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Fibromyalgia and Fatigue - Page 2

© Cynthia Webber (Jausten)

In looking at this simple explanation of why we are tired and have little or not energy, it shows that our fibromyalgia is not related to a particular personality type or all in our minds. It is a real physiological occurrence which we have little control over at this time. Until enough research is done, we will have to accept the fact that we are going to have fatigue and sometimes total exhaustion.

However, there are ways that we can help ourselves deal with our fatigue. Many of us are caught between the desire to help others and we deplete our own resources until we have nothing left to give to either others or ourselves. A friend described a day when she sat in a restaurant with another friend, and they were like two burnt-out embers, neither one of them having enough energy to light the flame of a decent conversation. Like this friend, I have felt the same way many times. It is a feeling of total exhaustion and emptiness, and sometimes even numbness towards life occurs. During these times of great fatigue and exhaustion, there is not enough within me to reach out to another, much less care for myself.

Tools for us to use are simple, but it is also very difficult at times to implement them without feeling guilty. Becoming assertive sounds easy, but it does help to have prepared statements such as: "Due to my fibromyalgia, I can only do so many things each day," or, "I am unable to do what you've asked because it would push me beyond my physical limits today," or "I'm having a very difficult day today with my pain and fatigue levels, and is there someone else who could help you?"

There are many good books available at libraries and book stores which can help us to learn to say "no" but say it in such a way that we don't feel guilty or become frustrated and angry when others seem to not understand our fibromyalgia.

Some authorities advise people with fibromyalgia not to nap, but I personally get some of my best sleep during the late afternoon. We each have to do what works for us, and avoiding a nap during the day may not help our sleep patterns at night. Our fibromyalgia affects our sleep, and even getting some good quality sleep during the day is better than having no sleep at all.

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