Tag Archives: #fibromyalgia

Four reasons I blog about my fibromyalgia journey…

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You may be wondering why I write and blog about my fibromyalgia journey. There are many different reasons behind why I began blogging. Many people probably think I blog to receive attention – wrong assumption! Here are the reasons I began blogging…

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1. After being diagnosed with fibromyalgia I soon learned that I was beginning to journey down a pathway that many health care providers and people do not understand. I realized fibromyalgia was recognized as a condition, but it is very much misunderstood. After different “treatment” routes attempted and no improvements noted, my frustration soon set in. I figured people all over the world who are diagnosed with fibromyalgia, must be feeling the exact same frustration as myself. It took me a long time to find the courage to begin my blog, because I was afraid of being judged or my blog would simply fail. After months of deep consideration I started my website and promoted as much as I could. My goal was to help other fibro fighters feel not so alone. Chronic illness can be just that- lonely. It becomes a journey that is only understood by those directly affected by fibromyalgia.

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2. As I research to write blog posts, I learn more information about fibromyalgia. I’ve learned a lot of new information about fibromyalgia – probably more then most health care providers I have seen know. Most doctors know the basic information about fibromyalgia, but are they able to provide information on all the previous fibromyalgia studies completed? Probably not. The more I research, the more quality information I can also share for you all.

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3. Through blogging I am able to find purpose in life. Since being diagnosed with fibromyalgia I had to stop working, give up my career I trained in and stay home most days to learn to manage my fibromyalgia. I felt a loss of identity ( which is often felt by people with chronic illness). As human beings we seek purpose in life. We wake up, go to work, work towards a goal, ect. When one is diagnosed with chronic pain such as fibromyalgia, our whole life is turned upside down. I find since I started my blog I have a sense of purpose back. Blogging gives me a goal to work towards – helping others. It brings a sense of accomplishment when I see people connecting to what I have written! When you have purpose, you are more likely to actively seek self management for your fibromyalgia!

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I came across a 2018 study which stated that “regular blogging is potentially useful for people with chronic pain as it provides a conduit to enable them to connect with others who understand and share their experiences of pain, possibly encouraging increased participation in personally meaningful life activities, positive pain management experiences, and social connectedness.” You can read the article here.

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4. Raising awareness and fighting stigmas. Writing about fibromyalgia raises awareness – especially if people without fibromyalgia read my blog posts. My posts give people the opportunity to read and understand what living with fibromyalgia is really like. My blogs also help spread fibromyalgia information/awareness to anyone who has just recently been diagnosed as well. When you are newly diagnosed, it can be overwhelming. There is also such a stigma attached to a fibromyalgia diagnosis – even if I can make a small change in one person’s attitude towards chronic pain- I have succeeded!

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There you have it! The four main reasons I decided to begin blogging about my journey with fibromyalgia. I hope as you read my blog posts, at least one post resonates with you!

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Fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis (OA) – Is there a comorbidity between the two conditions?

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Three and a half years ago I never thought I would be being diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Now here in 2023 I find myself being diagnosed with osteoarthritis. Both fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis are chronic pain conditions. Fibromyalgia in itself is debilitating enough. Experts share that fibromyalgia often co occurs with some form of arthritis. In a study 88.7% of participants reported chronic joint pain/degenerative arthritis along side their fibromyalgia. Read more here about the study!

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I found out last spring that I have osteoarthritis in my neck. My neurologist had ordered a cervical neck MRI which revealed arthritis. I always thought the neck pain I was experiencing was all fibromyalgia pain. When I found out I have osteoarthritis in my lower back as well, it came as no surprise. If osteoarthritis is found in one area of the body, it is most likely in other areas of the body too! My doctor suspects I may have OA in my finger joints and knees as well. Osteoarthritis has no cure. The belief is that OA often gets worse over time- but not in all cases. Experts say lifestyle measures such as exercising, maintaining a healthy diet/ weight, or attending physiotherapy sessions can help relieve pain and possibly slow progression. However, when you factor in fibromyalgia it complicates osteoarthritis greatly.

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Fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis are two separate conditions. the coexistence of both together can make the symptoms of each condition worse! Both conditions have overlapping symptoms such as stiffness, pain and limited range of motion.

