The symptom you find easiet to cope with is?

*Are you having a laugh, Its all so hard to get your head round and I hate it.

*There isn't any easy symptoms! They are all bad!

*Actually I find the pain easier to cope with than exhaustion, IBS, migraines, FOG and more FOG but, easiest, there isn't one.

*The pain as I know how I can take things to help it or use relaxation or treatments. The constant tiredness and lack of sleep is what I struggle with the most.

*Absolutely! NOT ONE "easy" symptom!

*I find the exhaustion the 'easiest' if there is such a thing that's easy about FM. at least I can plop onto the bed for an hour or so to recover. of course, that's hopeless on those days when there just isn't time to rest.

*The IBS is the most straight forward to cope with at the moment its not pleasant or exactly easy to live with. Not sure there is an easy symptom is there?
I guess if there were we wouldn't mention them as they wouldn't be as debilitating as the ones that really bother us.

*Probably memory because it makes me laugh and others laugh.I can look for my phone while it's in my hand.

*I get regular nose bleeds as one of my symptoms - that is extremely frustrating but I think that is the easier one to cope with!

*The fatigue

*Brain fog - I have always been a scatter brain but now have an excuse for it!

*Brain fog because it means I can still laugh at the daft things it makes me do!

*I laugh at the bring fog most of the time, but I hate it when I ask my mum something and she said we already talked about it or she told me and I have no memory of it at all and that's scary.

*Would have to agree with above.

*They are all yuk. But the easiest is the brain fog.

*The fatigue is the worst it just comes over me I usually get really cold then have to sleep. The funniest is as above says n you others I can laugh at myself easily. I have been for years.

*My husband.

*I agree the brain fog is easiest to cope with, although sometimes people say hurtful things when I stop dead in a middle of a sentence or use the wrong word.

*The Raynauds is the easiest to cope with as long as I can heat back up, but not fun having your fingers and toes turn black if you can't. but I do agree none are really easy to cope with, especially when they come on all together.

*Since I work full time (I have no choice) I would have to say the pain. The fatigue disables me and the fog/memory issues makes my job really difficult and EMBARRASSING!

*The brain fog went to put my sea belt on when I was already wearing it, does anyone get really painful feet.

*My feet are killing me now, don't know what to do about it.

*I get terrible pains in my feet also.

*Does it feel like the little bones going down your feet are going to break? i get that, I thought it was just me being weird.

*Have you ever tried to dial out or answer the tv remote? I do that a lot.

*Is painful feet a symptom then? I feel like my feet have broken sometimes but they obviously haven't, as I can still move them. I never thought to link it to fibro. And pins and needles is my easiest one. It's not nice but it doesn't affect your day too much.

*I get that 'broken feet' feeling too. My easiest symptom is the numbness as I'm not aware of it until I touch a numb area!

*Mine is also the numbness

*For me, its probably the "muddling up my words and speaking" when I get things wrong my family or friends just laugh and take the mick out of me so I don't feel completely stupid.

*Oh and can I just ask, does anyone suffer with needles n pins in both their feet? because for the last few days I'm getting them continuously, whilst driving sitting chilling, any time?

*Nothing is easy, but I would agree on the while pain, because you can do something about it.

*It would have to be the pain as I've had pain for most of my life and know how to cope with it.

*Sitting on my seat in my walk in shower, just sit and feel the water massaging my back.

*IBS is the easiest for me to deal with as long as I eat correctly. No sugar and the only OK carbs are in veggies and occasional fruits.

*The over eating I do to try and ease my symptoms and get a little pleasure out of something at least! food will do it!

*I cannot think of anything that is easiest to deal with. If my pain meds or anything took away my pain I guess that would then be the easiest.

*If I have to chose one; I'd say the brain fog since I'm dyslexic and I'm used to it anyway! Plus it gives my friends (and myself) a laugh. I'd much rather it all went away though!

*Painful muscle spasms in my hand, they don't last as long as other areas.

*That is a tough one, none of the symptoms are easy to cope with. I guess feeling good when I hve had enough rest is the thing I cope with the easiest, thought I don't think that is a symptom, sorry, they are all hard to deal with.

