i have found the most difficult part of " the condition " is accepting it and learning to live with it .Learning to pace myself and not search for answers as to why it has flared up now and realising its just because it does .
Acceptance: i have found the most... - Fibromyalgia Acti...
Acceptance
Written by
irisjoy
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
9 Replies
•
Hello Irisjoy, you've hit the nail on the head there, you really have! Learning to accept that we have Fibromyalgia is really the hardest part. Some people can do this easier than others, for some it takes a very long while and they really struggle. I think we tend to ask the "why me?" question and tell ourselves "I want my life back!", which I have said myself many times at the beginning and it's perfectly natural and understandable. With any debilitating condition we all feel robbed of our lives.
The most practical way to deal with Fibromyalgia after we have accepted what's happened to us is to learn about pacing and what not to do as opposed to what to do. Hope that makes sense. There is still so much we can do, it might be at a slightly slower rate and we may have to rest afterwards or have a quiet day afterwards, but so much is still possible. We just have to be one jump ahead and think about ourselves whereas before we never really had to think of the consequences. That's one of the biggest adjustments we have to make.
Pacing really is the most brilliant way of mapping out our everyday lives. I was referred to a CFS Clinic locally by my GP and the course was quite lengthy with an Occupational Therapist. We had one to one sessions first where we really stripped back my life and discussed how I wanted to live my life, what was achievable and what to aim for etc. Then we had some group sessions to compare notes. Although I didn't really have the enthusiasm or energy to go to the clinic at the beginning, it really changed my life for the better. Now I pace myself every day, I can do it subconsciously now whereas before when learning, it was a real effort having to write everything down. This way I can plan my activity periods and my rest periods and I am able to spot the signs if I have overdone it and redress the balance a bit. I still have flare-ups but they are quite infrequent now and I know how to deal with them and to pick myself up and start pacing again when I feel a bit better.
Ask your GP's to see if you could be referred for Pacing Therapy if you are interested in trying it. The only exceptions for acceptance would be if you really are virtually incapacitated with your symptoms, you have to be accepted as being suitable for responding to this therapy.
You have the right philosophy Irisjoy, you sound a very positive person. Wishing you all the best and well done! 
how true well said
gentle dyslexic hugs
I'm not there yet! One day maybe when I am least expecting it
Julie xx
• in reply tojulieevh
It will happen when it happens Julie, it's not something we can rush unfortunately, take care.
hi and yes you are so right it is i keeep saying i accept it but i still deny it if that makes sense love diddle xx
the problem i have is i was born with a disability and was told i " just couldn't be bothered to walk properly " then seeing a wonderful consultant surgeon at 29 years old who knew instantly what my problem was, So i have always pushed myself and yes overdone things but have learnt that now i am not in charge and have to go with the flow, Yes Liberty Z i am a very positive person and luckily i have a brilliant family always on hand to help. thankyou all for your comments
I'm still not happy with accepting it, but my bod has shut me down so thoroughly that I have to accept that I'm never going to do the stuff on my 'bucket list'.
I was such an active person, horse rider, dancer, actress, fencer, archer and rock climber to name just a few of my activities. It was while learning Aikido that I realised that I was not capable of the things I had done for so many years. I had Shingles in 2007, after which everything started going downhill fast. I bought my 'stealth stick' (foldable walking stick) in 2007 and used it only when I felt wobbly and tired, but eventually had to start using a more robust one full time. Now I've been ordered a 'walker' with a seat, and I'm thinking of a wheelchair. I have to use a wheelchair when I go shopping anyway.
Cheers, Midori
For those of us who have learned to accept it is acceptable but dpressing at the same time, when you realise you are not the person you were, The hardest part,I find is getting other people to accept it. Those who knew you and the way you were and remember that high flying,faster than the speed of sound person, who now takes ages just to get to answer the front door and has given all her family keys to let themselves in. Must be difficult and puzzling for them and I can understand why they feel like they do, because the person they are looking at and still looks as well, is not more able to be the person they were.
I think this apples to everyone who is suddenly struck down with a life changing disability. Acceptance take such a long time. As Dr. Seuss puts it 'don't cry because it's over, smile because you were there'. A lovely sentiment and applicable to so many areas of life.