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Fibromyalgia causes the brain to misread pain signals. In my case, my fibromyalgia makes my osteoarthritis pain feel worse then what it actually is. Technically my OA is considered mild, but I’ve had several doctors tell me that I am most likely feeling the pain at moderate to severe pain levels. For example, the arthritis is my neck causes severe pain to form leaving me unable to turn my head or even lift my arms. The pain radiates into my shoulders and upper back limiting my range of motion in all areas. Fibromyalgia tender points are often seen in the neck and upper back as well. Adding the pain from both conditions can become very debilitating.

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Fibromyalgia and OA both report sleep disturbances. Fibromyalgia rarely left my lower back and hips with pain. When the pain got unbearable I knew something was not right. The lower back and hip pain would continuously wake me up through the night. It was impossible to find a sleep position that wouldn’t exacerbate the pain. I already suffer with insomnia from fibromyalgia,` then the OA pain made sleeping even harder. Research states 70% of people with OA have a sleep disturbance. Cortisol ( hormone that helps control inflammation) levels in your body also drop through the day and are the lowest at night. When cortisol levels are low more inflammation takes place causing pain and discomfort to result. Read more about how osteoarthritis impacts our sleep here.

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Mental health issues can also be seen in people with fibromyalgia and any form of arthritis. Anxiety and depression are two examples of mental health issues that can form. No matter what mental health condition you are faced with, it adds extra stress to your body causing more pain or higher pain levels to be felt. It is know that mental health conditions can lower one’s pain threshold even lower. In return, the chronic pain being felt will cause higher levels and anxiety to form even more. It becomes a vicious circle! Learn more about how arthritis can impact your mental health here.

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How to limit pain levels in both fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis

1. Massages are often recommended for both conditions. Massages may help relax tense muscles which will reduce pain. In osteoarthritis, massage can help reduce swelling, improve joint mobility, and provide stress relief! If you can handle hands on treatment routes you may find this helpful!

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2. Drink plenty of water. Dehydration can cause muscle cramps. Fibromyalgic muscles are tense. Adding dehydration on top can exacerbate the pain. Water helps the muscle flush out toxins that need to be removed. Same goes with osteoarthritis – water helps flush out body toxins and can help fight inflammation and hydrated cartilage helps reduce friction between bones ( move easier) .

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3. Swimming or walking in water. Swimming has been proven to help both conditions. Water exercises are easier on your joints and muscles then dry land exercise. Swimming will also help stimulate blood circulation and can help reduce muscle stiffness and ease pain levels. Experts state that the water provides resistance that helps boost your strength and over all range of motion!

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4. Walking. Walking has been proven to help both fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis. With both conditions, we need to continue to stay active to prevent muscle/joint stiffness or loss. Even if you can only handle walking for one minute, it will help. Slowly build yourself up in walking time. My max walking time most days is 15-20 minutes at a time. I pushed myself on a walk yesterday and I almost had to send someone home for a vehicle. Walk within your limits! Walking is considered a low impact exercise, which is recommended for both fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis!

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5. Heat. For many of us applying heat to our aching bodies help relieve fibromyalgia pain. Osteoarthritis pain can also be relieved with heat. Heat can be very effective to help relieve stiffness of the joints from inactivity!

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I am sure there are more strategies out there to help combat fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis. I am currently working along side a physiotherapist to help gain some strength and mobility back. I am also seeing a psychologist who is helping me find routes to help lesson my pain levels. I have only just started my journey with both these health care providers, but I have a feeling both treatment routes will be very beneficial!

Invisible Documentary on Fibromyalgia – What do the doctors say in their interviews? What I found interesting.

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I recently watched the newly released documentary on fibromyalgia – “Invisible.” produced by Nick Demos. The interviews with the individuals living with fibromyalgia did not surprise me – being I live with fibromyalgia myself and completely understand their struggles. What it did show me was that people all over the world with fibromyalgia do struggle with many of the same hardships. What I found interesting was the information presented by the doctors and wellness coach in their interviews.