*Probably the fog is the easiest, along with having ridged nails and splitting cuticles.

*I agree with everyone that says None, they're all bad! But I guess if I had to pick one I'd say the "Fibro fog" although it extremely annoying the "precious moments" when I do something wrong or totally mess something up, you just sort of gotta sit back and laugh! Maybe it fibro's comic relief?

*You can find my sugar in the fridge,shave 1leg in shower & forget the other, and I call everyone by the wrong name and sex.

*The pain is easiest. I can just take a pill and grind my teeth and do my best not to be grumpy. But the forgetfulness and the fibrofog are the ones that affect my children and my husband.
So those are the ones that are the hardest to deal with. If I didn't have children, then the pain would be the hardest to deal with. Pain doesn't affect my kids.

*Never knew there was so many or us, all the pain , but I don't know which one of my problems is causing the worse pain, Is it the Ankylosing Spondylitis or the Hernaited discs or the Osteroatrosis or the osterporosis? At the moment its the toothache!

*There isn't any, they're all lousy - the exhaustion, the pain, the getting muddled up/forgetting things, the sweats, tension headaches/migraines.

*I can't say anyone of the symptoms is 'easy'. I suppose the shooting stabbing pain s as I don't get them very often, except in my boobs!

*Being tired I think is probably the easiest for me. I can lay down when I'm tired. The rest of my symptoms, aches, and pains are more of an impairment so they are more difficult to "cope" with. Hope everyone is have a great pain free day today!

*WOW too bad we cant start a support group online where we can all chat together(chat room) I would have to say the Fatigue is my biggest Pain in my a**
otherwise they all are I also have rayauds and it sucks living in Michigan,It doesn't help fibro at all!

*There's really no symptom that's easy to cope with. They all suck, and they all make life a living hell.

*Watching a movie in bed

*None of it is easy, except the comfort I get from chocolate! but then that makes me fat so no nothing is easy.

*I would say the fibro-fog, its usually funny, for instance, the other day i ordered take out from this one pizza place, and went to another pizza place to pick it up ha, I blamed it on my husband, saying oh well he must of told me the wrong place.

*Fatigue.

*The aches and pains. I can deal with the soreness. I've been doing it a really long time. I cannot deal with the fatigue or brain fog!

*Totally agree nothing is easy. the fibro fog is embarrassing and frustrating for me and that's not easy. I guess being tired and be able to lay down and actually sleep is the easiest. Wishing everyone and comfortable day.

*Brain fog. I have to laugh at myself.

*Constant peeing. Sometimes the fibro fog - I keep a memory diary to try and help with that and it can be funny when I muddle the words, its not so easy or funny when I miss something important though.

*None of it, I am totally drained by the FM.

*Wow good question from reading above can now relate why feet feel broken often small joints,its the fibro. Now back to question easiest part to cope with for me got be the pain for now as pain killers work well along with amtirlpine.

*Too be honest none

*Definitely brain fog and constantly losing things.

*Nice to know I'm not the only one foggy. It has been a bit worse lately. It can be frustrating to me. My sons finish my statements for me. I laugh at the blonde jokes, but still it would be nice to think clearly.

*Skin flushes. Often I don't know its happening, its the other stuff that goes with it like dizziness, drifting off or feeling drunk.

*Brain fog is the easiest. I found the ice trays in the oven & the iron in the freezer!! I enjoy travel & just getting out of my apt, some times I forget where I am & where I am going, that is when I just have to stop, stretch, check my day runner to see where I am supposed to be.

*none

*I guess the energy surges.

*None of the symptoms are good, but if I had to pick it would be brain fog. That is more of an embarrassment then anything.

what's your first aid plan for coping with a flare up?

*Panic...

*Vitalaxin-20, moist heat, lots of sleep!

*movies that have at least some comedy in them.

*Turn on my heated blanket.

*sleep,water, more sleep. Today I slept for like 18 hours. Now I feel "somewhat normal" again.

*Meditation! even a simple body scan can help! and good med's.

*Soak in a warm tub and tons of water,walking and sleep.

*Omg last night I got no sleep and today it was cold here and I am in a total flare up!
Lots of rest, hot baths, fluids, And pain med's is the answer for me.

