to wonder if I'll ever be able to do 'normal' stuff again??

[kinkyfuckery]

I have huge problems with pain and fatigue. I have a current diagnosis of Fibromyalgia and am awaiting assessment at the pain clinic to investigate other possibilities. I am on a bunch of various medications, most of which don't do anything bar maybe take the edge off the pain. Tramadol are like tictacs to me, to give you an idea.

The kids have been with their dad this week so I've had a decent week of resting more than I would usually.

Today I decided to spend a couple of hours in the garden as it was badly needing it. It took me two hours to mow the small lawn, rake up the grass and pull some weeds at the front of the house. Now, I'm a mess. I ache and am all shaky. My hand tremors are really bad and my fingers are not doing what they are supposed to be (typing this is a job and a half )

All I did was do some gardening FFS! I hate the thought that maybe this is it, that maybe it will never get any better than this. I hate the thought that this is what my life has become. I'm only 30 and can't stand the idea of things never being any easier

I have no idea about fibromyalgia but I honestly think that gardening can be very tiring. You are bending and stretching, pushing and twisting. Two hours is a lot to spend in the garden if you are not feeling great. I am so sorry you are feeling so horrible. Perhaps once you rest you will feel a bit better. Sorry this sounds so trite.

YANBU

I have Fibromyalgia, along with a bunch of other stuff, and find it extremely frustrating. You have to learn to pace yourself and not overdo things.

Kinky ((handholding)) from me. I'm 28 and in the same position - since i had ds2 my health shot downhill. And the pain is bad enough (i have psoriatic arthritis and hms), but seriously, the fatigue is what kills me.

My only advice is to try to minimise how often you overdo it. But we all do it sometimes. My "overdoing" it this week was taking the kids to an easter party, at which I was sat down the whole time. It's a pain in the arse to have to let other people run around after them and it's bloody depressing.

Chin up You're not alone x

I didn't feel like I was overdoing things at the time though. I have spent practically all week sat on my arse not doing much. I really didn't think 2 hours in the garden would be beyond possibility. Or is it that I didn't want to believe it would be?

I have heard of this, I thought I had it at one point and was very upset and worried. I really empathise with you and agree with last post, you need to take things slowly and accept rest whenever you can.

And now my mum just phoned to say my dad is coming over in the morning to cut the grass for me! He's been promising to do it for weeks, so I figured I'd just bloody get on and do it myself. Grr.
Ah well, there's still a huge back garden needing done. He's obviously needing beer money

Fibromyalgia fluctuates for most people. You will most likely have good periods and bad period but I think the key to managing life is developing coping strategies and pacing yourself.

I think learning to know when you are overdoing things is the most important thing because one day with excessive activity can lead to 7 days in bed feeling shitty.

YANBU. With chronic illness and pain it is very difficult to see a positive future. It is very cliche to say it, but take one day at a time / each day as it comes. .

Kinky, could you do things for 10 mins every day instead of a great big 2 hour stint? 10 mins followed by 50 mins sit down or lie down then another 10 on another job or project you enjoy. If it works you could increase the ratio to 15-45.

I think you have to define a new 'normal' for you. I have been chronically ill for years and in lots of pain and I totally understand where you are right now. My mantra since the diagnosis has been ' a little bit at a time'. It helps when things are really bad to remember that you have been there before and come out the other side. It is tough, really tough and it is so easy to overdo things, especially when you are enjoying yourself and don't want to stop. Sorry you are going through this, I was in my mid twenties when I became ill. You learn to live with it but have your ups and downs. Learn to enjoy the little things.

Aw love, I feel your pain and frustration . I was diagnosed with mixed connective tissue disorder a few years ago, with mainly lupus symptoms, and they are treating me for lupus and fibro. Before and just after my dx the fatigue was debilitating, and I was falling asleep in charge of small children and had to give up work, but I have to say that almost three years on, things are much more manageable, thanks to a combination of drugs and me being able to manage my conditions better and I have built myself up from 10 hours to 30+ hours a week at work.

But...I'm also feeling it a bit after spending all day in the garden; not digging or mowing though; just a bit of gentle pruning and planting; DH did all the heavy stuff as I had a big op a couple of weeks ago. Still, I have completely overdone it and underestimated the UV (my lupus is sun sensitive). I will be dead on my feet tomorrow

Not that it will help you right at this minute, but have you read The Spoon Theory?. It really helped me get the new limitations on my life in perspective.

Some things are just hard to do in 10 minute stints. By the time you've rested it's time to start all over again. Those who have children will know what I mean by that
I guess I struggle with the fact that it's an invisible condition that others can't see. I mean, if I had a broken leg, I'd find it easier to say no, or ask for help. If I was in a wheelchair, I'd understand that I just can't do it.
At times I worry that people think I'm just being lazy

I am in awe at you building up your hours at work Lacka Well done

I have read and am familiar with the Spoon Theory. I thought I'd saved up enough spoons this week. Hahaha, obviously not.

I know it's not mumsnetty but {{{{hugs}}}} from me. I also have Fibro and I'm going through similar feelings myself. Chronic illness sucks

Other posters are right, you have to pace yourself as hard as it is when you have jobs to do. Just 10 mins of light weeding knocks me out for a week so 2hrs?! Could you list the jobs that you need to do & then look at solutions to help with the rest? Could you pay a teenager to mow the lawn as needed? Or could you change the garden to make it easier to cope with?

I do understand though... I feel like I've given up so much, that people can't see the pain I'm in and think I'm lazy but I also feel life is passing me by. Truly sucks this Fibro business.....

Have you tried anti depressants yet? (As in for 6 months plus)

I have tried anti-d's yes. Have been on citalopram for quite a while, but just recently switched to fluoxetine after my GP had received studies showing they were more effective in patients with fibro.

I'm also on a combination of 600mg daily of pregabalin (lyrica), up to 400mg tramadol and up to max dose of paracetamol. I have tried codeine (and cocodamol) and amitriptyline with no obvious benefits.

I have fibromyalgia and go through phases. After a lifestyle management course, I have learned how to pace myself. Wouldn't manage to do the garden as its so physical, but walks can floor me too.

I'm on amitriptyline, take tramadol and diclofenac as and when I need it. But the lifestyle course really helped me to get to grips with how to put myself first and how to know what my limits are.

We had a holiday to florida last year and I felt fantastic! Vitamin D definitely helped me.