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P.A.C.E. - A Prescription for Coping with Fibromyalgia

© Tamara Peters

In last month's article, Keeping Pace with Fibromyalgia, we looked at some of the possible reasons for hindering our ability to pace ourselves properly. Due to the discussions following that article, and the results of the poll I thought a closer look at the particulars of pacing were in order.

I have come to realize, after dealing with fibro for many years, and talking with fellow FMers, that one of the more important aspect of coping with fibro (managing pain and fatigue) is the concept of pacing. It is a skill, while often difficult to put into actual practice, that can be learned.

From the moment we get up, until the moment we go to bed, we should have a plan in place which allows us to maximize our efforts, minimize pain and fatigue, and conserve energy.

Listening to our bodies:

This is where journaling comes in handy. Our main goal here is simply awareness. Spend a few days, or a week, noting in your journal how you are coping/feeling at various times of the day. Are you a morning person who crashes by mid-day, and have totally burned out by evening? Maybe you're at your best in the afternoon and evening with mornings as your worst time of the day. Also note the effects of any stressors or flare producing causes and their source. Take into account the time of year, Spring, Summer, Fall, or Winter. Chart your pain and fatigue levels on a scale of 1-10. After several days of taking note of what your body is telling you about your pain and fatigue levels do you recognize a pattern? If necessary take more than a week. How long it takes for you to identify and sort out the information is not written in stone. I've often found, since I don't consider myself the most observant person, that usually seeing something written in black and white makes all the difference for me.

Understanding:

You may not get the concept of pacing right away, or find it more difficult to practice in actuality - that's okay. As with everything else; it's a process that may take practice over time. I'm just now getting to the stage where I've realized that pacing for me is more a state of mind than anything else. It's an ongoing process that has taken me some time to understand. I've always been an 'all or nothing' sort of person and moderation has taken me many years to achieve. The main thing to remember is to do what is right for you.

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