*I just came out of one. The things I did was rest, not necessary sleep, because I could not sleep, but bed rest anyway. Hot epsom salts baths in my whirlpool tub helped relax the tight muscles and ease the pain.

*Rest,shut the phone off and pain meds.

*Keep trucking. No choice but to push through it. I can't afford to let a flare keep me down.

*Do only what absolutely has to be done and then pain meds and rest..repeat as necessary
Yesterday at 04:32 · · Report.Kay Evans I agree with Heather. I never knew I had flare ups until yrs ago when my girls were still in school. Now I stay in one constantly, never goes away, so I just keep on going through the discomfort and pain, no other choice.

*Go you! Good going!

*I agree, only do what I have to, and sleep my way back out of it again.

*I take an extra Guaifenisen tablet in the am & pm (if needed). Stops the flare within hours.

*Lately, I've discovered that it helps to watch old movies, especially old westerns. Wierd, but true! It appears that reminding myself to be grateful that I live in a more modern era helps!

*What does it feel like to not be in a total flare?

*I pushed through and ignored everything most of my life. My family wasn't really the type to go to the Dr. so I didn't even know I had fibro (and a host of other medical issues) until last year - one day I could not even move. It's very sobering to suddenly find yourself unable to get out of bed.

*I'm with the above, my daughter has autism I'm a single parent, so have to keep going no choice, which is really annoying when I cant sleep, like now ! But if she is at school then I try to rest more. Have to say its getting bad and seems to be getting constantly worse,constant flare.

*I try to get as much sleep as possible, which is never much anyway, and I just take a day to rest up and not do much. I always feel like if I don't do anything, then I have wasted a day.

*Know that feeling, I might sleep at night but, it is not a peaceful, restful sleep. I haven't had one of those in over 22 years since I go fibro. I wish I could have that rested feeling after going to bed, just one day like when I was in HS, but, you know what? I can't live in what use to be.
I have to live in what is and the fact is, I have fibromyalgia and it is great to know that each of you know what that means.
Sometimes lately, the pain is so much I think I can't do this anymore and then God puts people in my path that is worse off than me.
Stress is the big factor in my fibro but, such is life, Thanks, for so long I went to support group meetings, I didn't learn anything that I didn't already know.
Can you get those tablets anywhere? What does it do for you? I saw something about that or heard someone say it helped. I know that Slo-Mag helps.

*Hot bath with herbal epsom salts. Lavender is the best to relax the muscles. And as much sleep as possible. Also I'm currently trying to learn self hypnosis. It can help relax you and "trick" your mind to ease the pain.

*I haven't taken sleeping pills in a long time but this last sleep mode has my body so confused as to night and day. So I am taking a sleeping pills for the last couple of days until I get back on schedule.

*Whats with the extra Guaifenisen tablet? Guaifenisen like in cough syrup?I have never heard this before! is this a proven fact it helps with flare ups?if so I am on it.

*Lots of movies, my heating pad, pain medication, zaniflex, melatonin tabs and aromatherapy on the pillowcase.

*It's a tablet sold as Mucinex in the US. In a pinch, I guess cough syrup would work, but I react badly to the sugar. Dr Armand did a Fibro study about Guaifenisen. I don't follow his theories, except to take my Guai regularly.

*Stress & sugar set off my flares. Having a *great* energy day does too. I really pay for it afterwards.

*Be advised--EASY on the Gauifenisen ! Too much of that and I simply dry up all over. It simply doesn't agree with everyone.

*That's true Skye. Normally I just take the one tablet in the am & one at bedtime. Not exactly 12 hours apart, you know?

*I take magnesium supplement in moderation, heat packs, rest, meditation, whatever it takes really. a body scan does wonders too. just acknowledging where the pain is somehow lessens it.

*Hi from Keene, New Hampshire, USA its now 3:36 a.m and i am on day 4 of no sleep, so i hear ya fibroduck! from another fibroducky.
My plan is to drink lots of water for my bladder, gentle stretching, reduce the stress and play scrabble.

*Sleep and a big blanket, followed by a brandy.

