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Have you found the right balance?

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Fibromyalgia
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Posted 6/6/2012 1:07 AM (GMT 0)
Personally, I don't think there is that perfect balance. I just know that things work out better for me if I listen to what my body is telling me.

Being stubborn and driven I've pushed through and kept going when I needed to stop...very unwise. nono   I know better but think it is just me rebelling at times.

How many times have you paid for overdoing and ended up flaring? I am slowly learning to let things go...things don't always have to be perfect...good enough is working for me more than ever. I continue to keep myself busy but am forcing myself to take breaks.

Taking care of ourselves should be a priority. Just because we can't do like we once did does not mean we are slackers.

Being open and honest with our family and friends about how we are feeling...asking for help when we need it is important. Chronic pain and fatigue does have a huge impact on how we function...we should never feel guilty about that.

Taking it one day at a time, trying to follow my basic routine of getting some exercise,  eating healthy, doing things I enjoy and last but not least be thankful for my blessings helps me.

Wishing us all great days ahead! yeah

Hugs, Robin

Posted 6/6/2012 1:28 AM (GMT 0)
I constantly fight and struggle with this and pay for it later...not getting enough sleep, not eating right and working on intricate things with my hands to the point that they ache and hurt.
Oh well..Advil is my friend lately as well as icy/hot for my back.

PS...I have heard that asperteme exhaserbates Fibro...have you heard anything about that? And ....I had another question but it went into the abyss of the "fibro fog"
Posted 6/6/2012 7:38 AM (GMT 0)
Robin- This has made a huge difference in managing my fibro. I am listening to my body more now then ever. I brake down my days and try to seperate my load through the week. I really think this is the reason why my pain is under controlled. At least one reason. Lol It's people like you that I have learned from. You have made a difference in my life. Thanks!
Posted 6/6/2012 1:54 PM (GMT 0)
There isn't, it's a constant battle. Bravo for listening to your body. I've had to get stubborn and tell my husband what's what a few times lol. I get what you mean about rebelling, your bodies turned against you and you need to be a fighter to survive without debilitating depression. In a away it makes us stronger then the average person. From the outside no one may understand and sometimes you don't want to understand. I know it hurts to get the pots and pans to cook for my husband or lift the laundry, but I do it anyway! Struggling so hard to be normal sucks, but lately I have told my partner in crime to "invest in me and you'll get the results with my determination."

He's spent a lot on home comforts for me, but it's finally paying off. I may get my first job in the past two years since this started all thanks to medication and massage products. I know it's expensive, but you can find A LOT of promo codes on retailmenot.com. I always tell chronic pain company to look through footsmart.com, brookstone, skymall and amazon for the best deals for specific problems. If you don't like what you thought you would, make up your mind quickly and send it back promptly! I never was one to invest in myself too excessively, but we're all in a different ball game here. I've found the best heat pads, massagers etc on the market with extensive research. If anyone needs recommendations for products for overextending amd flare ups, I'm your girl! Whats the use of knowing these things if you don't share ;)

PS I've heArd rumors of the aspertame thing, but I'll look into it more for you livenlaugh. What's your question about fibrofog? I've looked into that a whole bunch
Posted 6/7/2012 4:31 PM (GMT 0)
I don't think there is a perfect balance either, Robin. But as long as we keep it in mind as a goal, we'll usually be all right. If we forget about it for any length of time, we're in trouble!

Debbie
Posted 6/7/2012 4:55 PM (GMT 0)
I don't think that there is a perfect balance even for normal people. I remember overdoing it even before fibromyalgia came into my life. It just happens. I was a really hard worker and I was strong. And it really knocks the wind out of your sails suddenly waking up to fibromyalgia.

I think that the key is to pacing ourselves. Even if we feel up to doing more than we should, we have to stop and think about it. Is it going to be worth the pain that we are going to have to endure tomorrow? Common sense is really important. I take pain meds and adderall, which basically masks everything else, so I know even if I am feeling good, I best not over do... So slow and steady is the pace for me, sometimes reverse gets in there somehow... All we can do is the best that we can. Time to do some dishes and water the garden.

I hope that you all have a great day!!!

Hugs, Karen
Posted 6/9/2012 12:12 AM (GMT 0)
All I know is idk what it's like to not have pain. I was recently dx-ed, but I've lived w/ pain for years, not knowing why, treating one area at a time w/ meds that didn't really help. I try to rest, but the laundry has to be done, dishes washed, food cooked, groceries bought, etc (y'all know the list, I don't need to remind you, I"m sure). I'm just ready to throw up my hands and say I GIVE UP!

The family may help and unload the dw or start a load of laundry, but then they think that's it??? This is all done every day when you have a family of 5. I'm sorry, I don't mean to be such a downer. I'm just discouraged. :o(
Meg
Posted 6/9/2012 12:15 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Meg,

You aren't a downer. Just a fact of life. People don't always help us and that is sad. But we do what we can and push ourselves along. The rest will still be there tomorrow.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 6/9/2012 4:59 PM (GMT 0)
Meg, you are have the right to get upset when others aren't helping out. Sometimes, I think people just assume we can handle more...if your kids are old enough, assign chores and hold them to it. It is frustrating not being able to do what we once did...but it is what it is....more importantly we take care of ourselves so we don't end up hurting more. You can always go on strike!

Hugs, Robin
Posted 6/9/2012 5:37 PM (GMT 0)
I agree about the chores. It is good for kids to have chores. It helps them in the long run to learn to be responsible.

Best wishes,

Hugs, Karen
Posted 6/9/2012 8:23 PM (GMT 0)
The older I get, the harder it has become to pace myself.  I don't want to give in to old age and just shrivel up in a chair like my grandmother.  It's so hard to not over-do when we have a good day.  I always pay the price.  Last week I mowed the lawn with a push mower as the tractor was at the repair shop...The Husband just wanted to wait until it came back to mow the lawn.  NOT!  Anyway, I was crippled for a week.

BTW...my husband can make a bigger mess than any of my three kids did.  He does 'help' me but OMG.  Washing the floor by dragging a dish cloth across the tile on his foot?  I appreciate the effort but Holy Moly.

Huggies

Donna

Posted 6/9/2012 9:49 PM (GMT 0)
LOL Donna,

That is cute... dragging a dish cloth across the tile on his foot!!! I can picture my hubby doing the same thing. lol... Not funny at the time though...

Have a great weekend all!!!

Hugs, Karen
Posted 6/10/2012 12:27 AM (GMT 0)
I learned a long time ago that I had to do certain things to just feel okay.

For me these things have always helped:

Go to bed the same time every night.
Get up the same time every day.
Eat at the same times (8, 12, snack, 5:30).
Learn to say NO (even if it is something I would LOVE to do) - I don't always have to do this I just know if it is too much anymore.
Try to stay away from people/places so that I don't come down with anything (when I do we are talking at least 6 months to recover).
Eat good healthy natural foods (see my comment below)*

It was tough when the kids were home. I felt like an awful mother because I had migraines all the time (along with the other problems). A couple of years ago I came out of a major flare and actually felt good enough to go visit my son in Europe where he was studying. I was there for two weeks & even though I did have to pace myself, etc., I was able to have a really good time. I treasure that. To most people it wouldn't be a big deal but to me it was;)

*I wish I could eat better but man I have to work & that is my only goal some days. If I can't do the laundry so be it.

Thankfully, my husband is great and the kids always helped out too. I am very lucky that I have a good support system.

At some point you just have to accept that you are doing your best and TAKE ADVANTAGE of the times you feel well enough to go on vacation or do whatever it is you like.
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