Just wondering if anyone who has Fibro has gone on a quilt retreat. Specifically, how did you handle your pain while trying to sew, etc. for 2+ days. Were you actually able to enjoy the weekend?

I know this might sound like a strange question but I'm thinking about going to the MI Lake Huron Retreat but not sure if I can handle those "camp" beds, sewing, quilting, etc. for 2-1/2 days plus the drive there and back.

Fibro sucks !! :thumbdown:

Thanks for any input.

Hope you are able to figure out a way to make this work out for you.

i take a 2 inch memory foam topper for my bed when going on retreat it helps

I sometimes have to go to a event for a couple of days and I am constantly busy while there. I pace myself leading up to the event. If I have to drive, I allow time to stop and walk around. I take my own pillows (a bunch of small ones) to prop various parts of me up and I increase my pain meds just a little. I have a pillow I use while I'm "busy" and I make sure to get up and walk around every little bit and do a little stretching especially doing repetitive work. I make it thru and when I get home, I crash for a day or 2. I can't stop the pain while I'm at the event and always pray that I'm not in a major flareup. But these little "preparations" help me thru and I can enjoy the event while I'm there. My doctor gave me little exercises to do if I have to sit, stand or drive too long. And don't be shy if you have to stop and rest...otherwise it wouldn't be known as a retreat!

I'm planning on going to the Lake Huron retreat also. If it would help, I can drive.. I have a Tahoe, so it is comfortable for longer trips and for most passengers.

PM me if you are interested.

I hope you have a wonderful time!!!!

Just go and have a good time. Try not to think of the pain, you will have such a good time that maybe it will be like therpy for you. Take the most comfortable clothes and foam bed topper.
Go have fun. Drink lots of wine.

I don't have fibromyalgia, but have been on several retreats that use "those dreaded camp beds" :-). Several people bring some type of foam memory topper and/or an air mattress (either a thin one to use on top of the bed or a nice thick one to put on the floor next to the bed). Also - most people bring some type of cushion(s) to use and some even bring their own chair from home. I don't know if any of these cushions/toppers were from fibromyalgia or just plain comfort, but they're an idea if they help.

What a nice gesture to offer to drive her. What a blessing and just think...what a great way to meet a board member. :)

If I was in my 50's, I would go... bringing all my comforts with me. But I'm in my 60's now, and absolutely would not... I'm much happier and more comfortable at home where I can rest, work, rest in 15 minute intervals....... but that's just me.. Maybe you should try it once, so you'll know next time a retreat comes up..

If you have a camping supply store near, check out their "self inflating" sleeping pads. I use one on backpacking trips. You can sleep on rocks with those things and not feel a bump! They can be a tad expensive but are worth it for a good nights sleep.

I have been known to go out to my car for a snooze! I always have a travel quilt and pillow in the car specifically for that.

BrendaY,
You should come to one of the Oregon/SW Washington retreats with us. Beds, eat when you want, rest when you want. If you just want to sit and chat then sit and chat. If it is at Lincoln City, heck you can even go gamble. There are no rules except to have fun at your own pace. :thumbup:
Anyone is welcome.
Faith :XD:

I have fibro, too, and it is frustrating because when I want to do something, it seems like that's when it flares up. You just go at your own pace. If you want to go to the retreat, you can go and lay down when you need to. Hopefully the things that are going on around you will make you not that aware of your pain.

I have fibro that is mostly controlled with magnesium. But the flare ups are very uncomfortable. I went to a retreat last year and I just got up from my chair (I took my own) and went to iron, see what everyone else was working, chit chat, or just took a walk. Also went to my room earlier than most in the evening. It was fun and I didn't suffer too much. However, my commute was only about 10 minutes!

Thank you so much for the offer but my neighbor is planning on going with a couple of others so not sure who's driving. It will either be a Ford Fusion for a big F350 - 4 door (probably this one).

If I make it, I will definitely find you and thank you for your kind offer in person.

:thumbup:

You sound exactly like me and that's what I was wondering. I know I will crash for proably a week afterwards. Just the drive alone (2 hours) will wear me out. And I know we're leaving in the evening so that won't help either.

That's kinda where I'm at .... do a little, rest a while, do a little, rest for hours. I'm almost 60 and have had Fibro for at least 13 years. The arthritis doesn't help either.

