Unfortunately, I have been under a great deal of stress which has not had a positive impact on my health. And I haven't been exercising the way that I was and should. Too many things have interfered with that part of my life.
My hips have been killing me which interrupts my sleep and overall I am so fatigued I can't seem to get the energy to do anything.
Usually I can over come these things and push forward but lately I am just exhausted.
Does anyone have suggestions on how to energize themselves in the middle of the day and at the end of the workday so that you are able to do some of the things that are enjoyable?
I am sorry to hear of your problems. I think you probably know the answer to your question already. The stress ia always a big problem for us Fibro Warriors. Please go to your Docs to see if he can help you. Hopefully ther are people on here who have ideas that might help. I would say, it is very difficult to motivate yourself while in pain and suffering sleep deprivation, which is why you need to go to Docs! Please let us know how you get on.
Hi Bikerchick. I'm so sorry. It sounds like my story. I've experienced the same sort of relapse. It seems that throwing the ball for my sons dog (with a thrower thingy) for a week while he was out of town has taken it's toll on me physically. Add the grief that my body puts itself through when we don't hear from our daughter (she has huge problems and we can't help her). Seems like those two things have put me back down too.
I can usually push through too. I think from here we try to make sure we get enough sleep, which is so important for me and my doc really emphasizes the importance of good sleep. (My doc has fibro and relates so well). And we could add short bits of activity daily. Not enough to feel exhausted. I'm going to try some stretching too. My right shoulder and into my chest and neck is toast from exercising my grand-dog. I will be going to doc for this. Maybe your hips could use some gentle massage or a visit to your doc.
I'm always impressed when I hear of a fibroite working full time. Bravo! The things you enjoy doing will return, maybe altering those things a bit will help.
Hi Bikerchick. I'm so sorry. It sounds like my story. I've experienced the same sort of relapse. It seems that throwing the ball for my sons dog (with a thrower thingy) for a week while he was out of town has taken it's toll on me physically. Add the grief that my body puts itself through when we don't hear from our daughter (she has huge problems and we can't help her). Seems like those two things have put me back down too.
I can usually push through too. I think from here we try to make sure we get enough sleep, which is so important for me and my doc really emphasizes the importance of good sleep. (My doc has fibro and relates so well). And we could add short bits of activity daily. Not enough to feel exhausted. I'm going to try some stretching too. My right shoulder and into my chest and neck is toast from exercising my grand-dog. I will be going to doc for this. Maybe your hips could use some gentle massage or a visit to your doc.
I'm always impressed when I hear of a fibroite working full time. Bravo! The things you enjoy doing will return, maybe altering those things a bit will help.
Bikerchick said: I was diagnosed with Scleroderma in 1990 and Fibro in 2011, right before my wedding, and was unable to attend to this issue until I had surgery for a torn meniscus, in my right knee, my recovery took longer then I expected.
I do feel that the Fibro has been a great deal more difficult to manage then my Scleroderma was, and it had it's own issues and still does. But I felt a little more stable at one point.
With the Fibro, I just require a great deal more rest and when I overdo it, well it takes me a while to recover. For instance I decided to clean the air vent covers, vacuum them out, clean my master bathroom, scrubbing the tile, cleaning the grout and removing the caulk so that my husband could replace it with fresh caulking. He was in one of our other bathrooms and putting up molding in the the corners and putting some finishing touches on it while I did this. I did not realize I would get so tired after scrubbing and cleaning the shower but I guess the other things I had done that included some laundry took more out of me than I thought.
Today my hands are sore and my legs are sore from squatting, kneeling and getting up and down from the floor. So my hope it to finish the master bathroom (as I have two other bathrooms with tile to clean as well as two tiled floors to scrub as well before we have company for a graduation in May).
My husband had to leave for an event he had to attend so i was going to mow the lawn but I just don't think I can do that today without my hips, legs and hands hurting.
I just have to take it easy so I am rested for work tomorrow.
I am thinking about a massage on my hips which has helped before.
Thank you for your kind words and I really do appreciate feeling like there is someone else who might experience the same thing that I do.
Kitty said:
Hi Bikerchick. I'm so sorry. It sounds like my story. I've experienced the same sort of relapse. It seems that throwing the ball for my sons dog (with a thrower thingy) for a week while he was out of town has taken it's toll on me physically. Add the grief that my body puts itself through when we don't hear from our daughter (she has huge problems and we can't help her). Seems like those two things have put me back down too.
I can usually push through too. I think from here we try to make sure we get enough sleep, which is so important for me and my doc really emphasizes the importance of good sleep. (My doc has fibro and relates so well). And we could add short bits of activity daily. Not enough to feel exhausted. I'm going to try some stretching too. My right shoulder and into my chest and neck is toast from exercising my grand-dog. I will be going to doc for this. Maybe your hips could use some gentle massage or a visit to your doc.
