Tired of being tired

Hi ak...

And it's nice to meet you. I've seen you around the forum but haven't had a chance to visit. I'm guessing there are lots of members who can totally identify with what you are saying and feeling. We do the 'normal' thing that other people our age do and afterwords we pay a huge price in pain. It's just not right! You are a wonderful example of keeping your body moving in spite of the pain but unfortunately we have to realize that we can't do as much as we would like. That's a very hard pill to swallow.

Does your friend know about any limitations you have? If so what have you told him/her? What I tell people who need to know is "I have a 'muscle disorder' that makes me feel immense pain in all of my muscles and can steal my energy in an instant. I have to choose carefully where I spend my energy." For most of the people in my life that's enough.

All I am asking for is respect. No pity or sympathy is necessary for me. I'm not asking for anything from those I care about but I do need some them to understand that my life and needs have changed and to consider that there are other things I would like to do with my friends too. What about instead of feeling miserable about not being able to go swimming tomorrow that you suggest something you Can do. Maybe go to a movie, visit the local library, or stay at home and work on a craft project together. Scrapbooking is more fun with a friend.

I think we all have our times when we get frustrated and angry for what fibro has done to our lives, but we are the only ones who can change it by changing how we think about it. It's a skill that takes learning but it can be done. Look around the forum and you can find many people who are living wonderful and fulfilling lives in spite of fibro. We hold each other up when the going is tough and we laugh and have fun together the rest of the time. We ARE survivors! Glad you came to join us~~

Chutz

Remember to pace yourselves. Swimming and exercising in the water is the best thing for us I think. I do a lot of walking. I walk everyday. Not a real lot, but enough. Keep moving.

Hugs, Karen

Hiya

I really can empathise with your frustration - I am naturally a very active person and often get frustrated (occasioanally to the point of tears) that I can't do everything I want to.

Someone at work commented that my mind is cashing cheques that my body can't honour - so true.

Maybe if you're not up for full on swimming you could go along and do some stretches in the water? The water will support your weight. You could also just walk up and down the pool rather than swimming - easier exercise when you're in pain but at least still moving around. I quite often do my stretches in the shower as I find the warm water comforting and makes the stretching a little easier  - my housemates sometimes get grumpy with me and say I'm hogging the bathroom mind you, they're not very good at fishing their long hair out of the plug hole so I think we're more or less even!

During a recent bad flare up I was very upset about the whole fibro thing and cancelling fun things left, right and centre. My mum suggested that I find a hobby that I can do when I'm too poorly to do my normal  things. Great advice - I nowhave a 1000 piece jigsaw and a sketchbook, drawing pencils and pastels. I am rubbish at drawing but I find it relaxing and enjoyable and as for my jigsaw - I am addicted! When I was needing to stay in and rest it was really good.

I really recommend that we all learn to talk about our fibro and its limitations - I have found that people are much more understanding if I have talked openly about our condition and how it affects me. It is difficult to do but I think the effort is worth it. When I talk about fibro to people I really try to state things in a factual way without complaining and also remembering the balance between saying enough to put my point accross but not saying so much that I'm marked as a hypochondriac.

Good luck and hugs

Chocchip

For any of you this post may help, give raw unfiltered honey and cinnamon capsules a try for the
fatigue. For the muscle issues give beta-alanine (an amino acid) a shot. I've been experimenting with
different herbals for these issues and have found this the best combo so far. I've had my neighbor
who has arthritis, fibro and MS and my best friend try it and both now use it and say the same thing.
I gave a co-worker who also has similar issues a few days worth to try and she said it made a lot
of difference for her. If you do the beta-alanine use the soft capsules as they absorb into your
system better. The honey has to be unpasturized and if you can find it unfiltered...you can find
the cinnamon capsules at an herbal shop or even Wal-Mart!!