New here and discouraged

I don't have kids, but I do know from experience you need to prioritize.
Dusting can wait, unless you'd like to teach the kids to dust.
Make a game of picking up toys and stuff.
Become a crockpot cook or easy fix foods. I've invented many good meals just using a crockpot. Don't make one day to do the laundry..... do one load a day.
Dishwashers are a blessing. Load through out the day as you finish the dish. Turn it on at night.... empty in the morning.
Make naptime your naptime too.

Welcome chi! You found a great place to learn and get great support. If your like many of us, you probably have been suffering awhile before you got your diagnoses. I know how you must feel being a mother with fibro. I have had fibro over 20 years and raised my kids with fibro. I am not going to sugar coat it for you, it was a challenge. You are blessed to be able to stay home and raise your beautiful children. I believe in educating yourself, family and friends on fibro. You can get some great books and reading material on line. It really empowers you do get an upper hand on fibro and it will allow your support network to be involved. You can get great ideas on about anything about fibro on line. I remember remember having problems with my husband in the bedroom. I was able to do research and it really help my relationship. So that is one good example how you can help yourself learn.

The fatigue and pain are usually the leading issues with fibro. There are so many things you can do to help those symptoms. Many of us have gone through many trial and error methods. You will find some things work better then other things. We are all so different in how we respond to meds and treatments. When I first started here I read post frequently to stay connected and to learn new treatments. It was a trial and elimination for sure. This is how I created a great treatment plan for me. Always check with your Dr. before trying new meds, even vitamins.

Try not to get discorage as you go through process of learning. When you try new things sometimes it can take several weeks for results. What are you doing for your treatment on fibro? I have found out the more simple I keep it the better I feel. Since most of us are very senstive to meds.

Things I do for my fibro is vitamin D, magnesium, calcium, heat, light exercise, eat healthy, limit stress, remron and subutex for pain. I have found out that exercise is very important to fibro patients.

Having preschool kids are a challenge with fibro, but you can do it. It's all about keeping a schedule for you and them. Learning activites that doesn't require so much energy. Learning your limits is one of the hard things for many of us. As they get older sharing a easy story about your health, so they can be little helpers.

Fibro can be manageable through your life. It does take a life style change to make it work. Things such as learning your limits, resting more, good sleep habits, eating well and exercise. Yes, you will probably have some rough days in between. I still have pain daily, but I have learn to manage it through many ways. There are some days I never know why I hurt more. I just take those days very carefully. I guess the hardest thing for me is I want to go out late at night and have some fun with friends. I seem to be a party pooper these days. Lol I want to go out, but my body says otherwise.

I am glad you found us because I think you will benefit from this forum. It really help turn my life around. I came very discourage and now I am full of joy living with fibro. I hope we see you around again.

Post Edited (ak angel) : 3/23/2014 11:47:12 PM (GMT-6)

There's a lot of good advice here for you. Be patient with yourself. You will learn what you can do and what you can't, what works for you and what doesn't. It sucks for sure but you do adapt. Learn relaxation techniques. You'll be surprised how effective that is for those achy breaky muscles. I tell my grandchildren Nana needs a time out.



Barb

Welcome
I had a business, which I gave up, and a twelve year old when I was diagnosed. I home schooled. I had to greive and I learned what I could do and what I couldn't and what I needed help with. I learned to ask for help; that was a major growth experience for me! I searched everywhere for help and found very little back then. The Fibro 101 thread here is very good. I grieved for two years and still have days or weeks that are sad. I learned to accept my situation and not fight it.
Most importantly I found WRAP in Staryling and Copelend book on fibro. I am currently studying studying it as my symptoms have changed and I am implementing a new agenda with a WRAP. I am currently grieving and understand new limitations and finding a new method to self esteem and joy on life's moments.
Be kind to yourself. Keep posting and loving moments.
Blessings and Compassion

Hi, Fibromamachi, and welcome! Yes, I found that things have improved since I developed fibro. I have had it for decades and my three children were quite young when I got it. I was also dealing with Crohn's disease and having to run to the bathroom about 25 times a day. But yet, I raised my children just fine and I know you can too.

