Lifestyle Changes that have actually helped

[GrumpyTired]

I’m collecting chronic pain diagnosis - it’s hard not to feel like life in it’s current form is not agreeing with me.

To some extent, whatever I do or change I understand that it’s here to stay. I’ve accepted that. But I’m really considering what might make life moderately better.

I live in london, have a demanding job and little kids - all difficult things.

A part of me feels like moving somewhere dirt cheap and checking out - but moving doesn’t get rid of all your problems. A career change? A new location? a total reset?....I don’t know.

Have any of you made changes that your glad you did? Or changes you thought would help but did very little etc

Not asking anyone to solve my own situation but interested to hear experiences of things people tried.

P

[desquinn Partner Volunteer FMAUK Trustee]

People have changed jobs, reduced hours, changed shifts and other things to get a better balance. A he;pful employer can make a big difference. There is no one size fits all though.

e.g. I have heard someone doing 3 x 12 hour shifts and then resting the other days of the week to get more active time but this is impossible for some. Working 4 days instead of 5 etc or cutting back on hours can work.

Have a look at our employment booklet at fmauk.org/publications as that has tips around this.

[GrumpyTired in reply to desquinn]

Thanks For your reply Desquinn,

I’ve gone from employed to self employed to running a business in the search of the right thing. So far not hitting the spot!

Just pondering what to try next.

[NannyNooNoo]

The changes I made included reducing from 5 days work each week to 4, and then to 3; learning to pace myself; my lovely employer agreeing to be flexible with my hours (later start on the days I struggle to get out of bed) and also letting me work from home whenever I want to; having a swim/sauna/jacuzzi regularly (that stopped back in March 🙄🙄). Each of the changes I made helped for a period of time, until I had to think of another adaption! Then I had to have another think about what I could give up/change next - we decided to employ a cleaner, which was a Godsend! The most recent change happened due to the pandemic - hubby was a shielder, we decided it’s too risky for him to return to work, so he’s retired; we haven’t had anyone in the house since March, so the cleaner sadly had to go. Hubby now does the housework & cooking whilst Im at work. Then we have 4 days together, pottering about. So far, so good! Everyone’s different, and no one solution fits all! Good luck

[GrumpyTired in reply to NannyNooNoo]

Your right nannynoonoo, different for everyone. Did the cleaner thing for a while which was good for us as a family, tried 4 day weeks but ended up working harder in a shorter time. Maybe I should go back to the beginning and get a normal job again, lol

[NannyNooNoo in reply to GrumpyTired]

Never easy decisions! I was very lucky with my boss, and I appreciate what he does for me. My workload has been adapted with each change in hours.

[Painny]

Well...I reached the point of quitting the job as I no longer could do it; I was not capable of doing it even with adjustment, this was my lifestyle change and I am glad I did it, this does not mean I am pain free, in fact it’s worse but at least I am close to my bed 😳 and I have time for physio or gym

Luckily I have done enough service for the country but do feel for younger generation suffering from fibro. I had it from my teens but never gave up until 25 years later it was all over.

Apologies in advance as my writing is not as good as it used to be. I went to a grocery shop yesterday o get some pomegranate, I picked it up left it on the box and then looked around for a plastic bag, got the bag and turned my head but at this point I could remember the reason for being at the grocery. Came back empty handed. It’s soul destroying to know you can’t do basic 🙈

[Cats16]

Hi whilst suffering with fibro I tried to leave a busy medical room at school to run my own cake business but eventually had to stop. it is depressing and life is very different hubby has to do most things but luckily my children are grown up and I do not have the responsibility of looking after a young family. I have seen a pain clinic at west mid and now see the pain nurse at my surgery but I realise that no pain medicine is very helpful, although pregabalin has helped greatly with the painful legs throughout the night.