I'm looking for some info

i really couldnt say but i am the same i cant use a hoover 

i to have a gtech blood good they are .

i find lifting anything hard work and pain ful 

and holding my arms or legs in anyone position becomes painful

very quickly ,

try it out see how you go.

but  i think you might find the upper arms and shoulders and neck become very painful and stiff .

 

Hi Minnie,

Your symptoms mirror mine. I too could not drive more than a short distance. I had an hour commute that was torture, I would have to pull over sometimes, most days, to stand up for a few minutes. I ended up transferring jobs to a site within 10 minutes from home. Tramadol has changed everything for me. I just drove for 2 hours the other day with manageable symptoms. Of course I ached but I went the whole way without pulling over. First time in 8 years. When I rake or mow the grass my symptoms are much worse and it takes me about 3 days to get back to my new normal. Same with vacuuming. I had to install hardwood floors due to my inabilty to vacuum. I don't attempt to lift anymore, small bags of groceries maybe. Good luck with your commute. In the US, Rheumotologists don't treat FM, they just say whether they think you have it or not. I see my internist for medication.

I think with the right treatment you will get back to work. Keep trying different medications until you find the one that helps the most and still enables you to drive the long commute, Best of luck to you,

Sheryl

Hi Minnie, That's a difficult question and it comes down to each individual, I don't drive anymore to me it feels like moving a tank just turning the steering wheel and I can't always turn around to look as my neck gets extremely painful, but I also have really bad balance with bouts of vertigo and don't feel safe enough behind a wheel anymore,

I'm lucky there is a bus stop near where I work at the moment, and my husband takes me on a early shift or picks me up on a late shift which makes it a bit easier,

But not all doom and gloom my friend also has fibromyalgia and it has never effected her driving as she only gets slightly stiff in her neck and shoulders, she has left the car at home sometimes when she is having a flare up and has extreme fatigue,

Have you tried short little driving trips just to see how you get on, you might not find it to bad, but it is scary getting back behind the wheel if you don't feel confident,

Hope things work out for you and you feel better soon.

And remember, you have FM, FM doesn't have you

I work at a computer most of the day and by the end of the day I'm in total agony, same as you re vaccuuming, which I just cant do anymore or mowing the grass etc.  Carrying shopping is a nightmare, I've treated myself to a 'little old lady' shopping bag on wheels - looks awful but it works.  I find if I put a cushion or similar under my armpit so the arm doesnt have to be self supporting, everything hurts less.  I know this sounds ridiculous but I've sewn little pads into a teeshirt just at the right point to support my arms whilst using the keyboard - I work alone so dont care what it looks like, guess it could be a tad weird if you're in an office with others.  I now find I have to put a cushion under my right arm when eating too as using the muscles to lift the weight of the arm without any support is killer.  what a joke this all is.  Why should this not be treatable other than by being pushed out of the door of the doctors with yet another useless pain med prescription.  It seems with fibro they just give up and dont try to find cause and effect, just fob us off with something to try to relieve the symptoms,not always successfully.  Driving I find ok because my right arm is worse than my left and its my left I use for gear changes and pulling/pushing the steering wheel, I try to let the right arm drop as much as possible to rest whilst driving.  IF you have to drive in heavy traffic with lots of manoeuvres and stops and starts, I guess both arms will get heavy wear and tear unfortunately.  I refuse thus far to give in to this but everything and every day gets harder and harder. Went for a gentle swim during my lunchbreak today and this afternoon has been a really painful experience but I know that tomorrow it'll feel better for getting some exercise.  Going to my meditation class tonight which has elements of mindfulness which really helps with the pain a lot.

Hi Minnie

I too have a job working with computers and do five hours a day and have recently spoken with occupational health and they have suggested to have a document holder and an ergonomical chair and mouse.

I have driven an automatic car for over fourteen years due the pains, although I do get pains if driving for too long.

My son does my vacuum cleaning for me and certain other house chores which is a help. Need to take a day at a time and take regular breaks.

Gentle hugs  x