Fibromyalgia and Exercise

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marymickaela
marymickaela Posts: 190 Member
in Motivation and Support
I started to seriously working out a year ago, joined MFP in June and working with a personal trainer last September. Recently I have had no energy, am extremely tired all the time, sleeping 9 hours a night with a nap during the day.
I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia back in the mid 90’s and I spent many years very ill before a trial of steroids allowed me to lead a normal life. I’ve been doing relatively well until recently. I saw my doctor yesterday and described some of my symptoms. He believes it’s my fibro flaring up. I run low grade fevers (100 degrees) and also have what is called “fibro fog”, trouble thinking or retaining a thought.

Yesterday my doctor said to tell my trainer to cut back on the heavy lifting and pretty much cut back on exercise as it exasperates fibro symptoms. This is making me very depressed as I really would like to lose 10 more lbs before my daughter’s wedding September 2nd and I don't want to stop exercising, but also don't want to make myself so sick I'll be a mess by the wedding unable to do anything. Is there anybody else dealing with this type of problem?

Replies

  • olgamarie_t
    olgamarie_t Posts: 58 Member
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    i have fibromyalgia also and rheumatoid arthritis . I know how you feel. People say do exercise but when I do then I have to pay the consequences.Im trying to figure out a routine myself. If i walk I can do around 15 min only ,if i do zumba then im hurting and drained out of energy and useless,if i go swimming then my shoulders hurt so much i can barely move them and im exhausted uhhh so frustrating. I have heard of Tai chi for people like us I havent tried it.sorry i wasnt of much help but i wanted to know your not alone.If i find some routine ill let you know, also if you find something that works for you let me know.:smile:
  • sazzyp1973
    sazzyp1973 Posts: 517 Member
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    Hi, I have fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis.

    I am limited to what exercise I can do but try to do some exercise bike and light intensity aerobics and I also do Hatha yoga which is basically stretching yoga and is excellent for muscle, tendon and ligament problems and helps to tone. I go for a walk when I can but often the toes hurt too much to go far.

    I don't do any weights or anything like that as I am just not up to it.

    I would defiantly recommend the exercise bike on a low intensity so the knees are not put under too much stress and the yoga is great.

    All the best, a gentle exercise and sensible eating choices will certainly help you reach your goal by September.
  • 2bFitNTrim
    2bFitNTrim Posts: 1,209 Member
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    Yep, and it is very hard. You really must listen to your doctor and body. You can still lose the weight, but you won't be able to go exercise off an overindulgence like others can. Don't despair, do what you can. I definitely think 10 lbs by Sept is doable, exercise or not. I go thru times when I can't exercise at all to times when I can do pretty much whatever I want. Every fibro sufferer is different, so do what your doctor recommends. Good luck to you!
  • becoming_a_new_me
    becoming_a_new_me Posts: 1,860 Member
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    I started to seriously working out a year ago, joined MFP in June and working with a personal trainer last September. Recently I have had no energy, am extremely tired all the time, sleeping 9 hours a night with a nap during the day.
    I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia back in the mid 90’s and I spent many years very ill before a trial of steroids allowed me to lead a normal life. I’ve been doing relatively well until recently. I saw my doctor yesterday and described some of my symptoms. He believes it’s my fibro flaring up. I run low grade fevers (100 degrees) and also have what is called “fibro fog”, trouble thinking or retaining a thought.

    Yesterday my doctor said to tell my trainer to cut back on the heavy lifting and pretty much cut back on exercise as it exasperates fibro symptoms. This is making me very depressed as I really would like to lose 10 more lbs before my daughter’s wedding September 2nd and I don't want to stop exercising, but also don't want to make myself so sick I'll be a mess by the wedding unable to do anything. Is there anybody else dealing with this type of problem?

    I also have severe fibromyalgia, and I do workout which helps soooo much. I have found that alternating workout days (one on, one off) and using some natural supplements makes a huge difference. I use a supplement that has Peak ATP (adenosine tri-phosphate) which is the energy currency of the body and has all the B vitamins. Try also supplementing Vitamin D because a deficiency exasperates the symptoms. I have become somewhat of an expert on moving past the symptoms of Fibromyalgia, and in September am putting on a webinar about the subject for my company. You can look at my food diary for some ideas...I've been a little lazy about working out this week, but I am now off all my medications simply through proper nutrition and exercise. You don't have to STOP exercising, just take rest days in-between.

    ETA: I do know how you feel though....this time last year, I was nearly bed-ridden and on multiple prescriptions to help with the symptoms. So far, I am thankful for feeling better, and I hope that it continues.
  • harleygaljojo
    harleygaljojo Posts: 111 Member
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    I know how you guys feel, I have Lupus, Firbromyalgia, Osteoarthritis, and chronic fatigue syndrom. If I walk it hurts, and most
    anything else I do hurts. When I do a lot of anything that takes a lot of effort I will pay for it with a flare up for 3 weeks. I am losing
    weight and hope maybe sometime as the weight goes away I can be more active. People don't realize what is like to have these chronic ailments. Good luck on your Journey
  • poli22
    poli22 Posts: 170 Member
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    I too have fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, and ostiopenia. I swim and walk on a tread mill and it seems to work fairly well. I most certainly have to pace myself on all activities or I just get too tired to do anything. If you can't swim because of shoulder pain, have you tried getting a kick board and just kicking. Walking on a steady level surface has also helped. I have a really hard time waking outside. If I do any weights, it is very light ones, just not up to much more.