What children really need is love so don't worry about things that are difficult for you to do with them. Believe it or not, they do understand. Because of my health problems, I couldn't work so I was home for my children. I did have to plan ahead and work around my problems but yet attended all school functions, sports events, was always a room mother, etc. But yet, I always felt guilty. There were things I always wanted to do with my children that I couldn't do at the time...mainly because of the Crohn's problem. I was never able to take my kids on a picnic!

They are all wonderful, loving adults now and one time I was talking to them and starting to cry over all the things I wished I could have done with them when they were children. Fibromama...their eyes widened, their mouths dropped open and they truly looked surprised. They then said I was the best Mom of any of their friends. I was home for them, had good meals for them, and just was there whenever they needed to talk. So don't beat yourself up about things you can't do.

When they were preschoolers, I set up a child's table in the kitchen and had drawing and construction paper, crayons, Elmer's glue, water colors, Play Dough, and also puzzles stacked on the table. They would go there and "create" all sorts of things that graced my refrigerator while I rested. That helped me a lot. Once they were all in school it was easier. They were old enough to go play with friends, they had homework, etc. I just needed to get them to music lessons and sporting games, etc. and watch them perform...which I just loved doing. So you do have some wonderful things to look forward to.

Now, with my fibro, I accepted the illness and moved on. I worked to find things that would help with my pain and fatigue and once I got in control of the pain, life was much better. Yes, I do get flares but the good news is that I know they will go away! I also think I have lived with chronic pain for so long that it's just a part of my life now. I really don't think about it. I just know what to take to keep it under control.

For me I use ibuprofen with food, Tylenol, magnesium malate, vitamin D3, and a prescription muscle relaxer called Robaxin that has made a significant difference in my pain. I also walk and/or swim daily, do daily stretching exercises, and I pace myself when doing things. I also get massages by a person who has studied how to massage people with fibro and myofacial pain syndrome. All of the above has helped me be in control of my pain. Because of this, I have lived a full and enjoyable life in spite of this illness. I have done so many things I thought I couldn't do! But I always try. I never give in to fibro.

I also have a positive attitude and that has helped me a lot in dealing with all the illnesses I have. I don't let the illnesses run my life. I look at all I CAN do and am thankful for that.

Be sure to read Fibro 101...the first thread on the forum. There are links to good info about fibro and you will learn a lot there. There are links about the supplements I mentioned above and how they work in your body, also. Another good link is one about how to maintain a positive attitude when you have chronic pain. I have read that one many times when I'm having one of those bad days. All of Fibro 101 is good so do read it. We have to be our own advocates with this illness so knowledge is power!

I'm looking forward to getting to know you better. Don't hesitate to ask questions because we are here to help you. Hope to hear more from you soon.

Sherrine

ak angel said...
Inspiration, I just love the WRAP books. Have you read the fibro one that Mary copeland wrote? I just wish they update it because the copy right is old. No new drugs listed. The WRAP made a huge difference in my depression. It was one thing that got me out of bed.

Hi
I used that WRAP book 13 years ago. Mary Ellen Copeland has gone on to create WRAP as a evidence based treatmemt! She has a agency, The Copeland Center where I am slowly training with the intention of using it as a home based advocacy program for a small sliding scale income. It is used for everything under the sun and is even used by NAMI!
I am happy to hear it works for you. Check for Daryl Staryling for updates; last Time I bought an updated version for fibro there was only a second edition.
Blessings and Compassion

Welcome
New.member(s)

Posters are giving great suggetions..

I recall.advice from LaLeche days.. eating well, napping when baby naps, accept help/support when offered..

Luv being able to do gramma stuff, just do it differently since dx w/fibro . Bothered me but kids do not care so I am slowly being able to let go of the guilt

Re:getting better. Life is a roller coaster - my ups are higher because my lows are lower. I do not have the positive attitudes that some of the others on here do but reading their posts help me.

Glad you found us