Tips from EllenAdams, these
were posted to the newsgroups alt.med.fibromyalgia and are used
with permission.
I’m new to Fibromyalgia (diagnosed 2 days ago) so forgive
any ignorance, but I’ve been partially disabled with crohns
disease for 2.5 years. A friend of mine commented that maybe
I should share the ways I cope with other people. I think my
situation is somewhat unusual (and lucky) in that I’m not as
limited financially as many people so I’m not sure my
suggestions are useful to everyone but here goes.
- I got my disability company to cooperate with my
employer and buy me a computer for my home so I can get my
email and work from home. - I signed up for online banking so that I can pay my
bills easily and in 10 minutes - Online banking was costing a lot. I told my bank that
I was planning to research switching banks to get it for
free. They said they would give it to me free for the
next year. (I never knew that they could be so flexible
actually) - I sent the bank an email and got “bank by mail”
envelopes for deposits - The guy across the street came to complain about the
way my lawn looked. I offered to hire him to take care of
it. He took the job. I also have him take the trash to
the curb on trash day. - I have a maid come in every other week. I told her
from the beginning that I expect her to straighten up and
clean (and do the dishes in the sink). I don’t pick up
for her. She puts fresh sheets on my bed and carries my
laundry downstairs. Every other week is affordable and
still enough to keep the health dept at bay! - Lower your standards when it comes to the house being
presentable. Your friends don’t care. Even your mother
will understand. Anyone who doesn’t–don’t invite them
over. (I tell them if the state of anything disturbs them
they can feel free to correct it. One friend straightens
up the silverware drawer in an absent minded way every
time he’s here!) - I’m not a hostess anymore. My friends come over,
bring snacks, help themselves to things, or fix something
for both of us. Give up waiting on the able bodied. - There are dry cleaners who will pick up and deliver.
Mine leaves my clothes hanging on the door knocker and
accrues a bill. - When the kitchen remodellers suggested I come to their
showroom to select a Formica sample, I told them they
needed to come to me. I’m spending money and I’d be too
tired to make a decision if I went to them (they were fine
with this). Now the project is all planned and I’ve yet
to go to their showroom! - Have things shipped to the house instead of carrying
them home. For my new cook-ware I went to the store to
select it and then had them order it to be shipped to my
house. I ordered shutters at hechingers and they said
they’d call me when they came in–I said no, just have
them shipped to my house. Once I called Nordstroms,
explained the kinds of shoes I liked and they shipped 12
pair to my office. I tried them on and they had UPS pick
up the rejects. (And, of course, there’s classic mail
order) - My latest idea is to have dinner parties with a “guest
chef”. I have friends who cook and everyone would enjoy
getting together. I’ll just sit on the sofa and be
entertaining. - I can’t drive for more than a couple of hours so I
can’t get myself to the beach. This year I’m going with a
group of friends. I have a ride there and back, my own
room, and everyone else is organizing food
shopping/cooking etc. I’m paying a little extra money so
I don’t feel badly for not participating in the work.
They appreciate the extra funding for the trip. - I don’t work on Wednesdays. I work part time these
days and found that a whole day off in the middle of the
week was the most restful option for me. Also, making it
a regular day is easier for my boss and employees to
remember. - I have a massage therapist come to my house. I found
out that most are happy to do so, they just don’t
advertise it. Some charge an extra $5. (I’m going to
see about getting my insurance to pay for it next)
Massage really helps the aches and pains. (Massage every
other week, and a maid every other week–it works!) - Take the car to the dealer to get work done. Last
time I called ahead, explained that if they would give me
a discount I wouldn’t need to shop around for a good price
elsewhere. I got 15% off my brake job, a free state
inspection, and I had them throw in a carwash–they have
one on the premises for the new cars and it saves an
errand. They also are accommodating about giving me a ride
to work. - I have a house-mate who’s a good friend of mine. I
give him a serious break on rent in exchange for some of
his help. He does grocery shopping and a few other
things. If he gets his own place, I’m considering
offering a displaced wife room, board, and some money to
live here and look after me and the house. If you have
the space you might consider bartering it for services. - Support your neighborhood drug store. There’s a
family owned place near me. My drugs cost over a thousand
dollars a month (even though I pay much less with a
prescription plan). I prefer the income go to them rather
than to a chain. They deliver my prescriptions to the
house and are happy to throw in anything else I might
request. Delivery is free. - Grocery stores do deliver. In my area, Safeway
delivers groceries. Alternatively, I often get my
house-mate to take me so I can pick things out but he will
lead the excursion (I get distracted), and carry
everything.
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