How To Stay Motivated with Fibromyalgia

What have you done to help overcome your symptoms of fibromyalgia?

I first went down to part time at my last job. I thought I would have three days of work but they gave me only two. Those two days I worked hard and did my grocery shopping after one of those days. I was practically laying on the cart to make it through the store. Once I got home, I had to cook dinner. I don't have an understanding spouse. The part time work was still bad enough, and I couldn't push past the pain anymore. I ended up quitting my job and worked on getting disability. I had to use my savings and retirement money to live on. I didn't have enough to make it until my hearing, which was 18 more months according to the disability people. I do what I can to pay my bills which is basically putting gas in my car, buying tag, oil changes, cell phone, credit card, and what I have to pay on medical bills and insurance. I have had to start getting food commodities because my spouse made enough to pay our electric, water, etc. but not enough to get the groceries, which was my bill until I quit my job. Having that to fall back on takes off some of the stress. Stress makes my symptoms worse. I now rest when I need to, do a few things a day like laundry and running the sweeper, mopping the floor. The next day I would clean the kitchen and bathroom. I keep my grandsons a few days a week so I need to rest after they go home. Rest is important. My marriage is very stressful and I am working on moving away from that. First I have to be patient and see what happens for my disability. I also have an awesome friend that will give me a free massage if I need it. I have another one that takes me on trips with her. I also do volunteer work to get away from things and I have met some really great people. Sometimes I have gone camping by myself to get away from everything. I want to count myself as a survivor and I do what I can to make it through the day. I have found that a lot of medicines they want me to take only hides the pain, it doesn't make it go away. I prefer to have massages even though very painful, I feel good for at least a week after they are done. I have my grandson walk on my back and hips also. I don't like taking opioids or other drugs that could cause issues with my organs. 

What inspires you to push the pain aside?

I take care of my grandsons a few nights a week. I do this for my son who needs to sleep. I know how miserable it is to not sleep and I love having my grandsons with me. The little toddler makes me laugh all the time and he barely has anything to do with anybody else. He is a Nana's boy. The older one is also attached to me. So I take care of them as best as I can and take a day or two after that to recover. 

Fibromyalgia shouldn't have to stop you from achieving your goals. What do you wish to achieve, despite your disease?

I am trying to better my life. My marriage isn't good and causes a lot of stress, which makes my fibromyalgia so much worse. I am planning on leaving and being on my own near my son with the children so I can help him and be a lot happier. I hope it improves my health because I have many other things that are constant, and if getting away from the stress controls at least one of them, it will be great.