About fibromyalgia

[Fisherman81]

Morning everyone . How long do your flare up last. I have been in pain for about 8 weeks now and don’t know what to do with my self some days x

[MALC19]

Hi in my experience flare ups can last from days, weeks to months there is no set time really as everyone is different. The pain can move around your body from one place to another.

It really is horrible and debilitating.

Read through other comments from people on this site as it really does help.

You come to realise you are not alone, its not in your head, its very real, some doctors treat you badly but others really help.

We have all needed each other.

I only joined this site couple of weeks ago and wished i had found it years ago.

There is no exact time for pain for any of us.

Do you have support of any kind from doctors, family or friends?

Keep as well as you can be 😊

[Fisherman81 in reply to MALC19]

I am just going though the stage of getting diagnosed with fibromyalgia I have had blood test to rule out other things and they have come back negative . I am just trying to get more information on fibro. I’m not one for visiting the Doctors much but I am in agony. Do you think I should go back again x

[MALC19 in reply to Fisherman81]

I would in my opinion go back and get a medical diagnosis as that could lead to you getting help with your pain etc.

None of us have medical facts we can only go by our own experiences.

It really would be a good idea to get medical help.

Good luck and i hope you get help with your pain.

😊😊

[Fisherman81 in reply to MALC19]

Thank you x

[MALC19 in reply to Fisherman81]

You are very welcome.

I have been sitting thinking of you in your pain and how long it could take for you to get help.

There are a few things you can do for yourself in the mean time.

Hot Lavender baths...Lavender is a natural plant that helps with pain.

Herbal teas can help.

Think about buying a TENS machine, you can wear it as long as you want and try each function until you find one that helps you, it is trial and error. It will give you respite for the pain while wearing it. You can buy them in a lot of chemists now.

Pacing is another good way. You need to try to keep mobile in short bursts.

Do not push yourself to do things you cannot manage. Tomorrow is another day.

❤️I found this saying many years ago that really helped me....❤️

If the mountain seems too big today, then climb a hill instead.

If the morning brings you sadness, its ok to stay in bed.

If the day ahead weighs heavy and your plans feel like a curse, there’s no shame in re-arranging, don't make yourself feel worse.

If a shower stings like needles and a bath feels like you’ll drown, if you haven't washed your hair for days, don't throw away your crown!

A day is not a lifetime, a rest is not defeat. Don't think of it as failure, just a quiet, kind retreat.

Its ok to take a moment from an anxious, fractured mind.

The whole world will not stop turning while you get realigned.

The mountain will still be there when you want to try again, so climb it in your own time and love yourself ‘til then.

I hope this all helps and let me know how you get on.

Stay as well as you can until then. 😊😊

[Freddie20 in reply to Fisherman81]

Hi. Please go to see your Doctor. Like you I never went, and to be honest I didn't like to bother them and tried to sort out the pain with chiropractors physio and a host of other things. Apart from nearly Bankrupting me nothing really worked or if it did it was very temporary. My cousin frog marched me to the GP, and anyway, I now know what I have, and through that I have learnt how to manage the pain. I was referred to the pain clinic and they have been amazing, in lots of ways. I now talk to my GP and he is very good.

I hope you find some answers. Good luck. X

[Fisherman81 in reply to Freddie20]

Thank you x

[Hazel_Angelstar Administrator FMA UK Staff]

my flare ups can last from a day or two ... right up to weeks/months before they start to properly settle down. Sometimes they will settle and my pain levels go back to what they were previously; but after really bad flares my pain levels have risen to a new normal level.

i find using short term pain management techniques such as heat, aromatherapy rubs, mindfulness, reiki, crystals, distraction etc can help me to cope. Also reminding myself that the increased pain/fatigue etc will pass and is just a temporary flare up

[Hidden]

Hi I don’t have flares, everyday for the last 18 months I have been in some kind of pain generally I am out of bed for the three days I work and in bed for two to recover (but I love my job won’t give up yet) and the other two well whatever I feel like! I take all the medication I have been prescribed and nothing takes it away.

But that may just be me, if you hear of a miracle cure please let me know I am just about done in!

