What's worked for me

[MrBrett]

I had several years of terrible pain, unexplained, all over the place. I'm now 57 and in the past several years I have managed my recovery. I'm doing quite well now and have cut and almost eliminated pain meds (Celebrex). Here's what worked for me.

Healthy eating, reduced sugar. I still have treats. But I've really cut down and have stopped adding sugar. I still eat the things I love, but in much smaller quantities and supplemented with a lot of fruit and vegetables and healthy proteins.

Physical therapy was a game changer. I had parts of my body where the pain had settled in and seemed like it was there to stay. I tried so many things. Dry needling, electrostim, the list goes on and on. But when I got with an amazing physical therapist we targeted areas where the pain had settled in, systematically working through every painful area in my body and one by one work through them until they were gone.

Finally I agree with some other posters here. Getting to the gym, or going for walks, something anything to exercise everyday is key. Whatever you can, show your body you're not giving up. I try to get 10,000 steps in a day. I don't always succeed, but moving your body is really important if you want to improve.

I also did find that weight loss reduced pain.

I hope this helps!

 

[sunkacola]

@MrBrett , thank you for this helpful and informative post! It is always so good to hear from someone who is having success in their management of fibromyalgia, especially when it is possible for someone to achieve better living without relying entirely on medications.

I hope that members of this forum, especially people who come here feeling discouraged, will find your words inspiring. I think it's true that we need to "show" out bodies, and tell our minds as well, that we are not giving up.

I won't give up on myself, and I won't give up on any of you reading this, either.
Don't give up.....you never know if the next thing you try, whether it is a dietary change or physical therapy or a particular exercise or practice, might be the thing that makes it easier to get through the days.

We are all stronger than we think we are.

 

[SBee]

I agree. Its encouraging to hear of methods that an individual finds beneficial @MrBrett hope your progress continues. I should be joining a hospital physiotherapist group in a couple of months. It is more for the deterioration I have in my hands and wrists from inflammatory arthritis, but the physios are aware I also have osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia and seem willing to consider a persons health as a whole, including the art of pacing - and I am aware I still find the balance of Life and its daily tasks and pacing hard to achieve. I hope I will find extra knowledge and exercises that benefit all parts of my bodies pain.

I wish you well MrBrett.

I fully agree with @sunkacola the importance of keep trying changes that may benefit us. I do get overwhelmed with a barrage of conditions and symptoms, and despite the days when its hard to do the minimal of tasks, I know I still wont give in either.

 

[MrBrett]

@MrBrett , thank you for this helpful and informative post! It is always so good to hear from someone who is having success in their management of fibromyalgia, especially when it is possible for someone to achieve better living without relying entirely on medications.

I hope that members of this forum, especially people who come here feeling discouraged, will find your words inspiring. I think it's true that we need to "show" out bodies, and tell our minds as well, that we are not giving up.

I won't give up on myself, and I won't give up on any of you reading this, either.
Don't give up.....you never know if the next thing you try, whether it is a dietary change or physical therapy or a particular exercise or practice, might be the thing that makes it easier to get through the days.

We are all stronger than we think we are.

We are all stronger than we think we are, and our bodies want to and are always driven to heal themselves. Healthy living (adequate sleep, healthy food, moderate eating, exercise) assist them in that process.

 

[SBee]

also from my perspective,being able to initiate techniques to help myself, it helps me feel a.little bit more in control of my symptoms, a kindness I can offer myself when so many things seem beyond my own control. I feel I am working with myself rather than fighting it.

 

[sunkacola]

also from my perspective,being able to initiate techniques to help myself, it helps me feel a.little bit more in control of my symptoms, a kindness I can offer myself when so many things seem beyond my own control. I feel I am working with myself rather than fighting it.

Exactly.
The more that we do for ourselves, finding things that help, even if they only help a little bit, the more empowered we can feel. One of the worst feelings we can have is powerlessness or feeling helpless. Doing anything at all that helps ourselves can work to counteract that.

 

[Drjoysan]

Kudos for 10,000 steps. I managed to do 5,000 yesterday and was in agony by the evening. I’m having knee replacement in two weeks for my osteoarthritis. Has anyone here had joint replacement surgery and how did your fibromyalgia react? Hugs and prayers to everyone

 

[sunkacola]

Kudos for 10,000 steps. I managed to do 5,000 yesterday and was in agony by the evening. I’m having knee replacement in two weeks for my osteoarthritis. Has anyone here had joint replacement surgery and how did your fibromyalgia react? Hugs and prayers to everyone

I've not had any joint replacements done myself, but over the years some people have reported on this forum that they have. It seems as though recovery can be slower due to fibro, but of course it's a very individual thing so hopefully yours will go well. I do know that pacing yourself and following the recovery instructions to the letter is even more important for those of us with chronic pain. I wish you the best of luck with it, and let us know how you get on.