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Today, 12thMay, is Fibromyalgia Awareness Day and I feel that it is important to use my platform to raise awareness and help people who have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia to feel less alone.
I was recently diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, but had suffered with a long list of symptoms after my workplace accident for years. It was a bitter sweet feeling of relief; all my symptoms were due to a condition, but I was upset that I had been dealt that hand after my accident. No matter what diagnosis I had, life moves forward and I thought that I can either try to adapt or give up, but I am not a quitter.
Fibromyalgia has so many symptoms and can affect people in different ways, but no matter what your symptoms, never allow people to dismiss the pain that you are feeling. Unfortunately, there is still a great deal of ignorance when it comes to understanding invisible conditions like Fibromyalgia.
When your Fibromyalgia symptoms are heightened, or you are going through a flare up, life can be even more difficult. I am currently still trying to understand how to have better days as I am still experiencing severe symptoms most of the time, but I found some practices which help in taking the edge off the pain and help me mentally cope with living with chronic pain day to day.
It is important to remember that you not only look after your physical health with the symptoms that you experience, but to also to check in with your mental health. Your mental health can take a huge hit when dealing with a chronic pain condition such as Fibromyalgia. If you feel that you are struggling mentally it is important to reach out to a loved one or your doctor for help and support.
Here are 5 tips that could help you manage your Fibromyalgia symptoms:
1. Have Enough Sleep & Rest
Getting enough sleep is crucial for helping you to manage the symptoms of Fibromyalgia. Being well rested helps combat the fatigue that accompanies the condition.
When you are feeling exhausted, in pain or both, it is important to rest your body and mind as pushing through the pain can be more damaging to your body. Your mind will associate more pain with activities you try and do when you are experiencing already high levels of pain. That is why increasing your daily activities slowly over time will help you to build up your tolerance. This means that when you are seriously fatigued or pained, you should allow your body to reset to ensure you do not make your symptoms worse.
2. Invest In A Tens Machine
A tens machine has some positive research so far for helping to relieve Fibromyalgia pain. Or course this can vary and may not work for everyone. A central feature of fibromyalgia is the hyper-sensitised central nervous system and research has suggested that a tens machine can have a calming effect on the central nervous system. This means that it is a relatively inexpensive method of treatment for your symptoms. It can also help with: anxiety, fatigue and stiffness. However, it is important that before you try a tens machine, you should consult your doctor as it can be dangerous for certain conditions.
3. Practise Massage
Massage can be your natural tens machine in helping you to bridge your brain and your pain which can in turn help to reduce the amount of pain that you feel. Massage can create a sense of relaxation which can help you with your sleeping pattern. Massage does not mean that you have to go to a professional masseuse (although if you want to treat yourself, why not?!), it can be as simple as rubbing lotion into the painful parts of your body. You can ask a loved one to help you, or you could buy a massage ball or roller. I have found these really beneficial to help reduce pain even if only for a short while.
Photo by ThitareeSarmkasat from Getty Images
4. Use A Wheatie Bag Or A Hot Water Bottle
Heat can be so important in helping to reduce Fibromyalgia pain. Using a hot water bottle or a wheatie bag not only helps with pain, but can also reduce stiffness after resting or a night’s sleep. Heat helps to boost blood flow to the places where you hurt and can penetrate deep into the tissue. When you are in pain a heat source is not only helpful, but if combined with massage can work well to relieve muscle pain even more.
5. Use An Acupressure Mat
An acupressure mat has hundreds of evenly scattered needles on one side. When you sit or lie on it, your muscles relax around the needles, so the pressure can stimulate your muscles, release tension and increase circulation which in turn releases endorphins and oxytocin. The mat can not only help with muscle pain and stiffness, but can also relieve the feelings of anxiety and depression which can be associated with fibromyalgia.
These are 5 ways that you can help yourself to ease the symptoms without the use of painkillers. Using these tips can help you to reduce your symptoms, but please remember that not everything works for everyone.
6. Use Supplements
There are certain supplements that you can use that can help reduce pain and fatigue. Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties that can help with swelling and inflammation. There are other supplements that can help with bone and joint health that you should research. Another supplement I use is CBD oil to help with pain and general good well-being. You should check out these delta 8 THC vape products that you could use in your routine.
If you are looking to get more energy and get your body into its best physical shape, and feeling healthy and happy, then Gundry MD is for you. It is a one-stop-shop for all your supplement needs, so feel free to investigate how Gundry MD may be able to help you.
If you are suffering with pain and other symptoms, it is vital that you consult your doctor to seek medical advice that is best suited for your symptoms.