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Dr. Liptan was interviewed in this documentary. She got diagnosed with fibromyalgia during medical school, has treated patients with fibromyalgia and now focuses her attention to research on fibromyalgia. She stated she feels we are 50 years behind in regards to fibromyalgia knowledge and treatments. Yes, you read that right, 50 years!!! In fact, she presented a time line of fibromyalgia. Did you know there was a 35 year gap on research or discovering anything new in regards to fibromyalgia!? We all know that there is lack of research, but I never thought there would be such an enormous gap between discoveries on a condition that is being diagnosed more and more. The first FDA approved medication to treat fibromyalgia was not even released until 2007! Reality is that wasn’t very long ago seeing as fibromyalgia was being diagnosed way before 2007! Liptan explains that she feels that fibromyalgia should be considered a disease, not a syndrome. She believes this because there is proof that there is consistent changes in the brain and body.

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Timeline of Fibromyalgia- Not the exact one presented in the documentary.
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Dr. Liptan also shared her thoughts about insurance companies and how they only pay for certain medical routes. Most support people with fibromyalgia need, is not covered by insurance companies – vitamins, maintenance appointments such as acupuncture, massage, myofascial release, ect. Dr. Liptan states insurance companies will pay for MRIs and expensive medications, but all she wants in some cases is to see insurance pay for a gym membership. It does make sense. I was told from day one I should utilize the gym, but I can’t afford to pay for a membership. Same goes with swimming – all the doctors I saw recommended swimming as a treatment option for fibromyalgia as it is a low impact exercise. However, who can afford a membership? Even a monthly membership to the pool can get costly not to mention the money spent on gas to travel to and from the rec center. In my case, the pool is on the completely opposite side of the city then I live.

Dr. Liptan – Author of the Fibro Manual
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Tammy Stackelhouse, who is a fibromyalgia coach and also has fibromyalgia herself was also shown being interviewed by Nick Demos in Invisible. Demos and Stackelhouse converse about how many people can’t afford the holistic treatments that insurance either has a cap on how much they will cover yearly or simply do not cover these treatment options at all. Nick asks what happens then!? I know many people who can’t afford treatments being recommended to them such as yoga, massage therapy, acupuncture..the list goes on – especially with cost of living continuing to increase! I know there are many yoga, tai chi, ect. self directed videos online, but when you factor in chronic pain, it is not as simple as taking part in these follow along videos. There are a lot of other aspects to consider when dealing with chronic pain – which many of us need the guidance with, but don’t receive. Stackelhouse’s response is very realistic and hit me hard emotionally. She states, ” There is not a-lot of hope!” People in these difficult situations – of not being able to get treatment because they can’t afford these routes – “are probably not living really.” In my own struggle with fibromyalgia I often told my doctor I felt I was only existing and not living anymore. When we wake up with chronic pain – pain that hits levels of 10 that lasts all day long and go to bed in pain it makes life unbearable! No one wants to live life trying to “survive” instead of enjoying life, but for many of us living with fibromyalgia that is reality.

Tammy Stackelhouse – Fibromyalgia wellness coach
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Stackelhouse explains there is a hopelessness in the fibromyalgia community. How true this statement is. I think all of us who live with fibromyalgia feel hopeless at some point during our journey! How can we not!? We get diagnosed with fibromyalgia which currently has no cure and then we are often left on our own without guidance to figure out how to limit our chronic pain. We are left to adjust to life with fibromyalgia. Many of us may even feel like we have “lost our identity” – of who we are. Through our journey we encounter doctors who believe fibromyalgia is not real and we are often told to get used to it as this is now your life. I recently had two back to back experiences with doctors who I believe do not believe fibromyalgia is a big deal. I got dismissed stating I was not sick and got told my anxiety was the cause of why I was not feeling well. These doctor visits were not even fibromyalgia related.

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Demos also gets diagnosed with fibromyalgia while filming the documentary. He visits Dr. Melissa Congdon ( who has fibromyalgia herself and treats many patients with fibromyalgia) who conducts a physical exam to look for a specific pattern of muscle spasms or swellings. I found this interesting information so I decided to do some research on Dr. Congdon. On her website she refers to Dr. St. Amand – who has examined over 10 000 patients with fibromyalgia. He noted in every exam – every patient had muscle spasms and swollen places ( he calls these nodules) scattered pattern like though out the body! 100% of the patients examined had nodules in their left anterior thigh. He believes if someone has nodules in their left anterior thigh they have fibromyalgia. I had never even heard of this theory. Why isn’t this way of diagnosing fibromyalgia used by doctors and specialists!? Is there not enough proof ? Or are doctors, specialists and health care providers just not aware of the information!? I don’t have the answer to this. Again, food for thought!

