Fibromyalgia--any ideas?

Hi--just joined today! I'm 56 & was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 1998. (on social security/permanently disabled) I'm one of the "had a horse as a kid" crowd...and after Susie, my QH mare, died in 1978 have always wanted to get another horse...but, well, life happens. I always thought I would though...and then this awful disease/chronic illness. Yesterday I called the National Equine Riding Therapy group (or a name similar to that) and was told fibromyalgia is not recommended and no one works with people who have it.

I did try riding 2 years ago--took a lesson from a woman who knew I have fibro. Long story short: the first lesson (half hour) and I was OK afterward, no worse off. 2nd lesson a week later & I was in excruciating pain afterward for about 2 months. Worse flare/pain ever. Dr. had to prescribe very powerful pain killers until flare subsided. The pain was in the pelvic area/hips, my knees and my ankles. It felt like bone pain--that those bones were broken, and not muscle pain (although I doubt I would have even noticed muscle pain).

Well...I decided that what I needed was to get my own horse (maybe not the smartest idea)and start off with 10-15 minutes of riding at a time, then wait and see what happened later.
So 15 months ago I did...Babe is a sweet natured 6 year old QH mare and not as trained as I thought she was. And I am not the rider I was when I was younger either. I rode Susie with a hackamore, or halter, or nothing, so no contact with her mouth, ever. Babe is in a snaffle bit and I have no experience with riding with a bit. And not a whole lot with a saddle--my parents couldn't afford a saddle so I only rode bareback for years and years unless working cattle or with very young horses. I usually started the youngsters off bareback.

Now I find that when I do ride I brace myself on the stirrups which causes a lot of pain in my ankles. Babe isn't mellow enough for me to ride bareback yet--but that is my goal with her. I guess I am curious to know if anyone here has fibromyalgia or something similar, and how they handle riding and pain?

I could not do this without my husband's help. He had never ridden before but now can saddle/bridle her and walk/trot. Babe needs to be taught to neck rein. We can't afford a trainer/teacher. I give him lessons while I sit in a chair in the arena, but he's having trouble teaching her to neck rein, although he's fine with single reining.

I would appreciate any and all advice. Selling Babe & buying an older, mellower horse is not an option. I didn't know about vet checks, and discovered Babe is navicular (already--seems very young) and the vet has her on meds. And I love her.

Other than riding in very short (5 minute) spurts--which I do once in a while--or having my husband lead Babe & me around with my feet out of the stirrups (so no bracing & no pain later--but feel and look like a kid being led around the arena at a slow walk) I am at a complete loss. My goal is to ride her bareback and as normally as possible at all gaits.

Fortunately, I am not afraid of riding or horses. I took many falls, got bucked off by young horses I used to train (in hackamores) etc and have the basic respect for being on horseback and awareness that I could fall off...Babe is still green, still spooks, and does stumble. I am tempted to just get on her bareback and say the heck with it...but not being used to the bit, or plough reining I think that's a very bad idea. And I am not young.

I am very sad when I remember how I used to ride at full gallop bareback & bridleless (Susie was trained to stop at whoa & the rest I just worked with her on) and now...I feel pretty helpless.

There was a teenager at the barn who rode Babe for me & she did fine bareback with him and behaved herself and was making progress. He moved out of state last fall and since then she's only been lounged, and my husband has ridden her a few times. There is no one else at the barn who wants to or has the time to ride her (especially for free!)

Again, any and all advice, suggestions, anecdotes, etc. much appreciated. I am determined to ride again--but how do I get there? Exercises I can do?
Thank you for reading this,
Vicky

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Maya Heard on June 25, 2009 at 1:47pm

Hi Linda,

I don't think I know of anyone who has a saddle as you described...but swivelling stirrups...I know I can get those...good idea~~thank you!

There isn't a place to swim other than a lake about 20 miles from here. I know that swimming is great exercise. I've looked into swim classes for the handicapped, but the only program here is water aerobics and I did try that a few years ago but found it was too difficult. I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome also--a dual-diagnosis of CFS and Fibromyalgia. But you had CFS as in past tense? That is pretty rare, but I know some people do actually recover from it. So you do know what it's like...