If you or someone you know lives with Fibromyalgia, what tips do you have? What can you recommend? I’d love to hear in the comments.
Some great tips in this post. I loved your feature on Jenny’s blog, I’m really learning about this condition and how to spot it!
Rosie
Thank you for your kind comments. Can you link your blog so I can read.
So glad you are talking about this condition and giving tips that can help as well. Thank you
Thank you for reading and commenting. I appreciate it.
I think these are some great tips! I’ve heard about the acupuncture mat, but haven’t tried it myself.
xoxo Annaleid
http://www.actuallyanna.com
The mat really helps me. Thank you for reading and commenting.
These are all great tips Lauren and I am sure they are most welcome for your fellow fibromyalgia sufferers. I wish you all the best in being able to manage your symptoms. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for reading and commenting. Can you link your blog so I can read.
I never knew that about you Lauren. I hope your symptoms ahave been manageable.
Sometimes but other times I am really bad. Just taking one day at a time!
Thank you for sharing this! You’ve included some really helpful bits of advice, especially to those who are recently diagnosed xx
It’s so good you are using your platform to educate people! I’m sure it’s really useful for people to have this information on one site, rather than looking around for tips!
Thank you for reading and commenting.
Thank you for bringing awareness and offering your tips! One of my good friends has this so I will definitely share with her!
I hope it helps your friend!
I’m so sorry for your recent diagnosis. Fibromyalgia is incredibly difficult to live with, but it can help just a little to focus on the small things to make the symptoms more manageable for day to day life. These are some great suggestions! You’ve reminded me I need to get a new heat pad for my shoulders as mine split open in the microwave last night!
If ever you want to chat, I’m always around. No pressure of course, just so you know. Any time 🙂
Sending gentle hugs your way,
Caz xxxx
Thank you for your kind comments. I really appreciate you being supportive.
Thank you for these tips, I think it’s very important to raise awareness of this illness and I’m sure these tips will help others who struggle to manage it x
Thank you for reading and commenting.
Thank you for sharing these tips! I actually don’t know much about fibromyalgia but have been reading a bit on it. This was a very informative post to read! Glad you found some tips that work for you and you’ve shared it with others x
Lynn | https://www.lynnmumbingmejia.com
Thank you for taking the time to read this post x
I actually know very little about fibromyalgia except what I read on your feature on jenny’s blog. These are some great tips x
I didn’t know much until I was diagnosed and researched it more. Thank you for reading. Xx
Thanks for sharing this info! I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia many years ago and still and working on finding the best ways to ease the symptoms so I appreciate this post, and wish you well as you also try to ease your symptoms! For me compression items, and massage really help! Thanks for this list, I’ll be sure to pop back on it later if needing more ideas 🙂 Take care.
I hope they help you. Thank you for reading and commenting. Xx
Oo, thank you so much for sharing this post! My mum suffers from fibromyalgia so I’m sure this will be really helpful for her, thank you x
I hope it helps your mum lovely. Thank you for reading and commenting x
Hi Lauren,
I can tell that you aren’t a quitter so I’m sure that you will adapt very well. At least now you have a diagnosis.
And I do know, as a suffer of occasional back pain, that heat treatments can be very useful in reducing pain. One very useful device is a MagicGel belt – basically its a gel pack that you heat up in the microwave and then slot into a belt so that you can apply the gel pack to your back.
Thank you!! X
Give gabapentin a try. Effective, without the awful side effects of many fibro meds. Since it’s formulated for preventing seizures, it’s being used to treat fibromyalgia. I take it when I have a flare up and the flare up takes a hike. Ask your doc for a script. 💜
I will have to look into that. Thank you. Can you link your blog?
I’m sure many people will find this post helpful. It’s awful to have pain all the time.
Thank you! It really is!
I have never heard of an acupressure mat but I have to say it sounds amazing! I have never had acupuncture done but I know from my mum it helps her relax and feel as rejuvenated as we both do after a good massage. As a lover of natural solutions whenever possible, this resonates with me doubly too.
Thanks for sharing!
It is really good. I definitely recommend you trying one. Thank you for reading and commenting Jaya.
I like learning about conditions such as this as well as how to treat it/ease the pain. I have a wheat bag that I use when my period pain is bad and it relieves the pain instantly – I know it’s not the same but it’s good for me to understand different people and their conditions!
Rosie
Thank you so much for sharing these tips! I learned a lot from this post. I am glad you are able to work on this and better yourself.
I will pass this on to my friends who have fibromyalgia — really useful. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for educating. Helps to know more about different medical conditions.
Thank you for reading and commenting. Can you link your blog?