I was expecting it.  After all, it was bound to happen.  Three days into the first week of classes, it hits me hard: a cold.

Okay, for the average person, a cold is not such a big deal. If you live with fibromyalgia, however, a cold can turn your world upside down…at least, it can mine.

Already you have to deal with the usual symptoms (pain/nausea/fibro-fog/fatigue/etc.), now imagine adding on the stress of having a cold, which only exacerbates the symptoms you normally have while adding a couple more???! Seriously, it’s no fun.

The point is that yesterday I found myself feverish, anxious because I was feverish, nauseous because I am often nauseous but also because of being ill, alert because I was anxious because I was feverish and nauseous.  It’s brutal.

So, what did I do to counter this situation?

I headed over to the Mayo Clinic’s website to look up information on the common cold and how to treat it.  Of course, most of what was there was common sense:

• Pain Relievers (have it, but don’t want to use it–I try to keep it natural)
• Decongestant Nasal Sprays (have it, but don’t want to use it–I try to keep it natural)
• Cough Syrups (don’t have it and probably wouldn’t use it–I try to keep it natural)
• Drink lots of fluids (I drink about 2 litres of water every day)
• Try chicken soup (I am vegetarian/vegan almost)
• Get some rest (I suffer from insomnia a lot, so who knows)
• Adjust your room’s temperature and humidity (Rome in September–I turned off the fan)
• Soothe your throat (I’ve got water and salt for gargling)
• Use saline nasal drops (don’t have it and probably wouldn’t use it–I try to keep it natural)

So, this what I did: made some lemon/honey tea, drank water, had something hot to eat (rice with vegetables), ate some fruit, tried to rest, turned off my fan and gargled with salt water.

Did it work?  

Well, I am feeling a heck of a lot better this morning, except for the migraine concentrating itself over my right eye.

Either way, I feel good enough to head out to my class in the afternoon–and that’s the most important thing for today.

So, what was right yesterday?

Many things: 🙂

• I woke up and did my daily meditation/stretches
• I worked, read, wrote, and knitted som
• I went to class and participated fully
• I recognised and fully acknowledged that I was getting a cold
• I did my best to prevent the cold from persisting
• I took it easy and reminded myself that I was trying my best.

Remember: Do You!

A while back, I posted about the following article on going to school and managing fibromyalgia symptoms as well as asking for accommodation by Kristen Stewart on EverydayHealth.com: Succeeding at School with Fibromyalgia.  It’s worth taking a look at again, if you have already, and if you haven’t, then take a look now.

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Each day I try to remind myself that my path is unique and cannot be walked by anyone else and cannot be compared to anyone else’s.  

Walking it may not always be easy, but it is always worthwhile.

 Until Next Time,

D.