Fibromyalgia and Better Living

You’ve discovered that you have FMS, FIBROMYALGIA SYNDROME, a clinical disorder characterized by widespread pain. While you aren’t sure what you are going to do about it, you know that you are not ready to throw in the towel at thirty years old, so you begin to look for ways to help you cope with FMS and maintain a high quality of life. Good for You!

First, you need to realize that because depression and anxiety are commonly associated with FMS, doesn’t mean it must “consume” you. From the time that you receive a diagnosis, you must take appropriate measures to insure that you are still participating in your life and don’t become a spectator. Go ahead and start planning what medications will help you with all of the common problems that people with FMS experience. For instance, you should let your Doctor know if you are having difficulty with sleep, what your pains are and where, any depression issues, anxiety, and anything else you think of as you begin to manage your FMS. Learn to relay what you are feeling to your Doctor.

Just as medications need to be discussed with your Doctor, so does exercise. Since exercise may be particularly painful for you, try to find an exercise that you enjoy and know that you will make an effort to stick with on those days that you have FMS flare-ups. Many people with FMS have noticed success with stretching and low-intensity exercise programs. Swimming and water exercise programs will most likely prove very beneficial if you have access to a pool. In fact, this may be the only exercise that you can physically do until you begin to manage your FMS more effectively with medications to help muscles relax. Walking is another form of exercise that you may find helpful. Start slow and make sure you have comfortable walking shoes.

You will find many people will encourage you to join FMS support groups. This is, of course, a personal choice. If you choose to go to a support group, make sure it is a POSITIVE SUPPORT SYSTEM for you. Too often, support groups get together and before you know it, the support group has become a full blown pity party, which is the last thing you need. There are enough positive-focused groups out there to choose the right support group at the right time, and you may opt to handle your diagnosis completely with the help of your own support system consisting of family and friends.

Finally, as you start down the path to discovery, find and read everything you can on Fibromyalgia. It is important that you become familiar with the medications recommended for managing the pain, helping with sleep disturbances, depression and many other problems that FMS brings to your life. It’s important to remember that while there is no cure for Fibromyalgia Syndrome, it is not a death sentence and your life doesn’t have to be over, you just need to learn to live it a little differently.