*I'm with other mums, I am a single mum to three, two of which are teenagers and other one not far off, so like them I have to just keep going and then just collapse at night and try to get a good night's sleep but as we all know with fibro that doesn't happen a lot either so on top of the meds out comes the pain killers.

*bed, deep heat, wine, tv to zone out to, extra meds

*I still don't have a plan really.

*Sleep, pain meds, hot baths, and more sleep sleep sleep

*I haven't found anything that really works that well! I would love to soak in the bath but am not able to manage a bath most of the time as I have arthritis. I mostly try and rest but hate it when so sore cant do anything.

*Smoke a big fat joint, drink lots of hot water and go to bed till it passes

*Soak in warm bath. . Hot water bottles heat pads med's and sleep .

*Take each day as it comes. Listen to my body and try not to tax it and deal with any stresses I have because not doing these things in the first place is one of the reasons I get into this state!

*Extra vicodin.

*I just take each day as it comes,and on a bad flare up day i just rest or have a nap.

*rest, heating pad and gochi juice! I swear its my miracle, I've just started drinking it and I haven't been this energetic and pain free in many years! I'm loving it!

*finding my infra red heat lamp useful, oh and food unfortunately

*DRUGS. and heating pad.

*I'm so new to fibro has anybody ever found away to relieve the burning pain feels like an iron on the skin I get it over both shoulders now (it started so small like a insect bite & got bigger)

*Try to rest as much as 3 kids under 8 allow. Sleep as often as I can quite often going to bed as soon as kids are in bed. Heat packs, hot baths, and anything else that I find helps me.

*I have fentanyl patches on for pain, used to be on most tablets and morphine liquid but was haven to take a lot of morphine to try and help with my pain. the fentanyl patch is very good for normal day pain, once you have got over the side affects.
Hot baths every day also have hydro every week heat is very helpful.
When I have big flair ups my whole body gets cramp from head to foot and sometimes I have to go to hospital and have gas and air this helps to relax my body I get a morphine injection and get sent home, but these are very rare.

I’ve been referred to a pain management course, what can I expect?

*so have I but still waiting for an appt after 5 months

*I've only been to a pain clinic at the hospital, I had about an hour with a pain consultant who explained to me in layman's terms what Fibro was, where it came from (as much as docs know right now anyway) and all of that business. Then I got a short physical examination, prodding my pain points and that was it. So as for this pain management thing tons of Fibro folk have been put on, I know nothing of it.

*I have my appointment in a couple of weeks, I am told the idea is to find out what you can and cant do and try to show you other ways to do things to make it easier for yourself, as to whether this is true watch this space, I will let you know when I get back, when is your appointment ?

*Oh and I was told I needed a shrink too, the psychology approach paid off way better than pills, which I agree with. This was all June last year and I'm still waiting.

*Guy I saw was really nice went through medical history and then my options and even too me off meds that made me put on weight, was examined so was painful but no more than usual prodding and poking.

*I done one of them last year. We had a physiotherapist and a physiologist running it. I really enjoyed the course, but admit I was very overwhelmed on the first session as I we discussed our day to day problems. It was only then I realised I wasn't alone. They gave loads of help on pacing and exercise. Well worth the weekly trip out if you can make it.

*I'm on a 8wk pain management course at the minute been to 5 up to now, as its been stated it is how to manage your pain and ways of limiting yourself to what you can and cant do.how to get others to understand what you are going through,it is very interesting and you get to know others who know what you are going through.

*I'm still waiting for my appointment to come through, also been referred to cog behaviour specialist. Again still waiting for that appointment. seems all we do is wait!

*I was denied a pain management course and CBT is non existent on the NHS in Wales!

*Well my experience was, first appointment doc says I'll see you in 3 months and see how you are. Second appointment Three months later doc says well there's nothing we can do, didn't try anything or even suggest anything.

*In the US (at least with my PM doc) we started with low dosage pain meds, physical therapy and exercise. We have tried many different approaches and medications. Now I'm on meds for sleep, Savella and several pain meds.

