Thursday, May 17, 2012

Mornings are the Worst

It's hard at times for me to write about updates on fibromyalgia and how I'm feeling. I'm not at a point yet where I have great news to share about finding a balance, so I'll be honest that I'm not feeling well most days. 

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Mornings are the worst. My knees hurt, my neck and shoulders hurt. My temples hurt (probably thanks to grinding my teeth all night), I have a headache, feel achy, am still exhausted, and I don't want to get out of bed. That's the hardest part of the day. Laying in bed trying to plead with Nick with a few reasons of why I want to stay in bed. Thankfully, he gently reasons with me and I get up and start the day. It's not easy. That's the way it is, every day. Ugh. I pray and hope for the day this is behind me, but for now, until I do x, y, z exercises or see a certain doctor at some point, this is it. 

As the day goes on, I fight fatigue and pains, drinking coffee to wake up, and adjusting in my seat to keep comfortable. I get through the day, one hour at a time and get home and rest. In the evenings, we're trying to exercise a few nights a week, but many nights I am napping when Nick gets home from work. I'm just so exhausted all of the time, no matter how much rest I get. 
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I go to bed surrounded by pillows to keep my posture in line to avoid waking up even more sore and achy the next morning. Then it repeats.

Right now, it's been even more difficult since I've been working my "day job" and my part time job still on weekends, so I don't have a day off in May. This isn't helping my exhaustion level, but it will be changing soon.

Here's an excerpt from Sue Ingebretson's book Fibrowhyalgia, referring to who she calls fibrofolk, "When we wake up, pain is usually at its worst. As we move, we loosen up, our joint and muscle pain begins to lessen..." "...I wake around six-thirty a.m. and start to feel quasi-human by nine or so. That's my burn off point.

It still amazing to relate to someone else dealing with this same condition, these same struggles day after day. There are other times she describes in detail how challenging mornings have been for her. I'm so thankful for her book!

I also found some fibro related pins on Pinterest the other day:
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This woman trained her dog to help with her fibro! It's pretty interesting. I can't get the video to paste in here, but you can watch it here.
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A friend with Rheumatoid Arthritis told me about drinking this tea that has rose hips in it. I've started drinking it before bed (on nights I remember) and really feel that the achiness is reduced the next morning and I can get up a bit easier. I don't know if it's one of those things that the body adjusts to over time and loses effectiveness, but for now, it's been a noticeable difference in the mornings! There is research out there (like this article) showing the effectiveness of rose hips on pain.
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I'm really not trying to complain, just to document these days and hope that at some point, I can look back at my old self and have perspective for how far I've come. For now, I'll put one foot in front of the other.

Pinspiration for the day: Brighter days are ahead.
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4 comments:

Maggie said...

you are definitely brave to even get out of bed every morning, knowing the pain that you face every single day. i really don't know that i could do the same. i love you and i think about you a lot!

Unknown said...

This post made me cry. Felt your pain with every word. You are giving me courage to speak about my condition more so I can help others feel supported as you help me feel that i'm not alone. There is great purpose in this trial... though most days, im sure you feel as I do that I would love to throw this trial back in the pile and get a different one. We can do this. We will overcome. You are not alone.

Denise E said...

It makes me so sad to read of your pain, but I encourage you to continue writing about it. I think the simple act of expressing your pain may help you to deal with it. You have such a bright spirit even amidst your pain. You are a true testimony for God. I will continue to pray for you, and I hope that you will continue to pray as well. There is a purpose for all that you are going through, and I hope one day that you will clearly see that purpose. My love and support are sent your way.

Rachel said...

Oh Marissa. It's totally OK if you complain. It's hard and any human would need to complain here and there. You have a great optimism in spite of the pain and no one would doubt that. You know I'm here for you, thinking about you and praying for you. Let's skype for real soon :)

Rach

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