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Fibromyalgia
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Posted 2/21/2014 9:06 PM (GMT 0)
First .... I truly appreciate any and all advice. I just returned from doctor visit and the word fibromyalgia erupted from my doctor..... I knew it , doctor knew it but I had not officially heard it out loud until today.

Supplements: please guide me.
Caffeine?
Sugar?
Nicotine ?
Alcohol?

I am guilty of All of the above. I will have an occasional ocruailbbut not on a daily basis. The others- I use daily.
I have not exercised because my hips never stop aching. I get cramps across my ribcage just bending over !
.
I feel like I need a life with Fibro coach. Are there foods that trigger pain??

I had to quit work in October because the pain and other symptoms made it impossible to stand on my feet for 8 hours a day. I read where some of you are able to work your retail jobs with no problems. How?? I cannot sit, stand or lay down for any length of time. Heck after I cook even a quick meal- I am exhausted.

How do you folks live a somewhat normal life? I turned 54 yesterday and I am not ready to give up.
Is there a diet some of you follow?

Seeking suggestions to start "myself" all over from scratch




smhair smhair
Posted 2/21/2014 9:08 PM (GMT 0)
that big misspelled word is "cocktail"...Haha
Posted 2/21/2014 10:21 PM (GMT 0)
My only vise is sugar. I have a mouthful of sweet teeth. :-))

We've had many debates about diet here and the decision is eat healthy and avoid foods that affect us personally.
Fibro is different for everyone and different levels of pain.
If you liked to see the diet debates use the forum search engine and type in "fibro diet".

Get you some heating pads of assorted sizes for heat helps us a lot. Epsom salt baths seem to ease some pains.
Posted 2/21/2014 10:40 PM (GMT 0)
The first year is hardest, no doubt about that. What you have to do is re-learn where your limits are.

Are you on medication? Do you currently take something for pain? Some choose to stay OTC and supplements, others here are medicated. I am a medicated girl, because I work and want to stay active.

Everyone is different in how they both approach and are affected by this condition. That's a part of the first year conundrum, figuring out where and how you need to change.

I do not smoke. I am an exerciser. I drink, 2-3 drinks a week, maybe. I do not do sugar, as I eat a reduced carb diet for IBD. Everyone will have different responses.... and none of them are applicable to you.

Suggestion-start a pain/food/sleep/activity journal, keep it for a few weeks. Then, a snapshot of your triggers will be clearer to you.
Posted 2/21/2014 11:04 PM (GMT 0)
Pacing is really important. I try to alternate activity with sitting. Very short naps sometimes help--resting rather than sleeping.

I find I can eat a little sugar every day, but only something like a small piece of candy, or part of a cookie. I don't smoke or drink alcohol, so I'm no help to you there. Caffeine is something I try to only have rarely.

I think keeping your diet as healthy as possible is a big plus. When the bad flares hit, we're pretty immobile, and if you're anything like me, don't need any empty calories (though some here say they are underweight).

I have no idea how people can work outside the home with this condition! It's tough enough at home to accomplish much, but it's amazing to me how some people here can go to work for hours, even standing. Hats off!!! I've found it harder to focus on tasks, the older I get, so that's another reason I'm not working outside the home. Working on that one every day! :)

Hope this helps a little bit. :-)
Posted 2/22/2014 2:10 AM (GMT 0)
Hi DandyGal,

Welcome to the fibromyalgia forum!!!

I have a hard time telling people not to smoke, because I smoke. But it really isn't good for you in any way especially with fibromyalgia. The sugar isn't good. We all know that. Caffeine should be minimal, though I am a coffee drinker. All day long. They are finding out that there are good things about coffee. Alcohol, well, I have an occasional glass of wine. I make homemade... But that makes us depressed. So none of the above helps the situation. I would say moderation in all things. Though the smoking should really go...

I hear more and more that being active keeps you active. Maybe you are moving too fast with the exercise. Start out slow. You really need to keep moving with fibromyalgia. A body in motion stays in motion. If you sit, or lay too much you become very stiff and the pain is far worse. I know nobody wants to hear this, but you really do want to keep moving. I walk. It really helps me physically and mentally.

I worked for awhile a few years ago and I loved it. I couldn't continue though. I am glad that I did it and if I can, I will do it again. Maybe just for the summer though. But I am like you, I can't sit or lay for any length of time. I can't sleep in the mornings because of an aching hip. So often I am up at 4:00 am... I stand mostly. I am most comfortable standing.

