Pain Toolkit (Fibromyalgia): This version of the Pain Toolkit is for people who live fibromyalgia and feel like they are struggling, but want to get back in the driving seat.
About this ebook
The text you see in blue are hyperlinks to extra useful pain self-management information and also to the Pain Toolkit videos. Also, don’t forget to visit the website for other useful information.
Pete Moore is the author and originator of the Pain Toolkit. He successfully lives with persistent pain, asthma, prostate cancer and osteoarthritis.
He has put these tools together with the help of friends, family and healthcare professionals. Make self-managing your pain your first choice and not your last resort.
So is persistent pain and fibromyalgia a problem a problem around the world?
Yes, it’s become a problem worldwide. For instance here in the UK the short answer is yes, so you are not on your own.
Here are some facts from the British Medical Journal Chronic (BMJ) Pain affects between one-third and one-half of the population of the UK, corresponding to just under 28 million adults, based on data from the best available published studies. This figure is likely to increase further in line with an ageing population.
People with persistent pain were more likely to be anxious or depressed - 69% with severe pain are worried about their moods.
Pete says…I receive daily emails from people who are worried, anxious and even get depressed.
Is Fibromyalgia common?
The NHS in the UK says… Some estimates suggest nearly 1 in 20 people may be affected by fibromyalgia to some degree. One of the main reasons it's not clear how many people are affected.
12 Pain Toolkit Tools
Tool 1 - Accept that you have persistent pain ... and then begin to move on
Tool 2 - Get involved, building a support team
Tool 3 - Pacing daily activities
Tool 4 - Learn to prioritise/plan out your days
Tool 5 - Setting Goals/ Action Plans
Tool 6 - Being patient with yourself
Tool 7 - Learn relaxation skills
Tool 8 - Meaningful movement (keeping active)
Tool 9 - Keep a diary and track your progress
Tool 10 - Have a setback plan
Tool 11 - Teamwork
Tool 12 - Keeping it up and being resilient.
Important:
On Pages 25 - 30 you will see links to others non for profit organisations in the UK, Ireland, America, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.
Your three step guide for using the Pain Toolkit
Read it and show the Pain Toolkit to your circle of support: your partner, family, friends, work colleagues and your healthcare team.
Choose and circle only two or three tools you think will make a positive change to self-managing your pain. Ask for help from your support circle if needed.
Once you feel confident with those tools, then do the same steps and choose another two or three tools. Repeat again when needed.
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About the author
My story will probably be a familiar one to yours…
A persistent pain problem can be difficult to understand and manage on an everyday basis and like many people, I struggled to manage my pain back in the early 1990’s.
I become stuck in what they call the medical model. I called it the NHS merry go round, being passed around from one doctor/therapist to another.
I was also a serial doctor/therapy shopper and spent around £8,000 seeing a variety of healthcare professionals privately wanting to be fixed.
I knew I was sinking fast and also out of money. I started to get depressed and on the 31st December 1994 I considered ending my life.
The next day I looked in the mirror whilst having a shave and recognised the person who was going to get me out of this mess I was in.
I was able to get myself on the INPUT Pain Management Programme in July 1996. This programme gave me the tools, skills, but most importantly it gave me the confidence to manage my pain, myself.
I worked hard on the information the programme gave me and since 1997 I haven't had the need to take any pain medication, because I still use the information from the programme.
Is it easy? Well it’s like most things, you have to work at it. I’m not an academic guy, but if I can do it, then I know others can as well.
The Pain Toolkit is a simple information digital booklet that could provide you with some handy tips and skills to support you along the way to manage your pain.
It is not meant to be the last word in pain self-management but a handy guide to help you get started.
All you need is to be willing to read it and take on board some of the suggestions.
This version of the Pain Toolkit is for all the people who live fibromyalgia and feel like they are struggling, but want to get back in the driving seat.
