No Fibromyalgia Cure ? Well Don't Throw in the Towel!

We all want to survive the holidays, but it is much easier to do so for some, more than others. It can be tough even for the most energetic people to get through, but for those of us who suffer from fibromyalgia [FMS] or any similar chronic pain and fatigue disorder, it is likely that we will be setting ourselves up for a crash even before the Thanksgiving turkey leaves the farm. Only going into the holidays with a solid game plan and a proper mental attitude, will allow us to survive this special time of the year.

Pacing ourselves is never more crucial than it is during busytimes. I've learned this the hard way, having suffered with fibromyalgia for more than thirty years. Over this time I have learned some helpful tricks [some of my own and some suggested byfriends and others with FMS] that can genuinely help things to go better for those with fibromyalgia and help us to endure the holidays in better condition.

Step #1 - Planning

Make a list of all you want to accomplish during the holidays. Think about everything you normally would do during the holidays [such as shopping, baking, decorating, attending parties, wrapping gifts, family gatherings, etc.] and make your list as detailed as possible.

Step #2 - Prioritize

Next, take your detailed list and prioritize it. What is absolutely necessary to happen for your holidays to be a success? Which of these are most important to you?

For those of you with young children, the biggest priority is making things idyllic for them. If you base your prioritization on the needs or wants of any others in the family, STOP!, immediately. It is time to be realistic and take care of YOU first, even though you may have the desire to take care of everyone.

When you prioritize it is important to think about what you truly love to do and not only what's important. The season is about joy; don't shortchange your own by delegating these things you love to do to someone else.

Step #3 - Cut It Down!

As many of us with fibromyalgia know, pacing oneself is an everyday survival key. During the holidays is when you need to be able to pace yourself the most.

The first step in pacing? Cut down your list. Your goal should be to cut your list in half, cutting out the half that are the lowest priorities. Forget them! Trying to keep them on your list is a surefire way to bring yourself down.

Step #4 - Simplify

Are there any items on your remaining list that could be done in a simpler way than has been done before?

Shopping? Buy more online and go store shopping less. Only go store shopping occasionally if you want to feel or see the Christmas shopping decorations. You may not have the energy to do more.

If you can only get what you want in a retail store, don't be afraid or embarrassed to use a wheel chair or shopping cart scooter.

Baking? Use mixes and pre-made pie crusts instead of baking from scratch. Buy already made bundt and angel cakes and canned icings.

Step #5 - Delegate

Delegating is not only a great management skill, it is something that should also be learned and practiced in helping the person with fibromyalgia in pacing themselves.

Go through your list once more and see what someone else may be able to do instead of yourself. This may be the time of year to think about potluck family dinners instead of cooking an entire family dinner for everyone by yourself.

Need someone to help you clean, decorate, serve? Just ask! You may be surprised how many people may be willing to help you. If they all decline, the Holiday must be on a back burner to them and it does not have to be on a front burner for you.

Step #6 - Review the Revised List Again!

Does your new revised list look reasonable? Is it achievable? You must be honest with yourself. If you feel panic-struck still, look once again at cutting your list of more remaining lower priorities. Later, if you get everything done and have the energy and time, you can resurrect some of the things you let fall by the wayside at this time.

Step #7 - Time to Fill in the Blanks

Now's the time to figure out when you can get things done. Make a list, a timetable, when you would like to start each project. On a calendar make a note of the dates for parties and events and plan your down time before and after each one in advance. Don't fool yourself. You need this downtime to survive.

You know yourself best of all, so be sure to schedule rest periods in all your activities. If you know you can handle only acertain amount of activity, cut this time down and schedule within the original estimate of time, now to include within that time, one hours rest.

Step #8 – Be Flexible - Listen to Yourself

If your body is sending warning signs at anytime during the holiday season, listen to it! You very possibly may have to retool your list as needed in order to remain functional.

Step #9 - Recovery Time

If you have followed this guideline you've scheduled downtime through out the season. When the holiday season is over we all need some time to recover. Make sure you give yourself a few or as many days you deem necessary to recover.

