Hi..you're welcome. The strange thing is that we don't realize most of the things that we do, like not breathing properly. We could do a whole discussion on habits that are detrimental to our health, like leaning on our elbows, crossing our legs, tearing packages open with our teeth, etc. It would be a funny discussion, I'll bet.
Ally
I use Penetrex which I buy on Amazon. I used to use Voltaren but was switched to Pensaid which is a prescription similiar to Voltaren but it works better. I use it on any of my joints. I learned from another Fibro sufferer to rest for 10 -15minutes then get up and walk around for 5 minutes and repeat. I listen to the radio a lot and use the station identification as my signal to get up and move. I do stretching exercises, heating pad, sometimes ice, drink lots of water, take magnesium, distract myself with reading or playing solitaire in my iPad while I watch TV (double distraction), I use Norco and Flexeril when the pain is the worst which is prescribed by my Pain Management doctor, I eat Gluten free, I call someone who is lonely, cuddle with my big fat kittycat. In other words, I have this whole tool box of things to try. Oh, we also bought a hot tub which we couldn’t afford at the time but I dump a whole box of Epsom salts in it and soak for 20 minutes. The Doctor who diagnosed me said taking care of myself would forevermore be my full time occupation. Wise man. He also told me to ride the pain like a wave, remembering that it will rise and fall. One last thing - I meditate to the same Sanskrit chant everyday for the past 10 years. Overtime, it has taught me deep relaxation and a state of bliss that gives me an emotional distance from the pain. I hope I haven’t overwhelmed you!
Wow Mystic!! You are doing a fabulous job in taking care of yourself! I have gotten a lot of suggestions from your email. People who have responded so far to my post have given me great information! I really appreciate it too! Thanks so much!! Laurie
That is pretty cool, Mystic. I deal with the pain somewhat the same way but I like your visualization…will now see myself on a surf board! I like the chant, also, I use a breathing and visualization technique.
A comprehensive plan!
SG
Dr Claire Francomano (she specializes in Ehlers Danlos which is painful also) has a "percentage approach" to pain that is posted on the Inspire EDS forum a lot. I'm going to have the wonderful lady who posts her explanation of it as a guest on my blog soon, blogging about pain management. I'd explain it here but SASO explains it a lot better. I will let you all know when it's up but basically it's combining pain management techniques to relieve as much pain as possible. The things that have been mentioned here already, along with the use of TENS units and the like. Biofreeze is also sold over the counter now I think. It's a pain relieving gel used by a lot of Physical Therapists. I got a sample bottle at a health expo I went to which is why I'm pretty sure it's OTC. I'm going to do posts also, before the pain management one, about fibro and EDS, so if anybody wants to chime in about fibro please let me know. I know I go on and on about EDS and may get on some nerves but I don't want it to be missed in anyone else for so long like it was for me. The biofreeze does help me a lot though, and distraction helps some. I look at funny things and try to laugh. I use a cane when I need one and a walker when I need one and wear braces or wraps on the places that need extra support. Sometimes that helps ease the pain a little. My doctor also said she thinks I don't absorb vitamin D properly so i take 4,000 iu of that a day and magnesium. I agree with the breathing thing others mentioned too. I thought my shallow breathing was due to trying to avoid allergens that cause allergic asthma attacks for me. But it could be related to the fibro. I also tend to tense up against the pain without thinking about it which makes it worse instead of better. Not holding myself tense is hard though because I unconciously tense up to hold joints in place so they don't sublux or dislocate. Ive been trying to make sure my body is supported then totally relaxing but it's harder than it sounds. Hope this helps a little. Everybody here is so awesome.
hugs
Susan W
This is something i'm working on, as I really don't do well with opiates, so here goes;
-Moving, at least once an hour I get up and move around. I also try to get out and do a little walk.
-Stretching, I lay on the floor and stretch whatever is most tight/painful daily
-Massage, i've started laying on a tennis ball when my back is sore, and moving it from place to place where it is tight. It hurts like heck but really helps to release tight muscles in my back.
-Take paracetamol/acetaminophen regularly, my doctor just started having me take panadol osteo (which is just a bigger dose of paracetamol/acetaminophen) every 8 hours. I do feel better, so maybe that's been helping. Apparently taking it regularly helps more than taking it sporadically.
-hugs/snuggles/petting pets, sometimes when i'm just really in pain and upset i'll snuggle with my dog or if possible play a little game of fetch in the hallway. He's such a good dog that he's very patient when i'm upset and is happy to get extra pats :). It's a good distraction, has a calming effect and he makes me laugh.