I'm always impressed when I hear of a fibroite working full time. Bravo! The things you enjoy doing will return, maybe altering those things a bit will help.
I have 2 solidly built kiddie chairs (1 of them is a Tyco) that I use everywhere instead of squatting. I bought at the dollar store those gardener knee pads & use them, it is easier on the knees then using a folded towel. & I am again reminded WHY I only clean the oven once a year!!! It takes me 3 days to recover. Now this may sound odd, but I use apple cider vinegar, I like vinegar & just pour some in a cup & sip it, it rejuvinates your whole system, boosts your immune, helps digest your food, breaks down the sugars & starches into usable fuel & a bunch of other stuff. The recommended dose is 1 teaspoon per 8oz glass of water. As for the cleaning of your home, everyone is different. I write a list of what needs to be done & check off when I get one. This way I have accomplished some things rather than being discouraged that I didn't get it all done that day. Just pace yourself, go only as much as you can & no more of the "push thru/forward, or suck it up" stuff! M
The Kiddie chairs are a GREAT idea that I will have to look into. I do have those gardener knee pads that look a little funky but work really well to protect the knees. I will have to try the Apple Cider Vinegar to rejuvenate myself! Honestly, I just want to be able to do things without paying for it for days! Not so much to push through as much as to accomplish things that I really want to do! I get so tired of having to stop because I am too tired, weak and well sore! I do make a list however sometimes I let my mind direct what I am doing forgetting that my body may not be able to keep up! LOL!
I will continue to have ups and downs with this Fibro, like many of my other Fibro family of friends, Thank you so much for your thoughts and solutions and mostly for understanding and listening and being gentle with your kinds thoughts and words.
My son, who is 37 years old, is coming out for a visit and I was telling him I am going to have to put him to work in my yard! He is an engineer, does some consulting, so travels a lot and said he would love to do some things for me in the yard, get dirty! He is so wonderful!
Last year he was here for a week and we had the best time! I am very blessed that he is willing to come visit and leave his work and family for us to spend time together.
Well have an awesome day and look for things to be grateful for! For me today it is the ability to get up and come to work!
Luna01 said:
I have 2 solidly built kiddie chairs (1 of them is a Tyco) that I use everywhere instead of squatting. I bought at the dollar store those gardener knee pads & use them, it is easier on the knees then using a folded towel. & I am again reminded WHY I only clean the oven once a year!!! It takes me 3 days to recover. Now this may sound odd, but I use apple cider vinegar, I like vinegar & just pour some in a cup & sip it, it rejuvinates your whole system, boosts your immune, helps digest your food, breaks down the sugars & starches into usable fuel & a bunch of other stuff. The recommended dose is 1 teaspoon per 8oz glass of water. As for the cleaning of your home, everyone is different. I write a list of what needs to be done & check off when I get one. This way I have accomplished some things rather than being discouraged that I didn't get it all done that day. Just pace yourself, go only as much as you can & no more of the "push thru/forward, or suck it up" stuff! M
I am so sorry to hear about all of your pain and fatigue. I can definitely relate. Often just getting out of bed in the morning is a fight. Some things I have found that help me are very hot baths with Epsom salts (the salts have magnesium in them which is a natural muscle relaxer, and the moist heat really helps to reduce spasming and muscle tension). I also drink a lot of tea and water, I feel that water is critical for fibro because it helps flush out the acids and relieve muscles, it also helps me to feel more energized throughout the day. Getting massages from a good massage therapist is also huge with fibro, my massage therapist also asks me what my pain level is for each pressure point and never does rough or unruly motions, she is very mindful and intuitive which is a HUGE blessing. Having the right doctor to prescribe helpful medications is also very important, especially one that specializes in auto immune diseases. Lastly I also recommend taking what I call "you time" to relax yourself and recharge physically and emotionally. For me this is taking easy going walks or rides on my bike, swimming is also very therapeutic. On the days where everything hurts (including my hair and skin even) I reserve as much time as I can reading my Bible, reading inspirational quotes and even doing a paint by numbers so that I still am being productive but not pressing my health beyond its limits. I hope this and the awesome advice of others helps a lot.
Thank you so much for your sharing some ideas to relieve the discomfort that I am having. I really do need to find a way to take care of myself, rest more and even pamper myself. When I wasn't working for 8 months it was a lot easier to do that because I had some extra time on my hands. Lately, I feel like I am torn between what other's need, what I want to do and what is best for me physically. I am grateful to be working and have the flexibility to work the hours that fits how I lead the people I work with so I can come in at 7 or later and leave at 4:00. And as long as I work 5 hours the director is comfortable with my leaving the office, however I do not want to do this regularly. Somehow I really need to find a way to use the 2 hours between when my husband gets home and I arrive to rejuvenate myself!
You have some great ideas and so did others! I so appreciate everyone's input!
Prayer and reading my bible is very much a part of my life but I often forget to ask for relief from the pain for myself!