I believe I mentioned this about a week ago. My fibromyalgia has been getting worse lately. There have been days where I hurt so bad I haven't been able to get out of bed without the assistance of John. He has to hold my back firmly, supporting my muscles, while I rise. This is because the muscles in my back spasm, sending shooting pains throughout my body. On these days, when my back and legs are spasming, to move even an inch in any direction can cause me severe pain. This pain occurs whether I'm lying down, sitting, or up moving around. Doesn't matter.
I'm not complaining here, and I thank the Lord I'm alive. I'm just mentioning it to say what I'm going through, for those of you who don't know much about fibro.
Today I went to Physical Therapy at the request of my family doctor. I was very skeptical about going, to say the least. I have never gotten relief for fibromyalgia since I was diagnosed seven years ago.
Today has brought me new hope, however. The physical therapist explained to me that those of us with fibromyalgia must keep exericising and moving our bodies. We must not over do it, but at the same time, we must keep moving. Otherwise, we will atrophy and then hurt even more when we try to move later on. This made a lot of sense to me.
She gave me exercises to do in the gym there at her office. She also sent me home with the exercises so that I can do them each day. I am going back to see Miss Sharon each Tuesday and Thursday. She will then add more exercises.
Eventually Sharon will let me loose to join the local gym (YMCA). But that will probably take a few months. That's okay, though, as I have to start somewhere. She'll have to give me advice on which class to take first. Maybe a class in the water as there is a heated water therapy pool at the Y.
I'm excited. This will hopefully be a way to lessen the pain a lot, and at the same time help me get back into shape again.
Isn't this exciting?
Love you all, Krissy :)
Posts
Sorry to hear you're feeling bad. I hope this passes soon.
ReplyDeleteJimmy
I think I had some morning spasms a few times....back when our mattress wasn't supported well enough and I was spending too many hours working for our cleaning company with no help.... when we used to live in FL, before we hired staff and got smart about how to have a cleaning company. Never clean if you have a cleaning company. It's just too much work. Hire five or six times more people than you need as most will quit. LOL. Hope you feel better and that the exercises help. Hugs,
ReplyDeleteLisa
Now I bet swimming will really help! It isn't straining but it's physical at the same time. You would probably feel like another person once you get in the water. Best of luck to you. -Missy http://journals.aol.com/ma24179/MISSYZSTUFF
ReplyDeleteI think it is exciting Krissy, and I think its awesome that you took the plunge, so to speak, and decided to try the physical therapy despite your skepticism about it. I have heard that about fibromyalgia (that you need to keep moving). I think it will be great when you get to go the Y and interact with people there and do whatever workouts there you want to do.
ReplyDeletebetty
Any time you can find different ways to lesson pain in your body is a BONUS!!! Best of luck with it!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Gina
Hi Krissy, I have had fibro and chronic fatigue since 1981 and arthritis and work injuries. I understand completely where you are coming from. I have had a bad cold and chest infection since Dec. 27. As a result, I have had excruciating pain, apparently the cold flares up these conditions. I have lived with this since 1981. i have not experienced pain like this before. Fibro does cause many spasms, and can cause bowel and bladder problems. I have many spasms at times in diiferent areas. It is extremely important to keep moving and carry out exercises, if you cant do them, even walking back and forth while doing laundry helps. I feel water therapy was the best. It is difficult to find a heated pool here that is a proper temp. Therapy that some clinics give, do not take into account a fibromyalgic person cant do the exercises that most can do. You have found a wonderful therapist who understands, that you have to be eased into these exercises, slowly move toward more moderate ones. Pool therapy will indeed help you, it was the best thing I had. Trying to find a pool here that I can go to. Good luck with your therapy. This is an illness which few truly understand. To most, they look at us and see nothing, so they think nothing is wrong with us, little do they know the pain and suffering we go through. The pain never leaves me and I am sure does not leave most of us ever. I have it 24/7 from head to toe and it involves my bowel and bladder and jaws and teeth. My whole left side gets continuously worse. One thing though I find that always helps is to never give up, even if you can only just get up in the morning and make breakfast no matter how hard. I am here if you ever wish to speak about this. God bless.
ReplyDeletePool therapy is wonderful! I had it for my back injury a few years ago. I hope you feel better soon.
ReplyDeletePam
That IS exciting!!! I have been contemplating going to the doctor for my muscle joint pain.....and wondering if it could be fibro or something such....
ReplyDeleteSO happy for you to have found something that may help you!!!
~Amy
Good luck w/ the physical therapy. I'm sure it will be tough at first, but if you know it will do you some good it will be well worth it in the long run. ;)
ReplyDelete~Tiffany S.
