Fibromyalgia: How do you cope?

@sandymom I started by eliminating sugar from there I eliminated gluten. I have not eaten packaged foods for a long time. Whole Foods only. I started slowly in an effort to learn what foods were causing inflammation. I still have those fibro flares and oft not sure what causes them. I know it has made a difference for me. It might be worth a try. Also vitamin D3 and magnesium citrate are my buddies as far as supplements. Start slow with the magnesium. I use the citrate because of the bioavailability. Absolutely no artificial sweeteners. Some ideas.

Buckimom, how did you lose your sense of balance? Could it possibly been due to a small cerebellar stroke? Have you been tested for such? You're not sure exactly when you lost it....same as I'm not exactly sure when my left side tremors set in. I know I did not leave hospital after stroke, with the tremor. Didn't have them during first month of rehab. Just crept in somehow at some point. I've read, that happens. But if you've had no stroke...I'm curious how you may have lost balance. Having little balance makes us prone to all sorts of mishaps! And more than a few laughable moments. 🙂

@sandymom I am aware but know nothing about thus.

@sandymom....Oh, I know what you mean. Not a group kinda girl here, either. Church activities, like organizing and cooking for dinners, potlucks just kinda fell on to me. I didn't volunteer, more like recruited. But, I did find pleasure and satisfaction in doing that. Community activities were for others. Had my own little community right at home. Never felt the draw to such things. Was all I could do to cook, clean, and homeschool for the 8 of us. And then.....the grandkids came, lol. Everyday was romper room. People in one door, out the other. Lambing season, shearing time, butcher time, put the garden in, can the salsa, bake the bread, paint and refinish the furniture. Now I find myself in an entirely different situation. Just hubby and I, hundreds of miles removed from my loves. Caring for my elderly father in his last years. It's exactly where I should be, no doubt, but alien nonetheless. So, yes, for me a change in direction. Country clubs? What are those. Only country club I knew was on our own acres, and within our own home. Exercise classes? Hubby cut a path around the property and I ran it, until I couldnt. Elliptical and treadmill in basement. That was my gym.

Sounds like you've done so much giving, you may have to learn how to take care of yourself. Though, I must say, in giving my time and energy, I was able to distract myself from myself, which had its own value. Your husband is blessed to have you by his side. God bless your warm and kind heart. You say you raised your husband. I married a couple weeks after turning 19, a man 11 years older, Vietnam vet, Marine through and through. I do believe he raised me. Taught me so much, since I had so little life experience.

I've never participated in support groups of any type. Just so many family members who loved me, never felt the need. But they do serve a purpose, and have been helpful to many. Am so sorry you feel lost and I truly empathize with your pain. Pain, and disability are my two daily companions. Not very fond of either, but am learning to respect them and deal with them. Not well, mind you, but it's a work in process.

@ parus from sandymom did You say avoid stressful situations? Please tell me how. My parents, my mother had 7 m/c. No rogam @ time I lived w/ blood transfusions upon being born. Mom was in iron lung tb 1950 She had bad heart. Lived to 73. Rickets polio. Took care of her mother brother sister. Married to my dad 60 yrs. They never complained of illness ever. I in pain from 3. Fibromyalgia @ 38. Mom passed suddenly @ 73. Point found out severe anxiety w/ in mom.I to this day have been tested for everything under sun. Intelligent creative etc. but stress. I guess born in me. Found mum was in awful pain. Had no time to think about it. No pills nothing. Homemaker canning iron caregiver etc. church. Stress you say to avoid. How born in me to a point of unbearable pain. Make sense?

I get it. Really, I do. Hugs. Stress, even in my good life, was morning noon night. Avoiding stress, was like...try not to breath. Oh...really? My husband was/is 100% disabled PTSD. I know stress. Well.

@sandymom I get it. Avoiding stress is mostly unrealistic. How we cope with stress is what I ought to have said. I can tell you I am not any type of guru on a mountaintop. I have learned better at times how to cope with stress. Can assure all just breathing has not helped me one bit. We are in this together.

@buckimom....So possibly drug damage. Got it. And yes, I had a year of therapy to offset stroke issues as well as TOS. Much time spent trying to regain balance, but could not improve beyond a certain point. Split time between large myscle/fine movement. Certainly worth the effort, but found the work done around the farm and using my walking path to be almost as theraputic. When i began walking the path, i had to hold on to husbands arm. Tight. That improved with in about 3 weeks.

Must have been some hellish meds you were on! OH, I see, you ARE in therapy. Good deal. Hope you make great strides.

CBD helped me mucho. But now it is contraindicated with my newly dx asthma. Breathing trumps pain relief.

@jmjlove - I’m so glad you’ve had improvement. Keep on your walking path, it sounds like it’s tranquil. The drug is hellish but it’s only for 5-10 years 🥴, lol. Be good to yourself.