no insurance =/, so it's just me and my bathtub!
I sometimes use the epsom salts with the apple cider vinegar. I like that alot, it relaxes my muscles even more with the ACV. http://www.dietsthatwork.eu/detox-baths/ just gives you some suggestions on how to use baths. And then, of course, you can light some candles and have a nice spa experience. It seems like anything that relaxes or puts you in a peaceful state helps the fibro pain.
Hey Egirl,
Hope you got yourself out of the cold water! Someone, maybe Liz, rents tai chi tapes from the library for free, says that helps her, do the very warm bath first.
Hope that helps! I worry about you!
Hugs,
SK
I took a water therapy class last summer given by a Physical Therapist. I learned the water must be very warm (above 88degrees) or it is painful. Also, I learned I could save the copayment and do therapy by myself. After 10 minutes in the pool, I was ready to stop for the day. Basically, if you go in a warm pool and walk laps increasing your time by a minute or two you will get a great workout. I recommend hitting the hot tub before and after and stretching. Also, wear pool shoes or your feet will shred. If you want more info, send an email and I am happy to help. xx
You might have luck at a hotel pool. That is where I went and it was an indoor heated pool with a hot tub.
Have you looked for a support group in your area? I’m thinking someone in that group might be able to help find a heated pool. xx
Been staying out of the lake. warm baths not doing much, going to try epsom salt 2 times a day in a hot bath and see how that works. wish me luck!!
If i had any money Id join somewhere. i have no insurance and no income… hopefully I can keep it together until I get either of those!! Ty for your input and care!
There are no support groups anywhere near me 
Have you checked with the Arthritis Aerobics Classes at your local YMCA? The classes are taught only in a hot swimming pool. We are told ahead of time to take a warm shower before getting in the pool, or to go an sit in sauna before getting in. I've been doing them twice a week for the past 3 years, and I'm sure I wouldn't be as mobile and as active as I am without it. When I first started I couldn't do all the exercises either. It's a goal to build up. I did what I could and let it be. No one is going to punish you, or say anything to you. I also took the Water Yoga class it helped me with being able to stretch out my arms & legs. My Ymca started a Chair Exercise class on Tuesday's & Thursdays, it's on land not in water, and it's only 30 minutes. You go and your own speed. Call your local YMCA and see what they might be able to offer you. A trainer can work with you till you feel confortable with the program. Don't give up, stay in warm water, it does really help. Take care.
I dont have the income for these classes
Hi, are you disabled? I cannot believe that you do not qualify for a medical card with your State? Have you been anywhere to see if you could get SSI assistance?
Do you have a caseworker or anyone working with you?
Call your YMCA in your area, they have programs that might be available to you to help you. You have to ask questions to get answers.
I'm sure you could do something to earn some money. Have you looked at work at home jobs. I can send you a few links to check out if you are interested. Be persistent, don't give up!
Im a full time student. ive been fighting my disability case for 4 years now… the doctors here just shouldnt have degrees lets put it that way. my dad says its because Im so young, I havent worked enough for them to want to give me anything
Hi, if you want to go to the Ymca, get a doctors excuse from your doctor stating that u are able to do the Water Class. Go to your ymca, and tell them of your finances that you need the class but you have no income to do, they get vouchers from United Way and other organizations, who will help pay for you to take the class. You might be able to do community service hours in return for the usage of the classes. Just try every avenue before you quit. Does your family support you financially? Lions Clubs here will donate funds to help others with various illness needs. I can send you a list of organizations, start calling them. Keep trying!!!!
Sandi,
Hi, you have good intentions. We all do, when we start. And, we get caught up and see everyone else doing all 10 or 12 steps, and we do them too. But, we aren't like the other people there in the pool. We have fibro, so we have to start out small and build.
If they do 10 or 12 steps to a exercise, you only do half and stop. You have to built up to the hour. Increase the steps by 2 weekly, if you are able. You be the judge.
After the exercise, you need the hot tub or the sauna to relax what you did in the pool, then a warm shower before you leave is good. Drink lots of water afterwards, and go and get something healthy to eat or drink.
Don't overdue, that doesn't help you physically or mentally. Take it easy and build up slowly. These are only suggestions, if you haven't signed up get my our Exercise group, please do. It might help to take a muscle relaxer before heading to the fitness center.
If your are able to take yours and drive. I've been taking mine I guess for us long, they do make me drowsy or sleepy anymore. So, I can take them before going to the Ymca.
Keep in touch, I would like to know how you are doing.
Best regards,
Teresa
I agree- cold water was horrible. Even in a therapy pool used for water aerobics I ended up wearing socks, leggings, a tee shirt and a swim vest to try to keep warm enough. But too hot makes me sweat. How just starting with some music (keeps the spirits up) and dancing gently in your living room? It is exercise that is fun. Also find out if a physical therapist is available to help show you proper exercises for arthritis conditions, easy back exercises. I also have a balance ball I sit on since my balance is affected so badly. \
My doctor, physical medicine who mountain climbs even, said to start with 3 minutes a day and add one minute when my body feels ready to do more.
Dear Exploding girl,
I have been told by everyone that it is important to not over do it and to be in a warm water pool. The cold water will knot you up and make you worse. In Minnesota there is a place called the Courage Center and some of the YMCA's have warm water pools and some of the hospitals. Look in your area for fibro classes through warm water aquatic centers. I personally start each day by crawling out of bed and going directly to soaking in my warm tub before I can manage anything else. From what I've learned so far, my body pain signals are in overdrive and I need to take better care of me by being deliberatly gently with myself in all ways. The depression that almost everyone with Fibro deals with is a huge factor. One day I'm a Tool time Mom doing all kinds of stuff and raising my two sons and the next I've had a terrible accident and cannot walk for about 3 months. After that dealing with everything else was so overwhelming then, being diagnosed with Fibro I just didn't have any time or energy to care. It's been 10 years now since that accident and learning to want to live again as a totally different person. I'm just now starting to deal with Fibro and learn, so give yourself time.
Please be careful thinking muscle relaxers will allow you to do more. Because they relax the muscles and take away pain you tend to do too much so start slowly even though you feel you can do more. Use how your body feels later or even the next day as a guide. If you feel good, continue at that level for several more times. Then up it 1/2 step and see how your body feels.
Keep in mind muscle relaxers can allow you to over- stretch and later your muscles will contract and go into spasms. It even happened when I took them to keep me calm and afterwards I had tigfhtened my muscles so much due to stress that they spasmed later.