After your Fibromyalgia diagnosis, you may feel anxious, afraid or overwhelmed and wonder how you will cope. It is life changing – you’ve been diagnosed with a chronic health condition. There’s nothing fair about Fibromyalgia and no one deserves to feel that much pain every day.
Fibromyalgia can change your sense of self, that is, how you think of your body, yourself, and your future. Grief is a normal response as you give up your old ideas of yourself and begin to develop ways to cope with the new, unwanted changes in your life.
Below is an outline of the stages of grief – can you identify with any of these feelings towards Fibromyalgia?
Denial
Anger
Bargaining
Depression
Acceptance
It’s normal to experience a range of emotions in the wake of a Fibromyalgia diagnosis. I sometimes feel that I’m on a roller coaster of emotions each day – frustration, anger, hopelessness, and, at times, acceptance and hope.
When you have an illness like the flu, you know you will feel better within a few days. A chronic illness like Fibromyalgia is different; it will never go away.
These are some of my coping strategies:
- You will have good days! Do something you enjoy on those days.
- Set realistic goals, know your limitations – don’t try to do too much.
- Know that you are not defined by your illness, or by what you can or can’t do.
- Don’t feel guilty about tasks you have not completed.
- Do your most difficult tasks at the time of day you feel best.
- Recognize that your capacities may vary – what’s possible one day may not be another.
- Allow flexibility and extra time in your plans.
- Take pride in your achievements.
- Get your medication and routines organized and written down.
- Help to educate your friends and family about Fibromyalgia so that they can understand your illness.
- It is important to talk – share how you are feeling with family and friends. It is easy to see negatives everywhere and sometimes sharing gives you a different perspective.
- Try to enjoy the company of others – laughing with friends and family can lift your spirits.
- Be kind to yourself – treat yourself to your favourite chocolate, candle, a bubble bath etc.
- Enjoy small pleasures – the smell of fresh-cut grass, a good novel, strawberries, singing in the shower, watching a child play etc.
- Try to accept that you have this illness and not wallow in self-pity for prolonged periods.
- Do gentle exercises if possible – pace yourself!
- Join a support group – locally, on social media or an internet forum. You can find strength in sharing thoughts and feelings with others who understand what you’re going through. You are not alone!
Please remember that your value and worth have not lessened due to Fibromyalgia. 
You are stronger than ever before, you are so brave, you are now a fibro warrior!
Keep smiling 
Claire
x
Reblogged this on FibroFlutters is a support group for people with Fibromyalgia in Sunderland that offers friendship, support & advice in NE UK. and commented:
Brilliant post Claire’sComfyCorner, great for sharing with support groups for #fibro #chronicillness #invisibleillness
Wishing you wellness
LikeLike
Thank you
xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for this Claire. I was having one of my worst days and this has made me smile. I had been getting really frustrated because I can’t find the words to explain to family – this is spot on. Thank you again xx
LikeLike
I’m glad you find it helpful
I hope your pain levels become more manageable this evening.
Claire
X
LikeLike
Just after I was diagnosed with Fibro, I was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer’s. If you met me and talked to me you would have no idea. However, it overtook my focus on my Fibro so that not only do my family forget, even I forget about it. Yes I know that sounds bizarre but I have lived with so much pain for a long long time it is part of my life. Reading this reminds me that I am allowed to have a whinge about my pain sometimes! At present my Fibro is excruciating and all I take is paracetamol which has little effect but dampens the pain in my face and head. I am going to ask for something stronger for these bad times.
Nice blog
LikeLiked by 1 person
unfortunately i dont have any good days,and i am defined by what i can and cant do,as if my body wont let me do something,i cant physically do it.But i really admire the spirit of your blog.
LikeLike
I just found this site. My struggle is addiction and I found so many of your posts inspirational and applicable to the fight I have every day to remain clean and sober Thank you.
LikeLike
Thanks for your lovely comment Liz. I wish you well in your fight to remain clean and sober. You can do it! One day at a time
xx
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing this. My mom has fibro, and it is so hard to understand her struggle sometimes. I love when she has good days; it’s like I have my old mom back. I know that bad days are so discouraging for all of us. It is hard watching her go through all of this… Thank you for speaking out about fibromyalgia!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We need to raise awareness about this awful disorder. Gentle hugs to your mum, she’s not alone xx
LikeLike
Thanks for the illuminating information on fibromyalgia. It helps me understand what two close members of my family are going through. Jill D. Plymouth.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent article, Claire. Delighted to reprint on http://www.thefibronautco.uk
Take care
Annette
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for helping to raise awareness
x
LikeLike