Hi Emma - thank you SO much for your suggestions. I have received a lot of wonderful feedback for my post. All the suggestions you gave me are wonderful. I can't believe that I didn't think of them on my own!! LOL I guess we learn something new every day- huh?? Keep doing what you are doing, and I will follow!! Hugs!! Laurie
HI Susan - Everything you said, really caught my interest!! I, too, don't absorb vitamin D well, and like you, I am on vitamins D medicine also. When I am in bed and in pain, I have the problem of tensing up too. I do it so much and I know it certainly doesn't help my Fibro. When I catch myself getting tense, I just immediately talk my body into relaxing and taking deep breaths. I have shallow breathing also. In the daytime, I seem to be fine, but when night comes along, that's when I really start to feel the pain - so I need to be aware of how I am handling it! Thanks so much for your suggestions and I will certainly try them - anything to lessen my pain will help! Love, Laurie
Hi rattled! I am SO jealous of what your bed must look like with all the little comfort things you are surrounded by!
I have a few things too - but what I really need is a wonderful, soft mattress. I have been toying with this idea for a little while. Thanks! Laurie
Laurie - we bought a memory foam mattress from Overstock. I’d read the reviews before ordering one because there are many brands to choose from. It has been a godsend. I don’t know if you are on your own or not. I am married to a wonderful, loving Canadian who makes my life so much better. The memory foam bed makes sharing a bed more comfortable because I don’t feel his movements in the night. My daughter has an actual Tempurpedic and swears by it but the price was beyond our means.
The worst thing for me, is arthritic joint and bone pain and stiffness, I cannot stay in one place long before I need to move, if it's only to walk through the house and stretch a little. It always helps, at least a bit!
The better the arthritis, the better the fibro for me.
As you know, I have been wanting to get a new mattress. What is so strange is, over the years I have ordered many things from Overstock! I love that company. I feel so ridiculous, because I didn't even think about ordering a mattress from there! Thanks so much for telling me. I am going to get on the internet later on tonight and see what's available. Thanks for helping me 'unglue' my brain or as we call it - - - Fibro fog!! Love, Laurie
Mattresses are meant to be tried out, layed on, if you can try something just like it then go ahead, just avoid another disappointment! Make sure you get the mattress right for you!
Hi Sk - Like you, I can't stay in one place when I am in bed. Sometimes I will be all snuggled with my blanket over me and sure enough - - -here comes the lovely, but oh, so painful Fibro!! I thrash around so much in the night time - sometimes I just get up and get out of bed and walk around in a daze. I am so used to having trouble getting to sleep because of the pain. If it's really bad, I have this huge pillow with side arms and I put that against my regular pillow - and sleep, sitting up. It's not the best way to sleep, but it's the only way I can if I hurt all over. Love, Laurie
I love the towels in the crockpot idea! I’m gonna have to try that.
Wow rattled…you had me drifting off to a happy place just imagining your sanctuary! Sounds like pure HEAVEN! I do sometimes miss my beautiful, girly bedroom in my old apartment…it was my sanctuary. I will definitely have to make some changes to our bedroom now that you having me thinking about it! So glad you did!
I am for sure doing the crock pot thing…GENIUS!
Right now, I’m usually followed to bed by a 55lb. English Bulldog (Bella) and my Shih Tzu (Baby Bear) LOL And if you don’t know, English Bulldogs SNORE worse than most men! I’m getting used to it now though.
Hi Laurie, I swim therefore I am! I am able to move! My knees are better! My flexibility has improved to the point that I have joined a beginner yoga class. I can’t say enough good things about it. In late October I got so bad I could barely move. I took medical leave from classroom teaching. In January I resigned. It was a hard decision because I was finally feeling a lot better. But it was because I was able to go to the pool in the middle of the day every day. I swim for between 20 to 50 min depending on how my body feels. Then I soak in the therapy hot pool for 10 minutes. This is the only time I can relax, I am totally supported by the water no pressure on any muscle. I just float with my eyes closed. I now teach online from home, swim in the middle of the day then come home to finish my work day. I am taking the time to plan healthy meals. I have now lost 13 pounds since January 1st. I am still uncomfortable most of the time, I don’t sleep well, I still have to deal with IBS, there are times when I have to take a nap in the late afternoon because I simply cannot keep my eyes open and focus on my work for another minute. But I swim therefore I am!
Shaylynn, I think you may be onto something, ever time I go to Florida I feel better, I thought it was the warmth of the sun, but now that I think about it… I was swimming everyday, not a lot , but I was, and also last aug I started going to warm water PT which was wonderful.
Iv been trying to figure out why I am worse, dec & jan, no swim. So funny because I was just thinking yesterday, about going to this aquatic center and trying to swim, plus it has a whirl pool hot tub.
After reading your response I’m def going to start to swim !!!
Thank you !
Hugs & blessings
dee
Laurie … wow great discussion !!!
Hi Laurie, you don't have to worry, heating pads nowadays have an automatic shut off. Mine shuts off in 1/2 hour. Good luck with the new rheumy :) Charlie.
Hi Laurie, I get in a hot tub when I get the chance. It feels amazing, and after I can sleep. We're putting one in soon, my internist wants me to get a big enough one to do excercises. Doctors must think everyone is loaded with cash. I know excercising in the water is much easier on your muscles and joints. Hope you find some answers here. Hugs, Charlie :)