Retiredlass

[Retiredlass]

I am 73 and have had fibro for 7 years. I live alone with my 2 dogs and 2 cats. I am currently on no pain medication although I do take Duloxetine twice a day. I also have osteoarthritis and currently am awaiting a knee replacement. I already have one hip replacement. Like a lot of you I am sure have days when I can hardly get out of bed. I am looking for any tips on how to manage my pain and fatigue.

[CM1EDSUK]

You may find this helpful as it was put together by Drs: livewellwithpain.co.uk/ten-...

[Marchhare7 in reply to CM1EDSUK]

Thank you for sharing this resource, sorry for jumping on another post, im following alot on here and find people have already posted what i was thinking/feeling so im grateful for all the knowledge, kindness of people here

[Yassytina FMA UK Volunteer]

Hello, I am glad you have your pets for company , the love they give back , i so miss having a little dog , I too take duloxtene ,mostly it was prescribed for anxiety which it does it’s job 100 percent as Fibro and other health conditions can some days be wearing on us. Doctors do recommend this tablet now for fibro patients . Some days are differently better the others , I always stick to pacing and if pain/fatigue is at a high I do have to rest it out as my body just comes to a halt . For pain I can take Codiene when at its highest but not every day (prescribed by doctor and mostly I can do days without) I’ve take Anadin extra every 4 hours on a really bad day and again it maybe when I’ve picked up a viral cold or bug and this helps fight that along side the Fibro. ( always seek advice from from pharmacist about anything when on medication) I do find having a bath and soaking , if I miss a bath my body really aches so it differently makes a different. When weathers cold I rely on hot water bottles /wheat bag , warmth does ease . Where do you get most pain ? xx

[Retiredlass in reply to Yassytina]

all over, but mostly legs, back, hip, shoulders, shall we say all over but worst is legs, feet, hips, back. Some days I can’t walk because hips and legs are so bad. I use a. Electric wheelchair when necessary and fortunately have a car. But I don’t have much of a social life anymore.

[Yassytina FMA UK Volunteer in reply to Retiredlass]

Fibro/other health bits differently make an impact on social life, I have a best friend who says we will see on the morning how you are (if we get too do alittle something) it can be very hit and miss for a lot of us , Im a home bird most of the time not threw choice , last week my friend picked me up as car was in for MOT, we visited a place where there was a few little shops, scone /cuppa in the cafe 😀it sometimes feels like being let out of a cage occasion, I suffered for 2 days after with fatigue but I got too chalk that up as positive day 😀. I don’t drive far just local when I can it just gives us a bit of independence dosent it. The electric wheelchair sounds very helpful , I have seen people with their little dogs perched on their laps .xx

[Vontrap]

hi I fin Duloxetine good. It doesn’t make you feel like a zombie and although it doesn’t take the pain away it does numb it. It also improves your mood.

[Verdastro58]

I had two knee replacements due to osteoarthritis and cannot recommend them highly enough. The recovery was straightforward and not very painful and result was full flexion and freedom from pain. It’s important to do the physiotherapy exercises and it helps to have a raised toilet seat, a perching stool and plastic bags to sit on bed/car to reduce friction and aid movement. Local Nextdoor online community is a good source of these aids for free. Best wishes

[Retiredlass in reply to Verdastro58]

thank you for your advice. I am on the waiting list but not holding my breath as the waiting list is at least a year.

[Verdastro58 in reply to Retiredlass]

You can keep trying for a cancellation appointment- if you’re able to be flexible at short notice, ring them up. I was lucky enough to get another orthopaedic surgery cancellation appointment last month, it helps you and saves wasting the NHS surgery slot. Also as preparation pre- surgery you can do Tai Chi for strength and balance, static cycling for quadriceps strengthening, swimming.

[Judithdalston]

about 10 weeks ago I started swimming/aqua aerobics, not in a class, and in a reasonably priced local hotel that has a health club attached with gym, pool, sauna, steam room and sauna. If a told you I have to sit and pause and rest to get my swimsuit on/off and dry etc it will give you an idea of how pained and fatigue I am. Along with fibromyalgia ( plus insulin dependent diabetes and hypothyroidism) I have had Long Covid for over 3 years which due to breathlessness has made it near impossible to walk/ stand; NHS has not helped ( save for 5 BP pills) so looked to find somewhere that would allow me to do as little as 10 mins water exercise per day at a reasonable cost! Found 30 mins easy, and now do 40 mins 5/week. Oddly a have little pain in the pool, and enjoy the ease of motion/floating; still very stiff and achy in the morning. But it must be doing me some good, re mobility of joints/hips etc, and mentally, though not really noticed much improvement re standing up etc.. I like the peace of going when it’s quiet, but I know others who go for a chat too. Worth considering?

[Scatty27]

Hi, I saw a nutritionist and kinesiologist a few months ago and she recommended a supplement called MSM which I buy from Healthpath. It has really helped my energy and pain levels!

I take two at night and feel the difference in morning. Obviously what works for me might not work for everyone but a lot of evidence supports this helping with joint pain. I take for a few weeks then ease of for a week or two then restart.

[Suffering2021]

Hi I know the pain is 24/7 all over the body but all I can say is I try distract myself , I too am home with my dog . I’ve bought a chair that is electric and so I can put my feet up it helps a bit . I’ve got my heat pad beside me and I use that for the chronic pain in my left arm .

Distraction takes many forms .

I have a couple of friends on occasion we may pop out for dinner , when I’m home I get into watching series drama , crime , documentaries. I tidy & clean of course I have to keep sitting down and more often as times gone on . I have a round hoover that does the cleaning of the floors I have an air fryer to make food prep & cook easier I guess what I am saying is I try keep occupied one way or another . And of course my companion helps me loads .

I’ve stopped taking medication as it was not helping at all . I was told by my consultant that I should take apple cider vinegar, sourcrout , Kimchi , vitamin D3 , K2 & C , Carnitine magnesium to help with the fatigue .

It’s got to be doing some good I’ve stopped eating meats now having lots of veggies & halloumi .

I try to disengage myself and sometimes I just want to be on my own not talking to anyone but I try my best to move about each day walk my dog I can’t go far but I just try