I have a Roomba that vacuums. I bought it on an Amazon at one of their super sales - It pays to be awake from pain at 2 in the morning - ha! In any event, it vacuums for me. At half price, it was 299 I think, and well worth it . I have the pet hair one,,which does a pretty good job. It won't go down the stairs, so I don't have to put up railings or anything. As to the rest, I do a little every day, don't over do, but don't waste feeling good when I feel better either. I usually wear earphones and listen to a podcast or a you tube or music. I've found that the pain won't go away, but you can mask it by overlaying something pleasurable on top of it. For instance, when you eat or drink, the pleasure of the eating or drinking momentarily blocks the pain. I sip a drink of some kind (coffee, tea, etc) all day long, pretty much . Same with listening to really good music. The pain is still there, but it's hard for the body to process pain if the pleasure blocks it out. And, if I am listening to a podcast that's funny, (pleasure), I laugh and relax and the pain is underneath that, and can't come out as much. Similarly with a podcast that is interesting; if I'm really interested in what the person is saying, my focus is on the subject matter, and I don't feel the pain as much. It's not a panacea, but it can help reduce it a bit. It's the best I've found in 40 years of looking, other than meds and being gluten free. I'm normally just wanting to take the edge off.

When I went to the dentist, they told me to wiggle my fingers while getting the initial shot to get numb, because your mind can't process both the pain and wiggling your fingers at the same time. It did reduce the pain a bit, so I think the concept might be sound. In any event, it's the best I've found over the years is to try to overlay something pleasurable to me (even reading a book) over the pain, rather than fighting the pain directly, which doesn't work, and only makes it worse. Hope this helps someone!

I have been thinking about this one for some time now. I just sorta knowling chuckled about for a few weeks because the most obvious answer to me was.. you cant. It equates to continually rolling a boulder up a hill, everyday, for the rest of, well life. This didnt seem to be very usefull so I kept it to myself because the answer maybe harder than rolling the proverbial boulder. In a simple word. Change. Change the fact that you work full time and you are also responsible for all the household chores. I can tell you from experience that too much stress will complicate the condition, causing flareups and making life worse. So start delegating as much houshold work as you can. I bought a rumba. Its not perfect but it will sweep the floor every day. I pay someone to keep the yard. To be honest it is not much more than buying yard tools and their upkeep. Chores are fairly well defind in our house so I am not responsible for everything but I basically keep the kitchen. We order groceries online.
If you are working full time consider disability. Seriously consider disability insurance. It takes several years to go through the process.Former military should go to va.gov. Fibromyalgia is considereda presumptive condition for Gulf War Veterans.
For me, Cymbalta was a godsend. Lyrica was a second victory. I am still trying for the third drug in the treatment triddent,sevella. Ever hear of it? Yeah neither have my doctors. Fibro really is a job in itself. Herbal treatments I use is cannibus, cbd, kratom, magnesium, herbal teas especially for sleep, meletonin, Valerian root, tylenol, advil, benedryl. Recently I have started getting massages a couple times a month.
When I feel bad sleep is my goal but if i cant then I play videogames.Diet is important. Hobbies are important. Sleep is important. Mental health is of paramount importance. Even with all I know there is still pain. Im fighting a migraine as I write this. I try to keep the Buddhist philosophy close to mind. In life, pain is required but suffering is a choice.

@A MyFibroTeam Member, I used to be on opiates too back in the 1990s. My doctors convinced me it was the best way to manage my fibromyalgia. However, I know now that this isn't really true. Opioids are only one way to manage pain. Opiates actually can increase your pain over time by changing the way your body responds to pain. But there are other ways like training your body and mind to deal with the pain yourself. Mindful meditation is one way. Using diet, exercise and supplements are others. Adapting your mindset and using careful planning so as to not over do it are also other pieces to the answer. I still occasionally break down and use oxycodone when my pain is at levels I can't handle, but overuse migraines can be brought on by using any opiates more than twice a month, so I try hard not to use them. There's a course called PainTrainer.org that can teach you how to lower your pain through natural methods. At first I didn't think any of this could work, but as long as I apply myself to these methods, I can live a comfortable life off heavy medication.

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I found that if I use natural cleaning products my pain is less! Pinsol and Mr.Clean always cause excessive flair ups. I think it is definitely a chemical flare. Took me years to figure this one out.

I am grateful that I have a supportive husband that handles all the heavier or tougher chores. I tend to handle the easier less physically demanding things. This doesn't mean I don't have issues...because BOY do (pain, fatigue, fogged brain, dizziness)!! I have learned to take things one item at a time and to take breaks often (even when I don't think I need it). I also have the mentality that whatever needs done isn't going anywhere and there is NOTHING in the house so demanding that I must do it immediately or even THAT day.

I have the book "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff...and its all small stuff" by Dr. Richard Carlson and there is one passage that I have ALWAYS taken to heart.

"REMIND YOURSELF THAT WHEN YOU DIE, YOUR "IN BASKET" WON'T BE EMPTY

So many of us live our lives as if the secret purpose is to somehow get everything done. We stay up late, get up early, avoid having fun, and keep our loved ones waiting. Sadly, I’ve seen many people who put off their loved ones so long that their loved ones lost interest in maintaining the relationship. I used to do this myself. Often, we convince ourselves that our obsession with our “to do’ list if only temporary—that once we get through he list, we’ll be calm, relaxed, and happy. But in reality, this rarely happens. As items are checked off, new ones simply replaced them.

The nature of your “in basket” is that it’s meant to have items to be completed in it—it’s not meant to be empty. There will always be phone calls that need to be made, projects to complete, and work to be done. In fact, it can be argued that a full “in-basket is essential for success. It means your time is in demand!

Regardless of who you are or what you do, however, remember that nothing is more important than your own sense of happiness and inner peace and that of your loved ones. If you’re obsessed with getting everything done, you’ll never have a sense of well-being! In reality, almost everything can wait. Very little in our work lives truly falls into the “emergency” category. If you stay focused on your work, it will all get done in due time.

I find that if I remind myself (frequently) that the purpose of life isn’t to get it all done but to enjoy each step along the way and to live a life filled with love, it’s far easier for me to control my obsession with completing my list of things to do. Remember, when you die, there will still be unfinished business to take care of. And you know what? Someone else will do it for you! Don’t waste any more precious moments of your life regretting the inevitable."

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Richard Carlson Ph.D. (16 May 1961 – 13 December 2006) was an author and motivational speaker who became famous with his best-selling book Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff…and it’s all Small Stuff (1997)