I agree that there are different levels of fibro. I know in my life that I went from a perfectly healthy long distance speed walker to being unable to get out of bed; to slowly getting better after years of minutely increasing exercise to where I could walk again (but not anything like before), to suddenly having flare ups constantly again and crashing all over again. But my arthritis has gotten much, much worse so maybe that's what adding to the pain. Everyone is different and what works for me may not work for you. Hell, what worked for me in the past doesn't even work for me now!! We each have to forge our own path, and that article offered some good advice, BUT there's NO WAY you can call this life a healthy ACTIVE life!

I am not able to take any medications except 800 mg gabapentin in combination with Tylenol for my neuropathy. My body has very adverse reactions to other medications such as prednisone, lyrica, Cymbalta etc. which are SSRI medications which were tried to help my Lupus SLE. I do not go into REM sleep but after ending up in the hospital sleep deprived I am on a combination of 2 mg Clonazepam and 100 mg of Seroquel. I am in a lot of pain that has increased over the years. I read about medical marijuana however I find so much of it so confusing as there is so much information out there, but so much of it is contradictory. My body likes to be in a room with no humidity, warm with no drafts. I have a heated lift chair that has massage as well. When I wake up I do stretches on my bed while I am in my bed before getting up. I had to quit work do to my fibromyalgia and so many autoimmune diseases: Lupus SLE, RA, CREST, MCTD, Sjogrens, Dupuytren's Contracture, MVP, APS, and all of the rest of my illness that is all overlapping in so many ways. I do the best I can each day, but there are days I do not get hardly anything done. I have had 8 strokes. I have notes to remind me of priorities. I have a timer I set to remember a load of laundry in the washer or dryer, etc. My husband is retired. He is a tremendous help and support to me. All my clothes have to be extremely soft to the touch, also sheets and blankets etc. I feel every texture before I buy anything. If I have to order on line I make sure there is free return shipping in case I cannot wear it or have the feel of it on me. I always read my Bible as I am very religious, I pray and I love to listen to music. I have learned to not beat myself up as I am still type A personality mentally but know that my body can no longer keep up with my wanting to do vs what I am able to do any given day.

I think some of us have milder cases of fibro as I did for years so I was able to exercise, work, etc. I will be 67 in December. My symptoms have worsened over time. Any kind of physical activity worsens my pain now. We had to downsize to a home with no stairs due to my hip pain. My husband helps me with the heavy housework. A simple outing totally exhausts me now. I want to be and try to be as active as I can but it takes me forever to do basic tasks as I have to rest in between. I can’t lift anything heavy which also worsens my pain. I have days of severe exhaustion and fibro fog. I also take a lot of medicines that do help but I use them sparingly so I won’t become a drug addict..It is a horrible disease...😥

It began two and a half years ago. I'm in therapy I'm in physical therapy I've had acupuncture I've had chiropractic I'm getting deep tissue massage I'm trying laser therapy. And meditate. Some of these things are temporary some of them never worked at all. So I don't believe you can live a normal life normal life is not constantly putting salves yourself and essential oils and meditating and deep tissue therapy and exercise. How do you have time to have dinner with the girls. I don't know how people say they curl up on the couch. I can't even do that my legs hurt too much I've been sleeping with my legs up and separated for 2 and 1/2 years haven't crossed my legs in 2 and 1/2 years. I'm sorry I think I'm having a very bad day I probably shouldn't be reading these articles. Excuse me while I go put some salve on my legs to stop the Charlie horses that have been attacking them. I'm trying theraworx now. Much love and hugs to everyone 🙏❤️💙💜💚🙏

@A MyFibroTeam Member, I sincerely, truly and COMPLETELY believe in the power of positive attitude, but making a list of what I am grateful for is not much help with pain! I bet you wanted to slap her silly. Instead of a list (which was a suggestion a psychologist gave me too), I look for joy every day. All day long I try to anticipate what my next "joy shot" will be! Like yesterday during aqua-therapy, my therapist said "Boy, you've been through the ringer" in relation to my back injuries and surgery. So I said, that's nothing and as I walked around the pool, I proceeded to tell her about my long list of car accidents, surgeries, injuries from horses, trees, platforms (we were super active kids!), and about my rape. The look of compassion on her face when I turned to face her again almost made me cry. It just made my heart feel lifted up, so I told her so. Which I could tell made her heart be lifted. To me that was a joy shot. Or looking at flowers or clouds or kids playing and screaming outside having fun. Joy shots!! Look for them. They are everywhere! Much better than a list in a book.

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