Sunday, April 23, 2017

Fibromyalgia Made Me Do It

   I have often wondered why I react in certain ways to textures and why I am finding that I am now seeking out different fabrics for my daily use.  I am also learning that there are actual valid reasons why I prefer to stay in my jammies as opposed to getting dressed for the day.  Like many people with this disease, my skin and body have become hypersensitive.

   Ok, like most women, the moment I walk through the door at the end of the day I want my bra off.  In the past, I could put up with the discomfort of wearing an underwire bra to keep the ladies firmly in place.  Not so much now.  There are days when I can't even stand to put on a bra at all because it hurts and makes my skin itch where it is touching me.  There are other days when I can deal with a bra but only if it is one of the very soft, not underwire kinds...you know the ones that are more for home use and lounging around.  Now if I was not as "abundantly blessed" in the bust, this would not be a problem but these fourth letter in the alphabet cup sized ladies should not ever go out in public without major support under a shirt or dress.  I just want to either burn or throw away all my underwire bras at this point.

   I used to love flannel sheets but now they hurt my skin.  I need to now use the softest cotton or cotton blends.  No more crisp cotton sheets that I used to love in the Summer time either.  We got a new mattress that requires deep pocketed sheets so I had to buy new sheets for it.  I finally found some that are super soft and was able to order them through ebay.

   I don't like anything form fitting or tight against my body clothing wise.  I want soft, loose and flowy clothing.  Anything that feels a bit rough against my skin will send me into a tizzy. I am also finding that when I get overheated (which happens a lot) my skin gets raw where it rubs against itself. I know that some people with Fibro get cold easily and there are others like me who get really hot. Throw menopause in there too and my inner furnace seems to be on full bore most of the time. My favorite outfits at the moment are soft cotton shirts and pants.  Well either that or soft cotton or silky feeling jammies.  If  I do not have to go anywhere during the day,  I prefer to stay in my soft and loose fitting jammies.   No binding, pulling or rubbing at the waist, just nicely gliding over that area all together.

   All these changes for me have made be want to get rid of lots of perfectly good clothing and bedding that I already have and used to wear and use with no problems and replace it with things that will not drive me nuts or cause me discomfort or pain.  So yes, some of my shopping I can now blame and Fibromyalgia...Fibro made me do it. 😜

   

   

24 comments:

  1. Fibro must be awful if flannel sheets hurt you, Debbie. Sorry about that. I've been getting rid of clothes too, but because I just can't stand how they wear. No more t-shirts for me, they either look all droopy after a couple of hours or they have so much spandex in them to keep their shape they feel like a girdle. I actually have the opposite problem than you, I can't stand anything without a structure. Would have been happy living in the Victorian age with all that boning and lacing. Ha!Hope you have a comfortable week!

    Hugs
    Jane

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    1. Jane, I wish we lived close to each other, I would give you all my "structured" clothing. I love a good soft T-shirt because of the way it feels against my skin. :) I hope you have ag reat week my friend!

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  2. I am so sorry to hear this Debbie, it's not a comfortable way to live. While I do not have fibromyalgia, I am dealing with the furnace from menopause. It is not a comfortable feeling at all. I hope you find some items that keep you comfy. :)

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    1. Hi Kim, oh that menopause furnace is awful isn't it? Luckily that has calmed down a bit for me. I remember waking up dripping all over and being totally soaked. I kept a towel by my bed for a couple of years. I still wake up sweating but it was a whole lot worse a few years ago. Are you taking anything to help with not flashes. I have found that taking phyto estrongen (I get it from Vitacost) has helped me.

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  3. I to have fibro, my hypersensitivity comes and goes. I use an electric blanket every single day of my life just to help ease the pain. It seems to really help without medication. The hardest part for me is that hubby wants to be affectionate and rub my arm or leg and I CANT STAND IT! It drives him a bit crazy. I also have hypersensitive hearing, a common side effect. I can hear things 3 rooms away. I wear earplugs every night just to try and sleep - on those nights I don't have the common insomnia. What a weird disease we have. I am still grateful every day it won't kill me...just have to find a way to cope.

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    1. Hi Cheapcick! I'm like you with the hearing also. I have to have white noise to help me sleep or every little sound will drive me insane. ;) Some days the hypersensitivity is worse than others with me too. Last night was a hypersensitive, huge flare complete in insomnia. I finally came out of our bedroom at 2:30 a.m. and curled up in the couch, put some soothing and calming music on Youtube and fell asleep for awhile. And yes, I am so glad this is not a terminal disease, just a huge pain in the butt disease. ;)

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  4. Oh know, such discomfort. I too am well endowed in the boob department and cant stand those soft loose bras. I only feel like I am properly dressed when I have a well fitted underwire bra on. My daughter mentioned that some of the dance/sport style bras are very soft. She is an 'F' cup so I think she might understand soft bras that also help keep the girls under control. These dance/ sports bras are not cheap but they may be something for you to consider and are just a suggestion from the other side of the world.
    Feel better soon.

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    1. Thank you Jane, I have tried a few of those in the past. I may have to try them again if I can find them in my size. ;) Praying all is well with you!

