| SLEEP: Poor sleeping patterns are one of the traditional symptons of fibramyalgia and I have heard all the possible remedies and tried some. However, I want to say right off sleep has never been one of my problems, I can sleep anywhere and anytime. Of course, my doctors say that is because I don't get a good sleep at night even though I think I do. More of that idea that I don't know how I really feel. The fact is unlike many FM patients morning is usually my best time.It is the one part of the day when I usually have the energy to do things.( However, to be really honest I have to admit that that may be because I tend to do things in the morning that may wipe me out for the rest of the day). The exception is when I go to bed overtired or if I have overused my muscles, the next morning I will be in bad shape and during a FM flare there is no good time. My problem is that even with a good start in the morning by lunch I will be getting tired and if I can't stop and rest (nap preferably) my body starts to wear down just like one of those rechargeable batteries. And if I go all day like this with the energy getting lower and lower a night's rest won't top the energy level back up so you can imagine what happens after several days like this. I 'm a battery that doesn't hold a charge. For me, there seems no way around the need for a good night sleep and several rest points during the day.That is the only way I can manage to have a relatively normal family life. SENSE OF HUMOR: This is probably the most important thing to work on for your own sanity. Somehow if you can find the ridiculous aspect of FM's effects on your life then you can feel as if you still have some control. If you arrive at the library and suddenly realize you're still in your bunny slippers; well you might as well crack a joke about what a hurry you were in to get there because you probably aren't going to have the energy to go home, change your footwear and return. TO be continued... Today's Discovery For a couple of months now, I have been suffering with pain in my collar bone. As anyone who has had fibromyalgia any length of time knows that's par for the course and you just go on. However, I bumped my collarbone with my hand (a small bump)which sent the most incredible pain into my face, arm and ribs. Upon seeing my doctor I discover it is possible to get a joint inflamation which if not treated spreads to other joints. So once again I've missed spotting something unusual about my health because of the fibromyalgia symptons. Here's an interesting little followup to show how bad our FM pain is. Two months after I posted the above they discovered the collarbone had actually been dislocated in a fall and because I didn't stop doing things there had been no healing. The neurosurgeon says, "But you must have been in the most incredible pain." And we all know what the answer to that is, "We are most of the time." copyright© 2000, Mitsou. All Rights Reserved. Next page Family, Doctors |