Hi! I am 47 and just diagnosed with Fibro, having a really stinky time at present. I have changed my diet so I am not eating any sugar or white flour. It has helped me lose some weight, but I'm not sure it's really helping me.
I am on Lyrica and Tramadol for pain. Today my knees are both swollen up, as well as my wrists.
I have to work- my husband and I have a small business, so I have to be there. I try to take it as easy as I can at the store, but my brain fog makes my almost useless most afternoons.
Hi and welcome to the group! I am happy to meet you. Fibro is tricky that is for sure. The thing I have learned over the years is to always keep trying. What works for one person doesn’t always work for others. I have found that controlling stress as much as possible helps. Regarding brain fog I find that eating small protein snacks through the day help as well as drinking water frequently. Is there time in your work day to at least relax or take a power nap? That might help some with the afternoon brain fog. Hugs.
If losing weight helps you feel better about yourself I think that is a positive thing, we all need positives in our life when dealing with this tricky condition! Sorry to say. I haven't any tips about the brain fog, and when you have to work it is difficult. Be kind to yourself, you can only do what you can do. Wishing you well.
Don’t give up, keep trying to be your own advocate for your health. I have done some water Therapy at the YMCA it is actually the Arthritic group. It has greatly helped my joint swelling and pain. At first it was hard to do but the more I went the better the swelling was under control. As far as the Fibro Fog it was so much worse when I was under stress or rushed. I was a counselor dealing with suicidal kids and the Fog forced me to retire at 60. I was petrified of losing a student to suicide since it was hard to keep my head clear to help them. Also, being over educated can add to Fibro Fog.
Good Luck to you,
Ron
The lyrica may be causing the swelling and may increase your brain fog. Try a different one. 3 are approved for Fibro: cymbalta (available in a generic), savella, and lyrica.
For work, can you try alternating sitting and standing and walking around. Also, even a 10 minute break can make a huge difference. Can you try a split shift? Say 4 hours in the morning and 4 hours in the evening. You HAVE to cut back some. If you work 8 hours a day then someone else will need to do most of your chores at home. Hire maid service, have your husband cook, etc. You will also need naps during your lunch hour. I hope you are getting a lunch hour. You may need some extra minimum wage help for a few hours here and there. I know it is difficult to contemplate this sort of change when you have a small business that relies on just the 2 of you but the way to cope with fibro is to slow down your life.
Food allergies/reactions do not act as triggers for me. I feel better if I eat healthy, drink water, and get a full night's sleep but nothing helps completely. What helps me most is routine pain meds (I take morphine (MS Contin) and norco), walking, tai chi and frequent breaks/rests. Do not drink any alcohol if you take any tylenol. According to my doc.
I find that for each task I do I have to sit down after each half hour or so, relax, and rest for 15-30 minutes. On foggy days, my husband reminds me to take my pills, and double checks the stove in the evening to be sure all the burners are off. I have cats to pet and meditation or deep breathing for stress.
I recently went through a counseling program, Take Courage Coaching at takecouragecoaching.com, that taught me coping strategies. The program has us use distraction to help pain and all the usual tricks (meditation, exercise, eat right, drink water, sleep, etc) but the full year of twice weekly counseling sessions helped me through each challenge and crisis. That made it stick. After that year there is also follow-on support. The program really helped me. If you decide to take this course (covered by some Workman's Comp) ask for Kelly. She and her husband used to own a grocery.
It's harder for me to complain (I still do) when I know things I can do that will help my current low. A mood booster was reading Gratitude Diaries by Janice Kaplan. I can always find something to be grateful for. Like this group of supporters.