Please can anyone advise

[Copperlight]

Hello everyone,

I’ve recently been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and struggling to understand it.

I had no idea what was wrong with me for awhile. I have dreadful aching arms and tops of my legs in fact aches every where hardly any energy. Unfortunately I also had a recent heart attack and need to exercise sensibly but don’t have any get up and go left at this point. How long can a flare up last?

[M0AL61 Moderator Volunteer]

Hi Copperlight . I'm sorry to hear about your recent heart attack.

A flare up can usually last anything from a few days, to a few weeks.

[Copperlight in reply to M0AL61]

Hi M0AL61 a big thank you for your reply.

My flare up so far has lasted since December 2018 hope this doesn't continue much longer some days are worse than others but im trying to remain positive.

[M0AL61 Moderator Volunteer in reply to Copperlight]

I really do hope you get some relief very soon.

Have you spoken to your GP? It might be worth mentioning to them to see if they can give you something to help. xx

[Nel1961]

Hello

It’s a beautiful frosty morning where I live.....lifted my spirit. I hope your start well.

I speak of my own experience only....... fibromyalgia is hard to understand and try to explain to yourself let alone others, I find each day/night is different.

I have pain all over, varying in different parts of my body. I don’t sleep well, as in I wake, not sure what wakes me pain or moving around in my sleep. I never wake up in the morning feeling refreshed.

I’ve just had a huge flare up which I am still coming out of. It start October ish. At first I didn’t realise or maybe didn’t want admit it.

I got very low and not coping.

I went to the doctors and got antidepressants to help with pain and sleep.

An OT has been coming out to me, she is helping me remember and put in to practice all the things I have learnt.

Pacing

Sleep hygiene

Mindfulness

Thi chi

Getting fresh air

Asking for help

Diet

Remember exercise isn’t just walking ect..... think of the energy it takes to shop to appointments ect.

I learnt these though course/groups I was sent to though GP.

I will close now as I seem to have wrote a lot, I hope it make sense and is of some help.

I wish you well Nel

[Copperlight in reply to Nel1961]

A big thank you Nel1961 I will take your advice regards the above.

[Jenonnet]

Hi @Copperlight, I'm sorry to hear of your fibro diagnosis and heart attack, fibro by itself is enough to cope with let alone other serious health issues on top!

To answer your question re: flare ups, it varies. I have had ones that last 3 or so days and others have lasted months. Some on here have been in a constant flare up for years. As with everything else connected with fibro, it's hardly ever the same twice running.

This doesn't help when trying to understand fibro and it's symptoms and related illnesses. Even doctors don't understand it yet.

I suggest you go online and look at the NHS site for symptoms and info about it, this will give you some idea of the symptoms and effects.

The one thing to remember is that it's different for everyone and some things some of us get have never been experienced by others, but that doesn't mean they will never get them, or that they will get them! Have I confused you yet? lol. I do hope not, although it is very complicated. I never stop learning about it and often find something new I didn't know before.

Just remember that you need to pace yourself now, that seems the same rule for all of us, as if you do too much you'll bring on a flare up and you don't want to do that!

Keep active, that means moving about and not just sitting all day, but take your time and listen to your body, it'll usually tell you when you've done enough... Don't leave it 'till you've done too much!

We're all here to help whenever you need it. Take care. Gentle hugs. ((❤)) Jen. 😊

[Copperlight in reply to Jenonnet]

Thank you I found this information very helpful. I am becoming more aware of my body and the changes and impact this has had on me. I think the depression is a huge factor and I feel so unwell my sleep is dreadful. I am trying to be positive and trying to be active as possible but some days I cant motivate myself due to feeling completely exhausted and in pain.

Knowing others are going through the same thing helps me, as I feel unable to talk to others about this.