(Part 3) Top products from r/Fibromyalgia

There's probably some on Facebook but best thing I ever read, as a young carer for my mum, was this book: The Selfish Pigs Guide to Caring. It sounds super bad with the title but it's actually great at talking about how selfish it can feel to be "selfish" as a carer and take time for yourself. There might be some more recent books too.

Does fibromyalgia have a charity or an "official" association near you that does things like carer support? We have one for my mum's disease and they did carer retreats that were great. Even just a general chronic pain one?

Alternatively, if he can't find any support groups he's comfortable with, don't underestimate the benefit of good friends or a normal therapist. Make sure he takes some time to himself every week, whether it's a beer with his friends, going to play a sport, or even just going to Starbucks and chilling with a book and a coffee.

And if he's struggling with anxiety about the future, either counselling with a therapist that's just for him where he can feel free to vent or if there's disability service organisations around you, maybe going into them and getting some information about what the processes for claiming for services or support care are. I know here in Australia, if a person counts as "disabled" based on certain criteria, a social worker or a disability advocate can help them get things like a home cleaning or carer that can take some stress off of your husband.

http://www.amazon.com/Integrative-Therapies-Fibromyalgia-Syndrome-Myofascial/dp/1594773238

Using the amazon link because it's detailed--you can likely find this at your library. It's pretty helpful in that it looks at both of those conditions, really explains what therapies work for each. There are some great workbook pages in here to help you communicate effectively with your medical providers. I bought my own copy after my therapist loaned me hers.

I'd recommend checking it out from a library, and giving it a read. It may serve as a good starting point to developing coping mechanisms.

Good luck and best wishes.

I have extraordinarily sensitive skin, having both Fibro and a combo of psoriasis and eczema. I use Neutrogena Skin Cream. I love it! Also, [Tiger Balm](http://www.amazon.com/Tiger-Balm-Relieving-Ointment-Strength/dp/B00028PG0O/ref=sr_1_3? ie=UTF8&qid=1418794009&sr=8-3&keywords=Tiger+Balm) along with a nice massage works wonders. Beyond that, if he's not too sensitive to heat, a good heating pad can help, or even a TENS unit like my rheumatologist always suggests, although I personally can't use one.

I am going to throw my support behind Cymbalta, too. A few side effects getting used to it, but a week or two in and it helped a great deal, and I am on a really low dose of 60 mg/day. It is also an anti-depressant. I tried Lyrica a year or so ago, and it worked amazingly well for pain, but the side effects were too much for me.

Get your bf to give you a good massage, especially in the neck area. I get so tensed up there, that I need a professional to beat my muscles back into shape. (Also, no bf to make it free).

There is also a book I found, and bought, online through Amazon: http://www.amazon.ca/Breaking-Thru-Fibro-Fog-Fibromyalgia/dp/0986788104/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1373256918&sr=8-1&keywords=fibro+fog The book outlines a lot of interesting facts, like how Fibro symptoms are reported all over the world by all kinds of people, from all walks of life- how could they all be 'faking' the same set of symptoms?

Edit: I have noticed taking a lot of vitamin D also helps. Around 2,000 to 4,000 IU a day. No idea why it helps, but it seems to decrease pain.

I have as well, and to share what helps alleviate mine in case it can help someone else: TENS machine and compression massage. Not compression socks but something that "massages" legs through varied levels of compression.

I've linked below both the TENS unit and compression leg massager I use. Hopefully it can be helpful to others as well.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NCRE4GO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_4js7JHJsUw6Z9
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QVL81JS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_y7puDbNVYVGRK

I found this book - http://www.amazon.com/Cleveland-Clinic-Guide-Fibromyalgia-Guides/dp/1607144891 - to be immensely educational and helpful. I found it at my library, it's basically a run-down of the most current research regarding fibro, in depth explanations on how (physicians currently think) it functions, and several suggestions for addressing the symptoms she is probably all too aware of. You're supporting her, though, and that's huge! Learning to live with fibro is a full time job I find (I was diagnosed about a year ago). Good luck to you both!

