Cold and in pain

Well it is 4.15 I don't think I will be going to work. Monday I had a sore throat and had yesterday off work. But my face and jaw are painful as well as the usual pain. I worked on Saturday, went out in the evening. Then Sunday went to my Sunday worship and cooked a big Sunday roast. Really fed up. Well starting from June I will be working part time.

[shushkin]

Hi Whitehawk. Sorry your having a rubbish time of it. I am convinced that when its coldish and wet that we fibroites suffer much more. It might just be all in my head tho, lol. I am also having an extra rubbish time of it.

I hope you feel better soon.

[Betty67]

hello whitehawk

Hope you feel better soon and when you cut down your hours in June get a better work / life balance. You had a very busy weekend, have you considered keep a very accurate diary to compare how well you feel to the level of your activity and the weather conditions. I find it helps me to pace.

Jacqueline

[Hidden in reply to Betty67]

That's good advice, I will have to give this a go myself as I have a habit of overdoing it and suffering later

[Betty67 in reply to Hidden]

Very easy to do, when you are feeling a little better do everything you want to and then suffer the next day. You also need to delegate, if cooking for more than just yourself then there may be someone who can help, and often more than you think. With a lot of planning and buying prepared vegetables my 12 year old son cooked a roast dinner (thank you aunt Bessie).

[Hidden in reply to Betty67]

I love Aunt Bessie, but don't call on her as often as I should delegate, what is that

I cooked dinner a week or so for eight, thought I had made it simple but forgot that it envolved a lot of standing. My hubby done the dishes as by that time I was wiped out and my back and legs were really sore...then my daughters said "awh mum you should of said and I would have done that for you" so why didn't I!

[Betty67 in reply to Hidden]

I know, we think that we have to be super mum and mostly our family would rather have a happy mother who is there when they want her rather than a worn out husk.

I changed last year, my sister has called me a selfish bitch and I realise that I wear that badge with pride.

When you are in a plane and you need oxygen they tell you to put your own mask on first before you do your children and sure there is a good reason for that so join me, become a selfish bitch and put on your own oxygen mask first.

[Hidden in reply to Betty67]

That would require me to really change, I may have to take baby steps on that one, and that means ask for help and don't expect my family to read my mind or just ask for help hehe

[Betty67 in reply to Hidden]

Did not say it is easy. I have left the country and moved to Malta as I do not need so many painkillers here. Living on my own in a flat over a cafe. This evening I will be having my supper overlooking the Med. Feel healthier than I have done for years!

[Hidden in reply to Betty67]

Sounds nice, unfortunately for me I have vitiligo so can,t be in the sun. It does sound idilic. You are bound to miss your family so I assume the benefits for you out way the negatives

[Betty67 in reply to Hidden]

Does sound a bit extreme but I was desperate. tried everything else. if you are avoiding the sun for obvious reasons how are your Vitamin D levels?.

[Hidden in reply to Betty67]

What is that saying, Desperation leads to desperate means, as you said you need to do what is right for you. I am pleased it works for you, I wouldn't have the courage to do something like that Funny had all my levels checked recently and all are good, I must be getting enough sun in the short walks I do take Keep well.

[denvajade]

Hi there the extreme weather seems to affect FM, I lived in Australia and when it was very hot I ached and now in NZ and when its cold here I ache. Hope you both doing ok now.

[MommaH]

Hi Whitehawk,

Pacing and prioritising definitely has a huge influence on managing Fibro. It has taken me many years to accept this as I was previously very active and always tried to cram as much as possible into every day, never leaving a task partially completed. Unfortunately I was unable to continue working despite reducing/flexing my part time working hours and was retired in December.

On reflection, if I had been referred to a Pain Management Clinic years ago and knew then what I know now then I might have been able to manage my condition better and hang onto my job.

Now, on Friday evening of each week I look at my calendar to see my commitments for the following week and what other activities i need to factor in. I will then plan rest periods, and if it is a busy week i may have to defer/cancel any non medical or non-urgent.

Don't be too proud to ask for help - Friends and family sometimes need a gentle reminder that their practical and emotional support is needed.

It's easy to become isolated when you're going through a bad spell and that is where this site is invaluable, providing information and friendly support at all times.

wishing you a speedy recovery.

[reflective-peace in reply to MommaH]

Hi MommaH

I care for my daughter who has been recently diagnosed with Fibro. She has been ill for about 12 years, but only just found a diagnosis that fits. She is 22 now and trying to get into the work place by doing voluntary work. We agree that pacing is very difficult, and it's easy to overdo things. Last weekend she couldn't resist going out to the local park and trying out her brother's new skate board (she didn't have my blessing on this :/) This week she has been very sore, but says she regrets nothing because it was fun!

I wanted to ask about the pain clinic though. We have been given an appointment at the end of next month. What can we expect from them? Her doctors have given us no information, but want to drop her from the Rheumatology Clinic in favour of the pain clinic. We are not sure if this as a good move? We have not even been told what a pain clinic does? Any advise would be great.

Thanks, from LJ

[MommaH in reply to reflective-peace]

I found the Pain Management Clinic I attended to be a great help. I was invited to attend a friendly and informal meeting with the healthcare professionals who ran the programme, which included a Pain Specialist Nurse, a Physiotherapist and a Clinical Health Psychologist, where they briefly outlined the programme and then asked if I was still interested in attending. There then followed an initial session with about 14 others who all had various health issues and experienced chronic pain. The programme was explained in greater detail and we were given the dates of the sessions. Initially we attended 1 afternoon session each week for the first 6 weeks then monthly then 3 monthly over the course of a year. The sessions which were relaxed, friendly and informative covered an explanation of how the nervous system works and how the body receives pain signals, medical intervention, medications and how they work (or don't) and practical things we could do to reduce pain and fatigue, CBT, breathing techniques, lifestyle changes, increasing core stability with some gentle and graded exercise, pacing, dealing with emotions, relaxation and meditation. We were also given handouts to keep at the end of each session. In essence they were teaching us pain management strategies and coping mechanisms so that we could gain some control over our health.

Of the 14 who started the programme, half dropped out in the first 3 months (for various reasons) but those of us who completed the programme found our lives improved both physically and mentally and we felt more optimistic for the future.

We can now attend group drop in meetings every 2 months for past and present 'graduates' which keeps us all touch.

Sorry for such a lengthy reply but wanted you and your daughter to have as much info as possible.

[Hidden]

Thanks for your kind words. I think the diary is a good idea.

Hope every nod has a good day. X

[Shazzzy]

Weather d3finately affects us, warm and dry days are best for me. Wet , damp or very hot days bad. Air pressure also affects migraines, headaches etc.

[TheAuthor]

Hi Whitehawk59

I am so sorry to read that you are not feeling too good, and I genuinely hope that you feel better soon.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken x

[tendertouch]

I always dread weather changes I live in New England, USA my body knows aches hours before every type of storm..cold is always worse as everything hurts even my skin is sensitive. I wondered if people move to drier climates and feel better.

[lilian68]

hi whitehawk59

the weather certainly does affect us fibromites more the damp cold days are terrible and tend to make you feel quite low cos of pain it is hard to pace yourself and if not end up paying for it for days need to relax more .sending lavender healing fluffiesx

[Poppy-sue]

seen these posts and i have to say the weather here in Northern Ireland is mostly damp and cold so getting good days are rare, I most defiantly agree the weather makes my fibro worse, find the only thing to keep me sane is curling up in bed with my electric blanket and a funny book.