Advice/tips for my sister

[Benne09]

Hi all, I hope your day isn’t too bad today.

I am writing for some advice for my sister who has Fibromyalgia. She is struggling in the morning really badly and finds waking up sooo hard. She works full time . I just wondered if you all suffer like this in the mornings and whether you have any tips I could pass into her?

Thanks in advance xx

[LoneEra]

Waking up is hard to do! Everyone is different so I’ll just share some of the things that work for me personally:

- Setting an alarm about 5am and taking my painkillers - then going back to sleep until it’s time to get up

- Setting another alarm about 30-45 mins before I have to get up to give me time to get mentally and physically ready

- Programming the heating so the house is warm when it’s time to get up

- Doing a few little stretches in bed for a minute or two before I get out

- Putting some energetic music on while lying in bed (through headphones so I don’t wake my boyfriend!)

- Having an Epsom Salt bath before work - and getting under a cold shower at the end of it (probably just me who likes that)!!

I also have a thermos of tea or coffee by the bed so I can get some in my system while I’m attempting to get up 😂

Other than that, I recommend getting everything ready before going to bed the previous night. I lay out all my clothes for the next day, lay out breakfast stuff etc. It just makes it seem like less of a chore to get up.

It’s also a good idea for her to chat with her GP to see if there are meds that could be changed. And if work is becoming tough, she could chat about reasonable adjustments like starting a little later in the day (a whole other subject).

I hope that helps in some small way x

P.S. It’s lovely that you are looking to help your sister. A supportive family makes fibro so much easier to cope with ❤️

[Benne09 in reply to LoneEra]

Hi

Thank you so much for your quick reply. I really appreciate it and I know she will too. I will pass this onto her and hopefully she will take some bits from it that will help.

We try our best to be there for each other, if not in person (due to lockdown) then over phone/zoom. Love my sisters with all my heart.

Sending you the very best and a big virtual hug for your response 🤗.

Again, thank you xx

[saluhouse in reply to Benne09]

Hi Benne09. So kind of you to try to find help for your sister. Not all sisters are so supportive - mine thinks I am doing it for attention!

I feel awful getting up - worst bit of the day. But I’ve found doing a session of Autogenic Training (sort of self hypnosis) followed by gentle stretching exercises make a big difference.

A cuppa - porridge - and a shower. And I’m almost good to go.

Best wishes xxx

[Benne09 in reply to saluhouse]

Thank you I will pass on to her. I appreciate you getting back to me. Hope today was one of your better days xx

[Purplebluebell]

Hello Benne09 . Sorry to hear about your sister, sadly we all tend to feel our worst first thing. If your sister is on medication like Amitriptyline take two hours before bed.

[Benne09 in reply to Purplebluebell]

Hi she couldn’t get on with them but continues to struggle in morning. Thanks for your advice x