Living with fibromyalgia requires seeking support from doctors, friends, and family, as well as joining support groups and educating oneself about the condition. Pain management, fatigue, and depression are common symptoms that can be addressed through alternative treatments and mental health professionals.
One of the most important things to know about living with fibromyalgia is that it’s important to seek support. Trying to manage fibromyalgia on your own can feel very isolated and depressed. In addition to working with a doctor to medically manage your fibromyalgia, it’s also important to talk about your experiences living with fibromyalgia with close friends and family who can offer support and understanding. There are also support groups for people living with fibromyalgia that can be very helpful in not only swapping stories and advice, but also talking about the emotional and psychological struggles that often accompany the condition.
Another important step in living with fibromyalgia is to educate yourself as much as possible. Understanding your condition is a very important step in the process of managing and learning to live with it. There have been quite a few books written about fibromyalgia and some that even deal specifically with living with fibromyalgia. Instead of facing a stack of books, seek advice through online fibromyalgia support networks or at a fibromyalgia support group. There are also Living With Fibromyalgia newsletters that can be very helpful and offer helpful advice and news on advances in fibromyalgia research.
One of the hardest things about living with fibromyalgia is pain management. Fibromyalgia is characterized by pain in the tendons, muscles and ligaments. Some people living with fibromyalgia also experience tender spots on their bodies. Another hallmark of the condition is fatigue. Plus, it often takes a while to rule out other possible causes for all of these symptoms, meaning that simply coming to a diagnosis can feel exhausting. All of this pain and fatigue can lead to depression, which is why talking to friends and family, as well as talking to members of a support group, can be very helpful and can help you feel less isolated.
It may also be helpful to talk to a psychologist, psychiatrist, or some other type of mental health professional. This is an important step in not allowing the pain and fatigue experienced in the body to affect the health of the emotions and the mind. Finally, consider alternative treatments like acupuncture, dietary changes, and gentle exercises that can help manage and ease the pain associated with fibromyalgia.
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