Controlling the Pain

Fibromyalgia causes pain. Some days more than others. But always, there is some level of pain. Most days, there is also other annoyances who come along with the pain: low energy level, brain fog, total lack of motivation..the list goes on. There are days when I wonder WTH is wrong with me and then I remember, it's fibromyalgia. I've tried turning that blind eye and deaf ear to it, but it seems to have gotten worse over the years. I am not a taker of meds so I refuse to go that route. So, what do I do? I have found a few things that help calm the flares and keep the pain, sometimes, in check.

Ten things I do to help keep fibromyalgia in check:

1. No processed foods. If I slide back into some processed foods from time to time, my body lets me know almost immediately. The effects on the fibromyalgia mean increased pain, increased brain fog, painful stomach cramping...I convinced that eating processed foods contributes to fibromyalgia flare-ups. Makes you wonder why I ever pick up anything processed, doesn't it? Part of the reason is that I am a southern gal and I do love certain foods- macaroni and cheese, biscuits, grits (smooth and creamy, of course), etc. I can make these foods myself and not feel quite as bad but, they're not the best for helping reduce the effects of fibromyalgia.  
2. No sugar. These days, I also notice a difference immediately after ingesting sugar. There is no pick-me-up feeling when sugar is involved. Nope. It's a downer for sure. I'm always left with less energy than I had before I ate anything sugary. Except fruit or smoothies. And I feel that this has to do with the type of sugar but I'm not a chemist or doctor or nutritionist so...
3. Exercise. Taking oxygen in while performing some sort of cardio exercise has a huge impact on my fibromyalgia. It's difficult while I'm working out, no matter what the exercise is, but it feels good afterward. And for a long time afterward. Unless the feet act up, then it's not so good. 
4. Yoga. It amazes me how a practice that is so difficult for me makes such a tremendous difference in how I feel. The gentle stretching and deep breathing have the most beneficial results of anything I've tried yet. 
5. Weight loss. The fewer pounds I have to lug around every day, the better. I've noticed this being true on those few occasions where I actually lost weight and felt the difference. Not that this fact motivates me to keep the weight off or take it off again and again, though you'd think it would. Think of it like this: it's not that easy to carry around extra pounds under 'normal' circumstances. It makes your feet, knees and hips ache because of the pounding of merely walking around. It works your heart harder than it needs to work and makes you uncomfortable. It's unhealthy. Now, combine that with the aches and stresses of fibromyalgia. Yikes! My problem here is an addictive personality. Not to alcohol or drugs. To food. I have used food as my source of comfort for so long I don't even know if I can get out of the cycle. But one thing about me is that I do not give up hope. So, I keep trying.    
6. Ignore as much stress and negative people as possible. Stress causes tension in my entire body and, when you couple that with fibromyalgia, the results can be nearly debilitating. Stress rips through our bodies causing all sorts of physical and medical problems. If you have fibromyalgia, stress hits those tender points like a mack truck. Negative people drain you of your energy. You're already low on energy with fibromyalgia. Being around negative people can be just what it takes to send you into a depression. Getting rid of those people is helpful. I'm still figuring out what to do when you are stuck with them.  
7. Organic everything from food to laundry detergent. When you have extreme (and that may be an understatement in my case) sensitivities to all things affecting your five senses, you cannot use or be around chemicals. If I use a shampoo with chemicals, for example, my head starts itching, every part of my body that it touches turns red (like hives) and I get a headache. My nose burns and my eyes water. And that's just shampoo. This only started happening in the last seven or so years. 
8. Meditation. This helps me focus and feel like my mind is clearer. It also helps with the achiness. It also helps with the negative people and the stress. I use it when I need it.
9. Laughter. I know. It sounds crazy but when I'm surrounded with the right cast of characters, laughter ensues taking my focus to a much happier place. I've been around people who have kept me laughing so hard that the only reason I notice pain is because of the laughing.
10. Develop a can-do attitude. I'm a stubborn individual. When I make up my mind, that's it. And I made up my mind a long time ago that fibromyalgia would not get me down. It's not going to make me feel sorry for myself or seek sympathy. It's not going to rob me of having fun and doing things I enjoy doing. I just keep going. Like that silly Energizer bunny. Ha!   

