Living well with fibromyalgia

If you have been given a fibromyalgia diagnosis, we understand how daunting that can feel. You may be wondering what helps fibromyalgia and what makes it easier to live with this chronic condition. At Complete Care Shop, we believe in giving you the tools you need to live comfortably and independently. 

We’ve created a guide to things that can help you manage daily, including fibromyalgia mobility aids and resources that could help relieve your symptoms and allow you to live your life as fully as possible. 

What is fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition which causes widespread pain and tenderness in the muscles and soft tissue throughout the body, as well as an increased sensitivity to pain. It’s more common in middle-aged women but can also affect men and teenagers. 

Causes of fibromyalgia

There is no known cause of fibromyalgia, though it’s thought to be the result of irregular amounts of specific brain chemicals which affect the way your central nervous system processes pain signals. It could also be caused by a combination of physical, psychological and biological factors; fibromyalgia can be passed down genetically and triggered after an accident or injury, whether physical or mental.

If you’re unsure of whether you could have fibromyalgia, there are some symptoms to look out for.

Symptoms of fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia can cause symptoms throughout your body and mind. These are the most common:

• Pain and stiff muscles
  
• Fatigue
  
• Poor sleep quality or a sleeping disorder due to the pain
  
• Extreme sensitivity to touch, light and sound
  
• Headaches
  
• Cognitive difficulties, such as struggling with memory processing and concentration
  

If you’re regularly showing any of these symptoms and think you may have fibromyalgia, please contact your doctor. 

What to do if you have fibromyalgia

Although there’s no formal test to diagnose fibromyalgia, a doctor may do so based on your medical records and symptoms. They may perform a physical exam to examine your joints and muscles and see whether you show signs of any other conditions.

Treatment for fibromyalgia

Unfortunately, there is no known cure or treatment for fibromyalgia. Your doctor may prescribe pain relievers to help with the pain or antidepressants if it’s severely impacting your mental well-being. You may also be recommended to try physiotherapy, acupuncture and massages or be referred to Rheumatology.

You can make lifestyle changes to help, such as light exercise, a healthier diet with less caffeine and alcohol, and meditation techniques before bed to improve your sleep quality. If fibromyalgia is heavily impacting your day to day, there are other ways and products to help. 

What helps living with fibromyalgia?

Those living with this condition may find ordinary tasks challenging to complete due to severe body pain. When exploring what helps fibromyalgia, you may want to consider living aids. Complete Care Shop is one of the UK's most trusted living aid providers. Our fibromyalgia mobility aids and living aids can help make life a little easier.

Recommended products

• Mobility aids—Research shows how important it is for our minds and bodies to be outdoors for fresh air and vitamin D, which are essential for our well-being. If you’re finding it difficult to get about, we have a wide range of mobility aids, such as walking sticks and frames, rollators, crutches, and more. For those needing more assistance, we also have wheelchairs and mobility scooters, so you won’t have to miss out on any adventures. 
  
• Dressing aids—Living with chronic pain doesn’t have to mean losing your sense of style. We have a selection of dressing aids to help you get ready without straining your muscles too much, from sock aids to button hooks and even a Bra Angel.
  
• Bathroom aids—Taking a hot soak can help soothe aching muscles and make it easier to sleep. Browse our extensive range of bathroom aids and find anything from bathroom grab rails to bath lifts, washing and hygiene aids to toilet aids.

Useful charities and resources

Living with fibromyalgia can take a toll on your mind as well as your body, and you may want support and comfort from those in a similar situation as you. Fibromyalgia UK is a registered charity aiming to give those suffering from this condition the support and guidance they need. They have national helplines for those wanting more information, online support forums and UK-wide support groups for those wishing to connect with people who can relate. 

You can also browse the NHS website, which has more detailed information about what fibromyalgia is and suggests other ways to get help.

How can Complete Care Shop help?

Complete Care Shop cares above all about your comfort and well-being. Our range of living aids can help assist you in your daily life, and we offer expert advice for those who need it. Our in-house Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants can guide you on which products are best for you. 

You can also look at our mobility & daily living blog for guides about our products and ways to help you live well with your condition. Please don’t hesitate to contact us for any more advice or information.