Subduing The Fibro Monster

print this page

By Tamara Peters
updated on 06/20/2007 at 11:06AM

Published on: April 20, 2002
article reprinted from Suite101.com

The majority of patients suffering with Fibromyalgia have spent numerous years, trekking from doctor to doctor, searching for answers. As each doctor declared he could find no basis for your symptoms you may well have thought you were going crazy. The longer the search continued the more likely you were to believe they were right. Until finally one day you were properly diagnosed. Inescapably, the beast now has a name - Fibromyalgia - The validation you have been desperately seeking, for so long, is realized at last.

Initially, the diagnosis brings with it a sense of euphoria. The search is over. For many FMers this is the answer to their prayers, but for many more it is also the beginning of a yet even greater challenge.

Explaining Fibromyalgia to family and friends presents its own set of challenges. Repeatedly, you patiently try to help them understand, by explaining it yet again, but they still don’t seem to “get it.” At this point you probably begin to notice well-meaning family members and friends offering up bits of advice, or making hurtful comments like.. “Gee, but you don’t look sick”, or “Maybe if you just exercise more.” “Don’t worry, it’s just your age, everyone feels like that.” Oh, and my personal favorite, “Maybe you just need to get a life.” Argh!

Slowly, as the initial euphoria starts to wane, you may feel that you have been handed a life sentence instead of a life saving diagnosis. You may be feeling anxious and depressed, suffer feelings of self-doubt, or guilt. Believe me when I say that you are not alone, and these are all valid feelings that many of us experience when coming to terms with Fibromyalgia. But it does not mean that you have to succumb to “The Fibro Monster.” With a battle plan you can fight back. Here’s how....

• Find a doctor that is right for you - This is a key element in your Fibro fighting plan. If your current doctor isn’t up on Fibro, doesn’t listen, and isn’t effective, then by all means find one who is.

• Educate yourself - Arming yourself with knowledge is essential for understanding, not only for yourself, but also for family and friends. There is lots of good information to be found by searching the web. Keeping abreast of current research and Fibro related news is a must.

• Take proactive measures - Taking responsibility for your own well-being. This means that you refuse to play the role of victim, actively seek out ways to improve your health by anticipating your needs, and finding solutions to them. FMS is a multi-faceted disorder that requires a multi-disciplinary approach.

• Explore alternatives - If you are chemically sensitive, or find traditional methods of treating Fibro are not cutting it than you may find relief in Alternative Therapies. As always any treatment comes with inherent dangers, as well as advantages, so please do your research first.

• Find a support group - For many of us finding support can be the single most important factor in our fight for survival. Finding others who not only understand what you are going through, but live it as well, can have a huge impact on our ability to function as well as possible.

• Communicate your feelings - Being able to express your feelings can be immensely freeing. It is essential that you tell your family and friends exactly what you need in order for them to understand and help you. A good place to start is by keeping a journal.

• Induce good sleeping habits - As all of us with FMS know good sleep, that is restful and restorative, can be difficult to achieve. As the lack of essential sleep has a major impact on our levels of fatigue, pain, and fog, this is a very important component.

• Incorporate exercise and healthy eating habits into your daily routine. - Much has been written about the importance of exercise and nutrition for promoting health and wellness. When dealing with a chronic illness these aspects become even more crucial for managing your symptoms.

• Maintain a positive attitude - Maintaining a positive attitude, in the face of adversity, is one of our major challenges. Research has shown the connection between mind and body to be scientific fact. Optimism goes a long way toward providing immeasurable benefits. And as the Fibro Friends are fond of saying... “Look for the silver lining.” Sometimes it may take a little digging, but there always is one you know.

• Manage stress - Recognizing, understanding, and managing stress is invaluable when living with Fibromyalgia. Stressors can be psychological as well as physical. When anxiety and stress build up, to intolerable levels, our pain and fatigue become greatly increased. This then causes our stress levels to rise even further creating a vicious cycle.

• Pace your activities - This simply means that you need to learn your limits of physical tolerance. Listen to your body, and take frequent breaks to avoid overdoing it. Knowing when to put on the brakes can be a problem for some of us.

• Maintain your sense of humor - Last but not least is maintaining your sense of humor. Life is serious enough without taking life too seriously. As laughter has been shown to be “good medicine” why then would you want to deny yourself this inexpensive, beneficial treatment.

I hope I have managed to provide some measure of hope for the newly diagnosed as well as those of us who have known our monster’s name for some time. Take that demon by the horns - show him who is in charge - and you will begin to take back control of your life by choosing to be a survivor rather than a victim.

Tamara Peters works with Suite101.com in the following capacities:

Managing Editor: Medicine and Diseases
Contributing Editor: Fibromyalgia Friends
Associate Editor: Coping with Fibromyalgia-I&II CpE

Article originally printed at http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/Fibro_Friends/91143

• Fibromyalgia Articles
• Chronic Fatigue Articles
• Free Newsletter
• Free Ecourse
• Fibromyalgia Ebook
• Fibromyalgia Forum
• Fibro Facts / Pain Chart
• Recommended Products
• Contact Us
•