Dr. Congdon and Dr. St. Amand

I would recommend watching the documentary Invisible! It was put together well and very informative! You can rent it on Vimeo.

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Fibromyalgia what you should know about me…

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WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT Me

Author’s note: This letter is based on communications with people throughout the world, males and females, who suffer from fibromyalgia. It does not represent any one of the over 10,000,000 people with FMS, but it can help the healthy person understand how devastating this illness can be. Please do not take these people and their pain lightly. You wouldn’t want to spend even a day in their shoes…or their bodies. This is not my post. Im just reposting to share with everyone!

  • My pain – My pain is not your pain. It is not caused by inflammation. Taking your arthritis medication will not help me. I can not work my pain out or shake it off. It is not even a pain that stays put. Today it is in my shoulder, but tomorrow it may be in my foot or gone. My pain is believed to be caused by improper signals sent to the brain, possibly due to sleep disorders. It is not well understood, but it is real.
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2. My fatigue – I am not merely tired. I am often in a severe state of exhaustion. I may want to participate in physical activities, but I can’t. Please do not take this personally. If you saw me shopping in the mall yesterday, but I can’t help you with yard work today, it isn’t because I don’t want to. I am, most likely, paying the price for stressing my muscles beyond their capability.

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3. My forgetfulness – Those of us who suffer from it call it fibrofog. I may not remember your name, but I do remember you. I may not remember what I promised to do for you, even though you told me just seconds ago. My problem has nothing to do with my age but may be related to sleep deprivation. I do not have a selective memory. On some days, I just don’t have any short-term memory at all.

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4. My clumsiness – If I step on your toes or run into you five times in a crowd, I am not purposely targeting you. I do not have the muscle control for that. If you are behind me on the stairs, please be patient. These days, I take life and stairwells one step at a time.

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5. My sensitivities – I just can’t stand it! “It” could be any number of things: bright sunlight, loud or high-pitched noises, odors. FMS has been called the “aggravating everything disorder.” So don’t make me open the drapes or listen to your child scream. I really can’t stand it.

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6. My intolerance – I can’t stand heat, either. Or humidity. If I am a man, I sweat…profusely. If I am a lady, I perspire. Both are equally embarrassing, so please don’t feel compelled to point this shortcoming out to me. I know. And don’t be surprised if I shake uncontrollably when it’s cold. I don’t tolerate cold, either. My internal thermostat is broken, and nobody knows how to fix it.

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7. My depression – Yes, there are days when I would rather stay in bed or in the house or die. I have lost count of how many of Dr. Kevorkian’s patients suffered from FMS as well as other related illnesses. Severe, unrelenting pain can cause depression. Your sincere concern and understanding can pull me back from the brink. Your snide remarks can tip me over the edge.

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8. My stress – My body does not handle stress well. If I have to give up my job, work part time, or handle my responsibilities from home, I’m not lazy. Everyday stresses make my symptoms worse and can incapacitate me completely.

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9. My weight – I may be fat or I may be skinny. Either way, it is not by choice. My body is not your body. My appestat is broken, and nobody can tell me how to fix it.

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10. My need for therapy – If I get a massage every week, don’t envy me. My massage is not your massage. Consider how a massage would feel if that charley horse you had in your leg last week was all over your body. Massaging it out was very painful, but it had to be done. My body is knot-filled. If I can stand the pain, regular massage can help, at least temporarily.

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11. My good days – If you see me smiling and functioning normally, don’t assume I am well. I suffer from a chronic pain and fatigue illness with no cure. I can have my good days or weeks or even months. In fact, the good days are what keep me going.

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12. my uniqueness – Even those who suffer from FMS are not alike. That means I may not have all of the problems mentioned above. I do have pain above and below the waist and on both sides of my body which has lasted for a very long time. I may have migraines or hip pain or shoulder pain or knee pain, but I do not have exactly the same pain as anyone else.

I hope that this helps you understand me, but if you still doubt my pain, your local bookstore, library and the internet have many good books and articles on fibromyalgia.

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What fibromyalgia pain may feel like. Real life examples…

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We all know that fibromyalgia is an invisible condition. I decided to explain what fibromyalgia would look like and feel like to people without fibromyalgia.