My amazing husband is great at giving massages, which really help. Unless, and this is hard to relate to unless you have fibro or know someone who does to this degree, the pain of just being touched is too much. Luckily I don't have too many of those days, and massages are still doable and useful. The local newspaper profiled a woman a few years ago who has fibro and is in so much pain she can't be hugged, ever. I rarely feel that much pain...although...a weeks ago at a dr.'s visit the blood pressure cuff caused about 3 weeks of pain afterward! And the cuff is on for such a short amount of time. That was the first time ever & I hope it was just an anomoly and not some sign that I'm getting worse. Fibro is mostly about pain, with other fun symptoms thrown in like insomnia, fatigue, etc. So riding is definately a big challenge...

But--again--you have ALL been so helpful and thoughtful and caring. Must be a "horse lovers" thing! You all "get it" and are so supportive and understanding. I never, ever expected this, and have no idea how to thank you enough, or let you know how much you've encouraged me. Well, wait, maybe one way to show you and thank you is to take your advice and suggestions and act on them, and get back on my horse! (slowly, very slowly!)

Vicky

Permalink Reply by Eileen on July 29, 2009 at 4:39pm

I am not sure if anyone has mentioned the stirrups that are available out there now. The endurance stirrups are wide and have a spongy like area for your foot to rest on. They are great. Not being familiar with the pain that you are experiencing, I don't know if these would help with your problem but certainly worth a try.
As far as riding with a hackmore, why not? Just because the horse has not been on one before does not mean that she cannot be put in one and work great in one. Many horses adapt to them with no problem, I put one on mine with no pre-riding, or arena tryouts and he does better with the hack than the bit. If you are a bit timid with the change, have a friend try it out in the arena to see how it goes. It may be just what you need. I have ridden with a gentleman who must be in his 60's who also suffers from the same pain he seems to do fine as long as he does not over do it. Keep on trucking girl...there is a way this can be done.

Permalink Reply by Sally Proe on July 29, 2009 at 6:13pm

Hi Vicky,
I am a fellow fibro/cfs sufferer & boy do I relate to what you are saying. Firstly don't beat yourself up about what you used to be able to do or what people say. It's what you can do now that counts. I was on the verge of giving up altogether & selling my beloved horses but decided to take up driving & parelli. Some days I can drive others I can't & I'm always crippled afterwards but I can always manage a bit of parelli. When I find the ropes to heavy I work at liberty. It's all about compromise. I cannot tolerate any type of painkiller because they make me feel so ill but I have found an alternative 'rhodiola rosea' it's natural & cheap. It does take a couple of weeks to get into the system but has made such a difference to me.
I too have a very supportive husband, lucky girls that we are. I had the chance to buy a fjord stallion last spring & now have a pure bred brood mare with the rare grey gene arriving any day. All good for the feel good factor & motivation but rubbish for the bank balance lol. I'd never even thought it would be possible for me but I do it. Some days I stride up to the yard & stagger back lol. Even just going up there to stroke,pat & just be with them makes me feel so much better. I also have a SAD lamp which makes a huge difference.
Just do what you can & enjoy what you do. You will get there I promise. Have you tried reiki? I'm a reiki master & it really helps. Also some stuff called Pernaton gel which you rub into your sore bits is wonderful. I could yabber on forever about it all but wont bore you anymore. Keep your chin up!
Gentle hugs
Sally xx

Permalink Reply by Shirley on July 30, 2009 at 4:58pm

Hi Sally. I used to volunteer at the local college to get free massages for the students to get hands on experience and at that time was having fibro-myalgic pain. One of the gals did a energy healing massage where they use their hands and fingers very very lightly over your skin, hardly tell they were workin on me. But those massages helped immensely and lasted longer in their benefits.
With the assistance of massage, chiropractic, reflexology and kineceology and quality suppliments I have gotten much better over the years. Don't give up hope. Expecting to get worse can be a self fulfilling prophecy.
After a pretty nasty fall off my horse yesterday....I'm certainly in pain today. But some Vicodin is sure helping with that. I don't even know what happened...it was so oo fast. Apparently he spooked but I was in mid-air and then hitting that dirt so fast, there just was no warning. I was riding with my feet out of the stirrups to practice a better seat and useing leg cues more then the bit & reins. Oh well! The silver lining? He stayed with me and stood right beside me until someone walked him away so they could get to me easier to help me get back on my feet. His eyes looked soooo confused..