Real Tips From Real People With Fibromyalgia
Check with your health care provider first before beginning any exercise program.
Sharon’s tips
- Stick to a schedule – it helps
- Know when you’re pushing too much, and listen to what your body is telling you
- Keep a journal every day about what you do and how you feel
Valerie’s tips
- Focus on the 4 Ps: pacing, problem solving, prioritizing, and planning
- Find a good support group
- Work on your communication skills, and don’t be afraid to ask for what you need
Beverley’s tips
- Try to get a good night sleep
- Exercise and diet are very important
- Acknowledge your limits – recognize what you can and cannot do
Sylvia’s tips
- Exercise if you can—swimming helps me because it’s easier on my joints
- Don’t overdo it or your symptoms will really kick in
- Know your limitations—if you’re tired, know when to rest
Tom’s tips
- Join a support group—or even start one yourself
- Stay informed—there’s a lot of research and helpful information out there
- Take care of yourself with diet and moderate exercise
LaReeia’s tips
- Find a doctor who really sits down and listens to you and understands your pain
- Use your friends and family as support
- Learn about fibromyalgia by reading up on the subject
- Engage in gentle exercise
LaFreeia’s tips
- Work with your doctor and try to find one that you are really comfortable with
- Accept help when you need it
Frank’s tips
- Gentle exercise
- Wear a sweat suit when you exercise on the stationary bike; the heat may help to soothe your muscles
Karla’s tips
- Sleep is very important. Try not to nap during the day so you can sleep better at night
- It’s important to take your medication as prescribed
- Balance your meals with a low-fat, high-protein diet. Drink plenty of water
- Exercise! Keep those muscles and bones flexed and firm. But do not overdo it!
Olga’s tips
- Stretching, swimming, walking, and a little yoga may help you deal with the pain
- Keep moving and enjoy life
Debbie’s tips
- Know your limits
- Eat well and sleep well
You’ve read these real people’s tips, now what are some of your tips?
Other Tips to Help Manage Your Fibromyalgia Symptoms
Acknowledge your fibromyalgia pain
- Write down the things that may have brought about your pain
- Keep this list on your refrigerator as a reminder
- This is just one way to help you manage the severity of your next “bad” day
Honor your limits
- Accept and respect your limits to help you better manage your fibromyalgia pain
- One way you can do this is by creating a personal statement. This can help you stay aware of your boundaries—as you define them—and focus on what’s important for you. Your statement might include:
- A statement that acknowledges what happens when you try to do too much on your “good” days. (Example: “I often do too much on ’good’ days because on ’bad’ days I find it hard to do anything. I usually pay the price of doing too much on a ’good’ day the very next day”)
- A statement that gives you a specific action to take to avoid overdoing it. (Example: “I will make time to take a rest today. Whether it is quiet time that involves a short nap, reading a book, or listening to music, finding this time can help increase my chances of having another good day tomorrow”)
Build your support system
- List the people you can rely on ahead of time to help you on your “bad” days
- Just knowing that you have backup may help reduce your stress
- Your support network can help with completing important tasks
- For example, on a “bad” day, ask them to run an errand or pick up your children from school
- Sometimes, they could just be there to listen
Source: fibrocenter.com