Panda 🐼💜

[Dizzytwo]

Without sounding flippant. How long is a piece of string? A flare up is different for everyone and so is the length of time it can last I'm afraid xx

PS I see you have left your post unlocked. If you want to lock it to this community only for privacy reasons. This link will show you how

healthunlocked.com/fibromya...

[Winterwonderland]

I’m new to this site and read what you wrote. I’m so sorry to hear that you have been in a flareup for the past 8 weeks. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in 2007 and find that my level of pain is pretty constant from day to day. Aside from taking medication that is prescribed by my pain management doctor I find that certain activities help to distract from my pain which I need when my medication may not be providing enough relief from my pain. I find that watching a good movie helps and reading unless of course I have a headache.

I don’t know if these tips will help you but I do hope that you’re feeling better very soon.

[Yassytina FMA UK Volunteer]

Morning, yes from my own experience flares can be one or two days or sometimes lengthy, but either way pace yourself through them pushing yourself can only make things worse, hope your current one jogs off very soon x

[Dollyjip]

Hello, I am new to this site buts diagnosed with Fibromyalgia 15 years ago prior to being diagnosed with MS 10 years ago, so its a double bubble in the pain stakes so to speak.

I don't have flare ups as such all I can say is it is constant and some days are more bearable than others depending on what I have been doing.

Sometimes my pain meds just don't cut it and out of desperation I found that using very snug fitting tubular support bandages on my ams and legs so they are compressed gives me the best relief ever sometimes also used with Deep Relieve Gel depending on the pain and discomfort, this really does help me and enables me to get some limited sleep if things are particularly bad at night.

It is handy to try and recognise what you have done before you get a bad flare up if anything and keep a note of these things.

I do hope that you begin to feel better very soon. x

[Fisherman81]

Thank you everyone for your feedback x

[Bramble71]

Everyone's experiences will be different. Mine last from a few days to weeks on end. I have other issues, too, including spinal arthritis, nerve damage in my leg, arthritis in my feet and hands, so even if a flare dampens down, I still have the constant pain of the other problems to cooe with. The pain never goes away, sadly.

I just have to take to my bed when a flare comes. I have an adjustable bed which helps me feel a bit more comfy.

You might find ways, as time goes on, to help your pain.

[Cat00]

I also don't have any experience of "flare ups" my pain moves around the body and my associated illnesses get worse and come and go but my fibro pain wibbles about on roughly the same trajectory all the time........

[NeonNailsKnitting]

Hi Fisherman!

I only joined here a few days ago and it’s been a Godsend! The support is immeasurable. We ALL understand on some level because we are All on this crazy pain train!

I was diagnosed 7 years ago, and may have had it longer. I cannot remember a time when i was not in pain, on some level or other. Today is a good day, in that, although i feel pain, it is bearable and i am able to function. Last week was a whole other ball game in that every movement was incredibly painful and I struggled to sleep, and i slept a lot in the day.

My advice is to take Malc’s advise and to take one day at a time. It seems, from what i have read in the few days i’ve been on here, that many of us share that the pain does move from one place to another, which is why i call it the ‘pain train’.

When you’re having a bad day, there is always someone here who can offer comfort and support And on a good day, you can be that comfort and support. Sometimes it’s just nice to chat to someone who understands.

Keep your chin up best you can and get that diagnosis!

CB 🤗

[gemmahughes1987]

My last flare up lasted 6 months

[Fisherman81 in reply to gemmahughes1987]

Omg no I feel for you it’s so awful. Some days I don’t know what to do with my self xxx

[KnackeredKaty]

I never know how long my flare up will last. I have not been pain free for about 3 years, but generally my pain is moderate. Thankfully when I have a severe bout it lasts about 5 days, but, for some people it can last longer.

[Micafe]

My pain never goes away. Sometimes it's worse than others but I'm always in pain.

[Winterwonderland]

Hi Fisherman 81,

I know what you mean.....those days when the pain is very bad and you’re so tired of it all! I think it’s so important to be involved in support groups like this one where one can get so much support and understanding. It’s important to know that you’re not alone and people here can really understand what you’re going through. I know this helps me particularly on those days that are very hard. I hope you feel better very soon!