newly diagnosed, what to do next?!?! - Fibromyalgia Acti...

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newly diagnosed, what to do next?!?!

elephantgem profile image
11 Replies

Hi, i have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia last week, advice by rheumatologist was to exercise and gradually increase on intensity , has anyone got any tips or advice on how to go about this? Any help would be appreciated! Thanks Gem

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elephantgem profile image
elephantgem
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11 Replies
Janet28 profile image
Janet28

Hi elephantgem and welcome to the forum, I'm sure you will love it as we all do, I'm sorry you have just been diagnosed with Fibro. It does take time to get your head around and you will get lots of tips and support from other members that are going through the same thing and understand how you feel.

Please go and look at the main site, where you will find lots of information and useful links.

I look forward to chatting to you.

fmauk.org/

Peace, luv n light

Jan x

Trikki profile image
Trikki

Hello and Welcome Gem.....I am sorry about your diagnosis of fibro but you will get a lot of help from other peeps of this site. Exercising!!! Did he suggest any particular type of exercising? I am hoping to start Hydro therapy soon which I am told is wonderful for Fibro. I am sure you will get some good responses...I do find leg stretching helps and my husband will gently massage my neck and shoulders to relieve some of the tension....Hope we hear from you again...xx

elephantgem profile image
elephantgem in reply to Trikki

He suggested swimming, walking biking, sitting on a bike with low back pain and sciatica doesnt appeal! How did you get into hydrotherapy? I like idea of swimming but worried about how much i can do. They.dont realise how difficult it is to.sort everything out with this condition. Occupational health tomorrow to.sort out work aswell so.stressful. Thanks

Annetteb2 profile image
Annetteb2 in reply to Trikki

Hope you enjoy hydro Trikki, I had a session yesterday and I'm finding it really useful. 😊 Xx

Trikki profile image
Trikki

We have at our local hospital a Hydro Pool.....both my husband and I have filled out necessary forms so just waiting for a yes/no! In the meantime there is a private Hydro Pool not too far away but it is so expensive £45. for the initial visit with physio and then £11.50 for a half hour session afterwards....Various fibro peeps have said how good it is when you are in a warm pool with almost no pain....but we are hanging on to get it on the NHS. Take care...

phlebo123 profile image
phlebo123

Hello Gem, and welcome!

Probably best to try out a few gentle kinds of exercise and see which suits you best.

I myself feel I benefit most from short walks( with the dog), hatha yoga (one of the gentlest kinds) and swimming.

Even some gentle stretching every day is helpful.

But remember, to pace yourself and don't overdo things, as soon as you start to feel any pain then stop!!!

Gradually build up how much you can do over a period of time and remember to take a break and rest afterwards.

Let us know of your progress xxx

Flyby7 profile image
Flyby7

Hi exercise is good for you I have the same problem it really helps take care

Mad_scientist_ profile image
Mad_scientist_

A hydrotherapy pool is just a warm swimming pool. Don't worry about how much you do, if you go swimming. Start by trying to walking a length, swinging your arms and gently swim back. If you can swim a fair bit already, make sure you pace yourself. I swim in half mile blocks but I now use training paddles and fins to increase the intensity rather than swimming further/longer (as I have a limited window before work and can manage it after work).

Any exercise is better than none, as I found to my cost.

TheAuthor profile image
TheAuthor

Hi elephantgem

I sincerely hope that you are feeling as well as you possibly can be today? Welcome to the forum and it is wonderful to make your acquaintance. I have pasted you a link below to our mother site, FMA UK which hosts loads of useful Fibro information:

fmauk.org/

I personally undertake a daily 20 minute very gentle exercise regime. I try not to overdo and over exert myself with my exercises as it will only make me feel worse. I want to sincerely wish you all the best of luck, and please take care of yourself.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken

Annetteb2 profile image
Annetteb2

Hi elephantgem

Welcome to the forum. You have certainly found the right place for some friendly support and a wealth of knowledge.

I find swimming is the best exercise for me as the water supports you . I have been gradually building up the distance I do and am now managing between 600 and 700 metres

The important thing is to start small and listen to your body because although exercise is good for Fibro if you overdo it you can end up causing a flare up of the fatigue. It's all about finding a balance.

Let us know how you get on.

Annette xx

Malwimmy27 profile image
Malwimmy27

Maybe try asking your GP for a referral to the pain clinic. They should be able to give you advice on which exercises to do.

I've not long completed a pain management programme through the pain clinic.

The exercises we did (and still do each day) ; sit in a chair with arms, using the armsslowly stand up and slowly sit back down; (once only);

Make small circles with your arms - outstretched.

It's gentle exercises like this repeating exercises once, the next day do 2 reps and so on. The key is to not over do it. If the exercise is painful do once and only as well as you can without pushing yourself. There might be more information on line. I can't write them all down here. But the movements are designed to very gentle strengthen your muscles.

I hope some of this has made a bit of sense, I don't always write in the most ordered way.

Good luck with it all. Take care.

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