Freshman year of high school my family had caught the disease 5th disease that my brother had brought home from school. One of the symptoms is joint pain for adults and for children can get blisters. I remember coming home after soccer practice and telling my parents about the searing joint pain in my right pinkie. My family and doctor assumed it was 5th disease without any testing since the rest of my family was experiencing symptoms. A year later while doing blood tests I went to do blood testing and had a feeling I should check to see if I have 5th disease. Good thing I checked because turns out I didn't ever have it! throughout high school my joint and chronic pain spread to both my hands, up my arms, to my shoulders, down my back, and once I went to college and started walking more it developed in my feet. Throughout High school I probably tried every kind of doctor you can think of to help me find a diagnoses for my pain. I spent 4 years undiagnosed before I was finally diagnosed with fibromyalgia.
In the time this occurred I found myself having to give up activities I loved such as drawing, soccer, running, music, and so much more. I found myself feeling sorry for myself and that my identity was being lost to this disease because my hobbies and talents became limited. But the worst part about having fibromyalgia was having people around me not know what it is or for many people not even believe it is a real feeling. I had doctor after doctor and person after person throughout my life question whether or not I really was in pain. I felt as though I was losing my identity.
Then one day I was watching a videos in my college course laws in special education. I was many people with diseases, mental delayed, and disabled claim that they loved the way they are and who they are. I realized I loved the way I was to. Despite the pain fibro puts me through I have learned and grown so much from it and it has made me the wonderful person I am today. without my fibro I wouldn't be who I am now and I can let it use me to make me weaker or stronger mentally. In the process of having fibromyalgia I learned new hobbies and overcome fears of some activities such as swimming. I learned the importance of a healthier lifestyle physically, mentally, emotionally, and etc. I learned many tips and tricks for health that I have used to show my friends and loved ones and bless their lives. It has led me to a career path in wanting to help people with disabilities and choose my major in special education. Fibromyalgia has helped me choose the live more beautifully than in pain. I wont lie it is a hard thing to carry on my shoulders everyday and I have had days crying in self pity and can't even get myself out of bed from pain. But in those moments recognize that your body is simply hurting and do something about it.
What Now?
Here are some tips and tricks I have personally only been able to do to get some relief
-Massage therapy
this has been the most beneficial for me, keep watch on deals going around do it once a week for awhile then work up to once a month.
If cant afford massages sometimes whenever I need a massage I will get a lacrosse or tennis ball and lean against a wall and rub. Or I use massage rolls that can get at Walmart to help relax muscles. Or even get a friend to rub your back for you. Or go to mall and test out massage chairs.
-Soaking feet in hot water
Not only has this benefited me to help my muscles relax but also helps whenever have a bad headache. This helps because the heat of water will make more blood rush to the feet thus relaxing brain and body.
fill bathtub or bowl with tolerable hot water put feet in up to ankles
leave feet in until prune looking.
for best results sit with spine straight and do some meditation or focus on your breathing. Then drink something relaxing like tea, water, etc.
-Meditation
The most recent benefit I've experienced is meditation. Their is a lot more to meditation than just sitting and going UMMMMMMMM. It is a deep peace that occurs when mind and body is silent. If You want to experience the full benefits of meditation, make sure that your technique is correct. This video describes well the correct technique. Also what helps me get into a state of mind and body silence is finding guided meditation videos or audio. A video I really like that is a good beginner one is this YouTube video. Listen and follow the instructions and you will find more peace and find yourself accepting and dealing with physical pain more.
Guided Meditation
Technique
-Exercise
This is the trickiest and yet the biggest key with fibromyalgia. Find and experiment with different exercises. The most beneficial exercises I have done was swimming and yoga and going to the gym. listen to your body but don't listen to hard. Push through the pain of working out even though it hurts but don't push to hard. Experimenting and finding activities or exercise that works for you and can tolerate. Keep trying until you find something don't give up it is not impossible! :) When your muscles and body is stronger you are able to handle the pain that fibro gives. You can do it
Conclusion
I love how fibromyalgia has made me into the great person I am today. And for those of you suffering with fibro or loved ones that are my heart goes out to you. fibro is a controversial subject and everyone has their own experiences and opinion of fibro. Recognize the good in fibro it has brought to your life. Don't let the pain control you, accept that it is their and do something about it. Don't give up you can do it!
And for those of you who have how have you done it? How have you gotten temporary relief? How have you supported your loved ones with fibromyalgia? What exercises have been beneficial to you?
Lets come together and help each other love our fibromyalgia and what it has taught us! :)
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