16 Ways to Support a Spouse Who Has Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a chronic illness that causes devastating chronic pain. With this disease, knowing how to support your spouse or loved one can be very difficult. They look the same, but you cannot touch them at times, they are exhausted, and often they are depressed.

There are things you can do to help out, to give support, and to make life easier for your spouse with fibromyalgia.

Things you can do:

1. Help around the house.

Take over the household chores that might be difficult. Doing daily tasks is exceptionally beautiful if your spouse is having a flare-up. Exhaustion also makes it difficult to do regular duties, and fatigue makes it challenging to do anything. Don’t belittle or say sarcastic things if your house is not as clean as it used to be.

2. Cook dinner or help with meal preparation and clean up.

Take away the stress of trying to get everything ready for meals. Fixing a nice meal for your spouse and cleaning up afterward, is a treasure.

3. If you have kids, take them out when your spouse has a flare-up

Take the kids out and give your spouse some time alone to recover from a flare-up or just a bad day. There are times when a fibromyalgia patients patience wears out. Don’t let them take it out on the kids. You step in and be a caregiver.

4. Be patient with your spouse in the morning.

Sometimes they just need a helping hand while their meds are starting to work. Let them rest or sleep in a little longer.

5. Help your spouse keep track of their medications.

It is such a difficult job knowing what drugs to take and when. Help them wherever or however you can.

6. Let your spouse know you are there for them.

Let them know you are not alone. Tell your spouse how much you love them and then give them a big hug. Affection and tenderness is vial at the time when fibromyalgia flare-ups are making your spouse's life miserable. Hurting all the time is difficult to manage, and just a little hug goes a long way.

7. Avoid guilt tripping your spouse.

Saying things like, “if you were up to it we could…” Someone with a chronic disease like fibromyalgia is already feeling guilty enough. They need support, not someone who is angry with them or irritated because they have a chronic illness.

8. Don’t let your spouse overdo it.

They want to pull their weight, but sometimes it’s too much. Be sensitive and know when your spouse is wearing down. You love your spouse and should be able to read the signs of a flare-up.

9. Give your spouse the okay to rest.

Don’t give them a bad time when they need to lay down and take a nap. If after your rest and your spouse is up for it, let them make time for fun with family and friends. They don’t have to hike a mountain, but all of you can hang out  and rest when you need to. Let others know they don’t have to hold back on their activities. Your spouse will join you for those activities you feel you can handle.

10. Be the best champion you can be for your spouse.

When others say snippy, little things or make comments under their breath, stand up for your spouse. Let others know that fibromyalgia is real.