Living with fibromyalgia we learn quickly how unpredictable the condition and its symptoms can be. We learn how to manipulate and change our surrounds and routines to avoid certain symptoms from spiraling out of control. However, what happens when we can’t prevent said symptoms from arising or becoming worse?? If you have fibromyalgia you know too well what I mean by this comment. For those of you reading this who do not live with the daily struggle of chronic pain you may be wondering how one can’t possibly control their symptoms.

For myself as summer changes to fall weather – my fibromyalgia symptoms go out of control and no matter what steps I take to prevent this from happening , it happens. The extreme fatigue appeared like clock work – the beginning of October the fatigue showed up full force. By 6 pm every evening I am barely able to keep my eyes open. I am even finding myself sleeping in past 7 am every morning ( which is not normal for me). This cycle has been consistent since my fibromyalgia diagnosis. As fall turns into winter weather, the fatigue sets in even further. The last few weeks all my body wants is to sleep all day long – even though the acquired sleep does not leave my body feeling any more refreshed. I am absolutely exhausted. Exhausted from battling the exhaustion! I try not to allow myself to sleep all day, as we all know it is not exactly a healthy habit to form. However, as my body transitions to the winter weather I allow myself to rest more. This was a learning curve for me over the years as if I do not allow my body to rest, the more intense my fibromyalgia gets. I don’t consider the added rest as a failure to control my fibromyalgia, or allow my mind to convince myself I am lazy anymore. I have simply come to terms with this is what my body needs at this moment – to rest. Eventually the fatigue eases a bit to the point where I don’t feel the need to sleep all day.

Lets talk about pain levels…

For those of us with fibromyalgia most of us can agree that we are never totally pain free. Even on days when I say my pain levels are lower, I still feel a degree of pain. A degree of pain that I can still function enough to get a few chores done around the house. However again the summer to fall/winter weather aggravates my pain. The intensity increases the cooler the weather gets. The last week has been a very trying week. A week of unpredictable fluctuating pain. Head to toe pain that feels like my bones are being drilled into. For the ladies out there with long hair ( or the males who may have long hair) – you know that feeling you get when you have worn your hair up in a ponytail for so long and then you try to brush your hair and your scalp hurts?! I often describe this as my hair hurts. What really causes the pain – the hair has been compressed so tight in the ponytail that it has caused the nerves in our scalp and under our hair follicles to become sensitive and aggravated. Seriously though it is called ponytail headache and is considered a form of allodynia. People with fibromyalgia experience allodynia which is pain due to a stimulus that does not normally create pain. This is how I explain how my entire body feels every fall.

It took me a long time to accept the fact that weather is one of my biggest flare up triggers. Weather is one aspect we have no control over. What I can change is my attitude towards the increased pain/fatigue levels and how I cope through these challenging times. It is definitely a learning curve. What I have learned is to be gentler with myself during season changes and weather that triggers my pain levels. Do I still get annoyed, discouraged and even angry at times – YES. After all I am only human. What I have allowed myself to feel these emotions and pick myself back up and carry on with life. After all – what more can a person do when living with a chronic condition. Some days are harder to pick myself back up, but giving up and allowing fibromyalgia to win is not an option. Stay strong fibrofighters. Remember to be kind to yourself! Gentle hugs to you all.