*I got "we can only really teach you an attitude and how to pace yourself. Your already doing both so there's nothing we can do for you, bye." On the other hand my dad went and they did a lot of group psychological stuff, taught him how to pace himself and gave him some exercises to do. Also taught him some relaxation techniques. He found it really helpful and is a totally different person to prior the treatment (wasn't treated for FM though)

*I was also turned down for a pain management course, however they did offer a place on there FM course instead. Pretty much the same thing just based more around FM. Helped in some ways, not in others, I think if you have access to the internet and love to surf, you could learn most of it on the web. Quick chat with a physiotherapist and then the course leader and that was that, I took the course Last sept/oct, 2 days a week for 6 weeks, went on a downward slide towards the end of the course and had a big old flare up. Would I go on one again? Nah

*I've only ever really had the pacing/exercise/diet stuff from doctors. In other words, all the stuff I could have worked out by myself. Oh, and Lodine, but that has it's limits.

*They did nothing for me. They won't even prescribe anything that will kill the pain. No heavy duty stuff.

*I went on one at a pain management clinic for 3 weeks residential course, and I have to admit it was great the 3 weeks I was there as I had no one else to look after except myself, but boy did reality hit hard when you get home and back into the real world. Whilst I was there they taught us how to meditate, we done exercises every morning and basically talked about our condition and medication. Not sure if this is going to help at all, so sending you gentle hugs.

*The only experience with a pain management doc was more with the office and paperwork. I had to sign a paper that said that this doc was the only doc I could get any pain scripts from and list all pharmacies I deal with. other than having a rude office staff, running at least 2 hours behind (the day of my 1st appointment) I didn't stay for the appointment because of the paper that said he was the only one that could give me pain meds.

*My Rhunny told me that "A pain management doctor would be a good idea" when I asked her about going to one. That was in January of this year. I only knew of one and he was close to home so I wanted to go to him. Well here it is almost April and I am still trying to get in. My rheuma's office finally faxed my records the end of February. So
the pain management doctor needs stuff from my PCP's office. My PCP also suggested I see a psychiatrist. I had an appointment on March 10th but I cancelled it and rescheduled it for April 6th. I just feel like going to a psychiatrist is admitting it is "ALL in my head". Am I depressed OH YES!!! But we live with pain on a daily basis. And all kinds of other strange symptoms our friends and family just don't understand. So between the pain and frustration is it any wonder we are depressed???

From what I have read what they do ranges from medication to meditation, acupuncture, massage, water therapy. Hopefully I will get in soon too. Until then gentle hugs and prayers of good wishes, whichever you believe in.

*I believe it depends on the clinic. The first one I went to was unhelpful sand insisted I came off my meds in order to go ahead with the alternative treatments. I have eventually got referred to a different clinic and they have been very understanding, I have had a referral for acupuncture (nhs) counselling and hydrotherapy They also offered me a ketamin infusion for the pain which according to my GP is "lucky," hope that helps

*The one I went to was very good,they do a short exercise session,gave coping strategies, pacing yourself talks,they had a session with close family and friends to help them understand the condition and what they could do to help you. Self help, physiotherapy etc. over at 2.5 hour session. It helped me a lot I made friends too.

*I cant help, I am still waiting for my pain management appointment 2 years later!

*Hi, the one I went to was and is fantastic. They put me on their pain management course which was one day a week for 8 weeks. During the sessions we had help, talks, coping strategies including the above mentioned pacing. All given by a psychologist, pain nurse who did relaxation techniques and a physiotherapist. I now know how to get in and out of a chair properly without hurting myself further, how to sort stuff in my home around to help myself, which little exercises I can do to strengthen muscles and how far to go, very important lol and various relaxation methods.
I still see the pain consultant who didn't take me off my meds but suggested changes such as tramadol to slow release tramadol etc. Meds are so much better now. Also have a TENS machine and instructions on how to use it on the points that are used in acupuncture and how it helps. I found and still find the pain clinic essential to me and very helpful. However, I do believe it's different all round the country.
Good luck!

*If you are in Southampton. bugger all! I went, had a talk about the importance of taking your mind of pain blah blah blah, did try some counselling there for a bit, but basically FMS is something my lot didn't agree to being physical really. I really do hope you have a better experience, but do expect to be patronized again!