Strategies for fighting fibromyalgia fatigue

Fibromyalgia is a funny condition.  Not as in humorous but as in strange and challenging to deal with.  This chronic disorder with no known cause can lead to intense muscle pain along with extreme fatigue.  Having to deal daily with the constant physical pain, loss of mental clarity or “fibro-fog,” lack of sufficient quality sleep, and the emotional aspects of living with fibromyalgia can result in draining of any ounce of energy left just to be able to function. 

How is it possible for someone living with fibromyalgia to regain energy to live their life well?  Every person with this condition is different with different experiences – what works for some may not work for others.  But the only way to know is to give the following suggestions a try of fighting back the fatigue of fibromyalgia:

·      Plan out your day

All of us would be wise to have a plan for our day but for anyone with fibromyalgia, planning ahead is a great tool to use.  When planning ahead, plan the most energy efficient way to perform the tasks of your day.  This might mean using the motorized cart at the grocery store to conserve energy instead of pushing the cart.  Avoid energy-draining activities to save up that energy for something else later in the day.  Protecting the energy stores you have might mean learning to say “no” to certain activities that you know will leave you feeling exhausted for the next several days.  It’s okay to conserve your limited energy reserve – only you know how much you can do without overdoing it.

·      Feed your body only the best

Because you have fibromyalgia, treat your body like you’re a prized racehorse – feed it the best food you can.  Think of it like this – if you only resort to eating junk (cake, cookies, sugary beverages, chips, fatty meats, etc.) you are not feeding your body the best energy-boosting foods.  These foods will drag you down making you feel more tired and sluggish.  Even though there is no “fibro diet” out there, food can be one of the biggest ways to fight fatigue.  But be smart about your food choices.  Choose energy-boosting foods loaded with vitamins, mineral, and antioxidants – fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meat, fish, poultry, nuts, and beans.  These foods promote our health instead of harming it.

·      Move to get more energized

This one can be tough.  It’s hard to get up and move as in exercise, when you have no energy and are dealing with chronic pain.  But move you must.  Once you get up on your feet and start, it gets easier to keep going.  Exercise does not mean you have to do “x” for the next 60 minutes.  The practical and realistic thing to do is to take short walks, do some yoga poses, or swim a few laps.  Sneak in movement whenever you can by having mini-exercise sessions throughout the day.  Every little bit adds up.  If you find your energy is increasing, perfect.  If it is having the opposite effect, then do what works best for your body.

·      Fight fatigue with sleep

Extra sleep makes sense when extra tired.  However, it is not always an option to just take a nap whenever during the day depending on work schedules or other activities.  But once you are in bed, protect your sleep time making it a priority.  Ways to do this could be to go to bed an extra 30 minutes or more in the evening, use a sleep mask, black out curtains, comfy pillows, sheets, a quality mattress to obtain the most restful sleep possible.  Make your bedroom a sanctuary of adequate sleep.

·      Consider using supplements

Not a proven strategy, but many people with fibromyalgia have found supplements to be of benefit in fighting fatigue.  It’s best to start by asking your doctor for a blood test checking for any nutritional deficiencies you may have.  Vitamin D, iron, and the B vitamins are commonly used to increase energy in sufferers of fibromyalgia.  To help you sleep more restfully, consider using melatonin.  Melatonin supplements are safe in low doses for short-term and long-term use but always discuss this first with your doctor before taking them.