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  5. Hi Debbie! :)
    Have you tried any sport bras? They can be made of cotton, wich is good because of the heat and usually, they are wireless.
    Hope you and your family, have a wonderful week!
    :D

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    1. Hi Paula, I have tried some of them in the past, when I was not as heavy. I will have to try and find some in the size I am now. Be blessed and thank you!

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  6. Once again, I am right there with you. Nothing about me is small or petite, including my 'girls'. My at-home wear is usually a cotton tank-style undershirt. Bought some camis from Costco years ago that provide a wee bit of support. I'd wear them at home but not out in public. My housewear is usually hooded sweatshirts from the thrift store and sweat pants from Walmart - I'm all about comfort but still need to take the dog out for his potty walks. Otherwise I'd be in my jammies all day as well.
    My favorite sheets, year round. are flannel from LandsEnd. Sorry to hear that flannel sends you over the edge. Always bought on sale, btw.
    Cheers,SJ

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    1. HI SJ, I used to love my flannel sheets and would be happy to use them year round but all that changed unfortunately. Your at home wear sounds so comfy. I have a big stock of camis that I will wear too either for extra warmth during the winter, or even just alone with some sleep shorts around the house during the Summer. I've been buying more loose fitting shirts for the Summer months lately that have patterns on them so that if I am wearing a "soft" bra, anything that might "show through" will get lost in the pattern hopefully. ;) Be blessed!

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  7. I haven't been diagnosed with fibro, but have arthritis in many joints in my body. It sometimes seems to me that one more discomfort, even something as minor as an itchy blouse or tight bra, puts me over the edge, to where I just can't stand it. I seldom wear a bra at home. My dog starts worrying that I am getting ready to leave the house as soon as he sees me putting on a bra. I always look forward to the time of day that I can put on one of my soft, smooth, cool, nylon tricot nightgowns. It feels like my entire body relaxes by degrees when I put on my nightgown or jammies.

    For winter I have found some very smooth soft satin pajamas that have really soft, not stiff, brushed fine thin flannel on the side of the fabric that is next to the skin. I like cotton percale sheets on the bed, especially ones from the thrift store that are old and smoother than new ones. One time I ran across some very high thread count cotton sheets on sale at a department store. I really expected them to be soft and smooth. The ones I bought weren't. They seemed kind of stiff and not comfortable at all to me, but maybe that was why they were on sale.

    I like the idea of loose blouses with patterns on them for working outside in my flowers. They will have to be very loose though. I wouldn't want to worry my little dog by wearing that extra under layer just to go out and water the flowers.

    Happy Spring!

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    1. Susie, you made me giggle with your comment about the dog worrying when you put on a bra. ;) I am sorry that you have pain from arthritis. I have it in my foot and my knees. Not fun! I'm with you on soft and comfy clothing and sheets. My body seems to relax too when I put on my jammies. Be blessed!

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  8. Great comments on this post. My dog also recognizes when I'm going out by the clothing I put on.

    Just in from the thrift store. I am so excited - I found a manual grain mill. Pristine and never used. In it's box. All for $10.49. I've been waiting for years to find this item. Right before I saw it, I was thinking 'maybe today is the day' and sure enough there it was. Know you'll appreciate this.
    Also found a summer dress that I liked. For some reason, I am clothes challenged at the thrift store - except for lounge wear or dog walking clothes. But this dress is very cute, imo, and just what I was hoping to find. Something casual to run to the grocery store in or to the pool. Yea!
    Be blessed. SJ

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    1. SJ, I am so thrilled for you for frind that grain mill and the dress! Isn't it great to be blessed like that? :)

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  9. Oh, Debbie, you poor thing! I wonder if you would like the Lularoe shirts and leggings - I'm recently addicted to them, and they are the softest fabrics I have ever felt! The shirts/dressed are loose and flowy, might be just the ticket for you. Good luck!!

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    1. Thank you Debbie. My DILS bothe love the Lularoe leggings and shirts. I just can't afford to buy them at the moment. :)

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  10. I suffer from eczema, so I feel the exact same way about bras. Why do they have to be so itchy? Why can't someone figure that out and change it? It's the most annoying thing about bras, they itch me like crazy! There's no good way to itch, it's maddening. My skin is also sensitive to sheet material, flannel is one of those fabrics that makes me break out. It's super-soft everything for me these days :-)

    Hope you get to feeling better Debbie!

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    1. Hi Jessica, I did not realize you have eczema. That can be so miserable. I am so sorry. And thank you, I am feeling much better. :) Be blessed!

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  11. I am so sensory, also. I can't stand itchy, tight, etc. So, I wear the same knit pants most days, soft shirts, etc. My niece is autistic and she feels the same. So, we've decided there are just some of us who need these kinds of clothes. I am able to find bras with no underwires that work well, look like a normal bra (not a sports bra) and work well under shirts, etc. I have purchased bras at Macy's for years.

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    1. Hi Becky, I like that thought of it is just the way some of us are. :)

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  12. I'm all for soft, loose-fitting and comfy! Sounds like you have the perfect excuse to shop for things that you find to be comfortable to you!

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