Fibromite-Tested Tips! from Adrienne Dellwo, an About.com Guide

available at http://chronicfatigue.about.com/od/managingyoursymptoms/a/fibroclothes.htm

Do your clothes cause fibromyalgia pain? Mine do! Bras, waistbands, even the tie on my old bathrobe -- anything that puts pressure on my chest or abdomen can at times set off either burning or intense, stabbing pains.

I've tailored my entire wardrobe to accommodate this particular symptom, but I've never read a word about it anywhere. Wondering if I was crazy or if it was a common thing among those of us with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), I asked about it in the About.com Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue forum.

Turns out, I'm not alone. A lot of people posted that they have the same problem and thought they were the only ones. One woman described the pain as feeling like a "terrible sunburn." Clothes can cause pain all over, on your tender points, and on areas that are numb or tingly.

With the help of our forum users, I've put together these tips for dressing when you have fibromyalgia:

Spare Your Waist

Unless you want to wear long, flowy dresses all the time, you've got to find ways to spare your waist from all of those waistbands. I've found several ways to get around this:

* Pitch the Pantyhose -- Buy Thigh-Highs
Forget control tops! They might feel OK when you put them on, but the last thing your body wants is to be squeezed for hours on end. Thigh-highs keep your legs looking nice while keeping your mid-section much happier.

* Go Low!
When it comes to underwear, try bikini briefs that sit down on your hips instead of the fuller styles that go clear up to your waist. And while you may not like the thought of low-rise pants that expose your belly button, try on a pair to see how much kinder they are to your gut. For those of us who don't want to bare all that skin, a long shirt can cover your midsection nicely.

* Do the Sit Test
When you try on pants, don't just stand in front of the mirror. Sit down. Slouch. Lean forward. If they're still comfortable, you've got a winner.

* Venture into the Maternity Section
I'm not talking about those horrid pants with the big baggy section in front, but about the ones with the "under belly" band. It's a nice wide band at the top that's designed to sit lower on an expanding belly. For the non-pregnant, these pants are just an incredibly comfortable way to go. I got this style of pants and skirts while I was pregnant, and I'm still wearing them. No one knows they're maternity, and I can keep them on all day.

* Draw-String v. Elastic
When it comes to sweat pants, a draw string wins out over an elastic waistband because it's adjustable. If your weight fluctuates or you eat a lot while wearing them, you can give yourself a little more room. True, the elastic will stretch, but you'll find it puts more pressure on you when it does. Some people have luck with loosening or removing the elastic.

* Lounging About
Let's face it -- some days, clothes are just out of the question. A lot of us have spent entire days, maybe even weeks in attire most people consider only appropriate for sleeping. For those times, I recommend a bathrobe with a zipper instead of a tie. Also, a lot of pajamas these days are shirts with pants or shorts. A nightgown is kinder to your body, but of course, your legs might get cold. I'm considering leg warmers, especially now that 1980s styles are all the rage.

Beating the Bra Blues

An underwire may support you nicely, but you'll likely be ready to rip it off before lunch. Here are some alternatives:

* Soft-Cup Bras
Even if you're a larger size, you can find soft-cup br