Have you been diagnosed with fibromyalgia? If so, you’ve likely been through months or years of medical tests, been told nothing is wrong, and had to find ways to advocate for yourself. If you finally have a diagnosis, at least you can now begin to find ways to live with the disease.
Fibromyalgia is defined as a chronic condition affecting muscles and other soft tissue such as ligaments and tendons. It causes pain in muscles, tender spots on the body, fatigue, and problems sleeping. Severity of the symptoms can vary widely by person or even for the same person. Some sufferers report increases in symptoms based on stress, weather conditions, or the season.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for fibromyalgia. Numerous treatments are available, ranging from prescription medications to natural treatments. Some patients may require multiple medications while others may be able to manage their disease with a few lifestyle changes.
Treatment of fibromyalgia differs widely by patient and my medical practitioner. What works for one person may not work for another. One area not frequently recognized is the sense of isolation many fibro sufferers experience and depression. Chronic pain and a sense that you cannot participate in life is often worse than the physical symptoms. The following are a few suggestions for managing your fibromyalgia and not letting it take over your life.
A Good Doctor
This seems pretty obvious, but there are many doctors still who do not recognize fibromyalgia. If your doctor merely suggests medication and no other lifestyle changes, it may be helpful to seek another opinion. Many fibro patients work with a doctor specializing in rheumatic disorders. However, a general practitioner can also effectively help you with fibro. The best suggestion is to find a doctor willing to work with you, find different ways to manage the disease, and help you through the flares.
A Support Structure
Because fibromyalgia does not cause physically obvious symptoms, it can be hard to find support. Take the time to explain to family and friends the impacts of the disease. Describe how it makes you feel and don’t be afraid to share your emotions. While the physical symptoms associated with fibro make a sufferer miserable, often the emotional impact is worse. Having a caring support structure can make a huge difference, especially with the depression and sense of isolation that is all too common.
Reach out to a professional if necessary. Fibromyalgia can be an incredibly isolating disease. If you find yourself struggling with depression or loss of joy, seek professional counseling or a support group. There are also numerous support sites available on-line with a lot of tips, tricks, and suggestions for managing the disease.
Food and Diet
Unfortunately, there have been very few published studies on the impacts of food and diet on fibromyalgia sufferers. However, there is anecdotal evidence suggesting certain chemicals or additives can make symptoms worse. Try experimenting with your normal foods or beverages and determining if there is an impact on your symptoms. For example, many sufferers report lessening symptoms when aspartame is removed from their diet.
Another factor in this category is the relation between weight and the disease. Often, because a fibro patient feels physically limited, weight gain occurs. Changing eating patterns to reduce weight gain has the added benefit of increasing overall health and making it easier to manage the disease.
Exercise
Often the bane of a fibromyalgia patient, exercise is actually one of the best ways to help manage the disease. Regular, gentle, no or low impact exercise has a tremendous benefit. Not only does the exercise keep the muscles in shape, the boost to energy and mood can be significant. Too often, a fibro sufferer has no energy or is experiencing too much pain to contemplate exercise. Pushing a little and engaging in mild exercise can alleviate symptoms. Some suggestions are swimming, walking, gentle stretching, and yoga. All of these activities are gentle enough on the joints and muscles, yet help keep the body in shape. Gradually increasing, or at least maintaining, the rate of exercise can have a long-term impact on the symptoms.
Activities
Many fibromyalgia sufferers find themselves ceasing activities they once enjoyed. While it may be necessary to make some changes, continue with these activities! If you always enjoyed playing a sport and find yourself unable to, at least attend events. Keeping involved in enjoyable pursuits goes a long way towards alleviating depression and isolation.
Research
Take the time to learn about fibromyalgia. Many articles and studies are available, although the disease has not been studied as widely as others. There are correlations between fibro and other diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome and chronic fatigue syndrome. Be aware of potential side effects or interactions between medications or supplements. If you have questions after researching, discuss them with your doctor.
Stay Positive
Attitude and mood go a long way when dealing with fibromyalgia. Everyone has a rough day or week, especially if a flare kicks in. By focusing on the positive, it becomes easier to stay motivated to proactively manage the symptoms. Despite the pain, focusing on the positive effects of activities like exercise can keep you motivated to continue. At the same time, acknowledge when it’s a bad day and take care of yourself. Just like anyone dealing with a chronic condition, some days will be terrible. The key is to not let those days turn into weeks or months. Find those special treats or activities that can help on a bad day and use them.
Fibromyalgia is a disease that affects more than just the body. While medical science can and does help with the physical symptoms, too many sufferers do not consider the other components. Emotional distress, depression, and loss of interest in life are all too common with this disease. Taking the time to make a few lifestyle changes and giving yourself permission to take care of yourself in all areas can go a long way towards improving quality of life and finding joy again.