The Supporters
You are the family, spouses, friends, you are the individuals who advocate for us when we are
unable, who help us, who sympathize for us, watch us in pain, and yes, even put up with us.
unable, who help us, who sympathize for us, watch us in pain, and yes, even put up with us.
The majority of the resources provided for people with Fibromyalgia are dedicated and focused around those who are diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. We, often forget that you are also Living with the syndrome.
Often forgotten, taken for granted, what you go through can sometimes be more difficult than what those diagnosed with the Chronic Pain condition go through. ~Watching your loved one in pain and unable to offer relief ~The mood swings you are often the victim of ~Watching the quality of their life, and often your life (especially spouses) decline ~Frustration you feel ~Guilt for feeling angry, frustrated, or wanting to say sometimes "Just try doing it", or "Suck it up", or wanting to continue to do things without the person ~Afraid to ask questions You, our supporters, also need the support. Lets be honest, at times you try to help and no matter what you do it is not right or enough. You are often the receiver of hurtful words, including ``you have it easy`` or ``you don`t know what I am going through, feeling``, and not able to respond you would take it over them, you want to understand, all you want to do is help. All this can lead to communication breakdown, pulling away from the relationship, resentment on both sides. Whether it is education, joining our support group, or learning tools and skills on how to work with your loved one, I am able to help. Have A Question?Submit your questions, and I will respond within 24 hours.
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What Can Be Done?Not sure where to start, what needs to be addressed.
Informing yourself, with the help of research, questions answered by medical professionals, people living with Fibromyalgia. Join a support group that is Speaking to the person in your life, with the help of a mediator and/or alone about how it will affect your life. Setting up a plan, that works for both of you, of what to do during the flare ups, and daily. Allowing yourself to feel and find a place to express what you feel without guilt, or hesitation. Action PlanAn individual diagnosed with Fibromyalgia needs to make up an Action Plan.
The Action Plan can be three parts, one for good days (including what help is needed to not exhaust the good energy), bad days (these are days where the person is still able to function but better to conserve as much energy as possible), and full blown flare ups (when the individual is in bed, unable to move, and breathing has becoming the chore of the day). An Action Plan for all three is a great tool for the family. The Action Plan includes medications, phone numbers, chores that need to be done, schedules for kid, emergency numbers, and what to be done in the case of a flare up. Planning ahead can give the individual diagnosed with Fibromyalgia the knowledge, comfort, and safety of knowing that every detail will be handled in a situation. It will give the family the surity of what to do, what exactly the person needs help with, and take away the guessing, some of the frustration and stress. For a Free Action Plan Template please email me. |