Fibromyalgia: How do you cope?

Yes, I have. Thank you for the suggestion. Last spring I had a bout with terrible, itchy sores and skin irritation which was at the same time the discoloration and freezing began happening. Saw my PCP, dermatologist, vascular and neurologist to finally rule out Raynauds, diagnose Chilblains and neuropathy.

@rwinney Glad you had that diagnosis . It has to be frustrating to have something and no diagnose.

I am constantly freezing. Sometimes my feet feel like I soaked them in a bucket of ice

Hello @dianecostella, welcome to Connect. I hear you on the ice bucket feet. Have you been diagnosed?

I have been diagnosed through a skin biopsy. My bladder stopped functioning in 2014 necessitating the need for bilateral bladder stimulators this with chronic constipation and not being able to regulate my body temperature has led to a diagnosis of autonomic small fiber neuropathy.

I'm sorry to hear of your autonomic small fiber diagnosis. Regulating body temperature is no fun. I used to use microwavable warm (not hot) packs and wrap up my feet, plus rubbing them with my hands to promote circulation. A warm tub or shower soak also helped along with warm fuzzy socks and sherpa lined booty slippers.

What tactics work for your cold feet?

I usually put on socks and Sherpa slippers as well. It can take a couple of hours before I am comfortable. I dread the winter.

I warm my feet under running warm water and then put the socks on. A basic foot massage will also help blood flow to get feet back to "pink." So, warm up your feet and then socks. I also use my hairdryer's warm air down my shirt and pants to get rid of the shivers. A fleece vest seems to keep my temperature in check.

Oh gosh just stumbled on this older thread/message. Had flushed cheeks starting almost year ago which turned into 8/10 pain on and off every day from half to five hours and found a web site where they discussed SFN and case of woman with flushed face etc. I dont mind the red face, nose, but its the PAIN with it and going into neck chin ears top chest....waited 5 months to see dermatologist and he has no diagnosis and 7 months to see neurologist end of April and along with other health issues really getting me down.... dermatologist mentioned a cream for face but said shot in the dark... so am counting on neurologist and printing your comment and the web site I found....I have p.n. from taking a quinolone drug for uti, but mild enough no meds, from elbows down and knees down , never connected my burning face with neuropathy though.... and although flares with stress i have trouble convincing others its not causes by stress; years ago told had fibromyalgia and for last few years spent most of my time lying on my bed as no energy and could go on but realize we are all suffering.... so gald I found this post might be the clue have been looking for! J. p.s. sometimes burning is without the flushing

Hi very sorry to hear. I have suffered with FM for about 40 years and been through every sort of practitioner from Acupuncture onwards. I also had to give up work and it has put a big strain on family life. Sometimes I go to family social occasions suffering terrible pain and feeling awful but it is also terrible to miss niece's/nephews weddings etc. Massage sometimes helps. I have used amitripelene for about the last 26 years. I am in the process of joining an online 12 week program called More Good Days based in Australia. Not expensive. I just read a good book called 'Why Does It Still Hurt' which shows that when there has been an injury the brain becomes over protective (maladaptive neurology) I think they refer to it as and even thinking of anything similar to the original injury, can set off a pain cycle. They also think that therapies that can change the brain's thinking like meditation, hypnotherapy etc are more likely to help than physical approaches. Another good book is 'The Brain that Changes Itself' by William Doidge. So much more but hope some of that helps. regards Pam