Fibromyalgia flare ups

[Lozzy52]

Hi all, I lost my job in January this year and since then my fibromyalgia has intensified since. I'm getting bad migraines and the pain all over my body stops me from doing anything. I'm on a lot of medication but I feel I need to be doing more to try and help it from progressing as fast. Do you have any tips on what I can do? I will try anything.

[Acocoa]

Lozzy52,

Sorry to hear that you lost your job. Was there nothing your employee occupational health could do to make adaptations? Did you tell your employer about your condition? Anxiety and depression can cause fibromyalgia flares. Speak to your doctor about antidepressants meds as it did helped me when I was in crisis, also counselling to help you deal with loss of job and changes in your live.

Sending hugs, healing mercies and love ❤️

[Lozzy52 in reply to Acocoa]

Hi Acocoa, I worked with children in care and I was assaulted badly off a young person. They knew about it and they did nothing to be honest I didn't even have a risk assessment in place after asking for years. I'm on antidepressants and other tablets. I'm going to have a chat with the doctor like you said and try very gentle exercise to start.Thank you for your advice it's much appreciated. ❤

[Hidden]

Lozzy52, sorry about your job. I know the feeling and just ended mine after being off for 6 months. I'm sorry but they say it's not a progressive worsening illness. I say that's not true because mine has gotten so bad and can not do anything repetitive movement without so much pain in body. Their medicine makes it worse or does nothing at all. I do heating pad, ice pad, different gels for pain but doesn't do much. I just learned to deal with it and heating pad my buddy. Lots of rest when needed if you can. Good luck on that. It can be so hard to manage most days but keep trying little things and when you hurt or beat stop lay down. I wish I had the answers for you and I but it's a day to day struggle and do not have a routine because it never works out for me. Wish you the best.

[Lozzy52 in reply to Hidden]

Hi GrandmaJam, I know what you mean I make plans to do things and I have to cancel due to not being able to anything. I really do appreciate your advice and I hope you are ok. Sending hugs to you ❤

[Hidden in reply to Lozzy52]

I'm doing well thank you. You ever just move to your favorite music, yes it' exercise. I love it. I have to be careful specially bending forward or knees to chest movement will lock my sternum up and the pain is excruciating and feels as if I will never unlock. It's so scary things we feel but do not show up on x-rays or many. Fibromyalgia is a very sad illness with very little knowledge for being around for so long. My grandma struggled and positive she had Fibro also but no one ever found her cause. Everyone said she always has something wrong. Yes I believe it was fibromyalgia. Very sad. She passed away in 82 never knowing the cause. 😥

[Cat00]

Personally exercise is what helps me the most. I've built up to the point I can do HIT classes everyday but it took a year to slowly build up my strength and tolerance.

I think swimming everyday is a good start, if you harass your GP a bit you may be able to get a gym access paid for by the nhs, especially if you are out of work.

[Lozzy52 in reply to Cat00]

Hi Cat00, I think I may try exercise and do what you said and take it slow and steady. Thank you for your advice it's much appreciated. I hope you are doing well sending hugs to you ❤

[Cat00 in reply to Lozzy52]

Oh great! I would start crazy small though, like 10 minutes of swimming a day then slowly build up 5 minutes more each week.

I have all the usual fibro pain and stiffness, especially in my legs, everyday I have I start from this position and then once I push through that things get better. So try not to be put off by pain the day after.

I seem to have the same amount of pain overall except I can do quite a lot of exercise and mentally it makes me feel stronger and less vulnerable. I go to the gym every morning and do kung fu classes in the evenings 3 times a week. Pain I can cope with but fatigue is harder to battle I find, so you have gradually build up your tolerance to exertion.

Incidently my mum forwarded this to me, it was part of the Covid "Zoe" project, it's a whole lecture about fibro and has a useful section on exercise.

youtu.be/aprthkmlE2Q(Not working as expected?)

[Acocoa]

Hi Lozzy, gentle stretching exercises does help. I do little 10 minutes walks to help with mental health. Heat rubs and foot massage machine to help with under heal and arch pain.Pace yourself during task and rest when you feel fatigue. I listen to Gospel music. Music helps me when I start getting low mood.

Sending positive thoughts and healing blessings 🙌🏾 🥰

[seastreak]

Hi lizzy,I have being struggling with fibro for years have a disabled Daughter and am now retired in disability myself .

It's a daily struggle and depressing I admit but you have but just your own life and you can re invent or imagine ways of living with your disability to keep you hopeful and positive and realise that good stuff can happen if you try and live as best you can and always awake with hope in your heart that this and many other days just might be better.

It's really up to you wish you health and happiness.

Mike.

[Yassytina FMA UK Volunteer]

Hello lozzy , sorry to hear about your job, I agree with GramdmaJam , I really do take it one day at a time, there are days when I’m having to pace a lot more ,but if I don’t I just pay for it the next day so never worry that you are resting or how ever long day, days . I do feel meds can help some people-with anxiety and or depression as the body has a lot to cope with, if it helps us cope with day to day and move forward that’s a plus. It is finding something that suits , ie a gentle swim, small walk, but on the days we feel we can do little tasks. Xx

[JayCeon]

People like me would question if your "lot of medication" is actually helping and instead suggest trying the 30+ supps, 20+ diets, 20+ exercise / physio types, 5+ relaxation/ talk therapy types... as well as tracking your symptoms, hunting and avoiding your triggers... Altogether there are far more than 100 things to try...