Mornings: How do you guy manage the dreaded a.m. - Fibromyalgia Message Board

gorgee · 04-08-2008, 10:25 AM

First thing I must say, as I edit this post, it is how do you guys manage the dreaded a.m?

Ok I am trying to battle the mornings. I am learning to get as much as I can done the night before, like make up drinks for the boys for the morning, and also buy easy breakfast stuff like danishes and muffins for us, so it is easier.

I am so stiff and sore in the morning, and it takes me at least 3 hours to get up and go. How do you all do it, and what if you work?

I need coffee. I know that you should not drink coffee because it does not help with pain, or anxiety, but I need the caffeine. 3 hours seem to be the magic number, for me to get less sore to walk, and the meds to kick in.

What works for you all, and is this common, having fibro, for me not to work well with the mornings?

Thank you,

Kassandra

builder · 04-08-2008, 12:15 PM

I have the same problem. it is hard to even put clothes on in the morning. I bought a 4" memory foam matress pad that has helped quite a bit with my morning stiffness. It really works for me. I also have been taking Provigil. This stuff seems to wake you up almost instantly. But, I cut the pill in half so I can sleep at night.

sandy0224 · 04-08-2008, 12:28 PM

Honestly, after over 5 years of having fibro and other medical problems I have just decided that it takes what it takes in the morning. I take what meds I have to in the a.m. to get my kids off to school then I go back to bed, for about 3 hours, like you said! I either lay on the couch and watch morning tv, or go back to sleep. I know that I need much more sleep to function then I did before I developed fibro.

I think you are on the right track doing things at night to prepare for the morning. Mornings are terrible.....it literally takes me til about 2 pm to really get moving. I take my pain meds, etc, and just wait it out.

Don't feel guilty about this. You have an illness and like I said, it takes what it takes for you to function. If that's til noon then so be it! I'm assuming you stay home since you have the 3 hours to come alive. I fought the guilt of not being able to move in the a.m, but now my kids and whole family know that I do not do mornings and do the bare minimum til I can hit the couch or bed after they're gone. By the time they get home I'd showered, dresssed, and cleaning the kitchen! LOL

I still hurt all day long and do things in spurts too. I clean something, sit down at the computer or couch for a half hour, on and off all day long. I think it's truly a life adjustment when you have chronic pain. You just have to figure out what is the best way to manage your day so that your pain is at a minimum. Easy to say, hard to do.

I totally understand and empathize with you!!! Honestly, you sound like you have things together though and have thought this through and have a plan. So, good for you!

ps...I drink coffee too. I have to or I'd be half asleep the ENTIRE day!

Sandy

ocdsux108 · 04-08-2008, 01:06 PM

Hi Kass,
I have the luxury (HAHA) of waking up at 3:30am to get to work for 5am. I just started this schedule (it's been about a month now) & I've never felt worse. I used to joke that I was one of the only people I knew who was a morning person. Well, Fibro took that away from me too! In fact, now, it's 3pm & I'm still in pain! My doc gave me Cymbalta, which I'm forcing myself to take -I haven't yet though. I find that I'm at my stiffest from the time I get up till about 7am (wow...almost 3hrs too!!) then it hits me again after 12pm. I also so most things the night before. It helps alot! Honestly, my opinion is this is all trial & error until you find a point of functioning. Well, that's where I'm at now anyway. Good luck with the mornings!!
P.S. I love caffeine too but it doesn't help my fatigue AT ALL!!!!!

Grapedy · 04-08-2008, 07:44 PM

Go ahead and get started on the Cymbalta.

Nothing ventured nothing gained. Don't think of it as an anti-depressant, think of it as an added weapon in your arsenal against pain. For some strange reason, certain anti-depressants help block some of our over-active pain receptors.

At this point in my life I deal with mornings by sleeping through most of it. My work schedule is currently 2-10, so it's quite easy for me to sleep till 10 or so. By then the morning's nearly over! But I get to quit early tonight because I logged in early.