Exercise

[Lynn1969]

Hi I was on a weight loss mission and exercising regularly until I had to stop due to severe pain. I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and haven't and can't exercise due to pain for months! Can anyone recommend any exercise that may help me with my weight loss journey please thanks Lynn x

[clio123]

Hi Lynn I am the same I try to walk, but even that is pain on the hips knees and ankles , I just about manage a tesco trip, but only for the things we need. I hate this I was always so very active, I do the cleaning some times if and when I can so at least that's something, doc says that's excercise , xx

[Lynn1969 in reply to clio123]

I read that swimming is good or gentle bike ride and gentle walking. I've yet to try these as I'm in too much pain at the moment. But it depresses me to think that my life will consist of pain 😩

[clio123 in reply to Lynn1969]

Yah I know how you feel, it sucks big time. I have had fibromyalgia and oesteoarthiritis for a 11 yrs now , don't let it get you down on better days I do everything I can, I know I suffer for it but at least I did stuff, think positive hon, they may come up with better meds for us soon, sending you big gentle hugs take care xx

[Lynn1969 in reply to clio123]

Thanks hunny. This is all new to me and struggling with it to be honest x

[nedd]

Oooh. I would honestly focus on gentle exercises listen to your body and build it into a your routine. If you tie it to weight loss it becomes a bigger hill to climb. I have a mantra.

Something is better than nothing.

The physiotherapists at the pain clinic offered the best advise. Find a base line be it only a few minutes and pull back 10 percent. Others push the body too far and then you bust. And do what you enjoy.

Good luck chuck.

Of course the other thing about living a life restricted by pain and tiredness is that the days are sooooooo long.

Roll on spring. Got to feel better then.

and easier to focus on diet I reckon.

[Lynn1969]

Thanks darling. I work full time too so it's gonna be hard 😩 X

[rosewine]

Have you tried gentle stretching exercises as a way back into exercise it might not get off masses of weight but it will hopefully help your muscles to stay toned for when you feel able to do something more strenous. Would it be possible for you to be prescribed a course of hydrotherapy so a physio can show you water based exercises that you could then perhaps do on your own as it is much easier to exercise in water. Even chair based exercises can help to keep you supple and burn off a few calories every little helps.x

[meloha]

I'm so sorry you're in such pain and frustration! I've done the water exercise when I had a severe back problem (compressed disk in lower spine). You can start out just walking in water about waist-deep or a little more. It's amazing how the water supports you and takes the pain out of the whole thing! But for that you need a pool, a swimsuit, and the ability to get to the pool and back. Another option is Lying Down Qigong and T'ai Chi Ch'uan (Tai Chi) - YouTube as in this video. I haven't tried that but it's such a great idea!

[meloha]

Looks like the link didn't come through so here it is: youtube.com/watch?t=182&v=f...

[Selenalep]

Hi, my very first post - hooray😀. My physio has recommended toning tables which I started before Christmas. Even without moving and letting the machines do the work I felt I'd had a good workout! Starting again next week along with gentle walking and swimming as determined to lose the weight (6 stone) I have put on since having fibro ( 5 years). The only problem is that I've also started a new pain regime with tramadol 4 times a day and trying amytriptoline to help me sleep. So far all I'm managing is a bit too much sleep - I can't keep my eyes open and struggling to gather any energy to get up let alone exercise - so any thoughts please would be much appreciated.

I'm also on citalpram and roprinorol

Previously on co-codamol and bupromorphine

Looking forward to getting to know you all xx

[TheAuthor in reply to Selenalep]

Hi Selenalep

I am so genuinely sorry to read that you are suffering and struggling in this way, and I sincerely hope that you can find some resolution and relief to these issues. Amitriptyline contains a sedative component that many members on here say they cannot physically tolerate. However, there is an alternative drug called Nortriptyline that is a member of the same family but does not contain the sedative element, maybe this would be more agreeable for you? It may be beneficial discussing this medication with your doctor?

As I have just written to Lynn1969, one of the main types of exercise for people with Fibro is Hydrotherapy, I have pasted you a link to an NHS Video about a lady with Fibro who did Hydrotherapy:

nhs.uk/video/Pages/Fibromya...

It may be worth asking your GP for a referral to Hydrotherapy? I want to genuinely and sincerely wish you all the best of luck.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken

[TheAuthor]

Hi Lynn1969,

I am so genuinely sorry to read this and I want to sincerely wish you all the best of luck with finding the answers that you so desperately desire and deserve. I personally undertake a daily physio routine which is slow and gentle exercises just to keep myself active and I find they work quite well for me. The emphasis is on the slow and gentle as so not to cause more pain and inflexibility. It may be beneficial to speak to your GP about a referral to a physiotherapist to look at this kind of exercise?

One of the main types of exercise for people with Fibro is Hydrotherapy, I have pasted you a link to an NHS Video about a lady with Fibro who did Hydrotherapy:

nhs.uk/video/Pages/Fibromya...

I want to genuinely and sincerely wish you all the best of luck.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken

[sbncmo]

Hi Lynn. Trying to get a balance of rest & activity can be difficult. Because fibro can be bad one day & okay another, we often tend to overdo it on our good days, then pay for it with bad days.

I have tried aqua therapy, but ended up worse after each session, sometimes unable to even walk after getting out of the pool. But I know it does help some people, so it is worth looking into.

Physical therapists have told me that it is very important to do gentle stretches. They taught me how to do all of the stretches so I could continue the therapy after my insurance refused to pay for PT. I have found stretching to be vital because of how severe my muscle spasms are - they never stop, but the stretching (along with muscle relaxers) keeps them from being too painful.

Another thing one of my doctors suggested was whenever I am sitting in a chair, swing my legs. She suggested this since I had a bad back injury that causes frequent spells of brief paralysis & interferes with my walking & other activities. So, when I sit on a kitchen chair or in a chair or on the table at a doctor's office, I swing my legs. I didn't think it would help me, but since I started doing it, I have been able to walk longer distances.

I guess everyone has different things that help them. That's one of the things that's so nice about being part of the fibro community - we learn from each other. I hope you are able to get some relief from suggestions made by the community.

Best wishes,

sbncmo

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I started swimming for thirty mins five times per week.

I feel so much better . More flexible and stronger.

Getting dressed afterwards can be a bit tiring .

Hoped this helps .

[MariLiz]

I would suggest something gentle, Yoga, Tai Chi, or similar to start with. It's very easy to just overdo things and end up in more pain.

[Lynn1969]

Thanks guys. Your all so very helpful and love your support. I'm going to try gentle swimming first I think after I've been back to see my doctor on the 28th Jan. Feel so frustrated as I have lots of weight to lose and I do struggle without exercise thanks again for all your tips xx