Fibromyalgia and climate? Exercise?!
Question: Fibromyalgia and climate.? Exercise.?
I'm 23 years old, and have fibromyalgia. I got the disability at 15, but wasn't formally diagnosed until 17 due to a number of puzzled doctors and misdiagnoses before finally seeing a Rheumatologist.
I was bedridden for about a year and a half, because upon receiving one of my misdiagnoses, I was placed in a wheelchair. Because of this my muscles became atrophied and I became bedridden because the weakness and lack of activity complicated the fibromyalgia.
I became sick of being bedridden as a teenager and pushed myself beyond belief. I actually manage pretty well now -- I work full time (it's hard, but I manage!) and even ride on an exercise bike every day to try to maintain my strength.
I currently live in New Hampshire -- HORRIBLE climate. It switches temperature all the time, some months going from 20 to 60 in one day! Those are usually my worst days where I feel the most pain -- either when it's really, really cold or when the weather fluctuates too much.
We'd like to relocate, either to Nevada or North Carolina, thinking that the more balanced climates may help my disability. Plus, we hate the snow and cold. :) So, how does climate affect your fibro.?
also, as a side note -- what types of exercise do you find you can do that best help you.?
Just to let you know as well, I do not take any medication for my fibromyalgia. I tried a few but none of them worked so I decided against it. Besides, I'm stubborn and manage okay without it, so why keep trying.? ;)Health Question & Answer
I was bedridden for about a year and a half, because upon receiving one of my misdiagnoses, I was placed in a wheelchair. Because of this my muscles became atrophied and I became bedridden because the weakness and lack of activity complicated the fibromyalgia.
I became sick of being bedridden as a teenager and pushed myself beyond belief. I actually manage pretty well now -- I work full time (it's hard, but I manage!) and even ride on an exercise bike every day to try to maintain my strength.
I currently live in New Hampshire -- HORRIBLE climate. It switches temperature all the time, some months going from 20 to 60 in one day! Those are usually my worst days where I feel the most pain -- either when it's really, really cold or when the weather fluctuates too much.
We'd like to relocate, either to Nevada or North Carolina, thinking that the more balanced climates may help my disability. Plus, we hate the snow and cold. :) So, how does climate affect your fibro.?
also, as a side note -- what types of exercise do you find you can do that best help you.?
Just to let you know as well, I do not take any medication for my fibromyalgia. I tried a few but none of them worked so I decided against it. Besides, I'm stubborn and manage okay without it, so why keep trying.? ;)Health Question & Answer
Answers:
I find my fibro is definitely worst in the cold climate. Best exercise I have found is swimming because of the little resistance in the water and it actually is quite a soothing exercise. And you can sit in the hot tub afterwards and relax the muscles. Just be very careful not to over do it... I was swimming along feeling great and kept going and then spent 3 days not being able to move.Health Question & Answer
http://www.fibromyalgiasource.comHealth Question & Answer
*Cold climates will make it worse. I have fibromyalgia. Texas, Arizona, California some place hot. Winters here in Texas is brief. You need to find a good pain specialist doctor generally at a pain clinic. They can inject your joints allowing the pain to be reduced considerably. That is what I do for mine. PT can work with your atrophy problems.Health Question & Answer
retired from surgical nursing due to Fibromyalgia.Health Question & Answer
I work for a pain clinic and while we do the injections for treatment of Fibro, we also have an Alpha-Stim unit that works wonders. We have literally nicknamed it the "miracle box".
http://alpha-stim.com/pain_research.htmlHealth Question & Answer
http://alpha-stim.com/pain_research.htmlHealth Question & Answer