- Tackle sleep problems
Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of fibromyalgia, making the most ordinary activities—even taking a shower—exhausting. Sleep deprivation can also leave you feeling spacey, a problem often called “fibro fog.”
The problem is often not the quantity of sleep, but the quality. Avoiding naps late in the day, limiting caffeine to the morning, and developing a soothing routine before bedtime are ways to help improve sleep quality. It’s also useful to think about any other issues that may be hindering your sleep, from an uncomfortable pillow to drinking liquids near bedtime, which causes you to wake up to go to the bathroom.
Sometimes another medical problem is to blame for sleep difficulties. Restless legs syndrome and sleep apnea are two treatable conditions to ask your doctor about.
- Prepare for the unpredictable
One of the most challenging parts of fibromyalgia is its unpredictable nature. Thinking ahead can help minimize stress and make a flare-up of pain easier to manage.
These efforts may help:
- When you’re feeling up to cooking, make a double batch of a meal to freeze and eat when your symptoms are flaring.
- Learn about delivery options. More and more pharmacies, grocery stores, and restaurants are offering home delivery.
- Keep a journal to help you track activities or foods that seem to trigger symptoms, so you can try to avoid them.
