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The FIRST time I have really Exercised while having Fibromyalgia...

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Posted 7/6/2012 11:15 PM (GMT 0)
Ok, last night my husband said "lets take a walk", I said ok...we live in a nice community, and we walked around 4 miles...I did NOT know we were going to do this, just thought we were going to take a short 15 minute walk...however it took us around an hour and twenty minutes. By the time we got home, I basically crawled up our stairs to get to our room & took a shower, and crashed. He wants us to do this like three times a week. I might be able to do part of the walk, because it is killing my muscles today, and probably for the next few days. I wish people would understand...my doctor had to give me sleeping pills because I would NOT sleep, and with us having Fibromyalgia, our bodies can't get that proper sleep.
My doctor said that in my condition I shouldn't exercise, unless I do aqua therapy, which I haven't had the time to do yet. We live on a lake, & since we have a two story place, I'm always running up & down, while I clean, knowing that hey anything is better than nothing.
So along with my several other health problems, fibro is one of them :( Am I the only one that has had a doctor tell them Not to work out??
Just curious...
Posted 7/6/2012 11:43 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the boards. I'm sorry you are hurting...

I am pretty surprised that your Dr. is telling you not to walk or do other types of exercises just because of Fibromyalgia.

It's one thing to have disc/spine problems where lifting heavy weights could have dangerous consequences...but even then walking is literally the best thing someone can do. And yes, aqua therapy is great as well.

Now, that doesn't mean that everyone can walk for over an hour. I walk 45 minutes, 7 days a week. I also do yoga/stretching each day.

But exercise is a crucial element in treating Fibromyalgia to keep ouselves limber and from getting too sore. There isn't anything physically wrong with our muscles or bones as in tears in ligaments, or broken bones...it's just the "signals" in our brain that are getting mixed that send pain to areas of our body.

And with actual trigger points....there is massage, acupuncture, or even injections that can help this.

Do you see a Rheumatologist? As in, someone who specializes in Fibro?

The one part I absolutely agree with is the sleeping part. I am on Ambien, but was put on this after my last cervical fusion. It has been absolutely amazing for me. As mentioned, not getting the proper type of sleep each night can make the Fibro a lot worse. Sleep helps our immune system repair itself, as well as the effects emotionally to be able to "handle" the pain we may have.

The other thing that has helped me is switching to eating all Organic..I'm not a vegan or vegetarian....I just eat everything in moderation but cut out all artificial ingredients and preservatives. It has made a big difference in digestion and energy.

I just hurt my back which has a few herniations in lumbar, thoracic and cervical. So I haven't been able to do my daily walk since Monday and it's just awful!!....I feel sluggish...I have more muscle pain...I'm more moody...etc.

Obviously you should be following your Doctors orders...but I just find it strange to hear a Dr. say no exercise...Not just for our Fibro...but to maintain a healthy weight, to keep our heart healthy..there are just too many benefits to list.

If you can substitute aqua therapy for walking...then that is good. It's just about getting out and moving...I just happen to enjoy walking with my pup or with friends/family. If I'm by myself, I have my phone where I have downloaded books to listen to:)

Others will be on to welcome you...and you can check out the link to Fibro 101 on here which provides a LOT of information...

Happy Friday!
Posted 7/6/2012 11:58 PM (GMT 0)
Small short walks are great. It's excellent for the mind also. Your going to have to find your comfortable spot in excercise. We are all so different. Then you must stick to your limitations when with others.
Posted 7/6/2012 11:59 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for your advice Snowbunny21 :) I know that exercise should & can help, because I have done research on it. I think I have to start slower then my husband wanted me to...LOL=)
Especially since I haven't done this in awhile.
As far as eating, and this may sound weird, but I have to be very choosy on what I eat, because some foods cause More pain to my back mostly, and I can't stand that! I drink water and liquids all day. I stay away from regular soda, but there are times when I want a diet pepsi:) That's what I crave, not as much as I used too though. I crave sun tea.
And we eat chicken, fish, spinach, rice...etc
Sometimes I just can't eat because I already know the feeling that it'll bring. So I basically need to walk for my fibro, and to get my joints better, because there's so much life that I feel like I'm missing out on due to this disease.
Walking was ok, have to get used to it, had my phone in my back pocket with music on, and that helped a lot!!
And thank you once again...I will check out that link;)
You have a nice friday as well!!
Posted 7/7/2012 12:02 AM (GMT 0)
I can see that ak angel, we are all so different...even though we have the same disease. What works for one, might not work for another. I already told my husband that I Need a good pair of walking shoes before we go again. And next time I am going to shorten it a bit, just to see.
However I plan on keeping it up;)
Thank you for your input =)
Posted 7/7/2012 12:43 AM (GMT 0)
I find walking is great but not for long periods on cement sidewalks and currently uneven ground in not an option so some days I can do half a block others a mile or more. Your hubby has to realise as much as you want to go with him for the long walks you would be better doing a mile everyday then doing 4 and hurting so bad you need a few days to recoup.
Posted 7/7/2012 1:45 AM (GMT 0)
Yes!! A great pair of walking shoes are crucial!...Othewise..it can mess up your feet, your knees, your back, etc.

