Coping with Fibromyalgia/Chronic Pain
Background Information
This post is geared towards offering some tips to dealing with Fibromyalgia and other chronic pain disorders.
Fibromyalgia is the most common musculoskeletal condition. It often goes misdiagnosed and misunderstood. Fibromyalgia includes widespread joint pain and fatigue.
Fibromyalgia causes you to ache all over. You may also have tender points on the body that may be painful to touch. Fibromyalgia may cause you to have irregular sleep patterns as well as mood disturbances such as depression.
Some patients may also have the following symptoms: headaches, stomach aches , inability to concentrate ( fibromyalgia fog) , numbness or tingling in the fingers and feet
If you are having symptoms that you are unsure , I recommend you seeing your primary care doctor for a referral to a specialist ( commonly known as a rheumatologist)
My Story
After many years of suffering ongoing pain and many test to rule out conditions such lupus and thyroid disease I was finally diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, Degenerative Arthritis and osteoarthritis.
I live with chronic pain and a daily basis. I was initially prescribed medications that I was not comfortable taking for different reasons. There were some that I tried ( Lyrica & Savella) that did not help me. I really have not found any medication that offered me any relief.
I continue to educate myself and trust God that there will be answer and a relief for myself and others.
7 tips to cope with Fibromyalgia
1. Reduce Stress – modify your lifestyle and learn to say “No” Sometimes we are over achievers and take on too many obligations.
2. Sleep- make sure you are getting recommended about of sleep. If you are having trouble with restful sleep you will need to develop a night time routine that will help you to get the sleep that you need.
3. Relaxation- aside from sleeping you need to take 20-30 minutes breaks during the day to help to relax you mind and your body. If you are working, try to plan 10 minutes or so out of the day get some quiet time in order to make it through the day easier.
4.Exercise – I know this may be the toughest one to do. In honesty, this is one of the most important things to try to do because the mobility really is helpful to keep the joints from being so stiff. This also helps stretch muscles. I have not tried this but, warm water aerobics have been very beneficial to some fibromyalgia suffers.
5. Prayer & Mediation- We have to keep our faith and trust in God to give us the strength to believe in the divine healing power. You have to stay positive and believe that there is healing for you. Your healing may come from a spiritual miracle from God or it may come from researchers finally coming up with a medication that will help.
Jeremiah 29:11 is my favorite scripture…that helps me to know that there is help and healing for me..it is not God’s desire to cause harm to us.
6. Eat Wise – it really does matter what the types of food you consume. Drink plenty of water , eat green( lots of leafy green vegetables) and add some type of daily vitamins. Stay away from colas and chocolate.
7. Live & Be happy- this may be easier said than done. Get involved in at least two leisure activities that you enjoy doing. It may be swimming, reading, knitting, spending time with friends, shopping etc…. For me, it has been spending quality time with my family & photography.
Live, Love, Laugh…..
#livewithpurpose
Much Love, Nora
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