If you experience side effects from a new medication, do you quit taking it? If side effects are mild, discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist before dropping the medication. Sometimes side effects are temporary and will fade as your body adapts to the new medication. However, if side effects are severe, call your doctor immediately.
Do you go to one or two therapy sessions (physical therapy, acupuncture, massage therapy, etc.) then quit because you still have pain? Most therapy programs are not designed to give instant relief. They are intended to work gradually, strengthening various systems or parts of your body to function more effectively. Talk with the therapist or health practitioner before you begin treatments to find out what kind of results you might expect and how long it should take for you to begin seeing a difference.
Pitfall #2: Focusing on what is still wrong, not on what is improving.
It is human nature to notice what hurts, rather than what does not hurt. An illness like fibromyalgia has so many different symptoms and overlapping conditions, it is not unusual that an improved symptom might go unnoticed. The following is an actual conversation between an acupuncture intern and an FM patient.
Intern: How are you doing today?
Patient: Not too well. I don’t think this acupuncture is doing much. I’m still in pain and having trouble walking.
Intern: You were having a lot of bloating and stomach problems. How is that?
Patient: I haven’t had any problems with my stomach for a while.
Intern: How about the irritable bowel problems?
Patient: That hasn’t been bothering me either.
Intern: How’s your energy level? I remember you saying you were tired all the time.
Patient: Well, now that you mention it, I have had a lot more energy lately.
Even though this gentleman had significant improvement in three different symptoms, he did not even realize it because he was only focusing on the pain he was still experiencing. Most of us are guilty of the same thing. It is only natural to pay more attention to whatever is causing the most discomfort at any given time.
