Why does fibro seem to get worse over time?
Is fibromyalgia progressive?
The medical profession doesn’t classify it as a progressive or degenerative disease, but with long, frequent flare-ups that repeat themselves over and over again, it’s no wonder so many of us think things get worse over time.
Although your body isn’t technically deteriorating, you may feel like your quality of life is declining. You can’t do the things you used to, and the irregularity of your condition makes it difficult to find the routine and consistency you crave.
In fact, with symptoms changing from day to day, it’s almost as if you have to understand your limits all over again.
However, it’s not all doom and gloom. Here are five things you can do to delay flare-ups and limit that cavity-like feeling.
1. Keep track of your “crises”
It’s important that you really get to know your body and how it reacts because every fibromyalgia patient experiences something different. Trust the medical community. But those who have suffered for many years know their doctor and know that they can only help you so much, and then you’re on your own, which can be potentially frustrating.
Start writing down your activity in a journal and make sure to record your flare-ups. It can be tedious, but you’ll start to notice patterns you may not have been aware of, which can help predict (and sometimes even prevent) flare-ups.
2. Keep a rhythm
You know it’s important to stay active, but it’s equally important not to push yourself, and that careful balance is a delicate matter.
Fibromyalgia patients tend to make as many of their “good days” as possible, only for flare-ups to become more frequent or more intense later. You push yourself until you collapse, and eventually your “good days” aren’t really as good as they used to be.
Take your time, slow down, and find a steady level of activity that doesn’t leave your body feeling horribly sore and tired. This means that for each of you, it will vary depending on your body, but here are some suggestions:
Look at how often you’re active each month and cut it in half. I realized I was busy every weekend and never had a chance to rest, so now I save two weekends a month for rest. The more exhausted we are, the less equipped we are to deal with pain, so be strict with yourself; don’t give in to doing something on one of those days off.
Replace frustrating or time-consuming activities with ones that are easier on your body and therefore your mind, such as switching to a gentler form of exercise or meeting friends in a place that is easy for you.
