fibromyalgia aids

Hi Rachel. I don't know how much support you need but I also have your problem (caused by Polymyalgia and Spinal Stenosis) and I take a sturdy steel tipped brolly everywhere! Makes a wonderful walking stick when required and doesn't hurt your pride half as much as a walker or sticks. Good luck and hope this is helpful. Debbie.

Hi Rachel,

I don't suffer from Fibromyalgia but my wife does, I know how painful and depressing Fibro is.

As to the 'Stroller' I use one and at times and it can be embarrassing at times BUT you have to weigh up which is more important, the advantages of mobility or the embarrassment. Personally I would go for the the stroller and if other people feel that it's amusing that's their problem, and of course if you can make someone smile that should give you a little smile.

It's all down to 2 things, your comfort or a minor, very minor, embarrassment, so forget what other people might think.

Hope this might help.

 

hi racel have you tryed walkig sticks and dont feel stupid ifyou need walking aids then use them you would soon get used to them all the best graham

Hi again. Has your doctor arranged an MRI scan for you. It's the only sure way to diagnose Spinal Stenosis. I was going to the doctors for a year before mine was diagnosed. If you do have this, there are different things on offer including a nerve decompression operation, special painkillers (I am on Tramadol) and electronic implants (I'm waiting to have mine fitted soon). The sooner you get a proper diagnosis the better. Take it from me, it does not get better on it's own. Take care, Debbie

Hi Rachel, here's one that's probably been suggested to you before. I know how difficult it is to start doing but it really does get easier, Meditation, the pain stops you at first but if you persist you can do more.

I also bought a book called 'Mindfulness' by Mark Williams and Danny Penman. It helps you to relax as well. It's CBT, (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy), but the advantage is that you can do it in your own time and go back to an earlier part if you need to. It also come with a CD with some exercises this book has been vary helpful to me. This can be helpful to anyone with pain. I got the paperback and a 'Kindle' version so that I can have a copy with me for reference, it's definitely worth consideration.

It's really difficult to help other people because although we know our own pains, someone else may have the same pain at a different level, on a scale of 1 to 5 my pain might be 3 but yours might be 5. If you get 10 people with the same pain and get them to describe it then you'll get some differences, some of which might be hugely different. Pain is difficult to describe.

All the best.

Hi Rachel, I don't have Fibromyalgia either, but I did have L4-l5 spinal stenosis with a disc prolapse at the same level that caused a severe cord. compression. The entire process for me from start to finish (surgery) was only 13 months, but it's scary when all of a sudden you aren't able to depend on your lower extremities any longer. I fell exactly 3 times toward the last 3 of the 13 months. The 1st trip face first to the floor was pushing a cart down one of the isles of my local WalMart. One second I was in pain walking bent forward while pushing the cart, then I was looking at the floor tile. Thank God, no injury but that was pure luck. The 2nd time, i was walking up 3 steps in to my house and never made it to #2. My chest slammed into step#3, but I was again fortunate that I didn't crack any ribs. No warning either instance. The 3rd fall gave me about 3 secs warning. I was standing at my bath vanity when all of a sudden I felt my hips/thighs begins to wave side to side, just enough warning to grab the vanity and lower myself to the floor aboiding injury

Rachel, sorry about that. Sometimes this forum just takes over and ends my comment before it is finished.

That is what happened to me. My grandchildren are 10 yrs and up and live 2 1/2 hr drive away, so I do not have their personal safety to take into consideration. I would definitely not be trying to transport a little one either walking or pushing a stroller when it very well might be that you need to be in one yourself. And I know what you mean about those motorized carts in the big box stores, or a person one if you can purchase or borrow one, but safety comes first. A wheelchair might be better, but may not be convenient. I am sorry. It sounds like you are in the UK and I am unfamiliar with your terminologies. Good luck to you and please stay in touch.

Patricia

Hi again Rachel. Please remember that I do not have Fibromyalgia. My problem was a disc prolapse and severe Stenosis at L4-L5 causing cord compression. Yes it was frightening and yes it was the worst pain I have ever been through in my life, but I was fortunate enough to work along side of top notch neurosurgeons in a university teaching hospital. I truly wish that your course could be the same. I had complete relief after surgery and after 12 weeks, I am almost back to normal. I do have a certain amount of muscle tightness when standing straight upright and lifting one leg at a time, but starting this week I have the surgeon's. permission to begin swimming. Cardio exercise began at 10 weeks ago. Good luck Rachel. I hope that you get your own answers soon. Keep at the specialists and by all means...emphasize your increased muscle weakness and safety concerns as well as increased pain. An MRI is essential.

Patricia