No Fibromyalgia Cure?... Don't worry! There are survival tactics that can get us through the Holiday season!....I Wish You All the Happiest of Holidays!

• It is true that you do not want to stand when you can sit, but make it a habit to get up briefly at different intervals in order to maintain proper circulation in your legs.

• Attempt to make everyday chores a routine by doing things in the same sequence all the time. Doing this makes it less likely you may forget to do something.

• To my wife's travail the "sticky note" is my next best friend. When I think of something I must do or remember I write it down on a "sticky note" and post it where I will see it. Doing this helps avoid those times where my memory might let me down.

• Lay out personal bathroom items each in it own place. This way if something is missing or out of place leading you to forget to use it, you will notice it right away.

• When doing personal grooming complete it in stages allowing for sufficient rest periods. Always doing your grooming activity in the same sequence every day also is very helpful.

• I can't vouch for this next tip personally but it makes sense. When applying makeup try to do so while sitting down, not standing up in front of a vanity or mirror. My sister in-law seems to have a great method. She has a carry all box similar to a small fishing tackle box that holds all her makeup goodies including a mirror. This way she can take all her makeup supplies to where ever she wants to and be able to apply her makeup however she is most comfortable.

• Stick with "evergreen" shrubs and bedding plants. Flowering annuals tend to need more upkeep.

• Mulch your leaves with your mower. Do not waste time and energy bagging leaves. I hear that finely mulched leaves act as good fertilizer for a lawn.

• Use old leaves as cover and much in your bedded areas.

• Many people find ivy plants to be a bother. I find that they are green all year round and when easily cut back on regular intervals do not grow out of hand and fill in bare bedding spots nicely.

• Life is a trade off, so go ahead and use grass and weed killer spray [Edger] as necessary. It saves on all the energy you would need to expend bending, digging, pulling and edge trimming. So what if you have occasional brown spots in the lawn where you had sprayed the dandelions. Don't worry what your neighbor "the Jones" have to say or that you may be turned down for the spread in "Better Homes and Gardens" magazine.

• If you are not blessed with an automatic sprinkler system for your lawn do not worry so much about watering it. Depend on Nature. Keep some trees around for shade to help keep the grass from drying out. Keeping the lawn a bit taller then you normally would also helps keep the grass from burning. And thank goodness for the evergreens. Most evergreens including ivy are somewhat drought resistant.

When You Are Out For The Day.... Or Out Shopping....You Might Find These Ideas Useful Until That Day There Is A Fibromyalgia Cure!

• Do not be too proud to let your physician sign the papers so that you can obtain a temporary or permanent Handicap Permit.You may not need to use it all the time, but believe me, there will be days you will be glad you have one.

• I find that some days are better than others. On good days I'll park in a parking spot other than one designated for "Handicapped", especially if it is convenient and nearby to where I am going. Sometimes doing a little bit of extra walking when up to it gives me a sense of some accomplishment.

• Know your energy peaks. Try to time your traveling and going shopping to these peak energy times.

• Avoid driving or shopping at peak shopping/traffic times. I find it personally best to go to the supermarket at 7AM when it first opens up. No Crowds! I don't have to tell you how stressful a crowded supermarket can be.

• If you return home from the grocery store exhausted just worry about putting the perishables away. If your lucky, maybe another family member can put the non-perishables away. If your not so lucky, then put them away later after you have regained back some energy and strength.

• If you have a computer available to shop on-line with and have items shipped to your door, take advantage of it, even if the price is slightly higher. Sometimes the energy saved is worth more than the small extra cost. I have also found that many times I can save money by shopping on-line.

Note: These were some Tips I find work well for me. I hope that you or someone you know with fibromyalgia might find some that were helpful for your unique situation. Your "Personal Fibromyalgia" experience can be helped until that day there is a fibromyalgia cure.

PS. We *cannot* answer online questions about recommend available medical professionals in any areas, rumors about fibromyalgia cures, nor many technical questions and/or questions about recommended treatment protocols via e-mail. We would need a dozen or so staff members in different specialties to do so.

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