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Friday, November 9, 2012

My Comfort Care Pack for Fibromyalgia #NHBPM

Wondering what to get your friend or family member who has recently been diagnosed with fibromyalgia?  Here are my suggestions for putting together a comfort care package that shows how much you understand and want to help.  It's filled with items that are useful, practical and helpful.

A Good Book


I know that one of the very first things I did when I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia was hit the book store.  There are many good books about this condition packed with practical self-help strategies that you don't often hear about at the doctor's office.

Here are my suggestions:
 
The first FM book:
Fibromyalgia & Chronic
Myofascial Pain
I Hurt Like Hell
How to be Sick
FibroWHYalgia
The CFIDS/
Fibromyalgia Tool Kit
Figuring Out
Fibromyalgia

Perhaps the most awesome gift of all?  All these book loaded onto a Kindle!

Soothing Music


There are times when fibromyalgia causes your sympathetic nervous system to over-react, leaving you feeling wired and keyed up.  One powerful weapon I have found to combat this state is listening to ambient music.  Perhaps you've heard it too when you went to see your chiropractor, massage therapist or acupuncturist.  It is instrumental music that often features nature sounds like bells, babbling brooks and whale songs.

Pandora Radio has an excellent Ambient Radio channel.  Amazon.com also has CDs and MP3 music downloads.  I think an amazing gift would be an MP3 Player loaded with an ambient music playlist.


Liquid Mind
Brian Eno
Windham Hill
Deuter

Comforting Heat


Nothing beats the comforting relief of moist heat packs when cold and damp weather makes your muscles ache.  I use the Bed Buddy line of products exclusively and highly recommend them.

Carex Bed Buddy Neck Wrap

A Little Support


I find maintaining proper alignment while seated for activities helps prevent flare-ups of my fibromyalgia.  That's why I use a lumbar support pillow and a comfort neck pillow when watching TV, reading a book or using my laptop.  And they all have covers that can be easily removed and washed.


This can be used as a
lumbar, knee and neck
support
This IMAK Happineck
pillow is one of my favorites.
The satin cover keeps
your hair looking nice.

Find Comfort Neck Pillows at Amazon.com

Find Lumbar Pillows at Amazon.com

A Snuggly Throw


Fibromyalgia can also play havoc with your temperature regulation.  So it's always a good idea to have a throw around just in case you suddenly feel cold.  I recently discovered Cocoon blankets which are lightweight and very soft against your skin. Plus they move moisture away from your body to keep you both dry and warm.

Cocoon CoolMax Fleece blanket
Cocoon CoolMax Travel blanket

A Good Laugh


Laughter is by far the best coping strategy.  Having something funny to read, listen to or watch can also be a great distraction from pain and fatigue.  So why not give the gift of a comedy?  Here are some "sick humor" selections that I enjoy:



Sick Humor (CD and MP3s)
How Can You NOT Laugh at
a Time Like This? (book)

Check out Carla Ulbrich, "The Singing Patient," at Amazon.com


So what would you add to my comfort care package? Let me know by leaving me a comment below.





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1 comment

Anonymous said...

Selena, Love all your ideas! Just read my hubby your praise on the Cocoon blanket. I wondered if he had heard of them, since he is such a camper and has all kinds of cold weather sleeping bags and various blankets. Not only had he heard of them, he has two! I told him to wash them and put them in the family room for TV watching! WARM!

I had to laugh at the ambient music thing. Once I went for acupuncture and like usual, they put on the nice music. But this one particular time the music that was playing was all about waters sounds, nice but parts of sounded like somebody was peeing in the water. It didn't relax me too much, I thought it was funny!

xoxomo