VLOG: Day in my life with Fibromyalgia
Hi! I'm Angee! Thanks for joining me in my little corner of the internet! I'm a Canadian millennial living with mental illness and fibromyalgia who loves to make lifestyle content. I make videos on affordable and frugal living, mental health, vlogs, and lifestyle content without the filter.
When I got COVID in the summer of 2022, my sleeping fibromyalgia condition worsened severely. Up until that point, the pain and fatigue were somewhat manageable: I could at least push myself to go to work and take care of my responsibilities.
After COVID, the pain became debilitating and excruciating. I had to learn what my fibromyalgia triggers were, and now I know that they are stress and changes in barometric pressure with the weather. It's a bit frustrating having my chronic pain and illness be dictated by snow or rain, but this is my life now.
I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia by a rheumatologist in December. He didn't prescribe me any medication and simply told me to keep taking my painkillers and to exercise more. It was very frustrating.
In January, I went to my GP pleading for relief. I don't want to take painkillers as I have a history of alcohol addiction and know how addictive they can be. Luckily my GP was knowledgeable about fibromyalgia and prescribed me Lyrica, which has helped my pain substantially. There has been a side effect of weight gain, which I am doing my best to manage.
When my chronic pain is under control or lessened with medication, I can take care of my responsibilities, which helps with my mental health. I can also do activities that I know will make me feel better, such as light exercise and yoga.
I wanted to show this in a vlog, because I think sometimes people assume that I can just do the exercise or the responsibilities if I try hard enough: it's only pain, right? But pain can be all-consuming and destroy any focus or energy you have. That's why my medication has been so important to me, and I'm so grateful for my GP who recommended something different than a painkiller.
Anyways, that's my long rant about my chronic illness/chronic pain. If you suffer, I hope you know you're not alone. If you don't have to deal with chronic pain, I hope this is eye-opening for you and proves helpful.
Thanks so much for visiting me in my corner of the internet.
Low Impact Chair Workout: • 17 Minute Low Impact C...
Gentle Yoga for Fibromyalgia: • GENTLE YOGA FOR FIBROM...
Cheers,
Angee
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Just happened to stumble upon your channel and I'm so glad I did . I feel your pain . I too have fibromyalgia . I'm 66 and have had it since my early forties . The chronic fatigue is just as bad a dealing with the chronic pain . Some people just don't understand how hard it is for us in our daily lives .
I'm 58 and had it since I was 38. I found it got even worse with menopause. It's quite bad now and I'm scared of how I'll be at 80... I used to go to the gym, walked for cardio, mowed the lawn every week in summer, put in a vegetable garden, kept a clean home, enjoyed being very active... THEN I got sick with this wackadoodle, disastrous illness. It stole my life and I've been existing while extended family berate me for turning into an overweight loser. My sister said "but, but, but... YOU USED TO WORKOUT!"... I'm so sad. I'd be happy if I could walk distances and garden. If I could just have a really clean home... I have places in my house where I hide junk and dirt and I'm SO ASHAMED. I'm really just so tired.
One thing healthy individuals will never understand about a chronic condition is that just because someone has “two working arms and two working legs” doesn’t mean their brain can efficiently use them. I have fibromyalgia and I’m surrounded by people who think I’m being dramatic, and who labeled me lazy ages ago. When really, I’m a whole lot stronger than them because I push myself despite pain they never faced. The brain fog is also very real, it’s not just a little tiredness. The brain is actively trying to work despite pain signals being triggered, so it‘s constantly trying to create pathways around the pain in order to function. Basically it’s doing more stuff in the background than anyone can imagine. So our thought processes take longer or simply don’t work correctly at all. KUDOS TO ANYONE WITH THIS HORRIBLE CONDITION. Oh, and I’m really sick of hearing “but you look fine.” It’s so insulting that people can possibly think that looks are directly related to how someone’s body is (& isn’t) working. Ok, I’m stepping off my soapbox now.