We have an awesome thread called "fibro 101". It is the first thread on the forum. It is a sticky so it will always be there. There is a wealth of information there, so please do read some there. I think you will be glad that you did. It answers a lot of questions and lets you know that you are not alone.

Do post more. Take things one day at a time. Do the best that you can. It always feels good when you know that you tried. With the exercise, go slow. Often we do too much in the beginning and it hurts. Just do a little, if you walk, make it just a five minute walk. The next day maybe you will do a little more.

Stretch!!! It is so important to stretch. Your muscles get rigid if you don't.

Drink a lot of water. Keep the muscles hydrated. And most important, don't beat yourself up for not being able to do what you use to do. We age everyday. We have to take that into account. So we just do the best that we can.

I hope that you feel better soon.

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 2/22/2014 3:04 AM (GMT 0)
DandyGal, I am glad you were able to ask your Dr. Questions and get a proper diagnoses. Many times it takes years for one to get the proper diagnoses. Your doing the best thing first and that is educating yourself about fibro. The more tools you have in your pocket will help you manage your fibro better.

I would go on line, book store or library to find some updated books on fibro. Many of us have similiar treatments for fibro, but we do differ in some things. You have to consider we have different medical issues that go along with fibro. When you start trying new things just remember to give it time to work and dont get discourage if it doesn't work. Many things you will try are a trial and error method.

I have heard alcohol doesn't do so well with fibro patients. It doesn't hurt you, just makes you feel like crap if taken in too much. As others says do things in moderation. Many here stand by a strict diet for fibro. I know others say that the diet doesn't make much difference in controlling the pain. I am sure there are people here that can share a fibro diet with you. I just try to eat healthy. I would recommend you do your homework on the diet thing.

There are so many supplements you can take to help fibro. You need to be careful on the ones that say it cures fibro. I know magnesium malate
helps with pain and muscle spasms. Vitamin D helps with pain and depression, vitamin B12 gives you energy and I heard others taking ribose supplement for energy. There are so many more out there. I could never take B-12 because it caused my heart to run too fast. So as I said we are all so different in what we can take.

I try to limit my caffeine, especially late. I know others don't drink caffeinated drinks. So just jump in there and do the trial and error method. Lol

Just go slow in trying new things. This way you can see what works for you.

Post Edited (ak angel) : 2/21/2014 8:08:06 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 2/22/2014 4:17 AM (GMT 0)
Hello DandyGal,
I agree with everyone here. Very good advice as usual. I am like myself 09. I take meds to function properly. Tramadol helps take the edge off for me. Notice I said EDGE. I still have lots of pain but so far (13 years) Ive managed. I also take magnesium malate.

I also exercise. Now about work. ...I work full time as a store manager, keep in mind. I do not have the debilitating fatigue that many here have nor do I have any other add ons such as RA, Lupus, or the big long named spine condition that Sherrine has or Heart or lung problems. Some of these folks here amaze Me. Hell all of these folks amaze me. I have fibro and a little osteoarthritis of the spine. If I had the other conditions these peeps have NO I WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO WORK. I would still have pain if I wasn't working so. ...I owe I owe its off to work I go.

While at work I do practice fibronomics.
1. Arms stay close to my body.
2. unload the back. Try not to bend alot Lift with my legs. wear comfortable shoes.
3. Support I lean alot. Every customer I come out from behind the counter then lean against it to talk to them.
4. Remain shifty I shift my weight alot from side to side. I walk my store alot fixing accessories and wiping down phones. When eating lunch and sitting down I fidget in my chair and move around and shift.

I learnt these behaviors from a book that one of my Dr.'s whom has fibro wrote. The book is called Inside Fibromyalgia by Mark Pellegrino. I would recommend it to anyone when first diagnosed with this stupid syndrome.

As usual I've said way to much!! Shut him up says everyone on the forum! ! But seriously. .. stick around here. Ask questions and most importantly keep looking for what will help YOU. Don't settle for "you just have to learn to live with it" well.... you do, but not at the level its at now. You can feel better and you can enjoy your life inspite of this ridiculous syndrome. Take care.
Posted 2/25/2014 4:33 PM (GMT 0)
Such great advice from all of you- thank you so much!

I 'm hanging in there. Everyday is different for me.
Most of my pain is in my hips and neck. Today I will purchase magnesium and vitamin D when I go to get my meds refilled. I am changing from Zanaflex back to
Flexeril. Staying on Savella, Trazadone, 800mg Ibuprofen.

Today so far I feel great!! I will search fibro diet and see what I can take from that , that could possibly help me.

I appreciate your time and concern! Thank you for your input!!!!!

Sabrina
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