Don't use your energy to worry, use it to believe in yourself!

Hi Everyone!

Today I want to focus on how to manage the energy we have for the day. I know I don't always wake up full of energy but I try to find ways to energize myself.

Those of us that suffer from chronic fatigue find it difficult to feel energized. If you didn't sleep well last night, don't worry you can still find a way to feel energized. Try the following:

1.  Sit up, take a couple of deep breaths and close your eyes. Just free yourself of any worries.

2.  Try to complete a couple of soft easy stretches; remember the prayer stretch I noted early in my site? Try it.

3.  Take a nice long shower or bath and pamper yourself. Turn on some music and just let yourself enjoy the rhythm.

4.  Be sure to eat breakfast, it is afterall the most important meal of the day.

5.  Now consider fueling your mind by listening to a motivational audio or inspirational music.

6.  Try to complete some simple yoga stretches, an exercise routine, or walk for a short distance. We have to start somewhere. Remember to pace yourself.

7.  Stay connected to people, we all need that human interaction. Take advantage of your support systems and don't be shy about asking for help.

Don't get discouraged if you are only able to get up and shower for the day. I know some of us are unable to do much more. It depends on where you are physically and emotionally. Based on my own experience, I have come a long way. I remember when I could barely lift my head from my pillow. Please don't get discouraged and try to remain positive.

Decide what's the most important thing you can do today based upon your life goals. Then do it.

Just do whatever it takes to remain upbeat, friendly, and enthusiastic. Keep that momentum going and you will find that it keeps you energized.

Today's Tip: If you are experiencing a high level of pain and fatigue, take a warm bath, set up your bed with pillows under your head, knees, feet, and both sides of your arms. Or set up some pillows on your recliner and just relax. If you had a sleepless night, consider trying today's tip. This always worked for me when I was very fatigue.

Pace yourself.

I hope and pray everyone has a day free of pain and fatigue.

With love and hope,

Fibro Viv


P.S. I'm working on answering your email questions. Hang in there, I'm here to help. You are also helping me by staying in touch and asking questions. I truly enjoy helping others. God Bless!

Most days I find myself...

Hi Everyone!

Here is a little something I posted on another website. Share your journey with the rest of us. I truly enjoy sharing my journey and assisting others when possible. Just know that you are not alone. God Bless

Most days I find myself...

I spend a great amount of time dealing with everyday chores and activities. I always make an effort to complete gentle stretches each morning. I enjoy simple yoga moves, swimming and spending time with my family (includes my dogs).

Given what I know now, I would recommend others...

My only recommendation is that people educate themselves and seek support from a variety of places. Learn to reach out, share your journey, and remain open-minded. Don't be so hard on yourself and know that you are not alone. We all have different symptoms, levels of pain and fatigue. Our lives are enriched when we reach out, listen, touch, and share.

My life has changed in this way...

I have learned to accept the new me and how to manage my pain, fatigue, and energy level. Pacing wasn't part of my vocabulary but it certainly has forced its way into my life. I have learned to listen to my body and manage my stubborn mind in the process. I have also learned to forgive myself for not being able to complete certain tasks, chores, etc. Pacing is an ongoing challenge that will always be part of my life. The key is to fill your life with experiences, not things, and to have stories to tell, not stuff to show.

When I'm having a bad day, I like to...

On a bad day I enjoy long hot baths, meditating, listening to music, binge watching television series and focusing on my blessings. Resting while listening to music or getting a massage while listening to music can be very calming and uplifting.

I hope and pray you have a day free of pain and fatigue.

P.S. You can continue to send me your questions via email. I promise I will respond. God Bless

What You Can't Change

Hello Everyone,

I hope your new year is off to a great start. I'm looking forward to 2018 and everything it has to offer. My goal is to get back on track writing posts for this blog site. I will be including some quotes that I believe will assist all of us as we work on taking control of our health.

Here goes:

"You can't change how people feel about you, so don't try. Just live your life and be happy".


I have been reading some comments made on a different site and it saddens me when people tend to believe their self-worth is based on what others think or say. Please don't do it, I know it is a trap we all fall into at some point in our life. Try to focus on your own happiness and health and stay positive. We all have our strengths and weaknesses and that is what makes us special. So live your life and be happy.

Today's Tip: When you wake up each morning concentrate on your mood and what you want to accomplish. Imagine and picture yourself achieving your goals.

Start the day off:

1. Completing soft stretches while still in bed
2. Pick up that journal and use it
3. Write down simple bullet points (nothing to elaborate)
4. Take a warm bath and pamper yourself
5. Try to tackle one of those short term goals
6. Pace yourself

Things you might include in your journal:

• How you feel (pain and fatigue levels)
• Medications taken
• Simple checklist indicating you are eating regularly
• Planned appointments
• Goals (daily)

Please remember that you are in control of your health and happiness. You control your own thoughts and emotions. Take baby steps and try to stay motivated. I'm here to cheer you on.

I hope and pray you experience a pain and fatigue free day.

