn't (my symptoms started in my hands and they are incredibly weak now) so I told her I'd find someone who could. We were at a rest stop and I waited for a guy to come by that I was willing to approach. I found a nice gentleman who opened the bottle for us. After that I texted my friend and said "Your mom and I were trolling the rest stop for a man." LOL
Posted 10/2/2011 12:36 AM (GMT 0)
I'm the same I used to be able to lift full carboys (wine making) and now I can't lift the empty bottle. When I read Robyn's post it sounded like me, I usually use the shelves to get back up. Why are the things I need to buy always on the top or bottom shelf, lol.
Posted 10/2/2011 12:55 AM (GMT 0)
It sure seems to be a common trait within the fibro community that whenever we try to push past our limits it comes back to haunt us bigtime -- especially when it comes to lifting things. The trick is learning to figure out our own individual limits -- whether it's a pound, five pounds, ten pounds, whatever.

Like others have mentioned here, this is one symptom that I can't ignore. If I lift/push/pull something 'heavy', I am in big trouble the next day. In fact, I just accepted a new posting at the hospital and it still has an old job description. In order to protect myself, I went to the doctor and got a work exception for the lifting/transporting of patients because that's not in my actual duties. They just haven't gotten around to updating the job description. I work as a health unit coordinator and enter doctor's orders, but apparently the people in this position used to serve as nurses' aides on the floor, too. That's not something I can physically do, so I'm grateful to have a position that doesn't require that.

I'm also SUPER excited that I FINALLY have "real" insurance. Being self-employed the past 25 years has been crummy insurance and TONS of out-of-pocket medical expenses. I know I will still have expenses, but I feel like for the first time in my adult life I'll be able to go to the doctor when I need to instead of worry about what it will cost me. I'm so thankful and feel very blessed.
Posted 10/2/2011 3:13 AM (GMT 0)
IMHO, it's not unusual at all. In fact, it's the story of my life. :(

I *occasionally* and *briefly* lift semi-heavy things, but I am always very careful, and take precautions. I strap both forearms tightly with Ace elastic bandages, and even wear wrist braces if necessary, and that has helped prevent injury. Even at that, I plan my movements very carefully, and try to shift as much work as possible to my leg muscles.

Sometimes, I even need the elastic bandages to drive, if I've been overdoing it.

I simply cannot carry things like a gallon of water anymore, so I've made a lot of lifestyle changes to accomodate this. When doing anything outdoors, I carry stuff in a child's wagon. Bringing groceries indoors, I have one of those folding shopping carts, unless I'm carrying lightweight objects.

So, in short, I don't think it's unusual to have such problems. I hope my adaptations will inspire you to come up with some that will fit your lifestyle!
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