A few days ago I posted out to Twitter asking for advice and experiences of anyone suffering from FMS, CFS or ME, or any other similar condition to get in touch regarding exercise regimes. I was extremely pleased with the response, but I am still searching and looking for advice to find the right regime for me, but also to offer this information to other sufferers.

To understand why I'm asking, I'm going to tell you a little about me and my condition. I am 26 years old and was diagnosed with fibromyalgia last year after 18 months of tests, excuses and medications from my doctors. I already have raynauds phenomenon, so I was already, luckily, under a specialist. His reaction though was to give me yet more drugs and send me on my way. I was given a physio appointment, however the hospital is a good 30 minutes drive away and having had physio locally before I didn't think it'd be wise or safe for me to travel so far to be in possible pain on the drive home, never mind on the way there.

Since then I have been on a variety of medication, none of which have made me feel any better. Pain killers work to a degree, although I try not to over use them as I've heard of sufferers who have and now have to take stronger medications to help. I am extremely sensitive to medication so much so, I saw Scooby Doo in my bed when they tried to give me tramadol as a replacement for co codamol. Needless to say, I gave that one up and decided to see what is out there that's more natural.

Before my diagnosis I was a bit of a health freak. I ate what I wanted, but exercised everyday. I walked 3 miles on the school run, and would do up to an hour of exercises sometimes three times a week. I was very fit, but I ended up in a&e on numerous occasions because I'd experience pain in my muscles or joints, sometimes causing me to limp or cutting out all feeling all together. Once I was diagnosed I was advised to take it easy and wait until I had seen my physiotherapist. I did move my physio to a local company near by, but there only real option to me was acupuncture which if I'm honest, I really wasn't up to. I struggle with feeling trapped in a place and the nausea of my condition mixed in with a nice level of anxiety that has come since because of judgemental people and lack of social interaction restricts me to my home most of the time.

With all this in mind, I am now trying to find a way to exercise, preferably within my home, although if there is something out there that may be able to cater to my "issues" that would be great too, that would help with the pain and fatigue of my condition. I already do a gentle daily exercise of 10 minutes on an exercise bike, and this has helped the pain a lot. I want to see what other options and avenues there are out there that have helped others, and be able to share them with other sufferers who have similar conditions and want to try this route too.

I'll also add, if anyone has any advice on food/diets or supplements that they use, that would also be helpful. I am struggling with the chocolate beast most days!

If you want to share your experience with me, you can comment on this blog, find me on Twitter at @nonamirana or email me at nonamirana@gmail.com. Many thanks and I shall look forward to hearing what regimes you have that have helped you. :) (Also feel free to send cat pictures...)