Pacing - the only way to survive Christmas with fibromyalgia

Just a little reminder to all that pacing is the only way to get through the next few days. Come the start of January, you wont regret having done frozen peas instead of sprouts, or having handed over presents in bags not neatly wrapped, but you will regret it if you spent the day in bed as you overdid it trying to prepare!

I managed to do too much tidying yesterday, getting carried away, and as a result didn't wake up until lunchtime, so now have to truly prioritise or suffer tomorrow. I want to eat christmas pudding, so thats next on the list, and maybe wrapping, but thats it for me. I have sent out to Waitrose entertaining for ready prepared vegtables, and a christmas cake. The local butcher Sumblers has prepared the meats, and amazon has provided almost all the presents - the others were from a couple of shops near work, or other web shopping sites. However looking back on this. it probably worked out at about the same costs as preparing early gave me web discounts enough to cover the extra in food ordering, so I think next year I will get amazon to gift wrap everything too!

Happy holidays everyone, and don't panic about the small stuff - just remember its your time that counts, not your perfection.

Stressless sofas

Need a new sofa? old one just too hard/soft? Well I was in this situation recently - I wasn't very happy that the old one hadn't lasted even 6 years, but it gave us the chance to look for something more supportive that I could get out of more easily. High back to stop those draughts round the neck, and a recliner were high on the list. I checked out several shops, and much of them were the same except for 2 shops. The main issue was that the recliners were almost all manual - they open out quickly enough, but I don't have the leg or arm strength to close them again, meaning I get stuck and make things worse by having to clamber out if I am on my own and the door goes.

The winners were DFS who now do an electric reclining range, and they had 3 very comfy ones, and Stressless. My husband initially said he refused to pay that much for a sofa, but thankfully they were on sale so stressless it was. I preferred their more robust build and the lumber support that drops away as you lean back. Its been a week now, and its so comfortable that I have easily managed to take a couple of afternoon naps on it and wake up without being in agony - so a big thumbs up for Stressless!

Dreamland electric throw

OK, so I don't actually have one of these, but its definitely going onto my Christmas wish list. I do get so cold in the winter, but don't want to either waste too much fuel or parboil my dog, so I usually start bringing in the fleeces and throws about this time of year. I used to have a dreamland electric duvet when living in a flat with no central heating. This was so good that it replaced my previous mound of bedding - by mound I mean 2 x 13.5 tog duvets and a smaller 10 tog one on top for good measure. I also use their heat pad and cushion regularly to ease those aches and pains, so the thought of a nice cosy, washable electric throw has got me really excited. If I don't get one, I will be buying one in January for sure!

Update: I did get one for my birthday, and its been a resounding success, especially in this cold spell we are having. The dog loves it too - he came in from a freezing rainy walk yesterday evening, and poked it in its pile with his ears down, looking at me, until I put it on my lap for him to warm up on top of. Yes, this is probably aginst the safety warnings, but he's only small and gets off if he starts to get too warm.

Heat Tech Clothing

Whats the one thing you need with fibromyalgia? - lots of layers

Whats the one thing you don't need? - too much bulk or weight!

I am loving the new heat tech clothes from Uniqlo - cheap, cosy and colorful, what more do you need on a bleak day like today.