Some Coping & Management Strategies

 For Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Getting Informed – knowledge of this disease can be very helpful and empowering. Rheumatologists can diagnose and explain the conditions well, but for the most thorough information there are many books out there. Some of them are very good and some of them are very bad.

Top 3 Book Recommendations – Taking Charge of Fibromyalgia (2005 Edition) by Julie Kelly & Rosalie Devonshire. The authors are doctors with fibromyalgia who started the first support group in the 90’s. Understanding and Conquering Fibromyalgia by JG Schnellman, PHD (The author is another dr. with the disease). The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Fibromyalgia (2nd Ed.). Note: 2 of these 3 books are carried by the Camden County library. They can also be bought for about $5-10 used on ebay. 

Pain Management Strategies: Pacing, Chiropractic, Acupuncture, Medical Marijuana, Healthy Diet (organics, etc), Exercise (finding what works for you), Positive Thoughts, – all of these strategies and many, many more are examined and outlined in the books above.

Appreciation: Focusing on what I CAN do, appreciating the little things (nature, etc), having gratitude for the blessings that we do have, finding new activities and hobbies to enjoy and distract us

Getting Out of Ourselves  - Spirituality/Helping Others/Volunteering through community or religious group, The 12 Step Program, The Serenity Prayer, Zen Buddhism, Meditation, Music, Listening to Other’s Stories/Issues (Getting into the shoes of another can give us a break from our own thoughts)

Support Groups: Connect us to others who relate, believe us, and empathize which can create community and reduce feelings of isolation. We can exchange ideas that could be helpful and we can find common bonds. Some other various local support groups can be found at The Starting Point (www.StartingPoint.Org)

Joy, Laughter, and Mental Vacations:

Baby Animals/Hugs: Studies have found observing baby animals & other animals we enjoy, in person or online/tv can increase people’s levels of happiness. Hugs have been found to decrease pain & stress (if ok)

Laughter: spending time talking with people who make us laugh, comedy films/programs, animals

Movies/TV: films and programs can move us, inspire us, distract us, make us smile or laugh out loud, and can challenge us and make us think. They can get us into other’s stories and adventures. Programs about travel and shows/films that take place in other regions and countries can be like a virtual trip without the cost and hassle of the physical travel. Some travel videos and films can take us to places that are very difficult to actually get to anyway.

The Happy Documentary: Explores ways people find their happiness, scientifically and anecdotally, in spite of extreme challenges (On Netflix or ebay used for about $5-12). Directed by Roko Belic.

Jay’s Film Recommendations - Happy (Documentary), The Good Lie, The Upside, The Golden Girls * (on DVD Season 5 – the first 2 episodes feature main character with chronic fatigue), Collateral Beauty, Wonderful World, Music and Lyrics, Jeff Who lives at Home, The Dead Zone (1983), The Magic of Belle Isle, Peaceful Warrior, Vamps (2012), Musical Chairs (2012/handicapped protagonist), The Man From Earth, Just Like Heaven, Waiting for Forever, Cake (J. Anniston/star has severe chronic pain), The Day The Earth Stood Still, Contact, Cocoon, School of Rock, Wild China, The Karate Kid, Cobra Kai, Happy Accidents,  Ghost Busters, Fools Rush In, The Family Stone, Definitely Maybe, At First Sight, Admission, Losing Isaiah, One Last Thing (2018), Bowfinger, Homie Spumoni, Big Trouble in Little China, Kung Fu Panda, Self/less, Big (1998)

Everyone is different and what works for some may not work for others. For questions about any of these strategies you can email Jay Steele of South Jersey Connections at steele104@aol.com