Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes a person's muscles and tissues to ache. This, in turn, causes other problems both physically and mentally in the person. When a family member or loved one gets fibromyalgia, it's hard for people to understand exactly what they're going through, since fibromyalgia doesn't leave visible signs of pain. It's important that anyone living with someone who has fibromyalgia knows care for them and react to this condition.
Instructions
1. Listen to the person who has fibromyalgia explain how it makes them feel. Since this condition can make it hard to walk or even get out of bed, knowing how it’s affecting a person you care about makes it easier to understand.
2. Ask them what things you can do for them when the fibromyalgia is at its worst. Fibromyalgia contributes to problems such as exhaustion, stomachaches, depression, chronic pain and mood swings. A person with fibromyalgia may need help cooking, cleaning, getting to the bathroom, driving places and caring for children.
3. Offer to help them change their diet and start exercising together. Fibromyalgia sufferers should avoid sugar, heavy fats and caffeine. By doing the grocery shopping and planning meals, you can help lessen their pain, without burdening them with another task. Offering to walk with them is helpful, because weight loss and consistent activity help reduce the frequency of fibromyalgia.
4. Go to the doctor with them and discuss any concerns you have about their care. This also helps you understand what types of medications they need, and the doctor can give you advice on dealing with bad episodes of fibromyalgia.
5. Buy a hot tub and encourage them to soak in it when they’re fibromyalgia is bothersome. Heat helps reduce some of the discomfort caused by this condition, and a hot tub is an instant heat source available all year round.
6. Understand that fibromyalgia sufferers don’t act moody or depressed because they want to be that way. The chronic pain is hard to deal with, and they may take it out on you. Showing compassion when they’re suffering is one way to quench any outward hostility or depression they may take out on you.
Tags: this condition, chronic pain, they take, when they, with them