Tips for fibro sufferers and caregivers

Tips for Living Better with Fibromyalgia-Patients and your Caregivers

Here are some tips that can make it easier for patients and caregivers alike to deal with fibromyalgia.

If you have Fibro or care about someone who does, you know that it can be a frustrating and an unpredictable condition. It’s hard to tell when symptoms such as numbness, weakness, loss of balance and cognitive difficulties will complicate your life.

Here are some tips that can make it easier for patients and caregivers alike to deal with Fibromyalgia-

1. Eat for your health. Everyone can benefit from a good diet, but especially people with chronic diseases such as fibro, eating a diet low in fat and high in vitamins and fiber can help you feel better, while maximizing your energy and supporting healthy bladder and bowel function.

A good diet supports caregivers too, with more energy, optimism and general health.

2. Commit to regular exercise. Research shows that people with Fibro who participate in an aerobic exercise program benefit from improved cardiovascular fitness, increased strength, better bladder and bowel function, and a more upbeat attitude.

Yoga, adaptive tai chi and water exercise are also excellent workouts for people with Fibo and anyone else, including busy caregivers who can benefit from stress management.

3. Address sleep issues. Fibromyalgia can cause sleep problems, including insomnia, frequent nighttime urination, narcolepsy and leg spasms — over half of Fibromyalgia patients suffer with restless legs syndrome.

It’s hard to tell which comes first, since people with Fibro have disrupted sleep patterns. There can be early morning awakening caused by depression and nighttime awakenings due to overactive bladder. But we do know that poor sleep correlates with poor daytime cognitive ability, which can affect patients ability to cope.

Be proactive and ask your doctor for help, whether you’re suffering with Fibro or caring for someone who has it. Chronic illness can be exhausting, and Fibromyalgia patients and their caregivers both need as much quality sleep as they can get.

4. Customize your environment. Fibromyalgia symptoms can strike suddenly and make it hard for patients to physically navigate their environment.

Life is easier for people with Fibromyalgia when their homes and offices are arranged for maximum efficiency and minimum risk. Keep essentials within easy reach, install safety features in the bath and shower and cut down on clutter to reduce the risk of falls.

5. Reach out and get involved. Self-help and Fibromyalgia support groups can help you connect with other patients and caregivers and establish a valuable network for exchanging ideas, new research news and encouragement. I believe in face to face groups as well as online groups, as face to face you can make friends and chat over coffee. Just don’t suffer in silence.

6. Ask for help if you need it. Trying to keep your independence is fantastic, but if you need help then please ask for it, everyone needs help at some point and there is no shame in asking for it. Friends, family and your carers will always be more than happy to help, but don’t let your pride get in the way.

7. Help others. If you are in a position to help others in some way, then do it, helping other’s is a great way to occupy your mind but also help your soul. Advice on social fibromyalgia groups, fundraising or arranging meetings for fibromyalgia sufferers are all great ideas. If you feel physically able to do this the talk to your groups admins to see if these could be a possibility.

I hope you have found these helpful?.