Mom of 2 with Fibro and CFS - I'm so overwhelmed!

I also set up a child's table and chairs in my kitchen, and kept coloring books, paper, crayons, water color paints, and Play Dough there.  My kids knew they could go there but had to stay there.  They weren't supposed to take the crayons and other things away from the table.  They would sit there and draw, make cards, etc. and have a nice time.  I also encouraged my children to do puzzles.  They loved them!  This was something that kept them busy and I could just rest.  I never stayed in bed, though.  I was up, dressed, and with them.  Of course, we had the swingset and the sand box in the back yard, too.    All of these things were very helpful to me.

It is important to keep moving with fibro.  If you sit or lay too much you will be stiff as a board.  That could be part of your problem.  Do some gentle stretching exercises and also find a gentle exercise you can do.  I walk and swim for my gentle exercise.  If you walk, this is something you can do with your kids, too.  They could be on their tricycles and bikes if weather allowed. 

Be sure to check out Fibro 101...the first thread on the forum.  There are links to good information about fibro and you will learn a lot there.  You will find links to gentle stretching exercises that really do help and also about vitamin D3 and malic acid/magnesium supplements and how they work in your body.  These have helped me quite a bit.  You might want to bounce that off your doctor.

I don't see a rheumatologist for my fibro.  I have a board certified Internist that takes care of my fibro and anything else I get.  Actually there aren't really any "expert" doctors when it comes to fibro, since they don't even know what causes it.  Your doctor just has to try to keep abreast of the new things being used to help patients with fibro. 

I'm looking forward to getting to know you better.  Don't hesitate to ask questions because we are here to help you.  I hope to hear more from you soon.

Sherrine

      Thank you both for responding with such sincerity and kindness.  You are right, sotiredoffibro, that the hours my children are at school should be hours I rest and recoup.  Especially right now where I am getting   over the flu.  Sherrine, I'm glad to be here.  I have tried other online forums but this one seems to fit me best.  I know people with Chron's disease and I can imagine how debilitating and inconvenient it is. 

    I have had Fibro for almost 15 years so I am well versed in the ins and outs and ups and downs!  I currently take liquid Vit D3 and it's awesome.  It has helped a lot with my Seasonal Affective Disorder, too. 

    Thanks for the tip on the children's table.  I think I will try that with my little one.  My other son is 10 and in school for most of the day.  I also started using a muffin tin and filling it with healthy snacks that my little one can get for himself, as well as cups of healthy drinks in the fridge so I don't have to keep getting up and down on days when I am so very weary.

     I love yoga and the stretching and stengthening doing that has been so beneficial.  It is also an excellent relaxant for me.  However, there are days when I absolutely cannot get out of bed.  I can hardly walk to the bathroom that is 5 feet from our bedroom.  Those are the worst days.  I hear you on staying in bed.  It can have a very negative affect on my muscles and stamina and pain.  But, I find that sometimes a few days of really good rest will make a world of difference in how I feel.

     I am working on a book of my experience with Fibro and have found many people in my area who want to share their experiences with me.  That is helpful to have a goal and work to do and also in hearing others' stories it somehow makes me feel stronger and validated.  

     I will be sure to check out Fibro 101, too.  Thanks so much!