I am new here and need tips for fibromyalgia

[Mori22]

Hello,

I am in the process of being referred to get a possible diagnosis of fibromyalgia, my GP suggested this site whilst i wait for a formal diagnosis. i am finding it very difficult to cope with the pain. I was making process on working to lose weight but the pain when i exercise is unbearable. i was wondering if anyone has any tips for exercising with Fibromyalgia? such as any good exercises to do or how you may cope with the pain afterwards?

[desquinn Partner Volunteer FMAUK Trustee]

From our patient booklet here: fmauk.org/latest-news-mainm...

"Individuals with fibromyalgia are faced with an exercise dilemma. Because the muscles are so tight and painful in fibromyalgia, they are often aggravated by any attempt to exercise. If the muscles aren’t used enough, they can more easily flare up with any attempt to do activity. Often, the person with fibromyalgia will experience increased pain or full-blown flare up when attempting to increase activity.

Although it is difficult for individuals with fibromyalgia to exercise, it is not an impossible task. My experience in seeing and treating thousands of fibromyalgia patients over the years is that most are able to develop a successful individualised exercise programme. Some people are able to be more active than others, but I believe that everyone with fibromyalgia has the potential to improve their activity to decrease pain and improve function. ......."

Have a look at these nhs.uk/conditions/nhs-fitne...

[Mori22 in reply to desquinn]

i have had a read and it seams really helpful. i'll look into the stretching conditioning for my muscles. Thank you

[Hazel_Angelstar Administrator FMA UK Staff]

Hi and a warm welcome to our community. Here you will find information support friendship and laughter too. You can find general information on fibromyalgia at our main website fmauk.org.

[AllthatGlitters]

HiI find that walking is the only form of exercise that doesn’t leave my in agony. If it’s cold outside I double layer up so the cold isn’t getting to my bones.

I use to go to the gym and do martial arts but if left me in agony the next day. My GP said I shouldn’t be doing exercise like that.

Hope you find something that suits you x

[Mori22 in reply to AllthatGlitters]

Thank you. I was working with a personal trainer and doing strength and cardio exercises but I had to stop cause I couldn't even do the warm up anymore. I will try to walk and mabye swim. Thank you x

[phlebo123]

I find I can only tolerate "gentle" forms of exercise, such as walking, swimming (sadly pools closed due to covid!) and hatha yoga. I used to attend a weekly yoga class ( not happening at the moment) so I try to do some of the exercises at home every day. I find several short walks a day rather than longer walks work better for me. However what suits one person is a very individual thing, so you will need to experiment to find out what works for you... Good luck!

[Bigears16]

I do gentle stretches and when pools were open I swam or even just any movement in the water helped xx

[dippystuff]

I also really struggle to exercise as I'm in agony after work, so can't do anything, and I find I have to rest on my days off or I can't manage work.

I'd love to try a yoga class to see if it helped, but everything's closed up (and will be for a long time I think).

I find walking to be the hardest thing to do, and have had to change jobs and have my duties changed by Occ Health due to my problems with walking. Even a 10 min walk is unbearable for me as the pain starts as soon as I start walking and gets worse with every step. It's like every muscle begins to get more and more painful with every step.

If I can sit down, even for 1 min, it's like my body 're sets' itself, and I start again at the beginning.