Trying to do day to day things

[KimWorsfold1234]

I am finding it hard to do everyday things because of the pain I am

[Bananas5]

I posted this 12 months ago but pacing never changes.

It is long but worth a read.

The first rule of chronic pain management is pacing. Finding the exact amount of activity you can do without causing a flare-up of symptoms is almost an art form. The trick is to work out your time limits on activities such as sitting, standing, walking etc., and how long you can do each activity on a good day and how long you can do them on a bad day.

Pacing is a concept that pain specialists and pain psychologists instruct every client who is suffering from chronic pain. Many chronic pain sufferers are naturally far less active than they used to be and as a result, you may have noticed yourself trapped in a cycle of ‘boom and bust’ with activity and exercise.

An example of this is someone who wakes up one day and feel they are having a ‘good day’ and so decide to catch up on things while pain levels are manageable. Later that evening the symptoms are flared-up again, resulting in extended rest and ‘bad days’. Eventually it settles and the pattern is repeated again when they feel a bit better.

Another pacing problem is around those day to day chores that need to be done. These are the normal Jobs at work and home that build up around us. If there is a day when you feel better the the temptation is to try and do everything all at once because you don’t know when the next opportunity will be.

A third approach is the ‘never give in’ attitude. Refusing to let the pain beat you and stop you from doing what you want and need to do. This is when it feels you are at war with your pain and you are not going to let it win; the result is harmful on both a short and long-term basis.

With all these ways of approaching activity, it is followed by more pain and for some more inactivity follows as you try and settle it down – the ‘boom and bust’ cycle. Your baseline level of fitness never really improves – if anything it gets worse.

Repeated flare ups of pain lead to more feelings of loss of control, anxiety and isolation as the cycle of chronic pain continues and even worsens. A pacing problem is basing your activity level on how you feel (doing more when you feel good and less when you feel bad).

Good pacing involves basing your activity level on pre-set, reasonable goals – not on your level of pain. To remedy a pacing problem, you will need a Pacing Plan that will help you to gradually increase how much you do of an activity, slowly and safely.

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[KimWorsfold1234 in reply to Bananas5]

Thankyou so much I will try it all

[Bananas5 in reply to KimWorsfold1234]

Not easy if you have led an active life but it really does work

You stop something before you hurt...

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[Aralyn in reply to Bananas5]

I agree with pacing in theory however it is much easier to say than do. I am currently struggling with worsening of my condition and can't seem to find a balance in which I can do much of anything active. It is a struggle just to get up to pee or make dinner. Point is that it can be very difficult to find a balance.

[Bananas5 in reply to Aralyn]

Is it difficult getting up to make dinner or the preparation which is difficult?

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[Aralyn in reply to Bananas5]

Both actually. I flare most days now and being up and going long enough to make dinner for everyone is difficult. And the about half the time movement at all is excruciating until it is more painful to be still and I have to move. As o said it is getting worse right now. I had it fairly balanced till the beginning of last winter when i suddenly got much worse with significant aladonia most days and much more extreme fatigue than before. It has slowly gotten worse since then.

[Bananas5 in reply to Aralyn]

Have you thought about other ways to prepare food? Chuck it all in pressure cooker or slow cooker. Ready peeled and chopped veg?

Stay well away from TV dinners! Ghastly things.

Prepare when you can and reheat in microwave?

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[Aralyn in reply to Bananas5]

I have, but i really hate "cardboard" food and anything preprepared is subject to scrutiny, also my budget is slim as i kost my job due to illness and my pc and i decided it was time for disability. I've been struggling for a long time now and have been seriously ill for long periods of time before. I was once bedridden for about 2 years. I am grateful for every day that is not as bad as then. I do a lot of cooking in slow cooker and casseroles as well as make extras so I can freeze it to reheat in the oven later. But it is still a struggle most days. It used to be a struggle occasionally but i just haven't gotten better since the last downturn. C'est la vie.

[Rita1404 in reply to Bananas5]

Who assists with implementing of a pace plan as I like the idea of this especially as I'm going into hospital for operation but have been given 12 weeks free PT input to increase health

[Bananas5 in reply to Rita1404]

Firstly are you in the UK? Pain management will teach you just that...how to manage your pain. But they really only deal with chronic Pain and not something like an operation where, hopefully, you will recover.

There is a very long wait for appointments at the clinics so I have enclose something for you to read......

princessinthetower.org/pain... you

[Rita1404 in reply to Bananas5]

Morning yeah Scotland I'm getting an op for another condition but !mostly i have chronic pain due to the FM.

So glad I have that !managed by meds

I'll have a look at the article thank you

[Bananas5 in reply to Rita1404]

Scotland has some excellent pain clinics...we used to live there.

Ninewells at Dundee which also has a clinic at PRI and Wishaw. They have a clinic Coatbridge.

Not only did they look after my husband but me too as his carer. Wonderful consultants

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[Rita1404 in reply to Bananas5]

Ok Thanks for this'll speak with my GP who can help me with referral

Hope your doing well ☺

[Bananas5 in reply to Rita1404]

Happy to help wherever possible.

Always diddly poo here!!

x

[Rita1404 in reply to Bananas5]

That's not great how are you today????

Life been a bit of a roller coaster but getting there x

[Hazel_Angelstar Administrator FMA UK Staff]

Planning and pacing is definitely key to managing tasks and activities. Bananas5 has described pacing really well. By doing tasks in small amounts, and resting in between you often manage to get more done.

Also, it's important to remember that with chronic pain, you may never be pain free.... So you need to learn to manage your pain, and sometimes work through the pain to complete tasks. Xxx

[BoohPear]

Hi Kim. I've just read Bananas5 reply to you and I can assure you that you won't find better advice than that in my opinion. I'm new on this site but very old with my fibro . Hope that makes sense. But do a little of whatever then stop for a while. You will soon find what suits you depending on what kind of day you are having. I send you warmest wishes and gentle hugs. xx😽

[KimWorsfold1234 in reply to BoohPear]

Thank you that makes a lot of sense

[BoohPear]

You are welcome and I hope you will find your best way with things and most of all,,,try not to worry . Gentle hugs😽xx