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Parents With Fibromyalgia Should Avoid These 5 Things

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Parenting can be challenging even when you are doing it right. Normal fatigue as a parent typically comes from the demands of daily caregiving, household responsibilities, and juggling work or other commitments. It’s often temporary and may improve with rest or a change in routine. However, parents coping with Fibromyalgia might find this journey downright overwhelming. Since this autoimmune disease leads to extreme exhaustion and pain, they may feel like giving up on their duties. 

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes tenderness and muscle pain. Anyone can get diagnosed with it, but women are ‌more prone to it than men. According to NIH MedlinePlus Magazine, Fibromyalgia may be linked to the brain’s inability to process pain signals properly. 

As a parent, you should be physically and mentally fit to provide for your children. Therefore, if you suffer from Fibromyalgia, there are five things you should avoid to manage your condition better. To learn more, keep reading this article.

How To Know You Have Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is an autoimmune disease and there aren’t any visible physical changes associated with it. If you have swollen joints, you might want to get another diagnosis. Consulting with a General Practitioner can be helpful.

However, most GPs will ask you to consult a rheumatologist for further confirmation. It is also crucial to understand that other health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, lupus, and IBS, can coexist.

What to Avoid in Fibromyalgia to Be a Better Parent

As a parent, managing your Fibromyalgia is essential to reducing pain and enhancing your quality of life. When you prioritize your well-being, you’ll be better equipped to care for your children and handle the demands of parenting. While every journey is unique, certain habits and triggers can worsen symptoms. Here are five things to avoid that can help improve your situation:

Excessive Physical Activity

Exercise can help parents with their Fibromyalgia, but don’t overdo it. Overexertion can cause fatigue and prevent you from exercising for many days in a row. It’s best to create a moderate exercise regime, such as swimming, that doesn’t overly tire you and stick to it.

You can set a benchmark by using an activity-tracking device or a heart-rate monitor. Walking is an easy option for most parents. Family walks offer time to have fun together and discuss your day. They can take short-breaks between their household chores and work to complete 5000 steps per day, which is a good starting point for people with Fibromyalgia.

Parent with Fibromyalgia playing soccer with kids.

Using Opioids to Reduce Pain

Drugs, such as corticosteroids, NSAIDs, and opioids can be effective in providing relief for Fibromyalgia pain. Parents should model responsible medication use for their Fibromyalgia, as children may adopt unhealthy habits if they see overreliance.

The FDA-approved drugs for managing Fibromyalgia are milnacipran (Savella), pregabalin (Lyrica), and duloxetine (Cymbalta). These medications are specifically designed to target the symptoms of Fibromyalgia by addressing nerve pain and abnormal pain processing in the brain.

Here’s how each of these medications works and what they are used for:

  • Milnacipran (Savella): A selective serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) that helps regulate pain signals and improve mood.
  • Pregabalin (Lyrica): A medication that calms overactive nerves, reduces pain, and improves sleep quality.
  • Duloxetine (Cymbalta): Another SNRI that works on pain pathways in the brain while also addressing symptoms like depression and anxiety, which often coexist with Fibromyalgia.

Opioids are not recommended for Fibromyalgia because they can cause dependency, have significant side effects, and do not address the underlying nerve pain characteristic of Fibromyalgia. Research shows that opioids may worsen Fibromyalgia symptoms over time by altering pain perception.

Opioids aren't recommended when parenting with Fibromyalgia.

In April 2023, researchers from the Ohio State University and the University of Michigan shared their findings on this issue. Out of 125 people they surveyed, 39 of them had Fibromyalgia. They found people who used opioids to reduce their pain said that their addiction to them increased manifold.

Suboxone as a Solution for OUD?

Suboxone, an FDA-approved drug to treat their OUD (opium use disorder) is a solution, but not a viable one. Unfortunately, this drug has a vast range of side effects, the most prominent one being dental health issues.

Keith King, a man from Ohio, suffered extreme tooth decay after using this medication for 16 months. In his Suboxone tooth decay lawsuit, he mentioned having to get many teeth extracted. If you have had a similar predicament, seek legal recourse. In June 2024, AboutLawsuits.com reported that 9,600 new plaintiffs had joined a bundled complaint to seek justice and compensation for their losses.

With a pH of 3.4, the acidic nature of the medication affects the enamel. A few other side-effects of the medicine are:

  • Blurred vision.
  • Headache.
  • Constipation.
  • Burning mouth syndrome.
  • Nausea.
  • Tongue pain.

TruLaw states that severe dental issues can affect you emotionally, physically, and financially. Hence, parents who’ve used Suboxone might have to spend a lot on dental surgeries to address dental problems. 

That aside, acute gum or dental problems can lead to social anxiety and self-esteem issues, which affect your relationship with your kids. 

Parent with Fibromyalgia Consuming Excess Sugar

Sugar can reduce blood pH levels and worsen Fibromyalgia. Fruit juices and acidic soft drinks with added sugar can increase inflammation. That, in turn, can aggravate the pain parents face with Fibromyalgia. Using some substitutes like stevia or organic honey is a better option, but moderation is key.

Not Having Enough Sleep

According to WebMD, not getting adequate sleep can aggravate pain and lead to restless legs syndrome. Parents with Fibromyalgia should ensure they sleep well to improve focus and better care for their children. Make sure you sleep and wake up at the same time every day.

If you find it tough to sleep early or on time, develop a bedtime routine, such as listening to a sleep subliminal track or reading a book. Also, ensure you turn off the lights before falling asleep, as this helps maintain your circadian rhythm.

Unmanaged Stress in a Parent with Fibromyalgia

Everyone experiences stress, but managing it effectively is the key to better living. If you have a tendency to get anxious or overwhelmed easily, find ways to manage it. Massage helps to reduce stress and ease muscle pain. You can use a tennis ball or any other firm object to release muscle tension and ease the pain. You may also seek professional help, as it can help you relax and feel better.

parenting with Fibromyalgia is easier when managing your stress.

Taking Care of Yourself for Better Parenting

Parents with Fibromyalgia should take good care of themselves to ensure their pain doesn’t hinder their duties. This way, they can spend quality time with their children, attend to their academic needs, and also provide them with better guidance. Although it is tough to eliminate the pain entirely, avoiding the five things mentioned above can help manage this condition to a vast extent.

parenting with Fibromyalgia is better when you practice self care.

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