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I'm changing the way I think about fibro

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Posted 3/23/2010 5:54 PM (GMT 0)
The mind is a powerful tool. I am no longer going to think of fibro as my enemy. It's

just part of who I am.  I am tired of doing battle with it so I decided I'm going to

try harder to work with it than against it. I have to pysche myself up every morning,

but if that is what it takes, thats what I'll do.

We all know how hard it is when a flare hits. My anger gets the best of me when my

pain level is sky high. I know anger creates more stress, and stress creates more

pain. I tend to put on my "happy face" and try to calm myself doing relaxation

exercises. I feel I want more control, I don't want fibro or my "other stuff" to control

me.

I think I have accepted my illnesses, but still find myself angry sometimes. Is this

normal?

Hugs, Robin

 

Posted 3/23/2010 6:33 PM (GMT 0)
I feel the same way - I feel like I have accepted my fibro, but I still get angry when I think of the things I can't do anymore. My oldest has started to run and has asked me a couple of times why can't I go with him and I feel like I am missing out.

Anyway, I should concentrate on what I can do and be thankful I can still get out and do other things with them! I need to try the relaxation thing - I get very impatient when I hurt and I should take a deep breath before I snap at someone.

You are always such a positive presence on this board - thank you for all the time you give!
Posted 3/23/2010 6:44 PM (GMT 0)
Great post.  I think that is a healthy attitude.  I also feel I have accepted Fibro but when the pain and fog is great it gets hard.  I try hard to concentrate on the things I can do and I work hard to keep going.  I think us Fibromites are very strong people.

Posted 3/23/2010 7:21 PM (GMT 0)
We ARE very strong people!  You ladies are heading in the right direction.  When I'm in a flare, instead of thinking about how much I hurt, I just take my meds to help take the edge off it and then get on the computer and come to the forum or work on genealogy.  I'm sure all of you have some things that are not strenuous that you can do to help take your mind off how you feel.  That works best for me.  But, I do keep moving.  I have to or I hurt more.

 

I just know that fibro is part of my make-up....like the other health issues I have.  I do the best I can with what I have and that's all anyone can expect.  I liked when Robin said she wasn't going to fight it anymore.  You are right.  It does no good.  I just find ways to work around it.  It's kind of like you are really hungry but there is a skunk in the middle of the kitchen.  You find a way around the skunk to get to the food.  Dumb analogy, I know.  shakehead   But, I'm tired.  Anyway, that's what I do.  I know what I want to do or accomplish and I find a way of working around fibro to do it.  Boy, does that make you feel good, too!  You know you are truly in control of the "skunk"!  turn

Sherrine

Posted 3/23/2010 9:07 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Upbeat, Libby and Sherrine. I also believe fibromites are strong. It is important
to focus on what we can do. I think of my Dad, who loved excercise and can no longer
walk. Today I took a long walk and thought about him.

Sherrine, I loved your analogy. Hope I never find a skunk in my kitchen!

Hugs, Robin
Posted 3/23/2010 9:43 PM (GMT 0)
I second the skunk thing! LOL I am newly diagnosed and just coming to terms with fibro. I love getting on here though and always being able to find at least one post that makes me smile! Thanks to the fog I think I have read and re-read every post on here, but at least they still seem new..lol I will find some great info and pass it on to my sister and she's like "You told me that yesterday!" It's great fun. So at least I can laugh at myself sometimes and right now I'm coming off of a pretty big flare, so I feel better then I have in a week. I just kept telling myself that this to shall pass and eventually it did. I'm not going to bring myself down waiting for the next one anymore. I will cherish the good day's!
Posted 3/23/2010 10:06 PM (GMT 0)
I really like this thread, and I hope that we can keep it going with ideas of what to do to make life with fibro more bearable. I know that it can get hard, but we can do it. I think pacing ourselves is so important. There are days that you feel better and want to do everything that day because you never know how you are going to feel the next day. But we have to take it slow and hopefully the next day we will feel good enough to do more.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 3/24/2010 2:08 AM (GMT 0)
Flexibility works best for me. When I plan my weekends or any fun activities, I always plan options that we can do if I'm flaring or running out of energy. If our plan is a picnic and a bike ride in the park, my backup is peanut butter and jelly in the living room while we play Wii.

It's easier for all of us if I already have a backup plan in place. We know we will do something special, we're just not always sure what it will be. My family now accepts that sometimes, I'd rather stay behind and they now go without guilt.

I no longer fear vacations because we are flexible and don't over plan. If I end up in the hotel the whole time, it's still better than sitting around at home. No one feels guilty and I end up feeling better and enjoying myself.
Posted 3/24/2010 2:35 AM (GMT 0)
My basic attitude is take along a lawn chair. I can do most anything if I'm allowed to stop and sit down along the way. I keep one of those chairs that fit in a bag in my vehicle and try to remember it's there (LOL!) When I'm at a department store I'll often head over to the bed department or the furniture dept. and "try out" some mattresses or a new sofa. My mind can clear while I rest and I tell the sales people I'm trying to decide if I can afford it. That usually gets them to leave me alone.

I guess I'm so used to living this way that I don't really fight it. I've had this my whole life so pain and resting and not being able to do stuff is kind of normal. To be honest, since I have my diagnosis I'm a lot happier! I don't feel like such a wimp and I don't feel guilty about having pain. I mean, imagine if you thought everyone else was in this much pain, too, and not complaining about it...? Wouldn't you feel like a wimp? They are all just coping... and I want to lay down and die! Now that I know that they don't hurt all the time... I'm like, OOOOOOHHHHHHH!!!! OK! It's ok if I feel like Poop!
Posted 3/24/2010 3:58 AM (GMT 0)
Robin,

I agree that this is a great topic and you are such a wise woman! Letting fibro get control is one of the worst things we can do, I'm sure. I think for the most part I've accepted this darn disorder but once in a while we all get 'down' and frustrated and it's those times I wonder why I have this or what did I do to deserve it...you all know the drill. But I try hard not to stay in those pity parties for long. It only makes it worse.

Hugs,
Chutz
Posted 3/24/2010 4:54 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks

I'm loving the ideas how to make it easier for us to live with fibro.

One thing I have been trying to do is change how I tell people when I'm unable to
particpate in something. Rather than saying I can't go this and that is hurting, I just
say today is a bad day. They understand and I don't have to sound like a sick patient.
I don't need to hear myself talk about my pain when I already feel it and everyone

has heard about it before.

Hugs, Robin

Post Edited (crazykitty) : 3/24/2010 12:31:03 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 3/24/2010 7:40 PM (GMT 0)
Great topic!!!   I really think my fibro is not "full blown"  I seem to be able to keep up the fast pace that I always have done.  But now that I think of it I was down for the count about 3 or 4e weeks ago.  # days of misery but all in all., so far not so bad.  Now that I put it in writing I will crash tongue 

There are things that I have to do every day and there is no getting out of it. 

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