I know that this a weird title, but couldn't think about how to put it.
I was wondering what each of you do to help yourself throughout the day, i.e. rest, limits weight, different diet...whatever helps you.
By sharing these tips, maybe we can help each other.
Hugs to all,
DeAnne
I rest when my body tells me to. Daily naps help. I drink lots of fluids. I also do warm baths to help with my achy body I also utilize progressive muscle relaxation CD on my worst days. My pains are worse on my back so I use a tens unit & heat pads. I try not to overdue activities & pace my time & make sure I get a lot of rest periods in between. I notice if I overdue myself I suffer the next day for it. As for my diet I watch my sugar & salt intake since I also suffer hypertension & I’m a borderline diabetic. I cut back on red meat intake & eat a lot of chicken & fish. I stopped all junk food & eat more fruits & vegetables. I juice a lot also. I notice by changing my eating habits I feel a little better. I also do yoga & I have chihuahuas that are very therapeutic for me. I have to do a lot of self care to get through each day. Self care is very important for all of us suffering Lupus.
Thanks very helpful i agree i feel better also if i rest and meditate.
Naps and exercise. I started the anti-inflammatory diet and I've noticed a bit of a difference--my aches aren't as bad and I have more energy.
What is the anti-inflammatory diet? I've heard about it. I'd like to try it.
Shelly
If I work in the office, usually I will take 2 naps each for 15min at least. One at noon, one in late afternoon around 4pm otherwise I have no strength to commute back home.
If I am at home, I always wear loose comfortable dress and turn off all lights if possible. I do stretch every one hour or at least work about to release joint stiffness.
Actually I have to quite plan my diet but heard special diet like gluten free is helpful. Anybody can share the diet?
When I'm tired I sleep. I follow a strict anti-inflamatory diet, drink lots of filtered water. I do some yoga, I pray and stay close to the Lord. I try to avoid negativity of any kind. I know you can't avoid all, but you can choose what you expose yourself to. My kitty cat is very loving and helps me. I try to be of help to others if I can. Just having contact with other human being helps me feel that i'm still part of the world. I go out of the house and try to be in nature or be around other people. Chronic illness can be very isolating. I try to step out of my comfort zone once in awhile and be spontaneous so i don't get into a rut. I try to do things that I enjoy and if I can't physically do some, I find others that I can do. I focus on positive things, not the negative ones.
Since there were several people asking about anti-inflamatory diet to reduce pain and help with insomnia, I will post these websites. If you have any questions,feel free to ask or private message me. I don't have a link that covers all points, so I posted several. I follow the anti-inflamatory diet plus I have additional allergies/sensitivities to certain foods so I eliminated those also. You have to figure that our for yourself and one of the links mentions "elimination" for foods that you may be sensitive to. As my doctor explained to me, once you get your system straightened out, you may be able to add some of those foods back into your diet. But that takes time. I've been struggling with pain and fatigue for fifteen years and have tried everything that's come down the line, but this diet has done the trick for me and now my problems are manageable. I have been able to go off all medications and not suffer like I used to. I try to buy organic foods as much as possible and read all label ingredients. I see MD who practices holistic a approach to medicine, so that is extremely helpful, since I would not have ever known about using diet to decrease inflamation if not for that.
http://www.naturalnews.com/035840_fibromyalgia_remedies_solutions.html
http://www.livestrong.com/article/81882-diets-fibromyalgia/
Here is an online book on Anti-Inflamatory Diet..... http://books.google.com/books?id=GCUXNlKCbfYC&pg=PA18&lpg=PA18&dq=anti+inflammatory+diet+and+fibromyalgia&source=bl&ots=0RVv7MWQGn&sig=CLSMMfAzqOyZDeIGAhQhGqtAGjM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=arHlUPvaLsOi2AXwloGgDg&ved=0CHsQ6AEwCA#v=onepage&q=anti%20inflammatory%20diet%20and%20fibromyalgia&f=false
IMPORTANT: Some of us, who have been made aware by our doctors, are also suffering from candida/yeast overgrowth in our systems and leaky gut syndrome. so I am posting links for that too. If this is going on in your body, you won't be able to improve your health. It needs to be treated properly, since it is a big cause of inflamation and many other serious and chronic problems. Here is a link that explains it.
