I cannot balance...

[Wobblygirl]

I've been reading more and more about healthy eating/living with fibromyalgia on-line through a variety of sites. I have put on weight and am developing strategies to keep it stable with a sort of recommended diet. It's really hard especially late at night when I know I'm hungry and it's bedtime!!

Some where I read about general stretching to keep pain levels down and one trick was to balance on one foot whilst doing an everyday activity like teeth-brushing!

In trying to do this for a few minutes I am realising I can't balance on either leg unaided for even a few seconds!!!

I keep trying to do it as I brush my teeth hoping it will improve but I realise that I cannot put on my own knickers either! I seem to have no core strength! I will still keep trying but is this reduction in strength a symptom of fibromyalgia ?

I do hope I'm not wasting your time?

I know my general stamina is minimal now and a walk every few days pays a high price, especially if there's a slight slope...

I have constant pain in a variety of places in my back from pelvis to neck.

Offered opiates but prefer to exercise pain away with stretching but none of it really soothes the pain away... Not sure who I'm kidding!!!

Any real advice would help... or a CURE?

[Yassytina FMA UK Volunteer]

Hello I do read some fibro sufferers feel their strength has reduced, I feel myself this can happen but there are always better days around the corner and cannot excercise like I used too, funny you say about balance I was trying to stand on one leg when playing with my little grandsons the other day, I did manage on each for a while , they are very lively 7 and 4 year old boys. Just keep doing your little walks when you feel comfortable and stretching is good. Xx

[Wobblygirl in reply to Yassytina]

Thank you for your understanding Yassytina. X

[Dizzytwo]

Hi, I've not been able to stand on one leg for years LOL not sure many people can with out wobbling to be honest. All I would say is be very careful about what you read on the net.

Find what works for you if it doesn't then try something else. Not sure trying to brush your teeth while standing on one leg is a safe or comfortable option for anyone.

Has for fibro been the reason for lack of body strength. I would be more inclined to say its lack of mobility from from not moving enough.

Has for a cure now that would be great but unfortunately right now there isn't one. Hopefully with ongoing research may one day there may be fingers crossed.

I see you've left your post unlocked to this community only for privacy reasons you may want to lock it. Also locked posts tend to get more replies. Please feel welcomed and I hope you have a good day xx

Momo

[Wobblygirl in reply to Dizzytwo]

Thank you Dizzytwo,

Dr Michael Mosley suggested it in an article so I thought I'd try...

I have to lean on the sink and cheat!!! Teeth need proper attention!

Spoke to my GP last week about X-ray results and mentioned it. She agreed with you that not everyone can balance on one leg! I felt relieved... I try and walk all around the house after my rests so I'm achieving what I can but 20min activity is about my maximum before REST!

[Bruton]

I ve taken to walking with a stick. My balance is shocking. I trip and bounce off things. The stick has actually given me more confidence to go out and walk dogs with hubby in nrw forest.. ive had very little help from professionals and had to seek alternative therapies. Low seratonin is thought it may cause issues. Seek advice about 5htp , you can overdose so i would seek advice 1st. Weighted blankets, essential oils and crystals can help. Relaxation recordings.

I personally find that reducing my sulphite intake has made a drastic difference in many symptoms. Hives, anxiety, ibs stress weight and so on.

Weather and barometric pressure can also have an effect on fibro.

I listen to my body. Take it ezsy when i feel ive had enough. But dont just do nothing.

The more you stress, the worse you will feel.

I ve only gone over my methods briefly, if you are intetested in any im happy to help further uf youd like.

Goid luck

[SadiesMom in reply to Bruton]

I agree with you 100% about Serotonin. I am not a Dr. so this is just my experience/opinion. I've done lotsa online research too since Dr.'s haven't helped me at all. I've had anxiety and IBS all my life and after being a caretaker to my wonderful mother and then her passing ... everything got much worse and I developed Fibro. I think the long-term chronic stress of being in and out of hospitals and being so worried night and day took a toll. The things my body was feeling terrified me, I thought I was dying and and my anxiety was off the charts. I finally gave in and tried an anti-anxiety med (Buspar). These affect Serotonin and not only did it help immensely with my anxiety (I don't get stuck in those awful spins of worry) but I felt my Fibro also improved a bit. I've read articles where researchers make the same connection but not sure why it's not more widespread. I am hoping that since the symptoms of long-haul Covid are so similar to fibro that maybe they'll actually discover something. In the mean time I take my Buspar and my vitamin d and only need to take a Tylenol here and there and now my symptoms are less around pain and burning and more just that awful stiffness when waking and after not moving for a bit, sleep cycle is way off and fatigue ... but I still can go about my day and do chores and dog walks ... I don't experience that "new scary symptom of the week" that I went through for the first few years. I don't like having to take an anti-anxiety med and at some point I might try to wean off and see what happens. I also think these meds affect everybody different because before Buspar ... I tried Lexapro and it actually heightened all my symptoms and made me think I was losing my mind ... so I hear sometimes if one doesn't work ... sometimes you have to try another. Again this is all just my opinion but I got excited to see somebody bring up the Serotonin connection

[Bruton in reply to SadiesMom]

Reading your reply is looking in the miiror. I believe ive had fibro for most of my life. Only recently conected the dots, by doing my own fesrarch. I was put on anti ds while caring for both my parents in anex 24/7.In my research it appears they are sometimes used as fibro pain relief...