With sincere wishes,

Fibro Viv

Be the person who cares

Dealing with Light Sensitivity

Hi Everyone,

Today I want to discuss how to deal with light sensitivity. Our home and work environment can mess with our sensitivities to light, sound, and touch. Flourescent lighing can trigger headaches, dizzy spells, and vision problems. There are days when my sensitivity to light, sound, and touch are magnified to the point of not being able to deal with anything. The next thing I know, I am experiencing a full blown migraine. Not good.

I retreat to my bedroom, turn down the lights (sometimes turn them off completely), turn on some soft music and lay down to rest. I lay on my back with pillows placed under my head, each side of my arms, and under my bent knees. I enjoy listening to music, or simply meditate with my eyes closed. 

Sometimes it is difficult to deal with normal or average lights and sounds. Hypersensitivity seems to occur on its own, with no headache. These sensitivities can interfere with your work and daily activities. Being unable to tolerate average levels of light or sound can make it difficult to go outside, participate in social events, or do your job. I know it is related to certain health conditions that should be addressed. So, by all means talk to your healthcare provider about these issues. Yet another reason to journal because it will help you understand what triggers these episodes. Here are my tips:

- Journal (assists you in figuring out what triggers these sensitivities)
- Darken rooms 
- Wear earplugs (to this day, I wear one earplug at the movie theater)
- Wear sunglasses
- Take breaks away from settings you find difficult because of light or noise
- Lay down and rest with your eyes closed
- Get the right amount of sleep (we all have different sleep requirements)
- Practice deep breathing exercises
- Practice relaxation exercises (meditation)
- Allow yourself some "me" time
- Seek out support (family, friends, doctors, Internet acquaintances)

My initial experience was devasting and caused me to become anti-social. I finally decided that blogging, researching, and reading about other people experiencing these symptoms made me feel better about myself. Yes, I was blessed to have a partner that loved and supported me. He was there through good times and bad times. Somehow it seemed easier to deal with these issues when I shared my experience with like individuals. Do what makes sense to you and your physical and mental health.

My thoughts: Stay connected to your family and friends. Seek help and learn to communicate your thoughts and feelings.

I hope and pray you have a day free of pain and fatigue.

Affirm Youself Often

Hi Everyone,

We must affirm ourselves often because we deserve it, giving ourselves compliments will provide a boost to our self-confidence. In the process we must also affirm others because helping others feel good about themselves makes us feel better about ourselves too. The goal is to accept yourself thereby allowing you to open up to the people around you. When we feel pain and fatigue whether it be emotionally or physically the feelings of sadness and anger can cause someone to lose determination or confidence. Affirm Yourself Often. Examples of self-affirmation:

I AM - is a statement of who you are

I CAN - is a statement of your potential

I WILL - is a statement of positive change in your life and what you want to happen moving forward.

Create your own or consider the ones I have written below:

- I am in control of my life and I am willing to take that first step to control my pain and fatigue.

- I can be positive, I can plan to become more active and I can succeed.

- I will focus on remaining positive and I will decrease my pain and fatigue.

Yesterday I wrote that I wanted to blog and share my emotional and physical journey. I think I will separate my relationship grief and possibly discuss how we start to consider building new relationships. I may create a new blog on relationships. So this site will continue focusing on how I deal with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. Let me know what you think.

Part of chronic illness includes a loss of self, social life, money. etc. and our definition of normacy changes. You may be in the initial phase of realizing you have a chronic illness. Where do you stand? Do you want to learn how to take control of your pain and fatigue? I hope so. Are you starting your journey, progressing, or at a stand still?

Personally, I got lazy. Oh I still continued to stretch and eat the right foods, but I did not make an effort to add to my routine. The only reason I continued to stretch was because I trained myself to stretch before getting out of bed and it felt good. I figured out certain foods did not agree with my body and just changed my food choices. I worked on improving my health and eventually my habits changed. Then life changed, I lost Jerry and then I lost interest in my own emotional and physical health and happiness. I'm sharing because I want someone to learn from my mistakes. Don't just survive, I know you are tired, in pain, fatigued, and discouraged. Each time you wake up, you have another chance to make things better, to improve upon your emotional and physical health. You have a choice.

Well you are probably bored so let me end this post with my thoughts for the day:

Take control of your life. Start with one change, and when it feels like part of your usual routine, add another. DO NOT STOP even when you feel pain and fatigue. Once that change feels like second nature, add another, and so on. Don't just survive, make new plans and goals. Affirm Yourself Often.


I hope and pray you have a day free of pain and fatigue.

P.S. Completed my yoga stretches and exercise routine!

A place to buy Ice Pack Wraps

Hi Everyone,

I found a site that sells ice packs. Get your gel packs, cold therapy ice packs and heating pads to treat your leg pain, elbow joint pain, hip pain, knee pain, foot pain, or arthritis pain! I have used cold therapy ice packs and heating pads to treat my pain. They were first introduced to me during my medical rehabilitation for Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue. Here is the link and a coupon code that is available until May 9, 2013:

http://www.pjtra.com/t/RT9GSkVFSD9LS0lGST9GQ0hC
10% off your IceWraps.net purchase with coupon code SPRING10! Expires 5/9/13. 

I hope and pray you feel good today. Try the cold and hot therapy options. I personally like the hot therapy option.