http://scdlifestyle.com/2010/03/the-scd-diet-and-leaky-gut-syndrome/
Gluten is a big offender and causes many problems, here is a link for that.... http://www.naturalnews.com/036455_gluten_sensitivity_flour.html
Ally
A good nights sleep & rest periods during the day. I can’t always nap, but quiet moments to put my feet up, close my eyes & quiet my mind for a few minutes help. Also, keeping everything organized around me helps me feel less stressed.
I go to the gym 3 times a week…even during flares …for me, it helps with the stress, yes it hurts, but afterwards i feel better mentally and physically 
It focuses on eating healthy fats, whole grains, and lots of fruits and veggies. Certain foods, mostly the sugary and processed stuff, contain chemicals and enzymes that trigger inflammation in the body.
Dr. Weil has some good stuff on his website and has several books about the anti-inflammatory diet: http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/PAG00361/anti-inflammatory-food-pyramid.html
Shelyrbeane said:
What is the anti-inflammatory diet? I've heard about it. I'd like to try it.
Shelly
Spending time in my jewelry studio relaxes and calms me, which helps. I've never been a napper, mostly because if I do fall asleep, I take so long to wake back up, it's usually not worth it. I just try to go to bed earlier or sleep in later the next morning. Rest plays a HUGE role in how I feel! I know I need to get back to exercising, but have just been putting it off. The last few times I tried to start back up, I was so disgusted with my pain I gave up...it made me more angry than helped. It's time to try again though.
Thanks to everyone for their suggestions...I plan to try some of them.
~Island Girl
vnaren,
Although there are several diets out there, there is a group on here (just go to the Group tab at top of page) where there is a lot of information and recipes that are shared.
I have been Gluten-free for about 7 months, and definitely feel a difference, especially when it comes to stomach-upset.
Hope this is helpful,
DeAnne
vnaren said:
If I work in the office, usually I will take 2 naps each for 15min at least. One at noon, one in late afternoon around 4pm otherwise I have no strength to commute back home.
If I am at home, I always wear loose comfortable dress and turn off all lights if possible. I do stretch every one hour or at least work about to release joint stiffness.
Actually I have to quite plan my diet but heard special diet like gluten free is helpful. Anybody can share the diet?
These are super ideas. It seems we are doing much to help ourselves and this is VERY important. It is our body and our responsibility to take care of our body. Medication will only get you so far so being proactive and finding things that make you feel better is up to you.
I rest when tired, read, do puzzles (for brain function), eat gluten-free, try to "exercise" although not an actually exercise plan, and share my good days and bad days here.
Having someone to talk to that understands, in my opinion, is one of the most healing things I can do for myself.
Everyone is awesome for sharing...keep the ideas flowing.
Hugs to all,
DeAnne
Kelly,
Ya know, when I was going to the gym twice a week, I did feel better and I'm thinking the fact that I was around people and felt I was participating in something "normal" may have helped me emotionally more even than the physical part.
Ally
Kelly said:
I go to the gym 3 times a week.....even during flares .....for me, it helps with the stress, yes it hurts, but afterwards i feel better mentally and physically ;)
Hello DeAnne, I try at all cost to avoid stress on the daily basis, which seems impossible in the world we live in today, I do the things that I enjoy doing the most that put a smile on my face, I spend time with the people that relax me and put a smile on my face. I cuddle with my pet baby a lot because at the moment I am single and he really comforts me when I am feeling sad, it may sound weird but he licks my face as if to say mommy whats wrong why are you crying and he makes me play with him at that moment which takes my mind off of whatever I may be upset about at the time, my advice would be for you to relax and do the things that make you happiest. Best wishes to you! Lady CJ
I saw you have chihuahuas. I have one of them, and some Jack Russell Terriers. Love my dogs, and sell puppies once or twice a year from them. Not the chis, tho! Market got overbred with them, to the point someone was taking them from the shelters and shipping them to Rhoad Island, or someplace. Maybe that was New Hampshire. Can't remember!
