use a straw so you don't have to lift your arms or bend your neck

have the nurses take your blood pressure below your elbow if you have painful TPs in your upper arms

round red stickers make a great visual to warn family members of your flaming TPs

buy or make the biggest ugliest T-shirt you can to wear on your bad days so your family members can 'see' that you don't feel well

give up on family and friends who don't live with chronic pain ever understnadinag what you live with

use a body scrubber and back scratcher to help with painful reaching

have someone paint your nails (including toes!) at least once a week

computer users use a mousepad with a gel-filled wrist support

buy a headset phone

fresh flowers are a nice touch, but avoid vivd colors and smells

have your family help you reorganize your things so you can get to them without bending or reaching (like your hobby stuff)

reprioritize , you have limited energy, how do you want to 'spend' it?

if you feel up to cooking, make twice as much and freeze half

delegate chores and then give up worrying about HOW they get done

if necessary hire a high school student to come in once a week to help with household chores

gelatin capsules should help strengthen nails and help diminish those crescent shaped break offs

write as little as possible, and if you must, use a Dr. Grip pen

wear bras with front closures  toa void reaching behind you

use a full service gas station

use ear plugs and a black sleep mask to block out the world when you are 'overstimulated'

gently stretch, and move about every 20 minutes

take the minimum amount of pain medication needed to function

avoid flourescent lighting whenever possible

wear slip on shoes, or shoes with velcro closures instead of shoelaces so you don't have to bend over

try a short, no-fuss hairstyle if you have upper arm pain, or scalp pain

always have new symptoms checked out by a doctor to make sure they are FMS related.....like chest pain!!!!

have groceries and medication delivered

shop mail order or on-line whenever possible

holding the hand of another person, or stroking a pet will increase your tolerance for pain

try this visualization exercise for pain control;  close your eyes, picture the spot that is hurting as a red and orange ball.
Breathe deeply through your nose, and picture this air as soothing blue, visualize it flowing through your body to the ball of pain.  When it gets there, slowly breathe out through your mouth, watching the blue replace the red, little by little.  Do this several times.

Gently, but firmly pinching the 'web' of flesh between your index finger and thumb for a few seconds and then releasing will help relieve tension.

For headaches in the temple area, gently push on your temples with 2 fingers.  Hold for five seconds and then release.

Keep encouraging cards and notes handy, send them out to others on your BAD days.

Leave your TV off.  Avoid soap operas and talk shows!!!!!

Send stickers,decorated pencil, books, small gifts to sick children.

make something for charity

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