Yep - I'm much better than I was before I got him. And he's a distraction, as well. With fibro, you can be OK when your mind is on something other than your body, but once you haven't got that distraction, you tend to notice your brain telling you about each and every sensation, a bit like static when you're tuned between radio stations. As an example, when I'm quietly sat in my work chair I have to undo my bra and as soon as I settle down on the sofa in the evening it comes off. But if we have friends round or go out for a meal, I'm quite comfy with it done up. Which is just as well really
So it's a vicious circle really - if you
can't get out and do things, you're far more aware of all the sensations that your brain is telling you are pain even when there's nothing (much) wrong in the body, which makes you feel worse, which can lead to you
getting worse and being able to do less... and so on.
Pilates can be a good form of exercise for fibro - it can literally just involve lying on the floor and sliding your legs up and down, once you've learnt how to make sure you're using the right muscles - but again, this is something your mum would need to discuss with her doc and the pain clinic.