I also have to take care to not over do whatever I am doing. I mostly sit at the computer doing emails, or sometimes watch TV when the cleaning chores are over. Got to go get some lunch now.
Marissa said:
I rest when my body tells me to. Daily naps help. I drink lots of fluids. I also do warm baths to help with my achy body I also utilize progressive muscle relaxation CD on my worst days. My pains are worse on my back so I use a tens unit & heat pads. I try not to overdue activities & pace my time & make sure I get a lot of rest periods in between. I notice if I overdue myself I suffer the next day for it. As for my diet I watch my sugar & salt intake since I also suffer hypertension & I'm a borderline diabetic. I cut back on red meat intake & eat a lot of chicken & fish. I stopped all junk food & eat more fruits & vegetables. I juice a lot also. I notice by changing my eating habits I feel a little better. I also do yoga & I have chihuahuas that are very therapeutic for me. I have to do a lot of self care to get through each day. Self care is very important for all of us suffering Lupus.
Island Girl,
I think it's important that we don't give up the things that give us joy, to the extent that we can still do them (I don't recommend hang-gliding...but I am afraid of heights). I make candles as a hobby, read, etc. but currently am not ready to take up new hobbies until I can do the things I used to do.
It's possible that I must adjust some of the "way" I did things so that I can continue in the things I already like before taking on something new. It is important to keep busy...busy mind means less time to "wallow".
I think doing things that use our hands help some with the joint pain, but always be aware not to over-do. I also know, from AnnA. that swimming and other non-impact exercise can be very therapeutic, so that may be an option.
I used to love to cook, so when I have some enerygy and my hands aren't killing me I do as much as I can with the thought that whatever I cook can be frozen for the days I can't cook.
I have started using those silly "fat" sponge pen wraps that allow me to write without having to hold a small, skinny object.
I have "mapped" my grocery store and plan my route before hand.
I try to schedule up to 2 doc appts. close in proximaty but not overly long.
I have my husband open jars (pickles, juice, etc) when he is home, so that I don't have to when he is not.
These are just a few of the adaptations I have made so that things stay as normal as possible.
Hope some of these are helpful,
DeAnne
Island Girl said:
Spending time in my jewelry studio relaxes and calms me, which helps. I've never been a napper, mostly because if I do fall asleep, I take so long to wake back up, it's usually not worth it. I just try to go to bed earlier or sleep in later the next morning. Rest plays a HUGE role in how I feel! I know I need to get back to exercising, but have just been putting it off. The last few times I tried to start back up, I was so disgusted with my pain I gave up...it made me more angry than helped. It's time to try again though.
Thanks to everyone for their suggestions...I plan to try some of them.
~Island Girl
Thanks DeAnne, very good tips. There's no worries with my staying busy...I'm usually way too busy! Still learning how to cope with all of this, that's for sure!
For the morning stiffness and pain, I installed a hand held shower massager. After I wash and shampoo, I set the water as hot as I can stand, and focus on my problem spots like hands, feet, shoulders, knees, and hips. I feel that the heat and pulsations increase the blood flow to these areas and loosens up the joints. Then, when I get out I do yoga stretches. I do more yoga at bedtime to relax and sleep better. I also try to take my dog to the dog park as often as I can. We go around sunset, and I walk laps around the perimeter. What better place to be than a park full of happy dogs to play with. Also, dog people seem to be some of the friendliest people I have ever met. This helps me deal with the social isolation.
My puppies have been comforting to me. She knows when I'm not feeling well, and cuddles with me and takes a nap. Just looking at her sweet little face perks me. After 3 months, I can get up with her and take her outside.