Recovering from a family get together when you have Fibromyalgia can take days.
That said, I am on day four of coming off of a 2-day family event. On Monday (day 1), I managed to move mechanically and slowly. As usual, I forced my mind to get up and do my morning stretches, weight machine and ride my Air Dyne bike… somehow, I managed to ride for 6 miles!! After, I did my best to shower and then collapsed on the bed. Then, later, I sat in my recliner, leaned against my heating pad for 20 minutes because my spine felt like it was burning in pain.
(Sidebar) I don’t mind resting if I know I have done my exercises. It is a mental thing for me and one I embrace because at least I know I have done something to help my heart and muscles. I mean, I already feel run over and left as roadkill, so exercising just adds to that (sigh) and even though exercising doesn’t help with that run-over feeling, it does help my joints move a bit better. I can at least put on my underwear and Vionic walking shoes easier…
Okay, around noon each day, I MUST sit with my back on the heating pad. It used to help me for hours and now I only get some relief while sitting and (maybe) an hour more, but it’s a time of rest that my body needs, so I try to adhere to this.
Back to day 1… Immediately after lunch, I had to lay down to nap. I slept for 1.5 hours and woke up feeling black and blue. This is nothing new, however. I forced myself erect and came out to prepare dinner. After dinner, as per my routine, I walked. Walking after I eat aides in my digestion and helps with my mental clarity… so… throughout the day, I walk… a lot.
On Tuesday (day 2), I awoke and realized for the first time in months I had slept through the night. I must admit I was shocked at this. One would think I woke up feeling like I could rule the world! One would be wrong. Instead, I felt like I had been run over by a semi-truck, and I knew I needed to still take it easy.
When you suffer from Fibromyalgia and/or Lupus, sleep never makes you feel rested or refreshed.
So, I got up, exercised as usual (but could only do 3 miles on the Air Dyne) and then, I could not shower after. I had a much slower morning, paid some bills, prepared some chicken for dinner, etc. By the evening, and after a 2-mile walk and (finally) a shower, I needed to get horizontal, on a heating pad, and rest… again. My daughter and I have started Downton Abbey, so that was put on for a bit.
By day four I began to feel like this “recovery-flare” was on its way out. So… I went out on a limb and did some sewing. I have lost a few pounds since spring and my jeans weren’t staying up… so, some darts were added and buttons moved over a smidge. (This is a good thing for me… I have tried so hard to lose weight!!!) Sewing is rough on my body, so I only sewed for 2 hours…
However, … the next day I needed to recover from sewing!
My life is a vicious cycle of daily rests after daily doing.
I hope this insight has been helpful to you. Mind-over-matter is my motto these days.
Take Care!
The Fibro-Lupus Mom of Ten
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