And yes i do believe there are many similarities to long covid.

I recently found a list of 251 fibro symptoms. ( i had 179) with that ever increasing number of symptoms i really dont feel its such a far syretch to believe its actually a variant of fibro. Like u said just an opinion. Lol

[SadiesMom in reply to Bruton]

It IS like looking in the mirror ... so interesting ... please stay in touch and lemme know if you find out anything new in your research and I'll do the same Take care!

[Wobblygirl in reply to Bruton]

Thank you Bruton, I didn't understand the shorthand of 5htp? I'm sure it's very obvious???I try and be active after every rest period and when I do sit I open computer, do accounts or a crossword to keep me focussed. In this way I feel I am being proactive...

Last night I framed two prints on my knee whilst resting with TV and afterwards I felt I had been productive. Being productive in some way helps my self esteem. So, often I'll sweep the kitchen at 11.00pm after TV viewing when I know I am rested...

Small achievements keep me going!!!

[Cat00]

I started Tai Chi last month constantly really annoyed that all the old folk can stand on one leg and I can't! I have broken my ankle twice but I'm not really any better on the good ankle, I do have very hypermobile ankles though which makes it very hard.

[Wobblygirl in reply to Cat00]

I did try Tai Chi 3yrs ago recommended for chronic pain. Very small movements in chairs but I think I tried too hard and felt absolutely wasted next few days...

I tried it for about 3months and then gave up as pain wasn't something to look forward to!!!

Glad it's helping you!

Well done on trying but fear of pain in your broken ankles must be a worry? x

[Cat00 in reply to Wobblygirl]

Not really I do combat and HIT classes most days, the pain in my legs after those classes is much worse.

[Wobblygirl in reply to Cat00]

How do you manage those with fibro pain? Aren't you in agony?

[lioncub]

I read somewhere that we crave carbs when we are tired to get an extra boost so if I feel hungry at bedtime I eat protein to stave the hunger but not energise me. Walnuts are my favourite. My strength varies through the day so I exercise when I'm at my peak and only do little but often. Use it or lose it comes to mind!

[Wobblygirl in reply to lioncub]

Yes I wished I like nuts as they are supposed to be an excellent snack at bedtime.I will definitely look at other proteins 'to stave the hunger but not energise me'.

Thanks for this suggestion... x

[Midori]

I like Tai Chi for exercise. It is a moving exercise, slow, but always moving into other shapes. helps with balance, and is gentle if you have aches, but you may find you ache after it the first few times.

[Wobblygirl in reply to Midori]

Yes I did! I persevered for a couple of months but pain later meant I would find all sorts of reasons to not attend! Eventually I gave up but do my style of stretches and remember a few exercises from that teacher. He was lovely and so patient.

Thanks Midori. x

[aytias]

I'm not sure why you think you should be able to stand on one foot for an extended period of time. Fibro sufferers are notorious for lack of proprioception which makes them clumsy and unbalanced. It might be better to try something easier first by holding on to something and slowly building up strength and balance.Also, for the hunger, you might need to stay away from anything with carbs and prefer protein. The problem is hormonal and the lack of sleep upsets them very drastically.

All the best.

[Wobblygirl in reply to aytias]

Yes, Aytias, no more standing on one leg. Did pass it by my GP when I was speaking about another issue and she said to not bother but as you say I'll try to hold something to support me and gradually build on that...

Really helpful explanation about carbs and protein at bedtime.

Thank you so much for your intervention. I'm definitely learning more... xx

[Chrisbel]

Try taking pilates classes, they concentrate on strengthening your core, and help with stability, also have plenty of stretches! perseverance is the key. really helped me.

[Wobblygirl]

Oh dear I tried it for about 3months and gave up because of the extra pain!Doesn't say much about my perseverence, does it?

Glad it's helping you...

Thanks Christabel x

[lioncub in reply to Wobblygirl]

Persevering with doing very little but often, works better for me. Mini activity mini rest and having quality sleep at night. Persevere with finding what helps you be pain free not pushing your body to be what it's not.