Managing Your Fibromyalgia
A disease like fibromyalgia has a way of taking control of your life. It can consume every ounce of your energy and every moment of your day if you don't learn ways to manage it. You have to control the disease...don't let the disease control you. You can begin now to take back control of your life. As humans we are physical, mental and spiritual beings. I'd like to suggest some things in each of these areas that you can do to begin managing your FM and taking back control of your life.
Physical
Do your own research.
No one is going to be more interested in your health than you. There is quite a bit of information about FM becoming available through books, tapes, newsletters and on the Internet. Search every available resource you can find. The more you learn about FM, its effects and the variety of treatment methods used, the sooner you will be able to reclaim control of your life. At NFA we are working on compiling a database of resource information and can help you with specific topics.
Take charge of your medical treatment.
You know your own body and medical history better than anyone. Find a doctor who will listen to you and work with you. I know this is easier said than done, between doctors who are not educated in FM and insurance companies who limit your choices of physicians. But it's worth the effort to keep searching. (In my personal experience, I've found female doctors in general more willing to take the time to listen to me and try various treatments until we hit on something that helps -- but remember, that's just my experience.) The important thing is not to be hesitant in talking to your doctor. It's easy to feel intimidated when talking with a doctor but you need to remember that it is your body and your health that you're dealing with. And every individual responds differently to various treatments so you have to be open and clear about how you're feeling, how you react to medications and what you want the doctor to do for you. Since fibro-fog seems to set in every time I walk into a doctor's office, I always take a list of everything I need to discuss during my appointment. I've found it works well to give a copy of the list to the doctor. That way they're seeing it as well as hearing it. Also, it then goes into your file and becomes part of your medical records that they can refer to later.
Put together your own nutrition and exercise plan.
Without good nutrition and moderate exercise, even the best medical treatment has limited benefits. But, once again, you have to find what works best for you, your body and your lifestyle. I don't believe there is one diet that works for everybody. Only through study, trial and error will you find the foods and supplements your body responds best to. And exercise is also a very individual thing. I know people with FM who are able to ride a bike for several miles and others who can barely do the simplest stretches. Start slowly and build on your exercise program until you find the balance that works for you.
Mental
Take one day at a time.
Projecting what's ahead...how we're going to feel, what we can and can't do in the months and years to come can be overwhelming. Focus on what you have some control over right now. Focus on today. If you're having a bad day, remind yourself that you've had bad days before but then you've had better days, too. You don't have to cope with the rest of your life. You just have to get through today. If you're having a good day, let yourself really enjoy it.
Don't expect too much of yourself.
Know your limitations and plan your days accordingly. Allow enough leeway in your schedule for days when you don't feel well enough to accomplish much. Then don't beat yourself up mentally when you have one of those days. Start thinking of resting and taking care of yourself as an accomplishment and part of your schedule.
Use positive self-talk.
Yes, I'm recommending talking to yourself. (If there are other people around you may want to just do this mentally so they don't think you've totally flipped!) Negative thoughts have a way of growing and spiraling downward until you feel out of control. Don't let yourself get trapped in a negative mode of thinking. Try to turn every negative thought into a positive statement. Repeat this statement to yourself several times throughout each day..."I am in charge of my life. I am taking control of my own health and well-being."
Spiritual
Set aside a quiet time each day.
Regardless of our individual religious beliefs, we all need time to refresh and renew our spirits. Try to take at least a few minutes each day to sit quietly by yourself and reflect on something that lifts your spirit, whether it's a Scripture passage, a poem or an inspirational story. Feeding our spirits can be as important as feeding our bodies.
Laugh.
The old saying "Laughter is the best medicine" has more than a grain of truth to it. Medical experts are finding that laughter has definite physiological as well as psychological benefits. Rent funny movies, check books of humor out of the library, find a friend to share jokes with you. I keep a file folder labeled "Giggles" in which I put copies of jokes and humorous stories people have shared with me over the years. Whenever I'm having a rough day, I just pull out a few of those and have a good laugh. I have an online friend with FM who sends me bits of humor every day. I don't know whether she thinks of it this way or not, but in my mind she is performing a real ministry of healing. She'll never know how often she has lifted my spirits.
Do something for fun.
Sometimes we become so bogged down with the "have to'" and "should dos" of life that we don't have time to just do something for fun. It's not only ok to have fun, it's an important and necessary part of taking control of your life. Plan something that you really enjoy and make it a priority.
You can manage your fibromyalgia and your life. Just take it one step and one day at a time.