I found a fantastic pair at DSW for an inexpensive price but they are very well made. It's worth every penny.

As mentioned..it's all about finding what works best for you and working your way up to doing things. Your walk with your hubby was just too long...too soon. I definitely took a few months to get to where I am daily.

Glad you had some tunes to enjoy:)
Posted 7/7/2012 4:05 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Snowbunny,

I think this is the first time I have ever heard of a doctor telling a patient with fibro, not to get some type of exercise. If you have additional ailments, which could potentially make you feel worse, then I could understand that, but honestly, my rhuemy, my general and my ortho all say to make sure I keep moving. They don't recommend that I go to a gym and do a major work out, or run a marathon, but low impact movement is recommended to me over and over.

I also just posted a few posts ago about exercise, and how I am on vacation and taking walks and moving and I actually feel better. I've been dx'd with fibro over 4 years ago and have never really done exercise. I figured just moving around the house, or light housework was enough, but I've found these walks and extra movements down here on vacation to be of so much help, I actually find myself taking less pain medication, and that to me is worth it's weight in gold to feel better and take less pills....I love it.

Maybe you could get a second opinion from your rhuemy if you have one, or general doctor?? I'm not sure which one you are seeing right now? I also take ambien cr 15 mg every night, or else I am up to at least 4:00 AM.

I hope you are able to get some much lighter exercise in.

Hugs (Gentle of course)
smilewinkgrin
Monica
Posted 7/7/2012 2:39 PM (GMT 0)
My gentleman always tries to push too hard as well.

I remind him when we exercise together that while the mind is willing, I need to be able to say stop and have him respect that, and not urge me to go a little further.

Talk with your husband before the walk, not during or after. Be clear, but be firm.

Exercise is good, in moderation.
Posted 7/7/2012 3:10 PM (GMT 0)
You've gotten excellent advice already!  It is important to do gentle exercise every day, on top of what you normally do.  Walking, swimming and yoga are good gentle exercises.  If I went to a gym, they would be carrying me out on a stretcher! 

 

Start out slowly and go further each day and, before you know it, you will be able to walk far longer distances with no extra pain.  I always have less pain and more energy when I get back from my one mile walks every day.  This takes me 1/2 and hour.  Sometimes I walk twice in the day.  Soooo, I'm actually walking almost as much (3 1/2+ hours) in a week than your hubby wants you to walk....but I break it up in segments....just like I do for anything I attempt with fibro!  Maybe work out a route where you could go part of the way with him every day and he can finish by himself.  Remind him that he doesn't suffer from chronic pain.

 

Unfortunately, if you are suffering mainly from fibro and your doctor told you you shouldn't exercise, he/she doesn't know much about fibro.  Read the last sentence in the blue box from the link below.  This is from the National Institutes of Health site.

 

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/fibromyalgia.html

And, this link is from the Mayo Clinic.

 

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fibromyalgia/DS00079/DSECTION=lifestyle-and-home-remedies

Sherrine

 

Posted 7/7/2012 4:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Too Tired. First off (and it's a long story, that I won't sidetrack you with here) but in a nutshell, excericise, and a super healthy diet have almost cured my Fibro.... and have totally cured my severe IBS, which made my life miserable, for 20+ years.

I think walking is a GREAT way for you to start ! I do believe 4 1/2 miles, right from the start, is a little excessive though ! How about 1 mile, 3 X's a week..... then after a month, 2 miles. Then 3.... then 4.....

Everybody > even people without Fibro, need a time for their bodies to learn a new routine, and for their body to rebuild, recover, and adapt. 

Down the road, you might also consider a stationary bike, which is low impact, and works a different set of muscles.

Then maybe weight training > with VERY light weights to begin with.

I know all of this probably sounds crazy to you, but I also know what it has done for me.