    I was in bed for two years, and then have started slowly getting back into life, and I think that the biggest thing is that it just takes a whole lot longer to see any results than for anyone else. The pain is very limiting. Just be really gentle with yourself, and don't beat yourself up too much if the goal takes longer than you planned.
  • Athena98501
    Athena98501 Posts: 716 Member
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    I haven't heard of use of steroids for fibro, and I don't understand it, because in fibro there is an absence of inflammation. Also, all of the medical resources I've ever read on it say that moderate exercise helps fibro symptoms. The information he's giving you seems more like chronic fatigue syndrome, which has overlap of symptoms, but is a very different illness. I have both. CFS involves inflammation, and is exacerbated by exercise.

    For my fibro, Amitriptyline helps more than anything. (Application of heat and ice at different times can be helpful too.) Another thing you could try is Cymbalta, but that wasn't as helpful for me. I find Strattera extremely helpful for the fatigue, and brain fog symptoms.

    You might consider asking for a sleep study. Mine was an incredible eye-opener. I learned that I was waking up an average of 20 times per hour (14 per hour of those were for no reason at all).
  • unsivilized6
    unsivilized6 Posts: 52 Member
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    Low impact exercising shouldn't be bad for you. I've had fibro for years and always seem to feel better after exercising... the first week is generally hard, but once I've gotten back into the groove, the pain lessens and my energy increases. I have had a horrible flare the past few weeks and have found myself on my butt a lot more than I'd like... if I could just remember to push through it instead of sitting down all together - which seems to make it harder to get going again.

    Feel better.
  • lafresita
    lafresita Posts: 27
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    I have fibromyalgia and lupus, I am currently in a flare up and I have found that a few weeks of serious rest, including no exercise( apart from a slow gentle walk to the shops etc.) sleep (where possible) good healthy diet- no dairy and gluten helps me- and physio and remedial massage appts have really helped me get past the pain. I stopped weights all together.

    However, with cutting out dairy, watching added sugars and reducing grains I have actually lost more weight in the past few weeks than what I did previously while working out every day...

    So don't despair!!! Look after your body as your first priority, concentrate on the activities needed to make you better, and make sure your diet is clean and healthy and I'm sure you'll continue to lose weight!
  • twiztc
    twiztc Posts: 135
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    Oh my, so many on here with Fibro and similar.
    One of the reasons of coming on this site was my fibro wracked body had got a bit sloppy and i'd put on so much weight from bouts of inactivity.
    I have been tried on so many medication none of which have worked.
    i have fibro, CFS and arthritis
    I was trying to find out if tai chi was any good so i can still do some kind of low impact workout on bad days.
    No 2 people with this horrible condition have exactly the same symptoms or the same solutions and i hope you all find something that makes you feel better.
  • marymickaela
    marymickaela Posts: 190 Member
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    I was kind of vague when posting. Besides the Fibro I have a herniated ruptured disk in my lower back, osteopenia. I was actually diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and/Fibromyalgia and ran the 100+ fevers for years before seeing the specialist. That's why the trial of steriods. That knocked out the fevers. I also have no thyroid due to thyroid cancer when I was 26 so I'm wondering if that could also be part of my problem. I see my thryoid spec. this Tuesday for yearly exam. If that's the problem then a bump in meds might help.

    My fibro fog seems to have improved, but I seem to be hurting all over. My trainer said I have a pinched nerve in my shoulder, but I blame him for a lot of my pain for pushing me to higher and higher weights. I did tell him what the doctor said and he has eased up. I only have one more training session left, then I'm on my own.

    I have the feeling that if I don't listen to my body I'm really going to send myself into a serious problem. Try explaining to your doctor how you hurt all over, but they can't find a reason. I was up to an hour on the treadmill and now it's agony to walk 20 minutes. I really appreciate all the feedback as it reinforces that I'm not lazy for not being able to do what others can.
  • twiztc
    twiztc Posts: 135
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    NO- YOU ARE NOT LAZY!!
    i got myself so guilt ridden with those lazy feeling i ended up back on the anti depressants (which helps alot)
    i also have a thyroid problem and a herniated disc in the lumbar region. you can only do so much - your body will tell you when its had enough. (i still try to push it now and again but suffer for it)
    dont let anyone , physical trainer or family member bully you into more than you can manage. when i used to go to the gym i had a very bossy gal try to bully me until i took her to one side after and explained things to her and told her to back off. We got along just fine after that.

