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SMART Goals and Chronic Pain: What are your goals?

Chronic Pain | Last Active: Mar 23 12:44pm | Replies (100)
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@abujan

Thank you! I have not heard of SMART goals before & find this info very helpful for daily life.

I've had Fibromyalgia for approx 35 + years now. I'm now 65 and still learning to live with this ever changing, up, down, in, out, incurable, but often manageable disease!
The new symptoms heaped upon the remaining old ones can be overwhelming at times, too many to list, but sounds like most on this thread understand that.
I take the max ammt of Pregabalin that has helped ease pain, Tylenol as needed (cannot take NSAIDs due to gut issues), a CBD rub, Thyroid Rx, an Rx plus Bergamot for high blood pressure related to pain, and supplements/essential oils I have learned that help ease multiple symptoms.

I also have had to learn not to push beyond what my body is asking if me. On severe pain or multiple issue days I need to practice being gentle, and have learned when I can push just a bit more. How hard is this for us who are Fixers, Planners, Doers, Leaders!
But all in all... Life is good! I am thankful for all I have gone through and that I can use Life's lessons to help & encourage others.

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Replies to "Thank you! I have not heard of SMART goals before & find this info very helpful..."
Rachel, Volunteer Mentor | @rwinney | Mar 1, 2023

Welcome, @abujan. It is nice to meet you. I'm happy you found SMART goals helpful. Living with fibromyalgia for over 35 years has no doubt made you stronger than I bet you ever thought you'd become. Resiliency comes to mind, along with flexibility.

The way you describe still learning how to live with the ever changing fibro after all these years, but still looking at the manageability, is so valuable for success. I've learned through my own chronic pain management journey and mistakes, that the more I shift mindset by replacing negative thoughts with positive, and find gratitude, the more rewarding life can be.

Ah yes, you are not alone in the fixers, planners, doers, leaders category. Being stable, moderate and flexible is a work in progress for folks like us. It takes practice to pull those natural traits back for the benefit of our health, doesn't it? I'm glad to hear that you recognize push/crash cycles and listen to your body, knowing when to allow grace and gentleness. This is why I love SMART goals, because they help with accountability.

I'm wondering if you have explored other conversations on Connect about fibromyalgia? Here are a couple you may be interested in:

- Have you found anything to successfully treat fibromyalgia pain?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/dealing-with-fibromyalgia-pain/

- Want to talk to others with fibromyalgia: What symptoms do you have?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/firomyalgia/

Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts, experiences and insight. We are here to help each other, and you have inspired and encouraged me today!

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