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I am including a sensitivity warning on this post as I have visually described what some fibromyalgia pain can feel like! If reading such imagery, I suggest you not read this post.

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1. Have you ever had a huge bruise somewhere on your body that hurts when you barely touch it?! The type of bruise that turns dark purple/ blue and stays for over a week?!! Image your entire body covered head to toe in bruises. Pretty painful thinking about it. I often tell people my body feels so bruised up. The below picture is a image that represents fibromyalgia pain well. This image often circulates on fibromyalgia groups with a description stating, “If fibromyalgia were visible!”

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2. Ever dropped a glass item and watched it shatter such as a drinking glass? I know I have and picking up the glass, results in possibilities of getting glass splinters in your fingers or accidentally stepping on a piece. Now image the spot where the shard entered getting infected and the area starts to throb. Try to image that feeling in every muscle you have – there are over 600 muscles in your body.

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3. Have you ever been on an acreage or farm that has barbed wire fences installed?!? The barbs on the fence are very sharp. I know I’ve cut my finger on these fences and snagged my clothing. Now image a piece of barbed wire wrapped around your legs and arms. The bards dig in and feel uncomfortable and possibly cut your skin. Now imagine someone pulling that piece of barbed wire tighter. What an unpleasant thought, yet alone feeling! Welcome to what fibromyalgia pain can be compared to.

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4. We have all received a static shock at some point in our lives unintentionally. Clothing creates shocks during the winter months. Imagine feeling like you are being shocked all day with no break. Everything you touch shocks you. Every step generates a shock. The feeling can become annoying or uncomfortable. Imagine putting on fuzzy socks and dragging your feet across the rug. It creates lots of shocks back to back. Now image these shocks in your brain or in every muscle in your body at once. Ouch!!

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5. Ahh! Sunshine!! Image you are Enjoying a beautiful day at the beach, not a worry in sight… until the next day when you realize you forgot to apply the sunscreen. Your skin is screaming back at you as you try to soothe the redness. Your sunburnt area is so sore even applying aloe makes you want to cry or the touch of your shirt lightly resting on your skin is unbearable. People with fibromyalgia can experience sensations like their skin has been burnt, with no relief. The touch of wearing clothing is enough to make us want to scream. People with fibromyalgia often get rashes on their body that can burn. I have experienced a few of these attacks.

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6. Image sitting around a relaxing campfire on a beautiful summer evening. You throw a piece of wood on the fire that begins to spit hot coals from the fire and sparks. Have you ever had a spark land on your skin and it hurts?! People with fibromyalgia can also experience these sensations without the visible sparks. It isn’t just one spark, its continuous spark pain for hours on end – even days..

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7. Imagine you just got off a long shift at work. You are exhausted and feel like you have been through the wringer! Now force yourself to stay awake. The fatigue a person with fibromyalgia feels everyday is equivalent to someone without fibromyalgia not sleeping at all for three days! Can you function if you were to stay awake for three days straight? Not even a 5 minute cat nap? I bet the answer is no.

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Fibromyalgia might be invisible, but there are many ways to visualize and represent what fibromyalgia pain can feel like. These are only six that I have written about. There are many more examples that come to mind.

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Fibromyalgia Research 2021 – Study concludes that fibromyalgia may be an Autoimmune Disease

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Have you ever stopped and actually thought about treatment options for fibromyalgia? There is no specific treatment route to treat fibromyalgia. It is often a trial-and-error process to see what works for each person. I often wonder why there is no specific treatment for fibromyalgia. You would think in this day and age there would be a solid treatment. It makes me wonder if there are missing pieces and connections in research and discoveries preventing this from happening.

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I watched a video which featured Ginevra Liptan , a doctor in the United States. Liptan founded The Frida Center for Fibromyalgia. She shares that there is very little research being done on fibromyalgia due to lack of funding. She is also an author of The Fibro manual. If you haven’t already, I recommend reading this book. It has become a great source of information. I find myself referring back to it a lot. In this book, she begins by explaining when she was in medical school, she herself was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. She treated many people with fibromyalgia at The Frida Center, but as of current she has focused her attention to fibromyalgia research instead of patient treatments.

