Fibromyalgia - changing life style challenges

By Maurice S Clarke

Fibromyalgia is a painful disease which mainly women suffer from, People as young as 30 can get it although 40-50 is a more common age. As the condition worsens a steady but certain life style change occurs which needs to be properly understood and controlled if sufferers are to live successful with this illness.

Having Fibromyalgia means pain, everyday, all the time, in varying degrees, you may have a few good days and pain killers will reduce the hurt, but for certain it will be back with a vengeance tomorrow, or maybe later today.

There is no known cure for Fibromyalgia despite what some may claim - only relief and life style changes. Lets look at the key issues and how it effects sufferers, their partners, family and friends;

Working

Fibromyalgia is not like an accident one day you are fit the next injured, it creeps up on you first as a twinge, then pain, more and more, harsher and harsher. It may take 5, 10 or even 20 years to get "really bad" and for may major discomfort in the advancement process.

Work at home, business or a regular office or factory role becomes more difficult, getting there, and doing the tasks is tough. And as the disease progresses you are forced first to reduce work hours, or have regular days off sick, eventually quitting totally becomes a reality. Maybe early retirement may be a possibility or opt for any redundancy can help soften the blow especially if some pension or lump sum is payable.

Women see their home getting less neat and clean, meals are late, or less complex for ease. Male partners may not be understanding well the problems and the pain.

Mobility

Walking is painful, running impossible, climbing stairs difficult and maybe in due course you may need a bungalow, or stair lift. Driving a car may be hard, even dangerous, getting on buses a tough task, so the easy route is to stay at home more and more.

You may need to readjust trips, use a taxi more, get lifts, or find ways of doing some tasks at home such as internet shopping. The phone becomes a godsend and lifeline as does email and a computer

Sleep

Pain means you rest uneasily, turning over frequently. Your mind is restless and you may go to bed dog tired then wake up for hours - your bed partner may join you, unwillingly, in restless, disturbed sleep, although some can "crash out" without a care in the world and sleep though it all, much to the annoyance of the sufferer.

Getting a better bed may help, or changing bed times. Some can "catnap" in the day to recharge batteries.

Getting up in the morning may be especially hard, and take hours to achieve as the body is naturally stiffer.

Finances

If Fibromyalgia forces you to quit work, it often means sufferers now need regular if not constant care. Where both partners work, or run a business together, they face the reality of NEITHER working and finances take a serious shock.

You may need specialist equipment or to move house, state benefits and grants may be available based on the extent of the condition.

Some legal cases have succeeded where it is proven Fibromyalgia resulted from an accident at work, so one needs to consider all sources of income and capital raising projects before money gets too tight.

Some serious budgeting is needed and ways of reducing costs and increasing income. Selling assets may be worthwhile, but avoid borrowing which can have adverse long term effects.

Caring

Carers who look after Fibromyalgia sufferers drift into the role as the condition worsens, and may accept their enforced role with pleasure or reluctance.

Since there are no obvious outward signs a person is suffering from Fibromyalgia, many people are less than sympathetic about the illness. Even so where the sufferer complains of pain or having a bad day it is often viewed by sceptics as "all in the mind" or "it's not as bad as that". Close family can often be the worst offenders in the sympathy stakes.

Conclusion

Regular consultation with your doctor will ensure the latest and best treatments are available to control rather than cure the disease.

The sufferer and their carer need a sense of humour, as it is easy to get depressed and frustrated and loose the joy of life and living. Being together at home in front of the TV is better than being annoyed and frustrated at not been able to have the usual annual holiday in Tenerife.

Life style changes need to be accepted as inevitable, so you must face REALITY, and study work, finances, home layouts, travel and general day to day living and make appropriate changes SLOWLY as finances and demands allow.

Belong to a local Fibromyalgia support group, and accessing informational web sites and discussion boards will enable you to understand Fibromyalgia better and meet other people and chat about the various issues both you and they face.

Having Fibromyalgia is both personal and unique, but you need not be alone as you face one of life's major challenges - living with Fibromyalgia.

This article may be published on a health web site, ezine or newsletter provide it remains intact with the link included. Copyright Maurice S Clarke 2007.