Hi. I've only been diagnosed for just over a year. I am already finding it hard to cope with as I suffer with body spasms and pain 24/7. I'm only 53 and feel like fibro has taken over my life as I was a very active person. I was just wondering how other people cope and motivate themselves to keep going.
Hi Lorna
My grandchildren motivate me. I use different things to cope I meditate and do yoga. I have recently started guided imagery.
This is an ongoing process that I think changes as we do. I went many years with little or no problems and hope to reach that place again.
Hello Lorna
I am motivated by sewing it helps me mentally and gets me to focus on something other than the pain. Through much therapy I have learned to accept where I am now, and to stop looking at who I used to be. I am a new me with limitations, I set daily goals for myself and if I can't perform them today I will try again tomorrow. Everyday is a new day with different challenges but I just take one hour at a time.
Hello Lorna,
It is a tough thing, I also have not long been diagnosed and wonder how I will cope long term. The lovely people here, who have managed this condition for a long time are inspirational in my opinion. They give great advice. Like purple butterfly my grandchildren motivate me, I love looking after them and I will really push myself to do this. I also think Zab's advice is really good, and I think it will help me to adopt her ideas.
Take care, Anne
Hi Lorna, I have had Fibro for a long time and like PurpleButterfly said, I went a number of years with few symptoms after the initial few years of issues. I use deep breathing, guided imagery, music, and scents to help with symptom management. I do phyiscal therapy exercises and my goal this year is to increase my walking outside of work. My daughter is a huge motivator as well as my animals. I think that once I came to peace with having Fibro and stopped fighting the diagnosis my life improved. I then took a more active role in finding what will work for me to manage pain levels. Also, I forgot to mention, I use Epson salt baths to help soothe muscles and nerves, it really does help me. Please keep us updated on how you are doing. Hugs!!
I am 53. My critters literally get me up & moving in the mornings, usu the cat, (Monkey) he is hungry & he will lay on my chest & tickle/poke my nose with his whiskers & purr. Then the little dog (Ziva) starts bouncing on the bed (she has to pee real bad), & then the bigger dog (Gordo) starts going around in circles (he has to pee real bad too). I hook up Ziva & let her out the front door, then Gordo & I head for the back door, I hook him up & let him out. Then I feed the cat & go pee myself. Throughout the day I still have to let them in or out & it doesn't matter if I am in pain or not.
I have to make sure I eat at least once a day (I have anorexic depression). Some days are worse than others, some days all I can do is think to myself, "5 minutes I just have to get through this for 5 more minutes", while I am writhing in pain. Mini goals- I make a list of mini goals, To do the dishes I make a list, silverware, cooking utensils, dishes, glasses, cups, etc. This way when I get the silverware, cooking utensils & cups done, I accomplished 3 goals in that day! I collect coping, & affirmation books, quotes, what ever I can find. I found most of these books in the thrift stores. Every one has to search for their own ways of coping & I am sure you will find what you need. M
Thanks to everyone who replied to my plea. I am truly grateful. I thought I should give you a bit more background about me. I started with fibro in 2011 but was finally diagnosed in 2013. This was due to a lack of belief by my doctor. So, I was already dealing with it by the time I was diagnosed.
Since then I've had therapy and attended a pain management clinic for 6 weeks. In the UK this is a cognitive behavioral therapy course. Since finishing that all I attend is my doctor once a month and take the medication that the rheumatologist and my doctor prescribed.
My biggest problem at the moment is that I don't know if the medication is still working. When I have a really bad day I can still be in extreme pain even though I have taken the full doses of all the meds I've been prescribed. I was wondering if this is common, if it happens to anyone else and how they cope. When it happens I get really scared and could find it easy to take more tablets than prescribed t relieve the pain.
I hope this helps you understand me and my story a little more. Lorna x
Hi, Lorna! First of all, have you mentioned the days of extreme pain with no relief to your doctors? They may take another look at your meds & make some sort of adjustment or advise you what you might do differently medication-wise for those days of increased pain. It’s not a good idea to take more than directed-could cause more harm than good. You know, I am 52 so we are about the same age. I currently am on 120mg Cymbalta with tramadol for pain relief. Even though I take my meds faithfully as prescribed, I have days and nights with much pain; it is so frustrating, isn’t it? Those days I may take more tramadol but only up to the limit directed by my doc. Most days I can get by with only one tab for the whole day, but sometimes I have to take 3 or 4. I have some capsaicin creme that really helps the sore spots on my body. A nice warm bath also helps me. Whatever you do, just keep in mind that when the flare is done, you’ll have better days, even awesome days! The more you stress over it, the more likely that you will hurt even longer. Be especially kind to yourself & don’t overdo anything on those days when everything hurts. Be kind to yourself when you are feeling good, too because you never want to do too much of anything, no matter how much fun, etc because even that can throw you into another flare. I know this must be especially hard for someone used to living an active life-you can still maintain being active-just on a different level and not all at once. As far as motivation goes, when I am having a really painful day that my meds don’t do much for the pain-I tell myself that this day will pass & tomorrow is another day. For instance, this past Thursday I hurt all over. It took me 20 minutes to get out of bed & I had to call into work that I was going to be a few minutes late. I hurt and dragged around all day at work & when I got home, I went straight to bed. Then on Friday, I felt GREAT all day! And eternally grateful to feel so good. You becoming a part of this group of caring people is a blessing to all of us. I am happy that you found this site & if you ever want to talk or just need encouragement, you found the right place. Feel better soon!
