Pushing Myself

Sometimes I push myself.  I suppose everyone with Fibromyalgia does at times.  I push and I hurt.  I push to get things done.  I also push because I feel like I am getting weaker. My muscles are getting weaker.  It would seem that using my body more would make me stronger.  Like exercising a muscle.

It does not seem to work that way though.  I push and I am down for sometimes days.  Sleep is my main relief.  But if I have to stay in bed because of pushing myself, did I really accomplish anything?  I am conflicted about this.  If I used my body and felt better like I did as a young woman the choices would be much clearer.

I had already decided to speak to the doctor about Physical Therapy to try to keep my strength.  It will have to be after the wheel chair things are finished.  I hate this weak feeling.  I hate Fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia and Three Days of Work

I went to the capitol yesterday for work. I got up early for a workshop I really wanted to attend today for work. My Fibromyalgia is screaming at me to stop. The second day of the workshop is tomorrow. Although I have a working knowledge of the information I still want to hear it.

I'm surviving on coffee and energy drinks right now. I need to go tend to an adult child that won't listen but then I will sleep. Or at least till I have to pick up the youngest son from work around 11pm. Sleep is better for my Fibromalgia than the energy drinks but I do what I have to do.

I do have another energy drink hidden in the car for tomorrow. :D That's how I keep moving even when I hurt. But I may crash Thursday. Then again I may not. errrrr

I know how to keep going when I have to. I wish I could predict which things would make me hurt and when. Stupid Fibromyalgia.

Some days it is so hard to be a mother and be in pain from the Fibromyalgia all the time. I'm amazed by the young mothers who are doing it. My youngest is a 16 year old boy. I'm almost done but...

Some days I have to go home and take a nap just so I can take him to his part time job. He is saving half of his check every pay day to get a car so I don't have to do this.

Many weeks I do not get to see my grandchildren. Either I am making up time because I had to take off work during the week or I am resting. If I do not get enough rest the Fibromyalgia knocks me on my butt.

I admire the young mothers who have Fibromyalgia and keep on keeping on.

It's Been Awhile

Yes, I know it's been awhile since I posted. Not that I am not thinking about Fibromyalgia every minute of every day. I just get frustrated.

I have been thinking about triggers lately. Probably because I was in a wreck with a semi. I was jostled a bit. But the stress of the wreck is what did me in. Put me to bed right away.

I know stress is a trigger but that brought it to my mind in a large way. I needed to document it and could not think of a better place.

My rememdy was sleep. Even though I still work, sleep is still my remedy of choice. What about you? Does stress affect you the same way? What is your rememdy of choice?

Fibromyalgia Natural Medicines

Few people think about the quality of sleep in relation to natural medicines. Surprisingly sleep is one of the first things the doctor who diagnosed asked me about.

Without realizing it the pain and stress of fibromyalgia can affect the amount and quality of your sleep. Since one of the symptoms of fibromyalgia is fatigue then sleep becomes even more important.

A significant number of people with fibromyalgia have sleep apnea. I did and I never noticed it. Don’t be surprised if you doctor recommends you get a sleep study and at least check.

One possibility is medication to help you sleep. Another choice might be what is called a CPAP machine. The doctor associated with the sleep study will make recommendations to you.

Different organizations recommend different things you can do for your sleep that should be included in any discussion about natural medicines. One of those things is to make your bedroom comfortable by reducing the noise and adjusting the temperatures in the bedroom.

Another thing is to try different sheets, blankets, and even night time clothing to find out what will be the most comfortable for you. I change bedding and clothing for different seasons and this helps my sleep

Is Lack of Sleep a Symptom of Fibromyalgia?

Since one of the symptoms of fibromyalgia is the overpowering fatigue, it is important to get the best possible sleep. One of the areas to look into is sleep disorders.

Although this may not be the ‘answer’ to autism it might lead you to an important tool in the battle to remain as functional as possible for as long as possible.

Being up at night, because you sleep so lightly, is not normal. You also should also not wake up hurting and tired. You may want to check with a sleep specialist. You may not even realize that you are having a problem with sleep.

I know some people who have checked with their spouse or children and found out how badly they snore or grind their teeth at night. These are also good reasons to check with a sleep specialist.

The sleep specialist and their staff will be able to do a thorough work up at the first appointment to see if you might have a problem with a restricted airway.

It is also typical to have to spend a couple of nights at a sleep center for more testing. Sometimes this can be done in one night but typically it takes two nights.

Of course not all people with fibromyalgia will have sleep disturbance as one of the symptoms. Sleep disturbance has been found in a large number of people with fibromyalgia. It was also one of the first things that the diagnosing doctor told me to check.

7 Fibromyalgia and Sleep Recommendations

Good quality sleep is probably one of the most natural fibromyalgia medicines. The University of Maryland’s Sleep Disorder Center has made several recommendations for our sleep. Enjoy!

1. Use rituals like a warm bath or light snack to lead you to sleep.
2. Get up and go to bed at the same time all seven days of the week.
3. If you have to nap do it for less than and hour and before 3:00PM.
4. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and cigarettes.
5. Stay away for fatty or spicy foods for supper and snack. They may cause heartburn.
6. Relax during the day.
7. Save your bed for sleeping and sex!