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In the video, she spoke of recent research and discoveries made in fibromyalgia studies. Liptan believes there are missing links in fibromyalgia research that are preventing new treatments from being discovered. In 2021, there was a study done on fibromyalgia and mice. They took antibodies from people who were diagnosed with fibromyalgia and injected the mice with these antibodies. The results are very interesting. I won’t go into detail of the study here, but I will include a few links at the bottom for you to read. The mouse study did not receive as much public attention due to the fact it took place during covid, and media releases were all covid related.

Fibromyalgia and the mouse study overview:

Researchers took blood samples from people with fibromyalgia and injected the IgG (antibodies that stay in your system) antibodies into mice. The mice were found to take on fibromyalgia symptoms that people with fibromyalgia often report as problematic. I find the findings very interesting. It sure makes you wonder what other undiscovered information about fibromyalgia is out there. They also took antibodies from people without fibromyalgia and injected these antibodies into mice to show the difference between the two groups of mice.

1. The mice appeared to be more sensitive to pain.

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2. The mice were more sensitive to cold.

3. The mice were observed to have lower grip strength.

4. The mice showed decrease locomotive activity.

5. The mice showed reduced nerve fiber density in their skin.

6. Once the antibodies cleared from the mice after several weeks, fibromyalgia symptoms disappeared, and the mice returned back to normal.

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7. The findings reporting in the study could indicate that fibromyalgia has an immune response and could possibly be an autoimmune condition. More research is needed to make these findings accurate.

Liptan explains in her video that the mice displayed pain-like behaviors. The mice showed that their nerves were hyper-excitable. The mice also had reduced activity meaning they were not walking around as much and appeared tired. Maybe their paws hurt so they didn’t move around as much. Nerve damage was also noted in their feet. Liptan continues to explain that the study also showed that the antibodies started to bind to a specific portion of the mices’ spinal cord – an area of the spinal cord which is important- where pain signals are interpreted by the brain. This study may help build the connection between the belief that in fibromyalgia there is a neurological component and an immune component. The new discoveries could help scientists understand what is going on in the muscles nerves and why our brain is hypersensitive to pain. Discoveries in the mouse study indicate there is an immune response component – making fibromyalgia an autoimmune disease.

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We know fibromyalgia has existed for years, but I found it so hard to accept that there is no one test to diagnose fibromyalgia and to treat fibromyalgia. There has been a criteria list developed over the years that one must meet to be diagnosed with fibromyalgia, but there is also lot of ruling out other conditions before diagnosis as well. I know the brain is powerful, but I find myself confused at the thought that the brain misinterpreting pain signals can cause so many other symptoms to arise. How can the brain cause rashes and skin conditions to form? Why do many people with fibromyalgia develop irritable bowel syndrome or have bloating issues to arise?! Why are those with fibromyalgia more susceptible to developing chronic dry eye? There are so many unanswered questions. There must be missing links.

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Liptan goes on to explain with the new discoveries in the mouse study, she’s positive there will be more research on fibromyalgia taking place in the near future. She hopes this research will help form new treatment routes. Liptan shares, pharmaceutical companies need to see a target – something they can intervene in with a medication. If they see this target, they will put billions of dollars into researching. Liptan has already been contacted by a pharmaceutical company asking her opinion about a new medication being made to treat fibromyalgia. Combining what scientists already know and the new findings through recent studies will help unravel more accurate treatment options for fibromyalgia.

It brings hope of finding a better treatment closer to reality when new discoveries are made. Wouldn’t it be great to be able to say one day, “i used to have fibromyalgia!”

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Mouse Study Links:

  1. https://www.the-scientist.com/news-opinion/mouse-study-suggests-fibromyalgia-has-autoimmune-roots-68944
  2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34196306/
  3. https://www.sciencealert.com/mouse-study-suggests-fibromyalgia-really-is-an-autoimmune-disorder
  4. Here is Dr. Liptan’s video on research and the mouse study. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFQV6hoGS14

Kitchen Hacks: Cooking with Chronic Pain

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Cooking a meal should be pretty straight forward, right?! For those of us who live with a chronic pain condition such as fibromyalgia, we must adjust how we work in the kitchen. Preparing a meal becomes very intimidating and exhausting. I have had to make several adjustments in the kitchen be able to get meals cooked.

