What's the ONE piece of advise you would give to someone newly diagnosed with FM/CFS/ME?

*Educate yourself.

*Hot soaks in the tub every day.

*Be very patient.

*Find a good doctor you can speak freely to and trust!

*Make sure that you have a doctor that believes "in" you, that doesn't mean it's the doctor that diagnosed you, sometimes you will find it isn't that one.

*Heat packs become your new best friend.

*Learn how to pace yourself and deal better with stress!

*Know that you might have to fight to get the treatment you need.

*Make sure you have people around who TRULY support you.

*Detox your body on a regular basis.

*Don't feel guilty at all when others think you are being a moan or nag. Also keep at your GP/Consultant for the most up to date meds, And don't be afraid to ask for help.

*you are not alone.

*Educate yourself, Google is your best friend upon diagnosis, there's a wealth of advice and support out there, grab it with both hands, it will see you through the darker times.

*Education and self-awareness are key. Become your own advocate, *know* your body so you can describe symptoms and if the first doctor doesn't do it for you, find another one!

*I agree with finding an understanding doctor. Also don't push yourself too hard on the days when you are feeling good because you will pay for it.

*Exercise and Diet are the two biggest things you can do for yourself.

*Read all the info you can, stay positive, pace yourself.

*Pray

*Listen to your body

*Realize when you ARE being a nag and what YOU can do to help yourself.

*Maybe a food or foods may affect you or your pain levels.

*Often it could a much loved or constantly eaten food that's considered "wholesome" that could be hurting you.

*KNOW your body.

*Keep a journal and be brutally honest with it. How you feel, how the pain affects you, what makes you happy ... and be nice to yourself.

*Join patients like me

*Be honest do NOT look for someone or something else to blame.

*Try different medications to you find something that really helps you. also chat plenty to others that know what you are going through and can give you help and support.

*Stay away from stress and learn how to deal with it. Stress kills me and makes me flare every time.

*Be patient while you find your "new normal".

*Be ready to find out who your real friends are and what members of your family really care! Be patient with your spouse and children, it will take time for the household to adjust!

*Be ready to hurt, the pain never totally goes away, at least for me, but some days are better than others. Finding a good doctor is important, more meds are not always the answer. And most importantly, stay POSITIVE and willing to say NO, when you can't and don't push to hard on the days you can.

*You will adjust, I'm a young mum, with special needs boys. My house is never spotless, but everyone has what they need and we love one another, never taking today for granted!

*You are not alone

*You are not mad. At times you will think you are, you are not. Normal has just shifted a bit for you.

*Stay positive,take each day as it comes,join a group who supports rather than sit and whine with self pity, don't give up!

*You shouldn't feel embarrassed or ashamed for not being able to do the things you did before so don't push yourself just to seem 'normal' to others.

*Do some gentle stretches and relaxation, also join support groups as u ll find the majority of the time its friends from the support groups who are always there for u when your family & friends are not. Pace, ask for help, learn to say NO and educate yourself, Fibromyalgia 4 dummies is a good book, keep a daily diary.

*Join a support group, no one understands except a fellow suffer.

*Find Fibro friends if you can... And Ducks

*Join Fibroduck, it makes a difference!

*Take it one day at a time....on your bad days, take it one minute at a time. Try to pace yourself, because if you over due it on a good day, most likely the next day you will be in bed!

*Learn to pace your day, the spoon theory! Read it! Also a good support group.
Listen to your body and respect it. Eat right, take your vitamin d and do light exercise! Sleep Well! Find a support group and a doc that understands and believes in the illness.

*Know that lots of people are going to say they have a cure "if you would only _______" don't buy it or into it - if it was that easy we would all have been cured and jumping up and down a long time ago.

*It takes time to get the medication right, and not always what the Doc prescribes unfortunately. Keep a diary, and try not to get too stressed, you will get to know your body, when you have good and and bad days, Good luck.

*The year I was diagnosed, I was still trying to work full time and take care of our 6 year old son. My husband travelled and we didn't have family to help. I'd fall asleep as he tried to do homework. When I finally did go on disability, it was about 15 months after being really sick. I had to rest, rest and more rest. I'd get him ready for ... See more school, and go back to bed. I'd be ready for him when he came home. It's been almost 20 years, and although I have gotten worse (just some added degeneration of the illness), I rest when I can, and if there is something coming up, I try my best to go. I rest afterwards. No two people have the same symptoms as no two people got it the same way...just remember that one. It was confusing for me. And eat well! A supportive doctor(s) are so important. If they don't, go on to the other...and it does happen.

*Be flexible..........you can guarantee every time you plan something you will flare up, be spontaneous on your good days!

*I just have to say I agree with everything EVERYONE said...Never give up
Find a good Homoeopath. One who is qualified and registered. Start your healing journey gently and slowly.

*Read every bit of info you possibly can regarding Fibromyalgia.

*Pace yourself and get all of the support you can. Laugh and have fun whenever you can and rest when you need to.

*Realise you can't be who/what you were yesterday, accept, re-group and find out all you can about the disease to educate yourself, your family and, quite likely, your doctor too.

*How ever hard it may seem, keep a positive mental attitude. The mind is a powerful weapon but above all be kind to yourself (but not soft!). Comphrey oil is also excellent...known as knitbone!

*Pace yourself. Its the one thing that worked for me~when I stopped being stubborn & listened!

*Don't pretend its not happening !

*That its OK to be scared! but you are not alone

*Fantastic Advice, and So True, but its getting family, friends and other people to understand and accept that your still you. Just at a slower pace n with a few added tweaks n adjustment to your life.

*Finding the right Balance n loads of gentle Cuddles

*Educate yourself - even the good doctors aren't going to be as interested in the subject as you are! So don't be afraid to take them new info & ask questions or make suggestions.

*Most importantly DON'T overdo those good days or try & "push through" your symptoms- it WILL make you worse in the long run, but at the same time don't allow yourself to sit & vegetate.

*Sometimes all you can manage will be fetching a drink or some painkillers one time that day by yourself, instead of asking someone else to do it- but that little bit of activity can make all the difference over time in protecting your mobility & independence.

*Forgive yourself. You did NOT choose this.

*Don't do the energy boom and bust thing like I do. Take things nice and easy even when you feel well, otherwise you;ll pay the price later!

*Put yourself first. Love and cherish yourself. Never feel guilty. Know that you will get well again.

*Listen to your body but don't let FM take over!

*Learn to listen to your body, and re-assess your life to find out what is/who is good in your life.

*I couldn't get through this without my fantastic friends and family. They are my support network. They all support me in different ways, for example one takes DD to school and picks her up when I can't, one makes me go out at least once a week, one just listens. It's all important.

*Try to find a support group

*Learn to pace yourself from the start.

*wow, now that's a question! I think my advise would be to take your time! learn your own limits and if it takes a year of learning take a year. Listen to your body, if you need to stop, force yourself to stop! you have to learn all about your body all over again, take the time to do this.

*Find a support group or a meeting place on-line. It really helps to know you are not the only one with so many bizarre symptoms!

*All of the above.

*Never let anyone make you feel guilty, if you need a break take one!
I pity them. I have no good advice for them. It is like living in hell on earth day in and day.