;what can we do well to live with uor fibromyalgia

[Guest guest]

LADIES:

Again what works well for one person might not work well for

others at all.

Before you try anything yuo read here please check with yuor own dr.

that includes OTc supplments, Pain Killers, Etc..

even modifying uor eating habits.I am on low fat,low cholesterollow

sodium too then my neuro-endocrine dr is helping me adjust my dietary

eating habits too along with checking with my cardiologist too,

Just remember none of us have MD behind our name just years of

exprience too.I am a Ret.EMT. And a heat atack survivor nadf have 3/4

of my thyroid uot,. Did Vol work for American Heart and Women Heart

and they evebn sent me to Dc twice to meet all our stae senotors

etc... I loved it. But to each lady and man here just remember read

and discuss it with yuor Dr./ each month we are coming up with new

discoveries too for our fibromyalgia.

So for the newbies here enjoy the list below for us ole timers

rered and enjoy. Hugs heidi

View recovery as a process.

Rather than look for the one " magic bullet " that will cure you, see

every action as a step on the road to improved health. Don't expect

to see overnight changes; slow progress is still...progress.

Let go of fear.

The unpredictability of FM and uncertainty about the future causes a

great amount of fear and anxiety. The best way to cope with this is

to focus on the moment as best you can and take it one day at a time.

Avoid contemplating the " what ifs. "

Accept your limitations.

We live in a society that emphasizes what we do rather than who we

are. The limitations imposed by FM may require us to shift our

identities away from external accomplishments and create a lifestyle

that accommodates our need for rest. You may not be able to do the

same job you did before or exercise as long or as hard. Look for new

ways to respond to what your body needs at every stage.

Avoid negative people and things.

As you increase your awareness of your body's signals and the changes

in your mood and energy level, you may begin to notice patterns. Do

certain activities leave you more drained than usual? Does spending

time with certain people make you especially depressed or frustrated?

Try to focus your energies on what enhances your sense of well-being,

and let go of what damages it.

Be patient and compassionate with yourself.

FM sufferers are sometimes their own worst enemy. The pressure they

put on themselves, the guilt they feel about their limitations, and

the judgment and self-criticism that occupies their minds all serve

to increase stress and detract from their inner healing powers.

Strive to nurture yourself, look for simple pleasures, and forgive

your shortcomings. Believe that recovery is possible with time, and

know that you're doing the best you can

Think positively, not unrealistically.

Many people with chronic illness learn to enjoy and appreciate things

they never did before. Try to focus on what you have, rather than

what you've lost, on what you can do rather than on what you can no

longer do. This is not to say you should adopt a " Pollyanna "

attitude. Acknowledging feelings of loss and sadness are equally

important. Recognize and express your feelings, but try not to dwell

on them.

Listen to your body.

Learn how to carefully observe your body's signals and adjust your

energy expenditure accordingly. Even as your condition improves it's

essential to pace yourself, balancing activity with rest. Know that

overdoing will have consequences--sometimes occasionally making the

choice to overdo is necessary and worthwhile, but we can try to plan

for this by allowing more downtime afterward.

Keep track of your symptoms and progress.

It's helpful to monitor your symptoms and the factors that affect

them in order to determine any patterns. Based on your conclusions,

you can make more effective decisions about your activities and

environment. Record-keeping also allows you to see progress over time.

Cultivate supportive relationships.

Spending time with people you care about is good for the body and the

soul. People who are supportive of you can provide love,

encouragement, and help with practical matters like getting to

doctors' visits or difficult household tasks. Reaching out to others

is essential to combat the loneliness and isolation that is inherent

with a debilitating illness. Don't waste energy on those who can't or

won't try to understand and accommodate your illness; focus on those

who do.

Relax!

Most FM patients who have recovered state that some type of

relaxation is essential to achieving and maintaining better health.

Some practice meditation, deep breathing, or other types of

relaxation exercises. Cultivating a peaceful environment is also

important.