My Answer to Someone’s Questions

I know how you feel right now and I want to help you and everyone else that suffers from Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue.

I am doing fine these days. I became a Grandmother on October 31, 2007. I thought I would never be able to hold my Grandchildren because of my fatigue and pain. I believe my faith and prayers made a difference and made it possible for me to find the strength I needed to stay positive, try new products, medications to help me feel better. This is why I started my mission to help others too.

Yes, I noticed you have not been on any forums or boards. In fact, I felt you pulling away from me. I know it is hard to trust someone over the Internet. Especially since you experienced such negative responses and attitudes from your own friends and co-workers.

People do not want to hear or be around sick people. They only want to experience good things. Well, the only way I can feel good about myself is to reach out to someone like you, my friend. It is hard to accept help or even ask for help. I was fortunate enough to have good friends, co-workers and family members willing to reach out and try to help. I know not everyone is that fortunate.

I am sorry to hear you are experiencing a deep depression. These are your words:

Right now I am in a deep depression. I have prayed and prayed for God to take me. But here I am.

Do you ever get really depressed? I just lay in bed and cry. I hate it. Is it part of fibro?

When an individual is experiencing extreme pain and fatigue it is normal to feel depressed. Seek medical help and don’t let anyone blame you for feeling blue. I still remember the morning I woke up and suddenly I felt extreme pain, fatigue and everything else that goes with this disorder. I was fighting it and struggling to find out what was going on. I continued working and I deceived myself, believing that it was just the flu, my gall bladder, anything the doctor tried to rule out. I just knew things would get better. The truth of the matter is I hit rock bottom and felt useless, worthless, stupid, and much more. Do you remember the poem I wrote? It expressed how I felt. I will post again. The depression is caused by the fatigue and pain you are experiencing.

I’m hurting so badly. The medicine I take only at night and do not take during day or I’d get nothing done. But it makes me bolder, I find myself saying and doing things that I would never have nerve and be brave enough to do. Is that normal with meds?

Talk to your doctor about the medications you are taking. Everyone reacts differently to medications. What types of things are you doing and saying? How do you feel when you say something you normally would not have said before? I suggest you write down how you feel and think about what might have caused those reactions you are talking about. It will help you sort out those thoughts and emotions.

When I talk to a doctor or individual that does not believe in fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue, I feel sad and alone. I have to take back control of my emotions and just forget about them. I know what I feel everyday of my life. They are not experiencing my pain and fatigue, yet they make judgments and mean remarks. The way I deal with this is to just pray and ask God to give me the strength to forget about them. God knows what we are feeling. Don’t let them hurt you.

I’m sorry to ask all these questions. I just feel lost. I wish I’d die right now. Its not just the pain its everything. I feel like I am holding on to a thread. The least thing upsets me and makes me feel like I’m having a nervous breakdown. Do you ever feel like that?

My friend, never feel badly about asking questions. I am here for you and anyone else that seeks encouragement and help. I too felt lost and wanted to give up. I have cried myself to sleep because of my pain and fatigue. I did not want to complain to my family and friends. I found that crying, praying and resting helped me. However, you need additional support and help. Talk to your doctor, you may need to change your depression medication. In the beginning I had to try several different types of medications to help me deal with the pain and fatigue. I also suffer from panic/anxiety attacks. I have to take medication for those attacks. They are hard to deal with, you feel closed in, lost and unable to breathe. Do not try to handle these emotions on your own. Seek medical help and try to join a support group.

You have to seek help, be open to expressing your feelings, write them down, keep a journal and please try Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Positive self-talk helps me out tremendously. I promise.

I better go. Take care. I hope everything is well with you and your family.

I am worried about you and want you to call me. I know you find it hard to trust, please let me help you. Thank you for asking about my family. They are hanging in there. Please remember you are not alone.

The only reason I am answering you on my site is because I know you are not the only person feeling this way. Just know you are helping others too. I know you have a big heart and want to help people too. Together we can help each other and spread the word about this horrific disorder.

Love your friend,

Viviana

How to Perk Yourself Up During the Day

Think about thoughts, reactions, movements, anything that might help you perk up during the day. I always practice positive self-talk. However, I need other types of things to help me perk up. Try the following:

1). Drink lots of water, it keeps you from getting dehydrated and is a natural way to get energy. Our metabolism runs properly with the right amount of water.

2). Eat protein. Start off your morning with some type of protein. It will keep you going until lunch time.

3). Eat small meals throughout the day, instead of large meals. The key is to eat slowly and make it small portions. Give your stomach time to realize it is full. Don't rush your meals.

4). Eat healthy snacks such as; fruits, veggies, peanuts and almonds. These help boost my energy level throughout the day.

I know fatigue is a drag, literally! So try to stop worrying about things you cannot control, let go of frustrations and resentful emotions. These emotions cause anxiety and pain. Negative emotional thoughts can be exhausting, think positive:) The only person that has control of your emotions is you. Don't let people push your buttons. If you feel you are all alone, please send me an email and I will try to be there for you. You are not alone.

I find that if I take time out for myself, try to relax, think positive thoughts and follow a healthy diet, I have better days. My biggest problem is remembering to pace. When I feel half way decent I tend to over do.

Together we can fight this illness and stay focused on taking control of our health and life.

I hope and pray this information has helped someone today.

Fibro Viv

Plan for changes in the Weather

One key thing to remember is that cold weather tends to increase pain for most people that suffer from CFIDS/FMS. Cold or damp weather along with poor sleep, fatigue, stress or over-exertion makes our pain worse.