Kitchen hacks for those with chronic pain:

1. Anti-fatigue mats. I have two of these mats in my kitchen. I was reluctant to spend the money on them, because I didn’t know if it would actually help me. Anti-fatigue mats help reduce fatigue on your legs and body. By reducing the fatigue, you prevent or at least minimize the pain levels. I found out how quickly these mats work. With the mat I am able to stand longer to cook or wash dishes then without the mat. If I do not use the mat my legs get weak, feet sore and my shoulders and back begin to hurt. I highly recommend the mats.

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2. Food processor. I recently bought an electric food processor after having a discussion with an occupational therapist. This processor has made a huge difference for meal prep. Before I could not shred a block of cheese by hand. It would cause instant pain in my hands and wrists. The pain that throbs deep down to the bone. With the processor, the cheese is done being shredded in no time and I do not have any pain as a result. If you spend a decent amount of money on a processor, it will come with many different functions such as shredding, chopping and dicing. I even used my processor to slice potatoes. Again, done within a few minutes, and no pain resulted.

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3. Electric can opener. I bought an electric can opener a few weeks ago. It is much easier than using an opener you have to manually twist. Another hack to avoid the wrist and hand pain.

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4. Slow cooker/ crock pot. These are often recommended because you can cook a whole meal in it. I often cook a roast, potatoes and carrots – easy meal to throw in the pot and set the timer. No need to stand in front of it while it cooks. I often forget to pull my slow cooker out to use, but it would make life so much easier. There are so many recipes for slow cooked meals online.

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4. Jar opener tool. I bought one of these from Amazon and it makes jars so easy to open. If you are like me, I no longer have the hand strength to open jars, so this tool comes in handy. People with arthritic hands could also benefit from using this jar opening tool.

5. Utilize sitting down to do meal prep. I often will take whatever ingredients I’m preparing and sit at the table instead of standing. It is less stress to my legs, back, neck and shoulders. Sitting and cutting veggies for a soup is much easier sitting down.

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6. Rice cooker. Using a rice cooker instead of cooking rice on a stove top is so much easier. Add the rice, water, any spices you may add to your rice and plug it in and wait for the rice to cook. Rice cookers usually indicate when they are done. Mine clicks over to warm, but it clicks loud enough you can hear it.

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7. Rocking knives. I haven’t bought one yet, but I have spoken to others who have, and they find these knives much easier to handle. Instead of a chopping motion, you rock the knife to cut. These knives are often recommended for people with arthritic hands too. I’ve been looking at the different brands on amazon, but I have yet to order one. Check it out!

8. Double handled pots. I’ve often seen pots in the store with a handle on each side of the pot. These would be ideal to use for people with hand pain. My pots only have one handle, but I often think buying a few extra pots that have two handles would be safer. I have a difficult time lifting pots off the stove to drain the water out. Having two handles would make it easier to lift the pot and much safer.

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9. Mixing machine. I own a Kitchen Aid mixing machine. It comes with three different mixers which comes in handy depending on what you are making. These machines cut down the time it takes to manually mix by hand and make baking easier. The one good thing about the Kitchen Aid mixers – there are so many attachments you can purchase to go with the mixer – even a food processor. There are also handheld mixing machines that would also work- less stress on your wrists and lower opportunity for pain levels to go higher.

10. Cook extra food. When I cook meals such as spaghetti or soups, I will cook enough to be able to have left overs for the next day. This way I can have a break from cooking. On my good days where the pain is lower and fatigue is bearable, I will also do some meal prep and freeze these meals. The meals can be taken out and thawed on days that I can’t function enough to cook. I often make Shepards pie, chicken pot pie, and lasagna to freeze. By doing so, this gives me six meals to quickly take out to thaw and eat. Theres many meals you can prepare ahead and freeze them!

With the new counter-top cooking appliances coming out it becomes easier to cook one pot meals very quickly, even from a frozen state. I keep looking into getting a Ninja Foodi 6 in 1 appliance. This appliance can become an air fryer, pressure cooker, steam, bake and roast. It will remain on my wish list for a while as they are fairly pricy. Do you have any kitchen hacks to make it easier cooking with chronic pain?!?

Is your chronic fatigue caused by fibromyalgia? Have you considered chronic fatigue syndrome?