    So do what you can do on good days and if you cant just take it easy till you can
  • ndbex
    ndbex Posts: 61 Member
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    I've noticed that trainers just don't get it. You can't push a Fibro patient so far, so fast. Don't let him push you to do anything that hurts.
  • Eureka175
    Eureka175 Posts: 77 Member
    Options
    I started to seriously working out a year ago, joined MFP in June and working with a personal trainer last September. Recently I have had no energy, am extremely tired all the time, sleeping 9 hours a night with a nap during the day.
    I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia back in the mid 90’s and I spent many years very ill before a trial of steroids allowed me to lead a normal life. I’ve been doing relatively well until recently. I saw my doctor yesterday and described some of my symptoms. He believes it’s my fibro flaring up. I run low grade fevers (100 degrees) and also have what is called “fibro fog”, trouble thinking or retaining a thought.

    Yesterday my doctor said to tell my trainer to cut back on the heavy lifting and pretty much cut back on exercise as it exasperates fibro symptoms. This is making me very depressed as I really would like to lose 10 more lbs before my daughter’s wedding September 2nd and I don't want to stop exercising, but also don't want to make myself so sick I'll be a mess by the wedding unable to do anything. Is there anybody else dealing with this type of problem?

    I also have severe fibromyalgia, and I do workout which helps soooo much. I have found that alternating workout days (one on, one off) and using some natural supplements makes a huge difference. I use a supplement that has Peak ATP (adenosine tri-phosphate) which is the energy currency of the body and has all the B vitamins. Try also supplementing Vitamin D because a deficiency exasperates the symptoms. I have become somewhat of an expert on moving past the symptoms of Fibromyalgia, and in September am putting on a webinar about the subject for my company. You can look at my food diary for some ideas...I've been a little lazy about working out this week, but I am now off all my medications simply through proper nutrition and exercise. You don't have to STOP exercising, just take rest days in-between.

    ETA: I do know how you feel though....this time last year, I was nearly bed-ridden and on multiple prescriptions to help with the symptoms. So far, I am thankful for feeling better, and I hope that it continues.

    Hi, I'm wondering if you might be willing to share more about what natural supplements you take as well as what a day of "proper nutrition" might look like for you? I too have fibro and had been doing well, so decided to wean off medication (Cymbalta) and am now experiencing a painful flareup - hoping to go the natural and proper nutrition way rather than medication (I think I've got the exercise part figued out - know when I can push further and when I need to slow down / rest etc.) Thanks!!
  • DebbieMc3
    DebbieMc3 Posts: 289 Member
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    I also have fibromyalgia. Last year, I worked out 5-6 days per week for 1-3 hours per day and felt great. This year, if I do anything more then a brisk walk a few times a week I'm lucky. I just can't do it anymore. I'm exhausted and in terrible pain.
    About 7 weeks ago I went very low carb. I've found it to be helpful for my inflamation but I'm still nervous about gettin back to the gym.

    Good luck and listen to your body.

    Debbie
  • lifesazoo
    lifesazoo Posts: 118
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    You are definitely not alone. I have Fibro, RA, and asthma. I also see a neurologist this week to see why I've been having a lot of symptoms of MS recently. I have found that the more I rest, the worse I feel, but I also cannot do majorly strenuous things without causing my body to feel like it's in shock. I try to push myself just a little past my comfort level every day. I also try taking it slightly easier the day after I do something strenuous. That seems to help. I try to plan my days to where I work out just once or twice a week and then use heavy cleaning or other different things to exercise in between.
  • NANNERMAR
    NANNERMAR Posts: 1 Member
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    Hello, I recently started using MFP because my pain management doctor insisted I keep a food log for he feels if I lose weight my pain will magically go away. I wish. I too have Fibromyalgia, Oteoarthritis, Chronic Fatigue and now multible symptoms of MS and Sjogrens. I have to rule out Sjogrens before I can get anyone to check for MS. Its so frustrating not only having so many doctors bellieve your pain but blaime weight gain as the reason. Ive always been thick/plus size even before I ever developed any symptons and I have also managed to lose 45 pounds in the past 3yrs, mostly all in the first year due to stress from my husband's death. Yet my new p.m. doc feels my weight is the issue! Anyway I am so glad to find others who suffer with the same issues and have an understanding of what it is like to deal with this. My friends and family mean well but do not understand that I can not workout and be physically active like they are. The food diary is helping me to make better choices and am down about 6 or 7 pounds in past month. Exercize is not that easy. I do try to walk a easy walk mile on my lunch break and use some 1.5 pounds hand wieghts to help tone my arms, with the old fashion leg lifts when their not hurting to bad. Id love to do more cardio but it always sets me back and becomes depressing. Aqua arobics is great but not easily accesable to me. Thanks for letting me share and would love any feedback that might help me in supporting each other through our journeys.
  • JAAD
    JAAD Posts: 21
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    Magnesium helps with my fibromyalgia. I take one at night with two tylenol about an hour before bed. I actually have been sleeping about 3 hours at a time instead of just an hour or so. More energy, less aches and pains, and my toes don't feel like stone.

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