Goal Setting Step 2 ...
List all your symptoms
Now that I have completed Step 1 in the process of establishing my pain management goals and identified my goal and action steps, it's time to move onto step 2.
Step 2: List all your symptoms.
In order to take control of my pain management, I must recognize each symptom I experience and how they affect my overall, general Fibro pain and fatigue. By identifying each symptom, I can take control of each as a measurable step to achieving my goal.
Fibromyalgia is a very complex disorder with an exhaustive list of symptoms and comorbid conditions. Unfortunately, like many people with FM, I have many, if not all, of them.
The Fibromyalgia symptoms that I experience AND want to get under control are:
Excruciating Pain
Widespread Pain
FM Tender Points
Debilitating Fatigue
Reduced stamina
Fibro Fog
Difficulty walking or standing
Muscle weakness
Stiffness
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Gastroparesis
Insomnia
Sleep apnea
As extensive and exhausting as this list may seem, it does not include all of them or all the comorbid conditions I am battling. This is merely the list of symptoms I want to get under control. This process gives me power over my Fibro. By acknowledging each symptom, I can now keep track of each and ask myself:
How often do I experience each?
What time of day do I experience each?
What brings on a symptom?
What aggravates a symptom?
What mitigates a symptom?
Which are my predominate symptoms?
Which are my minor/annoyance symptoms?
Knowing the answers to each of these questions as they relate to each symptom and comorbid condition helps me formulate discussions with my healthcare providers, FR physician, chronic pain doctor, and rheumatologist.
In the next post I'll discuss Step 3 of goal setting.
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