On your (almost) 'worst' fibro days, do you or can you accomplish anything?

Thankfully, I'm not having one of my worst fibro days today! But last week one or two days, I had my infamous "I think it's fibro pain (probably nerve pain) which I tend to get quite often from Fall to Spring. It wasn't a pleasant reminder! I got through it, though.

When I'm having a bad flare, I can generally do some things unless I have severe pain. When I get that, I tend to do puny little jobs around the house.

For example, if I want to mail someone a letter, I might only address the envelope and stick a stamp on it on a bad day. I'd finish up the next day. I do find that on those terrible days, starting even the smallest little job on a bigger project gives me a little push, and I don't feel like I did nothing that day. Small comfort, but it helps.

Or, I might want to bake the next day, which hopefully would be a better day. Sometimes I'll get the cookbook ready and even take out the bowl and pan I need, spoon, spatula, measuring spoons and cups, etc.. Yeah, they may look a little silly sitting on the counter overnight, but it sure helps the next day. Half the battle is won!

How do you handle your worst days, especially when you have work to do around the house (dishes, laundry, cleaning, etc.)? Do you have any tips for making it more bearable?

I'm not talking about your very worst flare ever, when you feel like you can't even move without major pain; just on a generally "bad" fibro day. How do you get through it? Do you save specific little jobs for those days?

Thanks for any input and ideas! Hope everyone has a good week.

This is going to sound incredibly silly, but I'll pick a small task, or several, and then do a part and then go rest. To make more of the "little job", I move very slowly, as if doing a tai chi dance. Imight make big sighs, take slo mo steps. If anyone was watching, I'm sure they'd call the men in white jackets, lol!

I have to admit that I fight through the pain even on the worst days and try to function - probably a big mistake but I want to try to stay as normal as possible

I would have to be in the same boat as AndreM. I work a retail job as a store manager standing all day. On my worst days, I push through. Its not easy especially when I am in a full body flare where everything hurts and breathing is a chore. (y'all know what Im talking about unfortunately)

Now I will say that if I was having head pain like you describe or the migraines that I know some of you suffer from.....I would be non functioning. PERIOD. I have to say head pain is the worst pain I can think of. It is agonizing misery. I have experienced it a few times in my life where noise, brightness and nausea with the pain was almost unbearable!!! I really feel for those of you whom suffer this way and admire your strength to get through it. God bless you for you are stronger than you know.

Hop none of you are suffering this way to frequently.
Good post Luvsminis . Enjoying reading your replies and coping skills.

Take care all
Michael

Newly diagnosed here so I am still learning how to cope. I work full time so I push myself to get through my day at work, but by the time I get home I am pretty wiped out. I will do what you described at home and just do little things and then rest.

I have found that organization is key to my survival. LOL. I make to-do lists for everything and feel so much better when I can mark something off. It also helps me to not forget something.

I have Tension Headaches and the occasional full blown migraine so on those days, I am pretty gentle with myself and just rest as much as I can.

I have teenagers in the house so they are slowly learning that they are going to have help out a lot more too.

There are days it's impossible to "push through". I have convenience foods for those nights I can't make dinner. On Tuesdays there's a pizza special I take advantage of.

MelW11: Absolutely give those teens some chores. My teen used to empty the dishwasher. It hurts me to bend down so that was a big help.

My doctor said activity - rest - activity - rest. That's great advice.

Barb

Hi Peers!
Happy Labor Day Weekend
I learned through a book written by Mary Ellen Copeland (before Copeland developed her Wellness Plan for Mental Illness, but that works for anyone experiencing problems with their activities of daily living (ADL's) and Dr. Staryl, 16 years ago, to journal every activity and every feeling or increase of pain. It was hard to learn to do this all day every day; especially with brain fog and screaming pain. The benefits continue to work today.
I need to know what creates more pain and if it will be moderate or severe enough to take me to bed the next day. This way I have control and make informed decisions.

During my second year, I knew my pain triggers. I do not have complete control over my pain taking over, but I can plan my days so that I always, always, break up my ADL's. I keep my house and life organized; everything has a place and it always goes right back in that place. If it is a down day, I put the item in the same place, in a stack, and deal with it the next day or over a few days time. I pick the most important items of that day and tackle them using the rest-activity-rest method. A great example is putting dishes into the dish tub with Material items are a American status symbol. Over the years I have added way too many into my life. Keeping up with all the dusting, cleaning, putting away, storing them, etc. is just not worth it.

Most importantly for me; I do not feel guilt when I can not accomplish those simple chores. It's not like they won't be there the next day :). Relationships with others are harder. Most understand but some people get tired of being cancelled on. Unfortunately, those people remain in my life but we don't see each in person much. We do text and FB.

Working. I am currently the first in line for a job that is a dream for me. It is full-time :(, but the hours are evening and overnight so the physical exertion will be less than paperwork. It also means moving. Right now, moving is something that would benefit me and actually make my life easier. I would prefer a 3 or 4 day work week, but I believe that if I push through the first several months my fibro and my knee pain will get used to regular activity again. When I was in college and university for almost 10 years straight, I not only was constantly in motion and class but in 26 hour a week internships. WHEW. Major benefits; my fibromyalgia increased a bit, but it also disappeared in how often I experienced more than a few times a month, medium flares.

Great thread. It is always good to revisit our life plans for remaining well.

Pushed way too hard last week, to have guests and throw a cookout..we also went downtown to get pedis.

So i am in recovery mode. My muscles are talking back for me pushing them..i am tired and spacey...i do make myself move throughout the day for small tasks. Cause lets face it, not moving hurts as much as moving too much..its a difficult balance.

Hoping by tomorrow i will be able to do more again.