Living with fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a long-term condition that causes body aches, insomnia and tiredness. Dealing with the condition can have a significant impact on your life, such as having little energy to work or experiencing low moods. There is currently no cure for fibromyalgia. However, there are treatment options to help manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Fibromyalgia can affect the way you live in many ways. Some of which include:

• Long-term pain: fibromyalgia causes body aches. The pains can go from moderate to very severe. This can make daily tasks such as getting dressed difficult.
• Problems with sleeping and tiredness: fibromyalgia can prevent you from sleeping soundly.
• Problems with memory and attention: fibromyalgia may cause you to have problems remembering things or learning new things. It can also affect how well you concentrate on the things you have to do.
• Emotional challenges: as fibromyalgia has no cure this may leave you worried and anxious. Having fibromyalgia can require you to visit a healthcare provider frequently. This may prevent you from spending time with friends or doing the things you enjoy. 

Living with fibromyalgia may throw up challenges with work and productivity. However, with proper self-care you may still manage to work and be productive.

Try to get enough rest and pace yourself. Do not try to work through your pain. Try not to worry over things that you can not control, as this can leave you frustrated and feeling tired. Focus on the things you can do and keep your energy levels up.

Attending your clinic appointments goes a long way in managing your symptoms. You can raise any new issues that may be bothering you at the hospital and get them addressed. You may also need to change your medicines now and again or explore another treatment options that work better for you.

Getting a good night sleep can be tough. Sleeping too little can make your pain worse and reduce your energy. You can try turning off the lights before going to bed or getting a quiet room to sleep in. You may also need to change your bed or mattress to a more comfortable one to make sleeping easier. A good night's sleep can help reduce the symptoms of fibromyalgia.

Eat a balanced diet, rich in fruits and vegetables. There are no specific diets for fibromyalgia. Eat meals that have a good balance of nutrients and with plenty of fruits and vegetables to nourish your body. This will  help protect you against stress, reduce inflammations, and reduce how sensitive you are to pain.

Keep physically active. Exercising your body will make you less tired, reduce body stiffness, and pain. A simple stroll on your street for about 20 minutes, and increasing that gradually every other week, may be all you need. 

Seek support from a family member, your healthcare provider or your partner. Having a friend you can talk to about how you feel can help take your mind off the challenges you are facing. You may also seek support from people who have or are going through similar conditions. They are more likely to understand and can give very helpful tips to cope.

Paying out of pocket for the care you need may be expensive. Dealing with fibromyalgia, you may require physical therapy and other care that can quickly add up, putting a dent in your finances. If you are at risk for the disease, look at a health insurance that will cater to the range of care you may require.

Fibromyalgia is a long term condition with many periods with pain of different intensity. Discuss with your healthcare provider as they can help to reduce your pain and discomfort. Involve family and friends that you trust to support you.

In times of intense work or social pressure, develop a set of practices to help you cope with the increased stress. This can include physical activities, community service or meditation.