HUGS from Deb
Hi Lorna,
Some of the ways that I have been learning to cope are meditation, keeping a food diary, and trying to squeeze in exercise. I have learned that sometimes my pain is more unbearable when I eat or drink certain things, so I have began to alleviate those things from my diet. It's a daily struggle but things will be get better.
Lorna Ashmore said:
Thanks to everyone who replied to my plea. I am truly grateful. I thought I should give you a bit more background about me. I started with fibro in 2011 but was finally diagnosed in 2013. This was due to a lack of belief by my doctor. So, I was already dealing with it by the time I was diagnosed.
Since then I've had therapy and attended a pain management clinic for 6 weeks. In the UK this is a cognitive behavioral therapy course. Since finishing that all I attend is my doctor once a month and take the medication that the rheumatologist and my doctor prescribed.
My biggest problem at the moment is that I don't know if the medication is still working. When I have a really bad day I can still be in extreme pain even though I have taken the full doses of all the meds I've been prescribed. I was wondering if this is common, if it happens to anyone else and how they cope. When it happens I get really scared and could find it easy to take more tablets than prescribed t relieve the pain.
I hope this helps you understand me and my story a little more. Lorna x
I had a medical appt on Fri & complained of my right wrist throbbing by the end of the day for 3 days in a row & sometimes my pain med, hydrocodone will not work, I didn't get a response for the pain med not working but I did get a Medrol dose pack, it is steroidal to decrease the inflammation within my body. Hey, I'll try anything at this piont. M
Hi,
I would just like to say how overcome I am with the responses I've had as I've had no emotional support since diagnosis. There is absolutely no support where I live except for my doctor, but I can only see her for 10 minutes once a month.
I am so pleased that I've found this site and now have people to talk to who understand what an emotional and painful condition fibro can be.
Love Lorna x
Hi Zab, I love your outlook on this! That is what I try to do, I accept who I am and don't stress too much over things I can't do.
zab said:
Hello Lorna
I am motivated by sewing it helps me mentally and gets me to focus on something other than the pain. Through much therapy I have learned to accept where I am now, and to stop looking at who I used to be. I am a new me with limitations, I set daily goals for myself and if I can't perform them today I will try again tomorrow. Everyday is a new day with different challenges but I just take one hour at a time.
Lorna, we’re so glad you found us and now you have a place to always come to where you are understood. Welcome to the family.
You’ve received some great support and feedback. I wanted to add that I found accepting diagnosis to be hardest part as I am a natural “fixer”, but once I did, I started learning how to listen to my body and help myself to manage symptoms and move forward.
Hugs,
Laurie
Lorna Ashmore said:
Hi,
I would just like to say how overcome I am with the responses I’ve had as I’ve had no emotional support since diagnosis. There is absolutely no support where I live except for my doctor, but I can only see her for 10 minutes once a month.
I am so pleased that I’ve found this site and now have people to talk to who understand what an emotional and painful condition fibro can be.
Love Lorna x
Hi Lorna, It is difficult for sure. I went to a coarse called living well with a chronic condition and it was very helpful. I am also on Cymbalta and Lyrica which has helped for almost 1 year. I was back to work fulltime and pacing myself. I was using some things they taught me while at this coarse. Sort of mind visualizations and positive word feedback to myself. Also resting when I needed to.
I am now off work again because of some pretty severe cognitive and memory problems and pain , pain, pain.
We are not sure what this is from and my Dr. suspects depression. I am just so exhausted when I get home from work and everything else suffers. I did not even decorate my tree this year for Christmas and did not care about it at all. Such a crazy condition. I wish you all things good in your struggle to deal with all that is going on. If can find a book called LIVING A HEALTHY LIFE WITH CHRONIC CONDITIONS you may find this very helpful. It costs 18.95 and will give you some great coping tools, how to deal with the doctors and such. Hugs Lisa