Tips to Handle the Holidays with Fibromyalgia

According to recent studies, the holiday season is especially rough on individuals suffering from fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Consumer advocacy groups and health experts have provided some easy tips for keeping your symptoms in check while enjoying the holiday season.

Shopping poses specific problems: standing in long lines, crowded and noisy stores and walking long distances. The best way to deal with having to clear your gift list is to have a clear plan. Go to the stores you need to go to in the order of distance and call ahead to make sure they have what you’re looking for. The best idea to is start early in the season so that you can take your time. Stop shopping before you get tired. If you feel yourself saying, “I could do two more things”, that’s the best time to stop.

The holidays generally mean families get together in large numbers. This can be stressful and tiring to those with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. A good way to beat having your symptoms drag you down is to plan a lot of down time in the days leading up to Christmas. Even on the day itself, allow yourself to slip away and rest if you need to. Once the presents have been opened, keep them all in one place to avoid having to search later on. Keep whatever medication you may need on hand to get on top of problems quickly.

As a California neurologist, I’ve seen the stress and anxiety that the holiday season can cause in those with fibromyalgia. I hope providing these tips has been helpful and will aid in keeping your symptoms in check throughout the season. If you have chronic pain symptoms, it may be in your best interests to discuss them with a pain management doctor.

Tags: California, California neurologist, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, fibromyalgia treatment, pain management, pain managment doctor