When Fibromyalgia Really Interferes with LIVING

If I were read to that title as a blog follower, my first thought would probably be, “When does Fibromyalgia not really interfere with LIVING?” I expect that was your first thought as well. Certainly, it impacts every day, but some days are undoubtedly worse than others.
​Some days it feels as if FMS is barely allowing you to even exist! How does one LIVE on those days?

Eternal optimist, champion of positive thinking, and all-around annoyingly perky person that I am, I must confess, even I struggle on those days—a day like today.

• The pain is that deep, pulling, burning, feels-like-the-bones-are-going-to-pop type of pain and it has taken over my fingers, hands, arms, legs, and feet.
• It is accompanied by one of those deeply imbedded headaches, pounding away relentlessly, and can only be drowned out occasionally by the even-louder-than-usual RINGING in my ears.
• My facial bones ache, feeling much like a toothache feels, only covering a much larger area.
• Noises—even soothing sounds--go through my whole body, like an electric current.
• Even dim lighting is causing me to squint reflexively.
• I have no energy for my usual liberal dose of humor, which is my number one coping mechanism.
• Part of me just wants to go back to bed, but the other part of me is screaming, “We cannot possible be still with our limbs hurting like this!” Experience has taught the first part, that the second part is correct.
• So unable to tolerate bed I sit, then walk, shake my hands vigorously trying to shake off—and out—the pain.
• I want to scream, but it make will my head hurt worse.

Then comes the voice of doubt:
Look at you! Who are you to tell people they can LIVE a LIFE of substance, value, happiness, and fulfilment in spite of having Fibro? You are not going to make your luncheon and meeting today. You are not going to accomplish the things on your “to do” list. You cannot even go to bed or stand or sit without hurting beyond words! I, Fibro, am calling the shots today! In fact, we both know I, Fibro, actually call the shots every day! I, Fibro…

Every ounce of my being rebels:
Fibro, you should have stopped while you were ahead!  
Yes, you are playing havoc with the things I want to do at this moment, but you will NOT stay at this level! You will let up and when you give an inch, I am going to be physically and mentally ready to take a mile!

O.K. I am kidding myself about the “physically ready” part, but I am on a roll here…
The real battlefield is after all in my attitude.
I am at a loss at this moment. I am being run over, knocked down, imposed upon and within, and made to like it but I am also stubborn, determined, and a fighter!
Just give me an inch Fibro…
I dare you!
I WILL take a mile—one step at a time—but I WILL take it!
At the moment, the battle is not going my way, but in my mind, I already see its end. I am the victor!

When Fibromyalgia really interferes with LIVING, this is how I LIVE through it...
and beyond.
I fight the battle within my mind. I battle, and I beat, the negative thoughts. I visualize—I focus on when the symptoms let up and what I will do—the LIVING I will do when that happens. I focus on the things that inspire me, the hopes I have, the plans I have, and the relationships I have.

Not everyone copes in the same way—I understand that. But we must each fight, and win, the battle in our own minds. Not everyone feels they still have inspiration, hopes, plans, or relationships. That may even be true, but you do not have to let it remain true.

You will have FMS no matter what you focus on—no matter what you think about or allow to LIVE in your mind. CHOOSE what those thoughts are—that is the first step! And remember that not choosing is choosing by default. It is just allowing “whatever” to move in and rule your thoughts.

Who we are—actual LIVING—begins in our thoughts. Retain command of those, and you will never lose yourself! Win the battle in and of your own mind and when Fibro gives an inch, you will be ready to LIVE your fibroLIFE.

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