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What are the Best Tips for Living with Fibromyalgia?

Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel

One of the most important things to know about living with fibromyalgia is that it is important to seek support. Trying to manage fibromyalgia on one's own can cause one to feel very isolated and depressed. In addition to working with a doctor to manage the fibromyalgia from a medical standpoint, it is also important to talk about the experiences of living with fibromyalgia with close friends and family members who can offer support and understanding. There are also support groups for people who are living with fibromyalgia that can be very useful not only to swap stories and advice, but also to talk about the emotional and psychological difficulties that often accompany the condition.

Another important step to living with fibromyalgia is to get as informed as possible. Understanding one's condition is a very important step in the process of managing it and learning to live with it. There have been quite a few books written about fibromyalgia and some that are even specifically about living with fibromyalgia. Instead of tackling a stack of books, ask for recommendations through online fibromyalgia support networks or at a fibromyalgia support group. There are also newsletters about living with fibromyalgia that can be very helpful and offer useful advice and news about advances in research about fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia acupuncture can help patients cope with symptoms, but it is not a cure.
Fibromyalgia acupuncture can help patients cope with symptoms, but it is not a cure.

One of the most difficult things about living with fibromyalgia is managing pain. Fibromyalgia is characterized by pain in tendons, muscles, and ligaments. Some people who are living with fibromyalgia also experience tender spots on their bodies. Another hallmark of the condition is fatigue. Also, it often takes a while to rule out other possible causes for all of these symptoms, which means that simply getting to a diagnosis can feel exhausting. All of this pain and fatigue can lead to depression, which is why talking to friends and family members as well as talking to members of a support group can be very helpful and can help one to feel less isolated.

Changes in life and work habits can be recommended as part of a fibromyalgia treatment plan.
Changes in life and work habits can be recommended as part of a fibromyalgia treatment plan.

It may also be useful to talk to a psychologist, psychiatrist, or some other kind of professional in the mental health field. 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 such as acupuncture, dietary changes, and gentle exercises that can help to manage and assuage the pain associated with fibromyalgia.

Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel

In addition to her work as a freelance writer for WiseGEEK, Diane is the executive editor of Black Lawrence Press, an independent publishing company based in upstate New York. She has also edited several anthologies, the e-newsletter Sapling, and The Adirondack Review. Diane has a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and an M.A. from Brooklyn College.

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Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel

In addition to her work as a freelance writer for WiseGEEK, Diane is the executive editor of Black Lawrence Press, an independent publishing company based in upstate New York. She has also edited several anthologies, the e-newsletter Sapling, and The Adirondack Review. Diane has a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and an M.A. from Brooklyn College.

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    • Fibromyalgia acupuncture can help patients cope with symptoms, but it is not a cure.
      By: photok21
      Fibromyalgia acupuncture can help patients cope with symptoms, but it is not a cure.
    • Changes in life and work habits can be recommended as part of a fibromyalgia treatment plan.
      By: naka
      Changes in life and work habits can be recommended as part of a fibromyalgia treatment plan.
    • People suffering from fibromyalgia may have an underlying physical disorder.
      By: Alliance
      People suffering from fibromyalgia may have an underlying physical disorder.
    • People suffering from fibromyalgia experience an increased number of headaches.
      By: vadymvdrobot
      People suffering from fibromyalgia experience an increased number of headaches.