Plan for the cold weather coming soon. I use rice packs to keep me warm at home and try not to go out too often. Some of us cannot stay home, so plan to keep warm. Herbal medications, massage therapy and aromatherapy are especially helpful during the winter.

I hope and pray this information has helped someone today.

Fibro Viv

What is important for people with CFIDS/FMS?

It is important that we learn how to pace. I have been going non-stop prior to the birth of my Grandchildren. Two twin girls! I am a first time Grandmother living on fumes! I have done that which I ask all of you not to do. What did I do? Overdo!!! Shame on me:(

I know I must slow down and take some time to recover. The twins were worth the pain and fatigue I feel at this moment. The main thing I have to remember is that they will need me in the future, so I must go back and follow my own tips.

We must try to pace or we will end up in the ditch. I can hardly keep my eyes open. So, this post will be short.

TIP OF THE DAY

It does not matter what is happening in your life, you must remember to “PACE.” If we do not pace ourselves we fall back and mess up our goal to take control of our health. We need to be healthy for our family. Please learn from my mistakes and take good care of yourself.

I hope and pray this information has helped someone today.

Fibro Viv

Energizing Activities and Considerations

Physical Activity verses Exercise

I know it is difficult to think about any type of activity when you are extremely fatigue and in extreme pain. Try thinking about physical activity verses exercise. Physical activity basically refers to being in motion while exercise refers to physical exertion, often to develop or maintain physical fitness.

Set attainable goals, such as simple stretches while in bed. Also, try walking slowly around your bedroom or living area. Take it slow and keep yourself motivated, stay positive and ask for help.

I know you can do it. When I have a flare-up, it takes a lot of effort to just get up and take a bath. I start by stretching before I get out of bed. Sometimes I am so fatigued, I cannot even take that bath. So, I use body cleansing cloths and wash myself off. Then I use heat against my body to help the aches and pains. While in bed, I stretch my arms, legs, fingers, hands, etc. Yes, I rest in between each stretch. Try it.

I hope and pray you will try to move today.

Fibro Viv

Understanding Pain and Taking Control

Our pain signals travel through a system of nerves in our brains and spinal cord. Our bodies try to produce chemicals to help block pain signals. They are called endorphins. There are different factors, such as our emotions and thoughts that cause the body to produce endorphins. Different types of treatments can can stimulate the body to release endorphins or block pain signals. Such treatments can be medications, cold and heat treatments, tens units, yoga, stretching and a number of other treatments.

The list noted below can cause your pain to feel worse:

* Anxiety
* Focusing on pain
* Stress
* Depression
* Focusing on pain
* Overdoing, not pacing yourself

The list noted below can help you block pain signals:

* Relaxation
* Medications
* Massage
* Distractions
* Some Topical pain-relievers
* Humor, positive attitude and pleasant thoughts
* Heat and cold treatments
* Stretching, Yoga, Appropriate Exercise

Managing our pain is a job in itself. So try thinking of pain management as a positive step towards taking control of the pain. I remember going to my pain management classes, while it was difficult to get up out of bed, bathe, and get ready, by the time I completed the days schedule I felt better. I know how difficult it can be to try and get up when you are in pain and have extreme fatigue. If we want to feel better, we must take an active role in working towards managing our pain and fatigue. Adjusting our thoughts and attitude helps us meet our goals.

Try the following steps towards understanding how to control pain:

1). Practice self-talk, consider what you say to yourself. Be positive and don’t say, “I just don’t feel well enough to complete those stretches, it hurts to move.” Try this, “I don’t feel like stretching, but I know I will feel better after completing them.”

2). Try not to focus on the pain and if you do, at least try listening to that pain and ask yourself what you might be doing at that moment that caused the increased amount of pain. Think about what you might do to help decrease that pain.

3). Plan and keep a positive attitude. Talk to your doctor and ask about different treatment options. Plan out your day, medications, and practice relaxation.

4). Be honest with yourself and consider your behavior and habits. Do you need to change something? Be open to change.

5). Try tracking your pain. This will help you figure out what increases or decreases your pain level. It does not have to be something fancy or hard. Keep it simple. On September 3, 2007 I created a Daily Journal for Tracking your Pain. Go back and print out a copy of it and use it. Take it with you when you visit your doctor.

We all suffer from short term memory loss, seek help, ask your partner, a family member or friend to help you remember to track your pain.

Please remember you can write to me and ask questions or just vent. I want to help. That is my mission, reaching out and helping you.

I hope and pray this information has helped someone today.

Fibro Viv

Working towards conquering Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia

Today I start my goal to write and add a post everyday in November. One of my goals is to educate, share information, tips, tools, and share my own experience with people. I want to offer people encouragement, acceptance and help.

There are still people, including members of the medical community that do not believe in chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia. This makes it difficult for people seeking help and support.

It is devastating to experience our health go downwards without any type of warning or explanation. Our life changes dramatically and we have to remain positive and strong for our own sanity.

The first step towards taking control of our health is knowing what to expect and what it means to have these disorders. Education, support, acceptance and love is the key to learning how to manage the pain, fatigue and the impact it has on us.

People react differently to pain, fatigue and change. I want to reach out and help people seeking support and acceptance. I pray and hope I can do this on a daily basis.

Please feel free to post comments and questions. Share your own experience and please open yourself up to accepting help. I am here to help you deal with the everyday challenges of life and together we can work towards conquering Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia.

I pray and hope you have a pain free day.

Fibro Viv

NOTE: Please understand I am not a medical professional, please talk to your doctor prior to completing any tips I offer. God Bless.