The Mayo Clinic has a book on understanding Fibro and with "how can you help" for support people.

https://www.amazon.com/Mayo-Clinic-Guide-Fibromyalgia-Strategies/dp/1893005496

Hopefully that helps

I don't have any advice for you as I'm currently going through the same struggle, but I wanted to let you know you're not alone. I honestly feel like I could've written this post, word-for-word. I recently ordered this book on Amazon, and though I haven't finished it yet, it seems to have some great strategies in it, especially for those of us with chronic pain. <3

https://fedupwithfatigue.com/myofascial-release-for-fibromyalgia/

That tells you the rough background... it's basically Yin yoga...

Yin yoga poses apply moderate stress to the connective tissues of the body—the tendons, fascia, and ligaments—with the aim of increasing circulation in the joints and improving flexibility. A more meditative approach to yoga, yin aims at cultivating awareness of inner silence, and bringing to light a universal, interconnecting quality.[3]

So stretch until you feel the problem areas burn, hold it for an unusual long time, move onto the next as needed.

A good book is Anatomy Trains: Myofascial Meridians for Manual and Movement Therapists, 3e https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/070204654X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_MUn5BbX6K598P

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Yogalates-1-DVD/dp/B00005RKRZ/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1344977457&sr=8-5

I just got suggested this in another group. It is to build up basic stuff. The lady told me you need some basic kit for it, like a yoga mat, and a resistance band and a towel. Also you should put the first half into practice 3 times a week for 3 months before you move on :). There are other DVD's in the series.

McKenzie method. Lots of videos on youtube, books at amazon (or wherever), also lumbar and cervical pillows. Posture is super critical, hence you should read the book to understand what you're doing wrong and how to correct it.

• http://www.amazon.com/Steps-Pain-Free-Life-Rapidly-Shoulder-ebook/dp/B00DMCPJ3Q/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1449847906&sr=1-2&keywords=mckenzie+method
  
  
• http://www.amazon.com/Treat-Your-Own-Neck-803-5/dp/0987650416/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1449847906&sr=1-3&keywords=mckenzie+method
  
  
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vg4iSulJStI
  
  
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQes2ijwcKY

I mean no we cannot think away our pain obviously. There is research that supports Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for fibro. This is a good article describing it:

https://www.everydayhealth.com/fibromyalgia/cognitive-behavioral-therapy-fibromyalgia-think-differently-feel-better/

I’ve recently been learning about ACT and I just ordered this book that a colleague recommended. I’m excited to see if it has something to offer for my fibro and in general:

The Happiness Trap: How to Stop Struggling and Start Living: A Guide to ACT https://www.amazon.com/dp/1590305841/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_tJJUDbHABKN4S

This book has helped me with the mental side of fibro:

https://www.amazon.com/Depression-Cure-6-Step-Program-without/dp/0738213888/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482859767&sr=8-1&keywords=6+step+cure+for+depression

Was coming to say this! She also has a book out.

Allie Brosch herself has depression, not fibro, but her experiences with depression were eye opening for me since I don't have it but I have many friends who do.

Well, at least you have this subreddit, and your loved ones. I know I feel the same way; my house is my sanctuary.

I'll just say to keep therapy as an option, because I prevented myself from going for the longest time, but your mind lies to you. Therapy isn't what you think it is. It's whatever you need it to be. If you want to sit in the room and just gather your thoughts, it's okay to do that. It's a safe place with someone who is qualified to guide you through these worries, or anger, or discomfort, whatever you want to work on.

edit: since a lot of the stuff we go through is in our own mind, my therapist recommended this book to me. It's scientific, (which is what resonated with me the most) and it makes a lot of sense. How we process these events are not common sense, believe it or not. :)

Another, The Body in Pain: The Making and Unmaking of the World by Elaine Scarry. He mentioned it in his recent chronic pain video and he usually has good suggestions.

I think he said it was about how pain almost ruins language in a way, like, no matter how you describe your pain, the other person will never truly understand your pain and so language fails you and since humans' main means of communication is through language we end up feeling even more isolated and misunderstood.

Bear in mind this is my foggy recollection but it sounded like it would be fascinating either way. I've this to read first Human Cargo: Stories and Songs of Emigration, Slavery and Transportation
(fun fact- if you paid to emigrate in ye old boat times, you were more likely to arrive dead than if you were transported as a slave. Those captains got paid on the amount of workers that arrived alive, as opposed to the other guys who got paid up front, and sometimes your accommodation could be a 5ft cube with roomies. Sorry, I heard an interview with the author on the radio on Sunday and it just sounded so interesting and how the shanties came about, it's been forever since I've been this excited to read a book.