FIBROMYALGIA TIPS 1.    Become well-educated about Fibromyalgia. 2.    Try to prepare for the up-and-down nature of the disease.         Plan alternative activities, alternative time schedules or time        for extra rest. 3.    Be open with family and friends about the unpredictable        pattern of Fibromyalgia and how the disease affects you. 4.    By “listening” to your pain as a signal, you can begin to        “control” it. 5.    Find positive ways to channel such negative feelings as anger        and depression.

7.    Remember that stress, depression and pain are all closely        connected and each one affects the others. 8.   You can reduce your fatigue by developing priorities and        learning to pace your daily activities. Break down big,        long-term goals into small, manageable steps that can be        accomplished in short amounts of time. 9.    Although Fibromyalgia doesn’t directly affect the body’s        capacity for sexual enjoyment, the disease can cause        problems.  Open, honest communication is necessary to        overcome these. 10.  If Fibromyalgia has limited your hobbies and activities find        new ways to use your skills. 11.  Don’t be afraid to ask for help of you need it.  You can also        contact the local self-help group or head office of The        Fibromyalgia Society of Ontario Inc. 12.  Become a partner in your health care by taking care to stay as        healthy as possible - physically and emotionally.