Magnesium??? How much do you take? I know I take it in my multi-vits but not as a separate supplement. Do you know "how" it helps? I just take Tramadol for pain and Zanaflex for muscle spasms. I'm curious about any nature remedies.

And, yes, that's what I'm thinking if I do decide to go. Just putter along as I feel up to it.

I want to thank everyone who has responded to my query. I knew I wasn't alone with dealing with Fibro and trying to quilt. Couple that with arthritis definitely affects how and what I do.

Thank you ALL !!!

I take two 400 mg tablets before going to bed. I got this info from a niece that was working at a health food store and studying nutrition in college. A dentist I went to said he took it to help his migraines. I still have some discomfort in my right hip cheek and shoulders, but not so much that it keeps me from enjoying life.

I'll definitely have to look into this. I typically have pain 24/ 7 these days but have decided to fight through the pain. On my bad days, I just take it easy.

Thanks for the info !!

one of these days I will go on a quilt retreat, sounds like so much fun.

I hope you are able to go.

At most retreats you can pace yourself and take as many breaks as you would like. You will have a great time and really enjoy the company of many other quilters.

Have fibro also, plus Chronic Fatigue Immune Deficiency syndrome. Go and rest when you need to and have fun!
Helen

i have FMS also..just deal with it as you do at home. make sure you have warm clothes,maybe you use a moist heating pad,take it with you. the hardest part of fibro with me, is the mornings...take a hot bath, move around,walk the halls to get moving. take lots of breaks! have fun...

I think this is why we love this Board. To have the friends and sisters all over the country and world!

I've had fibro most of my life and decided it will not dictate. I want to live my life, so the first day back from retreat is a wash. Take with you whatever makes you comfortable at home. Pillows, heating pad, electric blanket, pain pills. Pace yourself. Every 45 minutes get up and walk around. Take a short nap, a nap longer than 20-45 minutes is counter-productive.
the retreats I have attend had a massage therapist come in for aa afternoon, it's worth every penny. This has worked for me for years. good luck.

I know how you feel. Do you have prescription pain pills? If not maybe you could get some for the trip?

I have Fibro and Rheumatoid Arthritis as well. I do what I can when I can. And when I can't, I slow down. Have fun and enjoy yourself.

Yes, I have Rx meds. I keep liquid Vicodin as a standby for when the pain gets really bad. Try not to use it unless I really have to. The liquid gets into the system faster.

Sorry for your pain but sounds like you've found support from our dear friends on QB. Hope you go and have a good time.

I have fibro and road trips longer than 3 hrs are torture-let alone trying to learn and sew.I can't help you I would not even attempt a trip like that.I need to nap a lot,etc

I have gone to quilt retreats. When ever I go for long trips I try to make sure have pillows to support my arms during the travel. |This helps me a lot.

Then I take my pillow, don't sit for to long at a time. Make sure that my set up is such that I am not stretching my arms to far.

I try to go to bed early and get lots of sleep.

Our retreats are only 40 miles away and we have real beds to sleep in. I usually up my ampitpline (can't spell) at night so I sleep better.

I just go and try to follow my own mantra "walk it off".
My friends are great and help with the toting and hauling.

I do all this and me Dr. gives me some ambien to take when I am going to be somewhere that I might not be able to get as good of rest as normal(don't take otherwise).
Getting up and moving helps and give me a change to see what everyone else is working on. If I need to I just say"nap time" and take time to stretch out for a while.
Hope you have a great time. l am going to one next weekend and am really looking forward to it!!

[quote=vickig626]Just wondering if anyone who has Fibro has gone on a quilt retreat. Specifically, how did you handle your pain while trying to sew, etc. for 2+ days. Were you actually able to enjoy the weekend?

I know this might sound like a strange question but I'm thinking about going to the MI Lake Huron Retreat but not sure if I can handle those "camp" beds, sewing, quilting, etc. for 2-1/2 days plus the drive there and back.

Fibro sucks !! :thumbdown:
I would say bring your pain pills and Ibprofen and enjoy yourself to the fullest and tell yourself you rule this body not the fibro, That's how I keep going. so good luck and god bless, maybe he will give you a little releif. Keep your head up honey.
K

oh yeah the Ambien,good reminder, I forgot.

Be careful with the magnesium, sometimes it works like it does in "milk of Magnesium" bet you can guess how I know this. If it does, try it every other night or only one 400mg tab at a time.....dee

We are so lucky that we have Acess to a wonderful massage therapist ( for a resonable price). Makes life easier to handle.