Advice needed from anyone please

[pryja]

I suffer from extreme fatigue due mainly to lack of sleep the pain in my back and neck for some reason are worse at night once I get up and move around the pain is a lot less. I've tried medication but it didn't agree with me any suggestions would be gratefully received. I did wonder if stress makes it worse my husband has recently been told his cancer is back and has just finishes his chemotherapy

[LoneEra]

So sorry to hear about your husband - how incredibly stressful for you both. And yes, stress is a huge trigger for fibro flares. One of the best things for fatigue is pacing, if you’re aware of how that works? As for your neck and back, try Epsom salt baths before bed. And maybe consider a new pillow or even a new mattress if you haven’t changed yours in a while. Gentle stretching can also help.

[Hazel_Angelstar Administrator FMA UK Staff]

Yes, stress will affect your symptoms and sorry to hear about your husband.

For me, dealing with fatigue is focused on pacing. Planning tasks so that I take plenty of rests, and break larger tasks down into smaller chunks

Also try to keep to a regular night time routine.

My anti depressants are meant to help me sleep - but my body is too used to them now. But I do drink calming, herbal teas in the evening and use aromatherapy to help me relax. I'll watch TV or listen to an audio book to try and help me fall over.

My daughter was recently prescribed an anti -histamine to help her sleep, apparently its something that's used instead of sleeping tablets

[DroopyButterfly]

Hi, sorry to hear about your husband. Yes stress can definitely make things worse. I'll agree with what others have already suggested.I find my pain worse when I like down to sleep and have often thought this is because there's nothing else there to distract from it. I either put a meditation track or an audio book on quietly to listen to.

[pryja in reply to DroopyButterfly]

That makes sense once I'm awake I struggle to get back to sleep resulting in a knock on affect the next day brain fog extra sensitive to pain etc. As fibromyalgia can't be visibly seen other people presume that I'm OK its nice to communicate with other people who understand. Thankyou

[athenadark]

I have an all or nothing reaction to sleep so I have a hundred and one tricks for insomnia. Audiobooks are great, a headband set of headphones so you don't disturb anyone else and let some novel carry you away. Lavender - the smell of lavender does help relax you, do not put the oil directly on your skin but some in a fragrance mister or on a tissue tucked into your neckline or in a scent locket often helps

pukka do a nighttime tea which is a godsend, it's quite strong and tastes not unlike lemon sherberts but a cup or two before bed can send you right off

badger balm, it's a small tin available from larger boots, amazon etc you put it on your pulse points and it helps you stay asleep, I only use it when the insomnia is bad

spotify has some go to sleep mindfulness exercises entirely for free - I haven't used them but I'm quite sick of the advert. I always fall right asleep after yoga practise so I can say mindfulness does help with that.

A yoga practise of a moon salutation [designed to ease the body into restfulness] can be a wonder, and there are lots of them on youtube, just do what your body is capable of.

If everything else fails a lettuce sandwich, with turkey if you have it, it has a natural chemical in it that helps sleep. It's a very boring sandwich but it gets results.

[CheetieCat]

Hi, hope your husband is doing well after his chemo. Have you tried some gentle shoulder & head rolls, head to side & back to the front, for your back it's usually a rolled up towel underneath you whilst laying on your bed moving arms/legs, stretches etc throughout the day, just a few at a time little & often (all very gentle) You'll find loads of advice free online from a qualified physio. Magnesium oil straight onto the skin can be really soothing too especially before bed, there is a lavender one available. Also hot & cold on the area can be helpful too. As for sleeping, still working on that one too! Hope some of this helps. ☺️

[pryja in reply to CheetieCat]

Thankyou for your email and asking about my husband we will know more Thursday when scan results are through. I do gently roll my neck when I'm sat down as I lose my balance my neck grinds quite a lot. But will try a rolled up towel. I think stress has been a huge factor due to covid19 things got delayed. I would be interested in advice from a physio how do I go about that.

[CheetieCat]

Waiting must be horrible but fingers crossed it's good news! Just put a search into YouTube, I've added a link for the one I like youtube.com/c/MiltonChiropr... I know exactly what you mean with the neck, mine sounds like gravel or broken glass 😳

[Buildashed]

Hi Pryja, I’m so sorry to hear about your husband, sending you lots of hugs. This site has helped me so much, I have never come across so many lovely helpful people, I think I would have cracked up without their help. I have found heat helps my back and neck I have just purchased a electric heated shoulder cape. I have struggled with meds for my fibromyalgia, so turned to vitamins and cbd oil, but my last flare was where I was constantly suffering extreme fatigue and felt so low, after talking to my GP, I realised that I was suffering from anxiety and depression, I have close relatives going through chemo treatment, which has hit me hard, my GP suggested duloxetine which I have been on for 4 weeks, now and I am not so tired and I do feel calmer, I take my cbd oil before bed, which was suggested by a friend on here, so my sleep is better. Oh and the pacing has definitely helped. I would definitely suggest a chat to your GP. Hope you get some help soon. Xxx

[pryja in reply to Buildashed]

Thankyou for your kind message a lot of people that don't understand tells me to be positive which is hard when your not feeling so good yourself im glad I've found this ste and the kind people in it.