Interestingly, when I first started lifting weights, I got sore. REALLY sore ! Like I could barely move my arms they hurt so bad...... But in reality, they were supposed to. I was using muscles which hadn't been used that way for many years !

The funny thing was, it seemed like the more parts of my body that I made sore, through excercise (in other words, parts that had a reason to be sore) the less and less my Fibro would "make up" false aches and pains, for no good reason. It was as if "real pain" side tracked my Fibro pain......

To cut all of this short > Excericise.... However much you can possibly do, is a GREAT thing !

~~~~~~~~~~~

And the other thing, is diet.

Mine is fanatical. Tons of fruits and veggies, lean chicken breast, lean pork tenderloin, fish, nuts, oatmeal, avacados, 1 doz jumbo egg whites with every breakfast ;)

No fried food, no fast food, no candy, no chips, no bread, no pasta, no rice, no potatos.

But please don't think I deprive myself..... I eat close to 4000 cals a day, just to break even ! And I enjoy every bite of food that goes into my mouth ! :)

Anyway, it's actually time for my weight lifting right now. Chest and tri's today :)

If I could do it, maybe you could too ?

Peace,

Fish 

 

Posted 7/7/2012 4:36 PM (GMT 0)
I think it is great that you can walk this much and not have a flare up. My doctor actually wrote that I was" Activity Intolerant" because when I tried to increase my activity I would have a flare up. I went for a short walk and had a fllare up . I need to take baby steps in working up to the short walk. As someone did say in one of the posts we are all different. Our tolerance is all different too.
Posted 7/8/2012 6:03 PM (GMT 0)
Does anyone on here think shoes makes a difference? I can't walk the block or down the dirt rd. Our yard is on a slight increase but not steep, I just went out side walked not even five feet out, and had to get help back inside. I have an issue in the store, but not the same. What shoes has anyone find that helps with fibro?
Posted 7/8/2012 7:43 PM (GMT 0)
For me...I have these great pair of walking tennis shoes. They are extremely lightweight, and very supportive. That is the key.

I pretty much wear them everywhere, with everything as they are a light tan so blend in better than stark white.

As I mentioned, I bought them as DSW...and walked around the store with them trying them on..You should make sure that your shoes are not just comfortable, but make you feel stable while walking.

They are fantastic.

I've had surgery for a Morton's Neuroma, which has now come back...so these are also very helpful to not have pain while walking because of this.

Also, the more walking I do, the easier it gets. As mentioned...it's just about starting slow and gradually going further/more time.

With Fibro...as well as all my other pain issues in my neck, lower back, foot and knee....Yes...there will be days that I hurt more...But as long as I'm not actually injuring myself....I keep on walking! LOL...
Posted 7/9/2012 11:23 AM (GMT 0)
I have 22 pair of Birkenstocks!  I've been wearing them for 18 years.  They "cured" me of plantar faciitis and I can walk anywhere with them on my feet.  They are the only shoes in my closet now.  I even have black patent leather ones for those "special occasions"  turn

 

Sherrine

Posted 7/10/2012 12:44 AM (GMT 0)
Wow 4 miles?? When I started walking in Feb. I could only do 10 minutes and that wasn't even half a mile..and I felt bad! I am now up to 30-45 minutes and I can do, on a good day 2 miles at a time. I still hurt when I do it, but exercise is good for the body, plus I have lost 24 lbs. :) Keep it up at a good easy pace.

Karen
Posted 7/10/2012 2:09 AM (GMT 0)
I agree....not only with the whole "exercise is key" but to the "everyone is different and take your own pace".

I have always been pretty active in my life, 6 years of cheerleading, soccer, coaching soccer, and well, I have 2 young children, so I run around most of the time with them and work full time as an esthetcian.But I find when I slack off and dont walk, or just lay around, Im more sore.

I have been doing spinning class for about a month now. LOVE IT, its low impact, so cardiovascular and has helped me keep off the 18 lbs I have lost just due to change of diet. Im hoping to drop another 30 lbs by the end of summer. Im not over weight...Im just sick of the look in the mirrow LOL muffin top and all that happy jazz!! LOL\

But I find that my shoes make a huge difference, and always start out slow. Even with people that dont have Fibro, when they are starting a new exercise routine, they are told to start slow, from trainers, doctors etc. Its your own journey, set your own pace!!

OHHHH and another thing that is HUGE for me, I have more pain when I walk on the sidewalk or pavement, compared to if i walk on the board walk we have here in my lil itty bitty town. The wood seems to absorb some of the shock. I dunno, some food for thought anyway.

Hope everone is doing well today and has a great sleep tonight!!!

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