In my last post I talked about exhaustion and how other people find it hard to understand the level of tiredness that we feel and how it adds to the effort of our days, but I didn't talk about how I try to deal with it. Fibro is so complex in the way it presents itself to each of us and we all have our different ways of living with it.....this is just mine.
We are given lots of advice (on the web, not by my GP) about exercise and how important it is to us and I do agree, but accept that it's not possible for everyone. When I was still trying to work with it, my customers used to bring bananas in for me, as they give you an instant boost of energy - I must have looked as though I needed it :-)
On the exercise, I printed up some sitting ones and tried those, as I found mobility difficult, but could manage some from my chair. I joined an over 50's fitness class too as it wasn't so strenuous and it was also good fun. As I progressed, I joined in some of their walks - short and gentle; and their trips out and they helped me a lot - I will be forever grateful.
I also have a short stretching routine (very short) which helps my muscles and me to keep moving. Yes, it's painful, but necessary for me.
The mornings are particularly hard, as I really have to motivate myself to get washed and dressed (to my favourite music) and I know that grieving is probably part of my lack of motivation, but I meditate for at least twenty minutes before getting up and that really helps. There are some great free meditation apps now and they can be as short or as long as you want them to be to suit you. I practice mindfulness and try to be in the present always, especially helpful when I struggle to sleep.
Thinking positively also helps me and I have quotes all around the house, as well as affirmations.
but what have these to do with exhaustion?
Not a lot, but they do have the effect of making me feel better and to realise that I can be strong; that I can still smile; that I can still live, albeit differently; All these things help me to handle the exhaustion, or accept it - but I try to keep myself occupied in some way too. I journal; write; read; listen to music, make cards and sew. I am never bored, just sore and exhausted.
The one thing I would like to add is that I was first diagnosed twenty years ago. I couldn't lay in bed without hot water bottles, extra pillows, muscle rubs and a heat pad. Now I have a comfy mattress, a hottie and a muscle rub on most nights, but not every night. I can walk for three miles on a good day, though slowly with rests.
Fibro to me is ever changing and I have had months where I have been incapable of dressing myself, but I also have months when I am much more able. The pain is quite indecisive and changes places by the hour, though the aching of the whole body is constantly with me. If it allows me independence, I can live with
I suppose what I am saying is that however hard it might feel, it doesn't mean it's forever - tomorrow is another day. I'm very lucky and very grateful - I can laugh and that is so very important in coping with chronic illness.
I had a good friend who, after three years of limping and no results, was eventually diagnosed with a brain tumour the size of a grapefruit and had an operation to remove it the same day. To remove it, they had to take off the top part of her skull and replace it after six months. When she came home, I called round to see her and after showing me her new wig, which was amazing, she also explained how useful it was having had half her skull removed, as she now had somewhere to put her soap when she was in the shower. She never lost that humour, at least not in public, and I'm sure it helped her to cope with the reality of her illness. She was, and still is, a great inspiration to me.
I'm sorry - I'm not a writer and I feel I'm just dithering on, so please forgive me and my foggy head.
have a Good weekend!
Namaste
We are given lots of advice (on the web, not by my GP) about exercise and how important it is to us and I do agree, but accept that it's not possible for everyone. When I was still trying to work with it, my customers used to bring bananas in for me, as they give you an instant boost of energy - I must have looked as though I needed it :-)
On the exercise, I printed up some sitting ones and tried those, as I found mobility difficult, but could manage some from my chair. I joined an over 50's fitness class too as it wasn't so strenuous and it was also good fun. As I progressed, I joined in some of their walks - short and gentle; and their trips out and they helped me a lot - I will be forever grateful.
I also have a short stretching routine (very short) which helps my muscles and me to keep moving. Yes, it's painful, but necessary for me.
The mornings are particularly hard, as I really have to motivate myself to get washed and dressed (to my favourite music) and I know that grieving is probably part of my lack of motivation, but I meditate for at least twenty minutes before getting up and that really helps. There are some great free meditation apps now and they can be as short or as long as you want them to be to suit you. I practice mindfulness and try to be in the present always, especially helpful when I struggle to sleep.
Thinking positively also helps me and I have quotes all around the house, as well as affirmations.
but what have these to do with exhaustion?
Not a lot, but they do have the effect of making me feel better and to realise that I can be strong; that I can still smile; that I can still live, albeit differently; All these things help me to handle the exhaustion, or accept it - but I try to keep myself occupied in some way too. I journal; write; read; listen to music, make cards and sew. I am never bored, just sore and exhausted.
The one thing I would like to add is that I was first diagnosed twenty years ago. I couldn't lay in bed without hot water bottles, extra pillows, muscle rubs and a heat pad. Now I have a comfy mattress, a hottie and a muscle rub on most nights, but not every night. I can walk for three miles on a good day, though slowly with rests.
Fibro to me is ever changing and I have had months where I have been incapable of dressing myself, but I also have months when I am much more able. The pain is quite indecisive and changes places by the hour, though the aching of the whole body is constantly with me. If it allows me independence, I can live with
I suppose what I am saying is that however hard it might feel, it doesn't mean it's forever - tomorrow is another day. I'm very lucky and very grateful - I can laugh and that is so very important in coping with chronic illness.
I had a good friend who, after three years of limping and no results, was eventually diagnosed with a brain tumour the size of a grapefruit and had an operation to remove it the same day. To remove it, they had to take off the top part of her skull and replace it after six months. When she came home, I called round to see her and after showing me her new wig, which was amazing, she also explained how useful it was having had half her skull removed, as she now had somewhere to put her soap when she was in the shower. She never lost that humour, at least not in public, and I'm sure it helped her to cope with the reality of her illness. She was, and still is, a great inspiration to me.
I'm sorry - I'm not a writer and I feel I'm just dithering on, so please forgive me and my foggy head.
have a Good weekend!
Namaste
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