Exercising.

[sobs1962]

I was given a diagnosis of fibromyalgia, some 20+ years ago and at the time refused to allow this condition to ruin my life, however, I'm now 60, having had,multiple mini strokes in January, followed by an operation to clear my carotid artery, a very unstable thyroid and a long history of severe depression

and anxiety, I can no longer fight it as have neither the energy nor motivation. Any advice would be much appreciated, as really struggling to get through each day at the moment, want to exercise but finding energy or motivation to do so is a constant battle.

[Fibrofog]

I'm so sorry you are having a rough time. Just pace yourself (easier said than done I know) and remember your not alone. If you ever just want to chat. Private message me. Xx

[CM1EDSUK]

Hi sobs1962 - I'm sorry to read about your struggles with fibro, & everything else. If you try abdominal/diaphragmatic breathing, the very gentlest of 'exercises' you may find this helpful, as not only is it good for you, & relaxing, but also great at combating stress. Please see: nbt.nhs.uk/sites/default/fi...

As you will see this can also help alleviate pain, & increase your energy levels, & is something I use daily.

If you also look at the following recent thread, you will see some videos that may be of interest if you scroll down: healthunlocked.com/fibromya... These are also very gentle exercises.

[EarthSitter1 in reply to CM1EDSUK]

Thanks for these, I’m in the same position as sobs1962 I’ve been struggling for years and due to various medical issues struggle with exercise the links you’ve added look very helpful x

[CM1EDSUK in reply to EarthSitter1]

Thank you for your kind reply, & I do hope they help.

I'm a long retired physio & now do the exercises I used to teach!

[sobs1962]

Thanks for that, but since I got a diagnosis of COPD in February 2019 and wasn't given any information or support, I'm extremely skeptical about what the NHS can and will do for people and the pandemic has made the situation even worse. Hopefully things will start to improve again soon.

[crochetjoy]

Hi there, welcome. I must say that I do find this forum to be very supportive with lots of different suggestions, so hoping you find it helpful alsoI've been doing a chi gong exercise class for a few months now along with a fibro friend - we both love it. It's very very gentle and also quite meditative to do.

It's like tai chi but even more gentle.

I'm also in a walking group - I believe there are health walk groups set up across the country?? These tend to be limited to one hour walking so it can suit a lot of people with different health conditions

Good luck in finding something to help you. Best wishes x

[LisaSnow FMA UK Volunteer]

Energy and motivation are indeed more precious than gold especially when we have been ill. Don't feel bad about feeling run-down, you have had to deal with a lot medically. Our body can take month(s) to year(s) to fully recover from a major surgery even if one didn't have fibromyalgia. You have overcame so much already it will just take a bit more patience and time. For exercise, I find expectation of "having to work out" stressful. Instead, I "trick" myself by making commitment to walk with a friend twice a week. This is something I lack motivation to do on my own so knowing another person relies on my showing up, I am now doing it. What works for me may not work for others but I think if we just keep trying different ways to "get moving", we will be able to maintain or even increase the muscle tone and strength to improve conditioning and decrease pain and fatigue.

[Cat00]

I'd try swimming. 10 minutes at first and then try and build it up. Preferably find a pool with a steam room or Jacuzzi so you can relax in it afterwards and gives you something to look forward to, if you like warm things that is. Might have to find a different thing if you don't get on with warmth.

[sobs1962 in reply to Cat00]

I would definitely consider swimming, but unfortunately I have an autoimmune skin condition that affects my vaginal and anal areas and worry that chlorine would cause a major flare up and it's an extremely itchy and painful condition, to be honest I've nearly given up hope of ever

[sobs1962 in reply to sobs1962]

I've read stories about people feeling better through exercise and some martial arts, so it seems it's not impossible to feel better,but the main thing holding me back is my mental health as I'm so depressed that I don't have any hope for the future at all.

[Cat00 in reply to sobs1962]

Oh blimey poor you! I hurt my back last year and it took 10 months to heal so I was swimming everyday the chlorine affected my skin, my hair and my teeth so I'm not surprised you are concerned. When I was in the pool I got talking to a guy who worked at our local hospital, Addenbrookes in Cambridge, and they have a pool that doesn't use chlorine, it has a different type of system that isn't harsh like chlorine. Obviously a huge long shot but maybe if you made some enquiries/googling you could find a pool with this better system as apparently they are out there. Or might you be able to find a barrier cream that could buy in 10 minutes in a pool?

The other thing you could try is cycling on an exercise bike, it's not as hard on your joints as say running. You could find some music you like put them on headphones, aclimatise yourself to them gym environment maybe go for a steam after, sometimes people put eucalyptus in the steam.

I have bladder problems and I can get very sore 'down there' too so it might only be possible for you to cycle if you buy yourself a more cushioned seat cover you can buy to put on exercise bikes. I've looked into before so I know they are available, in the end I just lowered the seat more than is normally recommended and that helped.

They also have bikes in my gym that are reclined so there is less pressure on your pelvis and they have a back rest.

Even if you only cycle for 10 minutes, or just do very light free weights, just being in the gym environment can make you feel more hopeful. I've never been well enough to work so even in my 20s I found myself surrounded by essentially old women. Everyone my age was at work during the day, it gets so lonely. The ladies just treated me like I was normal, we have 70 year olds doing combat classes. Everyone just does what they can, not what the instructor does. I admire them so much, putting your pride aside makes fun more available.

My first gym wasn't like this but the second was and it's really help me have some structure in my life and I'm much stronger than I was before.

[sobs1962 in reply to Cat00]

I'm trying to start gently and work my way up to more intense exercise, but I suppose some exercise is better than none.

[Cat00 in reply to sobs1962]

To be honest even if you just spent your first week just going to the gym and have a coffee that would be a win. There's no hurry. Try to be kind to yourself, you have serious health problems no wonder everything is horrible, I had a horrible day in the gym this morning I was in a lot of pain. No one else in the room experiences life with so much pain.

We are only beholden to ourselves. Don't waste energy feeling guilty, your life is hard. If it's all too much forget the gym, do you have any interests? If you can find something in your life that you can enjoy put your energy into that, exercise can come later.

[JayCeon]

Praps an even more radical angle on it can give you a bit more hope and motivation: "Starting gently" as you rightly say can mean starting with 1 second of something - even anything, something I wouldn't have believed - exception praps pull-ups, but sometimes I manage half or one (used to manage 8). And I sometimes find it hard to motivate myself even to breathing exercises, unless I just make it a few deep breaths - better than none. Even easier: Stretches, even if only for 10 seconds, or 5 or 2. Often while I'm waiting for something....

And increasing from there...