Posted 7/5/2014 1:49 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, Floyd, and welcome! Fibro can be pretty miserable but once you find what will help you be in control of the pain, you will do just fine. I have had fibro for 27 years so far and have had a full and enjoyable life in spite of this illness. I've done so many things I didn't think I could do but all I had to do was try. I find the more active I am, the less pain I have. Also, fibro waxes and wanes. If you are in a lot of pain it will get better.
I have an arthritis type disease of the spine called ankylosing spondylitis. This, along with sacroiliitis, made it so I could barely walk. I saw my rheumatologist and he put me on ibuprofen with food and also Robaxin. Robaxin made a significant difference in my pain but I take it every six hours....500mg. My prescription said I could take two 500mg three times a day but I didn't want to take that much. I decided to spread it out and still was taking less than prescribed. I have found you can't give fibro an inch. I don't wait until I'm really suffering to take medication that helps me. I keep it in my system. If I'm doing good, I'll forget to take the medication and that's good! But the moment I start to stiffen up, I know not to wait. I also use Tylenol when needed.
I also take a couple of supplements that have really helped me. They are magnesium malate and vitamin D3. Many with fibro are deficient in these. There are links in Fibro 101 that tell you all about these supplements and how they work in the body.
Gentle exercise is very good for fibro. Walking is excellent and so is swimming. I walk 30 minutes every morning and I come home with less pain and more energy. Just getting out and seeing all the beauty all round me helps so much. If you haven't walked much for a while, start out slowly. When I started, I only could walk four houses down and had to turn back if I wanted to get back home. I didn't give up, though. I went out the next day and could walk a little further. So give this a try. Have your children go with you if they are old enough. You can enjoy each others' company!
Put yourself on a sleep schedule. Go to bed and get up the same time every day. Your body will learn that when you lay down in bed, it's time to sleep. I don't even have to set an alarm anymore. Also, avoid caffeine after early afternoon. That also means chocolate, along with coffee and tea. Try deep breathing exercises to relax before bed also.
Pacing yourself when doing things really helps also. It all gets done but in a different time frame.
You can play games with your children. Do puzzles, etc. if you are in a lot of pain. All children really need is to be loved. The quality time you spend is great and it doesn't have to be strenuous to be quality time. Even reading to them is wonderful and something all would look forward to.
One thing that has helped me with all of my health issues is having a positive attitude. If you sit down and make two lists...one of your problems and one of your blessings...you will find your list of blessing is far longer. Don't forget things like hearing, seeing and even your independence. So many of our blessings we take for granted. There is a great link in Fibro 101 about maintaining a positive attitude when you have chronic pain. I read that when I'm having one of those days.
Please take the time to read Fibro 101...the first thread on the forum. There are good links about fibro and you will learn a lot there. We do have to be our out advocates with this illness.
I'm looking forward to getting to know you better. Don't hesitate to ask questions because we are here to help you. Hope to hear more from you soon.
Sherrine