how do you cope?

[nave]

what coping tips do you have? how do you get through the day without losing your sanity?

i mentioned a few of mine already, making lists so i dont forget is a good one.

for headaches, i use accupressure, cause painkillers just dont work for me with migraines. and finding a quiet place to get a quick naps sometimes does the trick too.

for cold feel, i have this great pair of warm slippers that are actually wool boot liners (from canada). they go half way up my calf, and keep my feet so warm. i wear them to bed sometimes, and it helps me to sleep better.

with insomnia, i sometimes play soothing music, or even put the radio onto a talk station and turn it low.. just the chatting makes me fall asleep. if i really cant sleep i will come on the computer and play a mindless game, like solitaire, until i get bored out of my mind..then my head is clear of thoughts and i can sleep.

for the itchies.. when i want to take sandpaper to my skin to stop it from itching, i have a cool shower (or put a damp cloth on a particularly itchy spot)

i guess thats it for now, i'll think of more later and add them

[TishArby]

ive mentioned also a few things i like to use and do to help..

i do also write everything down all over the place, if i have appointments comming up soon i levae that paper work out, (might make place loook messy,,lol ) but makes me remember.

i use wheat bags with lavender smell pop in to micro'oven for 2 minutes and then place on the ache good for headaches tooo, you can also put it in freezer for about 10 minutes cool it and helps sooth the burning pains

i also get bath salts to help relax...

silence is also great for me too...

drinking plenty of fluids, try to avoid cafene things (coffee coke etc).. they can keep you awake and make pains come on'

ive used therapy magents they okay for mild pains but they do help.. (local chemsits)

and ive seen cool gel pac, you put them on your head where you have the mirgraine and it soooths away the pain

[Snoopy]

I am learning alot here. I didn't even know some of the things I had were fibro or cfs related.
I have itchy spots especially at night in bed because I get warm ( my partner says my skin feels like it is burning ) Cool showers help a lot for that.
For the aches and pains I take hot showers ( we hope to get a bath in our new house ) and use a gel pack that I can use hot or cold. When it gets to be unbareable I use painkillers ( only when I know for sure I am not preg )
I also make lists and leave things out that need to be done
I try to make a routine in my day so things don't get forgotten but that is sometimes difficult when my partner works shift work or on his many days off.
I find getting up at the same time every day helps. Even if I am still tired I get up and start my day and then later take a nap again if needed. This helps me with the headaches and feeling dropy all day.The one thing I still need to learn is to restrain myself on days I feel good. I have a tendency to go full tilt and then spend the next week totally wiped out.

[TishArby]

i use Emulsifying ointment b.p (soap)
and Diprobase (cream) its really helps. you can get it on prescription ask the doc

i get mega itchy skin and dry flakey skin..

[TishArby]

i suffer mega chest pains.. due to breaking 3 of my rib's...

what i do is get the spare duvet and fold it in half and lay it on my side of the bed to make it feel like im in a bed of roses....lol.... it also helps on the hips...

[A1]

I use a wheatbag too Tish, they are very effective. I can't use bath salts tho, as they are one thing that gives me really bad thrush. Need to be careful not to irritate the sensitive parts!  I am fortunate that I don't have any real problems with my skin, apart from the wrinkles that is!

[TishArby]

lol a1,

those radox bath things are goood, they do remedy ones sleep easy etc... i use them tooo... its all that amerotherpay  cant spell it... lol you know what i mean