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Focusing on fun was my best painkiller

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Posted 9/9/2013 2:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hi my friends!

Ten days ago I left to go on vacation. At that time my back was out and I was flaring. My goal was just to survive the plane trip to Wisconsin...with the help of muscle relaxers, hubby, and a good book, I survived the flight. I knew when we landed, we would be very busy seeing family. Putting my focus on having fun and pacing myself really helped. I was able to enjoy a 3 hour car ride to a lodge up north, swimming, hiking and boating. Each night I was in bed by 9:30 and slept great. My family was great in asking if I needed rest and I took breaks when needed.

Living with chronic pain, you do learn to accept that it will be there. You find that you can still have great times. Coping skills are learned through trial and error and worth all the effort in achieving them. It is possible to "turn lemons into lemonade".

Welcome to all the newbies....this is a wonderful place. It has been a blessing for me.

Wishing all of us great days ahead!

Hugs, Robin :-)
Posted 9/9/2013 2:30 PM (GMT 0)
So glad you had a great time, Robin!

And, Welcome back. Terrific message!! Couldn't have put it better myself!
Posted 9/9/2013 5:31 PM (GMT 0)
Robin,

You are a great blessing to this forum! :) I am always in awe of your positive attitude....really.

I'm glad you had a wonderful time up North. Those are some beautiful lakes. My hubby's from Wisconsin and we've stayed at Luna White Deer and Waubee, among others.

Great to have you back!

Debbie
Posted 9/9/2013 8:18 PM (GMT 0)
Sounds like a great trip! :)
Posted 9/9/2013 8:21 PM (GMT 0)
I'm glad you had a wonderful time!! I spent a couple of days at the lake over Labor Day weekend, and I felt just fine. I paced myself and used common sense, but just being in a different environment and being around nature really helped me get my mind off of pain.

I cherish those times when I can enjoy my family and my surroundings and get out of my head. :-)
Posted 9/9/2013 8:39 PM (GMT 0)
Robin!  I was thinking about you yesterday and wondering when you would be back home.  I'm thrilled you had such a wonderful time!  Yes, a diagnosis of fibro doesn't mean the end of a good life!  I know I've had a great life in spite of this illness and I see you sure are, too.  I'm doing a happy dance for you.   yeah

 

Welcome home!

 

Sherrine

Posted 9/10/2013 5:02 AM (GMT 0)
Robin, I decided this year to do the same. I went tent camping 7 times. I also went to Florida and Alabama this summer. It was a great summer! I use to say I couldn't do it, but after being encourage by others here I went for it. I am glad you were able to achieve it too.
Posted 9/10/2013 10:08 AM (GMT 0)
 

So happy you had a good time!  You are such an inspiration to all of us...I love it when you post about overcoming the challenges that come with chronic pain.   I hope you enjoyed a nice Milky Way Bar midst all the fun!

Huggies

Donna

Posted 9/10/2013 2:16 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks,my friends :) We are all kindred spirits...trying to live the best we can in spite of pain. You all have been a source of inspiration to me and I'm very thankful that we have this forum to encourage and support each other. I'm glad to call you my friends...you are all super!

Hugs, Robin
Posted 9/10/2013 3:50 PM (GMT 0)
sorry...wrote a negative post and realise it was a positive group

Post Edited (not sure what else to do) : 9/10/2013 10:25:56 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/10/2013 4:20 PM (GMT 0)
Love this post, Robin. Good attitude, and a great reminder. Glad you had a great time! :)
Posted 9/10/2013 4:41 PM (GMT 0)
My heart goes out to you...it does take time to accept the "new you". It really is an emotional struggle trying to accept all the changes. You go through various stages of grief, mourning the loss of your good health. I remember feeling sad, angry, shock, disbelief. There are still days that pop up now when I feel upset about not being able to do what I once did. After awhile you begin to realize that life goes on and you have to live it. Acceptance comes when you are ready. It takes time and sometimes people reach out for professional counseling for help. Every one is different.

I found doing what I could to help myself, being proactive helped me cope. Feeling you have some control over the situation helps. Exercising, like walking, eating well, thinking positive goes a long way in helping you feel better. Medications are trial and error before you find something that helps. Supplements help too. Dealing with any chronic illness forces a person to be involved with the treatment. Once you accept your situation it becomes easier deal with it.

It took time for me...I have a number of health conditions and perhaps that has helped me in a way. I've had practice learning how to cope. :)

Believe in yourself and you will find that you can still live well and be happy. Wishing you the best!

hugs, Robin
Posted 9/10/2013 4:58 PM (GMT 0)
I am so glad that you were able to have a good time! I too find that if I can focus on something else, I don't focus on the pain as much. Now, at the end of the day is a different story. I am supposed to go to Disneyland in November and I really hope that the fun outweighs the pain.
Posted 9/10/2013 4:59 PM (GMT 0)
Not sure what else to do...oh sweetie please don't apologize! We all know what you are going through we understand! We've been there. You are just beginning to deal with this and it is very difficult. No one expects you to accept your consequences overnight....it is sort of a healing process you go through. My point was to make you see that there is a light at the end of the tunnel...please don't be discouraged.

Please keep posting...I really do care!

hugs, Robin
Posted 9/10/2013 5:46 PM (GMT 0)
Well said, Robin! :) And so true--no need for anyone to apologize, since we all have 'been there, done that.'

There are many things that can help us, to varying degrees. If you type in the search box ' "what helps?" fibromyalgia,' a number of old posts come up, and there are several ideas to check out. I think beyond Fibro 101, that may be a good place to start.

A positive attitude is definitely helpful. Many of us also rely on our faith. Then there are things such as crafts, pets, small outings, projects, and many more.

We're here for you! :)
Posted 9/11/2013 2:48 PM (GMT 0)
I have been experiencing a difficult time not letting this illness get the best of me, so I decided to schedule an appt with a counsellor to gain some perspective and to help me stop focusing on the bad and instead shoot for the good. My first appointment is today. I think this is a positive step for me, and perhaps I too will be able to refocus onto something that makes my pain more bearable.
Posted 9/11/2013 3:28 PM (GMT 0)
Nientz, I hope your appointment goes well today. It is wonderful that you are being so proactive. Wishing you the best in finding peace and great pain relief. Let us know how it goes.

Hugs, Robin
Posted 9/11/2013 3:57 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Robin, glad you had fun :)

Have a great day :)

Fish

Posted 9/12/2013 12:21 PM (GMT 0)
To Crazykitty:
My appointment went well. The counsellor recongizes that I am am struggling to accept this and keep wanting the old me back. Her plan of attack is to have me develop a "new me" based on the here and now, and not what once was. As well, she gave me several things to do, one of which is to work on not worrying about everyone else as I tend to do, but put me first. Tougher than it sounds. She also made a joke that we all may appreciate.
We are not A type personalities as often written about in fibromyalgia, instead we are E typers..everything to everybody. In my case this is true.
I feel good that I took that step yesterday. Almost feels like the first truly positive thing I have done for myself in this sudden journey.
Hope everyone is having a wonderful pain free day.
Posted 9/12/2013 1:51 PM (GMT 0)
Nlentz...I'm so glad your appointment went well! You made a very positive step :) I truly believe it is easier to cope with fibro after you accept that your life won't be exactly as it once was. I'm happy that your counselor is kind and insightful...her remark about E typers sounds true to me too. I think that many of us are natural caretakers. Yes, do spend some time each day doing things YOU love. It really helps. Thanks for the update. The phrase...one day at a time is used often here....it helps too :) You have a wonderful day too!

Fish...hi, hope you are doing well and still taking those great pics!

Hugs, Robin
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