Thank you so much for your response!  Exercise is very important in controlling the pain and the fatigue of my fibro, but it is very hard to get started and maintain it.  I first started walking about 1/4 mile in 2001.  That short distance initially made me hurt, but I also felt a little better.  I know that doesn't make any sense. Staying stagnant builds up lactate in the muscles and once you get moving that lactate starts dissolving causing some pain.  At least that was how it was explained to me. Feeling a little better after a short walk, I very slowly upped how far I walked and then one day I wanted to run.  The first time I ran that 1/4 mile I thought I was going to cry from excitement.  My daughters remember that day.  On my good days I can run up to 4 miles.  My bad days I run 1 1/2 to 2 miles or not at all.  I also go hiking.  No major climbs, just a good hike.  I find keeping moving on my good days and some of my not so good days helps.  On my bad days I rest.  Getting a good night's sleep and meditating (just focusing on breathing) helps me too.  Like your Mom I don't take any prescriptions meds and don't want to.  I take Ibophrofen and Immodium AD as needed.  Having supportive people like yourself around is a huge huge help.  Good luck with your mom and I'll keep her in my prayers that she finds relief too. You are an angel for being a support system for your mom.  Keep up the great work!  and again thank you!  oh, I'm a 43 year old woman.  Other than the fibro I'm also  allergic to sulfites (sulfa drugs and shellfish),  I found from research that an allergy to sulfites also cause pain and fatigue.  I eat as much organic food as I can.  Sulfites are found in all processed foods. That has also helped me a lot.  My daughters could see the difference when I switched to organic food.  It's not a cure but it does help a lot. Thank you and take care,....

Thank you for your support too!  I am very fortunate to have friends that run with me and understand my limitations.....

It's great that you are there for you friends.  They need people who may not understand the condition but will support them through it.  There is a lot doctors don't know about fibro but they have learned alot.  There are some great websites with information and support.  I like Fibrocenter.com.  As more and more people are diagnosed more informatin is becoming available.  Unfortunately it is a vague condition that represents itself in different ways making it difficult to diagnose and understand.  Having a support system of caring and understanding people like yourself is very important for people with this condition.

Keep up the awesome work of being a support to your friends!

take care....

Wow!!! That is awesome! You are my inspiration!  That information does help.  Thank you! 

Everything you said is so very true.  I have to always keep my health as a number one priority.  I've been a single mom since 1993.  My daughters are now 20 and 22.  They are very supportive of me but tend to forget sometimes that mom can't do it all.  The fatigue is one of the hardest things about the fibro, and sleep doesn't make it go away.  It's hard to get a quality night's sleep, but it's so important to do. 

The inspirational quotes/photos definitely help.  One of my favorites started out as a joke from my daughters and is now a constant reminder that I need to keep moving.  They got me a "No Parking" sign for the back yard. Someone wanted to park cars in my back yard and I said no.  Now that sign hangs over my bed to remind me that the bed is a no parking area...get up and get moving! 

Thank you for sharing your story with me.  You are a very strong and motivated woman!  God bless you for all you do!

Take care....

Hi Tina,

Thank you for sharing your story!  You are another inspiration to me!

I was wondering if Jacuzzis helped. Thank you, that's something I will definitely look into. The deep tissue massages do tend to hurt more than a regular massage but they do also feel so good. You are very right!  Listening to the body is extremely important and helpful.

Keep up the awesome work and take care!

Patty

Hi Christine,

Thank you so much for your response!  Everyone has been so great with sharing their stories and showing me that yes I may be diagnosed with Fibromyalgia but I can continue to run and have an active life!  My doctor is good but I don't feel like he's very supportive of me running, but I'm not ready to change doctors.  I still like him and feel comfortable with him and he's not saying no, just not an athlete kind of doctor.  Although I've never considered myself athletic

My daughter is a swimmer and is always trying to get me to go to the pool.  I guess maybe I should listen to her.  She says the same thing you do about swimming!  I have had a couple of massages and really like them but like you I find the money needs to go elsewhere or I choice to spend it elsewhere.

I am self-employed and just picked up health insurance.  That's the reason I haven't gone to the Rheumatologist yet.  So far using just Ibuphrofen has worked for the pain.  I have been doing research on prescription meds.  My game plan is to hold off on prescriptions and use other options first and then when the other options don't work then take the meds.  I find ten minutes of meditation in the afternoon helps and if I'm having a bad day I'll take a power nap. Right now  I'm focusing on healthy living with exercise, diet, meditation and stress management.  I believe attitude is very important, in all aspects of life. 

I live in Upstate NY in the Lake George region.  It's a beautiful area with lots of outdoor activities year round. 

You also have an awesome attitude! Stay empowered and take care...

Patty

+_I Want to thank everyone for sharing your stories and being so very supportive!!!!!!!_ +

This winter I almost stopped running. My last 5K had been New Year's Eve.  That was cold but awesomely fun.  Unfortunately personal issues came up and I almost completely stopped running.  One of my running friends had planned on running the Turning Point 5k, which was the first race he ever ran. I was the one that twisted his arm to run in it.  He twisted mine back and really wanted me to run in it this year with him.  I did and am so very glad I started running 5k's again.  That was last Saturday 8/2.  My time was 32:54...40 seconds slower than last year but I DID IT!  So my next race is next Saturday, 8/17.  I started that race last year and got a DNF.  I pulled a muscle in my calf.  It was stupidity on my part and I've since learned my lesson...I need to run my own race and not worry about what the people are doing around me.  As long as I cross the finish line I will have beat last years time! 

Good luck to everyone racing and running, with and without Fibro....

Stay Empowered and take care....