Bless u x i agree x ive had it for 2 and a half years c😢❤
To me, that’s one of the worst things about fibromyalgia. I already feel like I’m just being lazy or manipulative for having such low energy. I don’t need to hear naysayers. I’m sending love and light to everyone with this syndrome 🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻
@@louisamingay430 I've had fibro for over 20 years.
You described me and my situation perfectly right down to my belief that my brain is working hard overcompensating. My brain fog is worse the first half of the day or if I'm feeling overwhelmed which is often. The body pain is very bad but even worse if I get less than 7 hours sleep. I feel like if I could get 14 hours a night for a few nights, i would feel a bit better. The fatigue is all the time. Feels like I'm coming down with the flu all the time... When it comes to house cleaning, what used to take 2 hours now takes 8 hours.
I take 10 mg of Amitriptyline at night and my pain is totally gone! I almost had to quit work because of no sleep and so much pain. I thank God for answering my prayer and I'm so grateful. I hope this helps someone. Keep the faith and never give up.
Thank you for showing how you push through one of the difficult fibro days.
You are my new best friend! I have fibromyalgia arthritis and migraines and just this one video helped me! I will be checking out others for sure! Thank you! 💜💜💜
Sending gentle hugs, I’m also a fibro sufferer too I enjoyed watching your video from Australia 🇦🇺
I feel so seen rn, thank you for being so vulnerable 💗💗💗
Fatique is the worst for me ...
You are not wrong there x😢❤
Pain worst for me now because if n as born with fatigue I no now why heds Asperger's add albeit undiagnosed. Until 43
Fatigue is the worst for me aswell.
For me it’s chronic inflammation pain and fatigue 😢
@@Jayrey123 what inflammation do you have
I use eye cool gel masks for my burning feet and palms, just freeze it and roll it gently please. I burst in tears seeing somebody understands this specific fibromyalgia pain
I am sorry you deal with this not so invisible ailment. I have heard some people saying that it is an invisible disease. I can see the pain in your face and in the way you move with such difficulty. Fybro is not invisible at all. It is obvious. Sending you good vibes.
Ohh Angee, thank you dearly for your honesty. This video is really helpful. Last Thursday I felt awful, like I had the flu and a hangover and no cause for either. The medication gave me a migraine on top of it. The self care helps. Epsom salt bath and comfortable temped shower. Cool shower water is actually is better after the warm bath. I had no idea what body aches can be capable of ugh. I hope I can get to the point that I don't need sugar or comfort foods often soon. Your cat is super cute!! Just chillin on the couch. Please do your research on the oils on the food commonly found in the foods for the air fryer. The oil is so important to our bodies and often they're harmful. Had to say hi and be supportive 😃🎉 It's really good knowing I'm not alone 😅💜 💚
Love this! Thanks for sharing your day in the life. I have started my channel inspired by my fibromyalgia as well, but it's interesting to see someone with the same illness with completely different symptoms. very informative xx much love from the UK
I am so so sorry. I have it too, but my medications work fairly well. Coffee does make everything better for sure. Don’t worry about your messy kitchen. It’s not really that bad.
I have endometriosis as well which might be why but do you find that your fibromyalgia flares up 10x worse around your menstrual cycle and/or ovulation?
I’m so blessed to have a husband that helps me. I’m bedridden right now because my lower back spasmed and I fell on my knees and screamed. My back hurts more the more I walk. I’m trying new meds so we’ll see. I am pretty scared. I had to cancel a dental appointment this week. My new PCP is trying to help me but I’m basically coaching her from all my research. I really need an online support group. My husband and I are pretty depressed. I used to be pretty athletic but exercise causes too much pain. No Chanukah or Christmas this year. We need help. 😢
Great video on Fibromyalgia.I have battle it for many years.I take cybalta for fibro it helps so much.I will start following you as I just came apon your channel today.Ty for sharing 😊
Thank you for your channel!!!!! ❤
Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for your video. I do have chronic pain. I have severe scoliosis and I’m a retired nurse. I love your cat. My cat paws at me like that all the time too.❤
I have Fibromyalgia and Sjogrens Syndrome, so they have me on duloxitene, sulfasalazine, celebrex, prednisone (as needed), twice a day, I was on plaquinil, but it wasn't doing much. I still have pain, but it's not as intense. And no you can't do those things all the time. I have more down days and patchy skin days than non bad days
Same about the decaf. Even decaf makes everything better. I relate to your pain. I’m sorry you have to live with this too. 😢❤
I get pain all around my head. Not a headache although I get a lot of headaches and migraines, but the head itself. Painful and sensitive when touching, or even when the head is down on the pillow.
