A feather duster and one of those new mops called Swiffers can hide a multitude of sins, getting up the obvious dust, dust bunnies and floor debris with ease. They are also light and easy to handle. You can get away with a lot if things are simply neat and dust free.

Joints may feel as if they hurt, but in reality FMS is a syndrome that affects the connective tissues that surround the joint, making it seem as if the joints themselves are hurting. (Of course, many fibromites also have arthritis - in which case the joints really do hurt as well.) This isn't surprising, as it has recently been found that the main problem in FMS is probably an aberration of the central pain mechanism, which involves neuroendocrine and immune dysfunctions.

Basically, most people with fibro experience a loss of interest in sex. This really isn't surprising – very few people have a lot of libido when they ache and hurt and are exhausted, and when the problem is a chronic one, for which there is little relief. To make things worse – sex can hurt because it does involve stress on our connective tissues. You must make sure that your partner understands this, and doesn't blame himself or herself.

Fibro patients can be abnormally sensitive to cold or hot weather. They are often cold when others are hot, or hot when most people are comfortable – and can also have chills while sweating. Dressing in layers seems to be the best way to deal with this, as you can always take something off or put something on until you reach relative comfort.

Write things down. Use a calendar to record appointments. Put post-it notes around your monitor, and keep a list of groceries and things needed on the refrigerator. Write it down when you think of it on a notepad that you keep with you. (Then try not to forget to read your lists.)

A common aid to FMS pain is an analgesic skin patch called Duragesic (Fentanyl), which is applied every third day and works on a time release basis. The first application may take up to 72 hours to become effective. This drug is prescribed only for chronic pain, and is a narcotic with addictive potential, although effective if used exactly as prescribed. Some patients, however, report that the patch is not effective for the full 72 hours, and so find that they need another medication for ”breakthrough” pain.

Allergies are not, of course, limited to fibromyalgia sufferers, but many people with fibro also seem to have allergies. While for the most part they affect the respiratory system, they can also affect our skin and internal areas by swelling and hives. Allergies can develop quite suddenly – what was fine for you one day may become a problem – even a life-threatening one, at another time. Add them to fibro and you can feel pretty dreadful. See a good allergist. Remember that it's not just food you can be allergic to, but environmental factors, and even your prescribed medications.

At home, you may need to negotiate with other household members. If your spouse loves loud music, get earphones for him or her. Put lights on dimmer switches. Let your family know how you perceive these things. Take any steps you can to reach a compromise that will allow you some comfort level without putting them out too badly.

Keep in mind that the doctor who says that you are depressed is probably right. But the depression isn't causing your pain – it is caused by it. Some people have dragged around to different doctors for months or years, only to get the shake of the head and the quick dismissal as a hypochondriac. Of course we're depressed! Being in pain and also being dismissed is reasonable cause. Don't let it drag you down. Find a doctor who believes in FMS and understands that it is real.

Keep in mind that the doctor who says that you are depressed is probably right. But the depression isn't causing your pain – it is caused by it. Some people have dragged around to different doctors for months or years, only to get the shake of the head and the quick dismissal as a hypochondriac. Of course we're depressed! Being in pain and also being dismissed is reasonable cause. Don't let it drag you down. Find a doctor who believes in FMS and understands that it is real.

Work out routines. With small things that are easily mislaid like keys or glasses, make it a point to put them in the same place every time. Don't open your car door until you have put your keys safely in your purse. When you get to the house, make certain to walk to the place where your purse goes immediately - always the same place. Put it there before doing anything else.

Quality of sleep, rather than quantity, partially determines how fatigued you are. Ten hours of non-refreshing sleep, which never reaches the deep level, will leave you as tired, or more tired, when awakening than you were when you went to bed. Developing proper sleep habits – not relying on naps, rising and sleeping on a regular schedule, etc., in conjunction with medication, can help you to achieve more restful sleep. Establish a wind-down routine for bedtime and stick to it.

Work out routines. With small things that are easily mislaid like keys or glasses, make it a point to put them in the same place every time. Don't open your car door until you have put your keys safely in your purse. When you get to the house, make certain to walk to the place where your purse goes immediately - always the same place. Put it there before doing anything else.

Ask your doctors about trigger points, if you want to see how much they actually know about fibromyalgia. If they act confused, or if they start talking about sore points in your joints or muscles, then they don't really know the specifics of fibro. However, if they are willing to learn, point them to some good books on the subject. If they know what a trigger point is and have passed the first test, you may very well have yourself a good doctor.

Fibromyalgia has so many symptoms that it's all too easy to blame every new thing we find wrong on it. Don't. It's all too easy to overlook signs of other, treatable diseases until they become severe enough to create real problems. Check with others who have fibro – join a support group or find a good online discussion. If most people don't experience that symptom they way you do, see a doctor. Even fibromites get other illnesses.

Help your doctor help you remember that your doctor has hundreds of medical conditions to keep current about. You have your fibro. Take charge of your illness by keeping informed about it, reading up on it and becoming acquainted with not only the symptoms but also new developments and research. That's the best way to help your doctor to help you.

Don't blame it all on fibroIt might look like fibro and feel like fibro - it may even be listed as a typical fibro symptom - but it might be something other than fibro. Maybe even something that can be treated and fixed. If you suddenly notice new symptoms that you haven't experienced before, report it to your doctor. It's all too easy to blame everything on fibro when it isn't.

There is humor in fibrofog, so learn to enjoy it. Example: "Fibrofog is great. You can buy one book and read it repeatedly and still keep being surprised." Being able to laugh at yourself will help others to deal with your lapses as well. Brushing your teeth with a tube of polysporin will seem funny in a few days. Honest.

Fibro patients can be abnormally sensitive to cold or hot weather. They are often cold when others are hot, or hot when most people are comfortable – and can also have chills while sweating. Dressing in layers seems to be the best way to deal with this, as you can always take something off or put something on until you reach relative comfort.

Scientific evidence suggests that fibromyalgia and CFIDS symptoms are due, at least in part, to abnormal cellular metabolism. This leads to abnormal weight gain and/or loss. We can discipline our metabolism to behave with more regularity by watching our eating habits. The nutrient most often found lacking is magnesium, and that deficit also contributes to Charley horses and other cramping. Too much calcium, and too many refined carbohydrates, can deplete our supply of magnesium.

Identify situations that stress you. Then do your best to avoid them. If you can't avoid them, find ways to think about them more positively. Sometimes even knowing what stresses you helps - forewarned is forearmed. You may want to keep a list of stressful situations so you know what to try to avoid.

Joints may feel as if they hurt, but in reality FMS is a syndrome that affects the connective tissues that surround the joint, making it seem as if the joints themselves are hurting. (Of course, many fibromites also have arthritis - in which case the joints really do hurt as well.) This isn't surprising, as it has recently been found that the main problem in FMS is probably an aberration of the central pain mechanism, which involves neuroendocrine and immune dysfunctions.