While
treating fibromyalgia with conventional medications is oft seen as a trial and
error procedure, there are other methods you and your doctor can use to not only
help reduce your symptoms, but give you a feeling of control over your life.
Your
physician may recommend that you go through what's called cognitive behavior therapy.
This treatment is conducted through a series of individual counseling sessions,
various classes as well as recorded information you listen to in the comfort of
your own home. The aim of this therapy is to strengthen your inner beliefs in
your capability of dealing with stressful situations. If your doctor hasn't suggested
this line of treatment, you may want to ask him about it.
You
physician may also suggest you enroll in an interdisciplinary program that combine
a various treatments, including biofeedback, and relaxation techniques. Bear in
mind that fibromyalgia doesn't manifest itself in identical form for every person.
Your doctor can help you create a program that is tailored specifically for your
own needs.
Ultimately,
the treatment of fibromyalgia may depend on your own ability to take control of
not only your symptoms, but your environment as well. Probably more than any other
disease, you may be able to control the severity of fibromyalgia with careful
planning and taking very good care of yourself.
One
of the first aspects of your life that you should try to get control over is stress.
For people with fibromyalgia, this is the equivalent of walking a tightrope. Experts
recommend that you reduce your exposure to emotional stress, but that you don't
eliminate all the stress in your life. It seems that those individuals who completely
change their schedule like quitting their job or dropping out of all outside
activities actually find that the disease gets worse.
Sit down and develop a plan that avoids or at least limits your
exposure to emotional stress. Give yourself a minimum of 30 minutes on a daily
basis just to sit and relax. You may even want to start meditating during this
period. Any other activity that encourages calming effects in your life is also
recommended.
Be
sure you get enough sleep. Of course, telling this to a person with fibromyalgia
is like telling a stuntman not to get hurt. One of the hallmark symptoms of this
disease is inability to sleep. But, on the other hand, fatigue is also a defining
characteristic of this condition. There's not a better time than right now, though,
to get serious about good sleep habits.
Starting
can be as easy as going to bed at the same time every night and getting up about
the same time every morning. To ensure that you do sleep soundly, try to avoid
those naps during the day. Yes, this is tough, especially when you run up against
that wall of fatigue about mid-day.
Here's
another suggestion that sounds contradictory: exercise regularly. That's right.
Yes, it's difficult to even think about when every muscle in your body seems to
hurt, and you feel as stiff as a starched collar. And yes, depending on your physical
condition, initially that extra activity may only increase your pain. But as it
becomes a habit, you'll notice that the exercise actually decreases your level
of pain.
Don't
think that you need to do anything real strenuous, like run a marathon. You can
get a great deal of benefit from simple activities, like walking, bicycling and
swimming. If you don't know how to swim and even if you do water
aerobics may also be a great option.
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