Chronic, widespread pain can often be the hardest and most frustrating challenge of living with Fibromyalgia. Typically, people with Fibromyalgia complain of "hurting all over" and because there is no known cure for Fibromyalgia, there is no way to remove the pain. Managing the pain is the only option given to sufferers with this medical condition. Support groups offer help to be sure, but if you suffer from widespread pain, you are the only person that can decide what treatments and management techniques work best for you. People with Fibromyalgia must learn how to describe their pain to therapists, their family physician, and their families.. Keeping a journal of all activities and medications along with any noted difference before or after the activity or change in medication is very helpful when trying to pin point what works and what doesn't. It can also be a good thing to keep a journal for a period before any doctors visit so you can have a clear picture of what has been going on. One of the most disabling effects of widespread pain is the ongoing daily existence of fatigue. Most people who deal with Fibromyalgia must accept the fact they will wake up every morning feeling tired. For people battling FMS, (Fibromyalgia Syndrome) everyday activities are often difficult. Preparing meals, walking to the mailbox, putting on make-up all seem overwhelming and drain what energy the person has available. Managing Widespread Pain is very complicated because in order to do it effectively, people with FMS must plan everything ahead of time. Ordinary tasks must be prioritized, often even handed over to someone else who is willing to help. In corporations, often the phrase, "work smarter, not harder," is used as a motto. In the lives of people dealing with FMS, this is something they must realize can vastly improve their quality of life, so they must plan ahead. Relaxation exercises, heat therapy, self-hypnosis, stretching exercises, medications, and self evaluation with the ability to develop a personal pain analysis of a person's own pain are often recommended in controlling and being in control of the pain. In developing a plan to manage pain, the person living with the pain should speak out about the medications and other things they need to make their lives more comfortable. Read up on the medications available, and ask for specific medications by name. With all medications you take be very sure you understand all the side-effects, some can actually be quite bad as well. Flexibility and Creativity are two important elements in managing widespread pain and living a more productive, energetic, and happy life. If you believe in your ability to manage Fibromyalgia, you will live a more enjoyable life while having full enjoyable days at your own pace. |
