Fibromyalgia: How do you cope?

@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.

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

I am a single mom w Fibro, and RA. I understand how frustrating and sometimes bleak this can feel.
My job is extremely physical and is taking a toll on me every shift. I too experience times of extreme frustration with what is going on inside. I am the type that is a fixer, or a (do-er) so not having the capacity to do what my mind wants is heartbreaking to me. My daughter was dismissive about my diagnosis (she's 24), and my youngest is on the spectrum. Reach out
You aren't alone

It really helps to hear from others on this debilitating condition. I take so many supplements, high doses of Gabapentine, magnesium, and antidepressants. Was diagnosed 10 years ago (after being told I was a hypochondriac growing up). I’m 68 now and my symptoms have worsened over the years. My pain management doctor is prescribing low doses of an opioid just so I can function