How Do I Deal With All These Invisible Symptoms of Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition affecting between four and six million Americans, 80 percent of them women. It has been nicknamed the invisible disease because its symptoms are not apparent to the onlooker. For the sufferer, however, the pain of fibromyalgia can be intense.

Sufferers experience an aching or burning sensation throughout their bodies that in some cases can interfere with daily activities. Other symptoms include facial pain, fatigue, gastrointenstinal disturbances and mental "fogginess." Although living with fibromyalgia is difficult, there are many ways in addition to medication and heat therapy in which sufferers can regain control of their lives and reduce feelings of helplessness and isolation.

Things You'll Need

• Good sleep
• Exercise
• Consistent routine
• Emotional support system

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Instructions

Treatment Goals

• 1

  Swimming helps with symptoms.

  Get plenty of physical exercise. Cardiovascular exercise, such as swimming and stationary cycling, is one of the best ways to manage fibromyalgia symptoms. You may want to work with a physical therapist to create an exercise program at the right level for you.

• 2

  Get a good night's sleep. Poor sleep makes fibromyalgia symptoms worse, so avoid caffeine and alcohol close to bedtime. If your symptoms make it difficult to sleep, you may want to talk to your doctor about medications for sleep or pain that can be taken before you go to bed.

• 3

  Develop a consistent routine of eat, sleep and exercise, instead of trying to do it all on
  asymptomatic days. A regular routine will ultimately help you have less flare-ups.

• 4

  Consider cognitive-behavioral therapy, which can help with relaxation, stress reduction and pain management.

  Living with the pain of fibromyalgia may also cause and/or be associated with depression. If you think you are depressed, consult with your physician about therapy options.

• 5

  Consider supplemental treatments such as animal-assisted therapy. Your doctor may be able to prescribe an emotional support animal for you. If your condition is severe enough to be a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, you may want to acquire a service dog, particularly if your fibromyalgia symptoms impair your mobility.

• 6

  Find support in a group.

  Find a support group. Sufferers from an "invisible" disease benefit from each other's support and from sharing their experiences with others. You can find a fibromyalgia support group near you with the help of the National Fibromyalgia Association's Support Group Directory.

• 7

  Boost your self-esteem by using your skills and talents to become involved in a new activity.

  "Keep in mind that although one's physical self may be changed and limited, typically, one's creativity, one's character, one's values in life aren't disabled," says psychotherapist and rehabilitation specialist Don Uslan, who assists those with chronic illnesses in association with Northwest Hospital and Medical Center in Seattle.