Covid made mine worse.I could ride a bike before covid now I have to walk with a cane.I suffer from vertigo and dizziness every day.
Yep, you have exactly what I have. Also, your eyes are puffed up as do my eyes. My IBS with Fibromyalgia is extreme today.
Hi Angeegabs, I am sorry you are having a hard time. I also have Fibromyalgia pain. I also have Fibro since 1992. Do you have a Doctor? Where do you live? I will let you go for now but I will be back. Take care.
😢😢 ❤❤❤ hugs to you I suffer the same
World really recommend you to look into keto diet and prolonged fasting against fibro.
Might i ask what meds you take? Had fibro for nearly 20 years and nothing ever worked. I'd be so happy if I could go walking again but the fibro revenge is just way too severe.
🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾❤️🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
I have fibromyalgia!💜Do you mind sharing what medication you use? I have gabapentin and hydroxychloroquine
Today I was like u dear I couldn’t get out of bed till 1 in afternoon,take care ❤
When I have leg pain where I cant sleep it helps to sleep in the floor.The medicine Mirapex helps with restless leg and pain.Also tramadol and advile helps.What pain medicine do you take?
What pain med are you on? My dr has tried a lot and nothing helps. He said that there is nothing more he can do. I am currently bed bound from a flare and really want to find some things to help
I know just Tramadol can help with pain and fatigue. But if Doc not giving this med try to do poppy seeds tea . ( unwashed) .
Try vitamin B1 complex it helps with pain. Or it did with mine. Hot baths help to soak the muscles.
Does a hot bath help you? I have fibro too I’m a lot older then you, but like to see how others cope, I take hot baths with Epson salt.
Hi Roxy, so sorry to hear you also suffer from fibromyalgia. I do find heat to be helpful, and adding epsom salts to the bath too. I have a gel called "Epsom Gel" that has epsom salts and arnica for if I can't have a bath and I rub it on my hands and feet, which usually hurt the most. I find a heated blanket helpful for when I can't have a bath. My mom got me two heated blankets and I love them!
Wat do u take ?? I’m so depressed and I’m severe pain
What do you take that doesn't make you drowsy? Gabapentin?
My, daughter has, fibromyalgia, what, meds, seem to work the best for you?
My doctor had me on Lyrica. It really helped but it came with the side effect of a ton of weight gain, so just that caution!
Send you a big fat Hug. I also have fibromyalgi
I am a 29 yrs boy same disorder n my life drestoy what a this a disorder treatment
Check if you have ADHD ime 43 CFS 26 years fybromyalgia 6 same condition different symptoms now awaiting sleep apnea test all comorbid check out Dr lenz are you hypermobile to?
Who else gained weight and lost their hair with fibromialgia?.. weight gain even makes the pain in my shoulders and legs worse and my depression worse .. the depression makes the brain fog and lack of concentration worse but despite all of these symptoms The FATIGUE is the worst..oh if only i had energy.
I had severe fatigue I couldn't function well and do daily activities without dreading every step. I'm now on lyrica and I have energy and helps pain. I gained weight but lost it doing a low calorie diet lots of veg and fruits and no junk food fried food just clean foods. I started noticing more hair fall then usual I'm hoping it don't get bad.
culprit: microwaves. it can last 2 years before musclepain goes away
The sores look like Angular cheilitis I used to get that all the time when I was a kid