There is always hope hon....Good luck with the physical therapy. I will keep you in my prayers on the smoke that it brings you some relief in one form or another. You sound so optimistic in this entry it made me smile, despite knowing your in pain. (Hugs) Indigo
ReplyDeleteHope you're feeling better. Where there is hope there is light. Maria
ReplyDeleteThe old saying 'if you don't use it, you loose it' is so true for all of us. Your fibro is disabling, but so is age I'm finding out. If I exercise , I always feel better for it. A good plan for all of us, I think. Keep up the good work ! 'On Ya' - ma
ReplyDeleteI pray that the exercising will help you Krissy. I have a problem exercising because of my bad back. So I know this will be painful for you to do. May God be with you and help you to get stronger. Hugs, Helen
ReplyDeleteThere is always hope for a better tomorrow ... I'm glad you're excited about the possibilities!
ReplyDeleteSince your sister has Chiari, and it is heriditary, have you had an MRI to rule that out? Chiari mimicks Fibromayalgia. So many people have been misdiagnosed with that and MS to find out it was Chiari all along.
ReplyDeleteMissie
I am so glad you are getting some relief hopefully the therapy works and makes it a lot better.
ReplyDeletehugs
Sherry
That would make a great topic for As I Am. Tammy
ReplyDeleteI have a friend with fibromyalgia. She is in constant pain with no relief. I feel helpless to help her. She has all but given up. Wish I knew the magic words to motivate her to keep fighting for life. Glad for you though. For you seemingly have not given up and have some supports to help you to keep going. Godspeed.
ReplyDeleteI really hope the exercises work for you Krissy. I was given the same advice for my arthritis and it certainly works for me, even on days when it`s quite painful.
ReplyDeleteLove Sandra xxxx
Yes, it is truly exciting. I can't wait to see what transpires. I will learn from you =). I think I will ask my doc to go to the phys. therapist as well. Love, Val xox
ReplyDeletehttp://journals.aol.com/valphish/ThereisaSeason
Krissy sorry you are hving the fibromyalgia aches so badly but, glad you were able to get to Physical Therapy and it helped you dear. Sounds like she was able to really help you with what you need to do to keep yourself limber and the exercises and Y will really help and help with your pain. My hubby goes to the YMCA several days each week for exercise, yoga, treadmill, etc. and says it really helps him, plus a great way to stay in shape also. You take care dear....Arlene (AJ)
ReplyDeleteSounds good Krissy ~ hope it goes well for you xx
ReplyDeleteJenny
http://journals.aol.co.uk/Jmoqueen/MyLife
hope the excersize helps
ReplyDeleteSounds very exciting!!!!
ReplyDeleteHope it helps you! I have a few friends with fibromyalgia--not a fun thing!
God Bless
janis
Oh Krissy.....I'm sorry you're in so much pain. I still do not know if I have fibro or CFS yet. My Mom had RA and they kept telling her to exercise and keep moving. She didn't. She laid around the house ALL the time to where her muscles atrophied and her knees froze up where she couldn't stand all the way straight and ended in a wheelchair. I hope this will help you just by my Mom's experience. I know some people will go to therapy and get a therapist they don't like then they just won't go. I would say find a different one. Miss Sharon sounds like like a great therapist plus the medical field knows alot more now about fibro then 7 yrs. ago. Praying for you.
ReplyDeleteLove,
D
Krissy, that's very exciting! And it just proves how much you really do want to take responsibility for getting yourself in the best possible health. And then to think that Dr. Cox said that stuff to you, really makes me mad. Love you, Merry
ReplyDeletethat sounds exciting Krissy...good for you.
ReplyDeleteGem :-)
I know another lady who has fibromyalgia, and some days she can't even get out of bed. Hope this PT helps yours.
ReplyDeleteDonna
Yes it is! Pete's pain is similar to yours as he never knows what will trigger it or exactly where it will be. Sometimes it is concentrated in his head, sometimes his chest, sometimes his legs. Like you sometimes it seems to come from standing, others from sitting or lying too long. VERY frustrating!
ReplyDeleteBarbara
Yes it is! Pete's pain is similar to yours as he never knows what will trigger it or exactly where it will be. Sometimes it is concentrated in his head, sometimes his chest, sometimes his legs. Like you sometimes it seems to come from standing, others from sitting or lying too long. VERY frustrating!
ReplyDeleteKrissy,
ReplyDeleteI have a sister who has fibromyalgia, so I know how debilitating it can be. So glad you've decided to go for the physical therapy and hope it will help provide relief in the long run. It's always a great thing to keep physically active and gradually improve our level of fitness, because it helps our health in so many different ways!
Keep up the good work!
Jeanne
Krissy
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that you're getting help for your fibro. I hope the PT relieves the pain.
Love you, John