The nice thing about not having to go to school anymore, besides taking care of Baby M, is that I have time to do all the things I need to do to feel better. Even though, some days, it doesn't matter a flip what you do the discomfort, low energy, brain fog, depression, etc. will present itself and stick around as long as it wants to. And that could be for a few hours, a day, a week, months...it just depends. 

Here's the best explanation I've found describing what fibromyalgia feels like:

Doesn't sound like fun, does it? You're right. It isn't. But you learn to deal and do your best. Those who suffer from fibromyalgia are not cry-babies (although you might find us crying by ourselves from the frustration of it all.) We are well aware there are others out there who suffer from far worse than we do. That doesn't mean we don't suffer. So, before calling someone lazy, or stupid, or before reminding them how good they have it, think. We really have no idea what other people are going through in their lives. It's probably a good idea to just be kind.

What are some things y'all do to deal with fibromyaglia? Chronic pain? Depression? Low energy? Brain fog?  

Bullies Suck

Fibromyalgia is not the easiest chronic disease with which to live. It is also not the most difficult. Point is, fibromyalgia is real and it is no picnic. When you are surrounded by a bully or two, it's even more difficult. 

Yes, fibromyalgia is real. It's the name someone came up with for the symptoms when there was no other name. I suppose I should say, the symptoms are real. I know because I suffer from quite a few of them. Though not nearly as badly as some other folks I know. And I'm quite grateful for that because if mine isn't that bad, I'd hate to know what the bad cases are like.

For those of you who don't know, fibromyalgia is characterized by:

• restless sleep
• serious morning stiffness 
• terrible headaches
• tingly and numb hands and feet as well as pain
• memory loss and foggy thinking
• tender points which make touch painful
• widespread pain throughout the body
• awakening feeling tired
• chronic fatigue
• anxiety
• depression
• disturbance in bowel function
• sensitivity in all five senses

Not a short list. I have, and still experience, each of the symptoms listed above. It's exhausting. You can imagine what getting up every day of the week to go teach elementary students was like. Some mornings weren't that difficult. But you never know how you'll feel or how the day is going to go when fibromyalgia is your partner. 

Having to go to school every day was both a blessing and a curse. A blessing in that it made me get up and go regardless of how I felt or the level of pain on any given day. A curse because it made me have to get up and go regardless of the level of pain on any given day. It's not easy to go and be your best when pain is screaming throughout your body. But I also tried to keep everything in perspective. I may be living with chronic pain but I am not suffering from a disease that can have fatal results. For this, I am grateful.

Am I looking for sympathy? No. I hate being pitied and I hate being the center of attention. I am not a fan of attention of any kind- good or bad. I don't play the victim. That's why a lot of people have no idea that I even have fibromyalgia. Another reason most are unaware is because of the fact that some of those who do know are not always kind. I've been called lazy and stupid so many times I have come close to believing it. Close. But there is enough of me to know that I am neither. I've been told I hate fun and that I hate my job. Nope.

I cannot walk into a store where perfume is sold because the smells burn my nose and I can taste it just from smelling it. This leads directly to a headache. Same with being around people wearing perfume. Or smokers. UGH. So, I have to be careful where I go and how close I stand to people. Loud noises can reduce me to tears. Putting on lotion (whipped coconut oil) can hurt as does brushing my hair from time to time. Bright lights cause me to close my eyes so I'm careful about driving. None of my soaps or shampoos etc. can have chemicals in them. Life is interesting.    

Those of us who suffer from fibromyalgia are not lazy. We do not hate our jobs. We are not social introverts. We do not hate fun. We are in pain most days and we have no energy. Everything affects us in a painful or uncomfortable way from bright lights and loud noises to a gentle touch to just standing up or sitting down. 

I have lived with fibromyalgia for 16 years now. Unfortunately, I've noticed that it has gotten worse over the years. Not horrible, but worse. Or maybe I'm not as good as faking it these days. There are times I forget I have fibromyalgia and I drive myself crazy trying to figure out why I'm so tired or why I lack motivation or why everything hurts. And then I remember, it's fibromyalgia.


I didn't cover as much as the tip of the iceberg, I'm sure. However, getting information out there is helpful no matter the amount. Next week, I'll share what I've found helps me deal, when I deal. And that's another thing about fibromyalgia. It can zap you of your energy and motivation to the point you just do not deal with it some days. There are some things, however, that do take the edge off and I'll cover some of those next time.