FMS - How I've learnt to cope
I've had FMS Since Feb 1997, and have learnt to live with it, without letting it rule my life completely. Ok, I've had to make some substantial changes to how I live my life, such as giving up full time work, but by making these changes, and learning to pace myself, I am still able to enjoy life.
One of the most important lessons I had to learn was that I have limits. Its probably the hardest step I had to make, as it meant learning to ask other people for help with things sometimes, which is something I've always found difficult to do. Its also meant learing to use tools and equiptment which are availible to me. Things like a wheelchair or walking stick when I am out shopping, a perch stool for when I am cooking and washing up. Its actually quite hard when you first become ill to remember that these things are JUST tools, and that nothing is being taken away from you as a person when you use them.
I cope on a day-to-day basis, by making sure I get enough sleep, and by planning my activities carefully. I try to space out my activities, and I don't just mean the things I do outside the home, I'm talking about the little things around the house too. If you have things that need to go upstairs, place them on the stairs, then take them all up together on a tray or in a bag next time you are going up for something else. If you are going to the kitchen, first think of all the things you need while you are in there, so you don't have to make too many trips. All these little things help me to manage my energy, manage my illness, and enjoy life.
When I first became ill, my doctor had me trying all sorts of medications, however most of them either made me feel worse, or caused side effects which were worse than dealing with the FMS, or just didn't help at all. These days, I don't take anything in the way of regular medication, although I have some things like painkillers, and anti-inflamatory tablets in the cupboard for when thngs get really bad, I find that lavender essential oil can be useful to help me sleep, and that if a specific muscle cluster is very bad then something like Deep Relief which contains Ibuprofen in Gel form can be helpful, but basically I manage the pain by using meditation, and as I said before, by just being careful how and what I do when.
I hope reading this page has helped you to understand a little more about this illness if you came here for this reason, and for those of you who are living with this or any similar illness, I hope you've found it encouraging to know that there are other people out here who know what you are going through. |