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One of the most difficult and frustrating symptoms for myself is the chronic fatigue I have alongside fibromyalgia. When I got told by doctors and specialists that fibromyalgia is often accompanied by fatigue, I never thought the fatigue would be this life disrupting. I’ve learned that feeling tired versus feeling fatigued are two completely separate terms. When a person feels tired, sleeping will cure this tiredness, while fatigue is not relieved by any amount of sleep. In my case I have come to realize no matter how little or how much sleep I get, I feel extremely fatigued the next day, to the point it makes it extremely difficult to function and take care of my basic needs. Who knew eating could become tiring?!? Lifting food to my mouth and chewing the food has proven to be a chore at times. I literally told my doctor this exact sentence not long ago. Some days finding the energy to eat is just overwhelming. Can anyone else relate?

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At my last neurologist appointment, he explained to me that chronic fatigue is one of the most difficult things to treat as there are so many factors to think about to even pinpoint why the fatigue may be so disruptive. Fatigue is a symptom of fibromyalgia to begin with. A survey revealed, 780 males who have fibromyalgia, 93% reported chronic fatigue. While 4467 women were surveyed – 97% reported fatigue. The use of certain medications to help limit fibromyalgia pain could be part of the culprit to the added fatigue. Many medications used in treatment; have a possible side effect of fatigue.

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Ever hear about chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)? I have done a lot of research between fibromyalgia and CFS. CFS is a completely separate condition from fibromyalgia. There again, it can be difficult to diagnose – just like fibromyalgia. There is no one test to diagnose CFS. I have never been officially diagnosed with it, but I stand firm when I state I do have it. Chronic fatigue syndrome also presents with many other symptoms. Below are some of the possible symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome.

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Fatigue is not the only symptom people may experience with CFS. I often get daily sore throats, fevers that range from 99-103 F, and swollen lymph nodes. My blood tests always reflect no indication of any infection or that my body is battling a cold or flu. I’ve come to the conclusion that these symptoms I experience, are from chronic fatigue syndrome. There is no other explanation to why I exhibit these symptoms. These symptoms have a very quick onset and with little warning. As I write this blog, I found myself with a fever of 103. When these symptoms arise, it feels like I have the world’s worst flu bug…but I don’t. Have you ever had a flu that has knocked you down for days?!? Most of us have at some point. That is what I experience, but every day. Imagine living with a flu everyday – 24/7 for 365 days. Welcome to my reality.

As for treatment options for CFS, there have only been a few options mentioned to me, but not just a simple fix. My doctor and neurologist both mentioned the possibility of using a stimulant medication such as modafinil. By using a stimulant, one may see a response of wakefulness. Before using these medications there may be many aspects to think about prior. My doctor was very concerned that using a stimulant to improve my wakefulness during the day would be counter-active and not wear off before I went to bed causing further sleep issues to form. There are many listed side effects on these medications as well. Not everyone will experience the possible side effects. I personally find most medications can help relieve some symptoms, but then leave behind another symptom that may be unpleasant to deal with.

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The other treatment option that is supposed to help improve chronic fatigue syndrome is exercise. I was never given any further direction on what type of exercises help or duration; however, I’ve found adding exercise into my day very difficult. First of all, who wants to exercise when they are so fatigued and causes pain levels to hit pain levels of 10?!!One must find the right exercises and duration and not over do this exercise and make their fibromyalgia symptoms and fatigue worse. If you are seeing a kinesiologist, they may be able to guide you with this route. This was my running issue balance. In my particular case, trying to add exercise made me go into a fibro flare each and every time. Research states that pain levels will increase at the beginning until one’s pain threshold increases, but I found it difficult to follow through when the results were so negative and debilitating results. There may be other treatment routes to improve chronic fatigue. These two are the ones most talked about.

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When a person experiences chronic fatigue everyday it can impact a person’s cognitive abilities. I know I often struggle and search for words when I am trying to speak, leading to stuttering or creating words up that aren’t actually a word. I often joke saying maybe I could become rich by claiming rights to my newly created words. My concentration is also very limited, and I often find myself forgetting things. I will get into how fibromyalgia effects a person’s cognitive abilities in a later blog.

Just like fibromyalgia there is no cure for chronic fatigue syndrome. One must learn to maneuver through life the best he/she can while dealing with the exhaustion and symptoms left behind.

For more information visit: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-fatigue-syndrome/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20360510

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Fibromyalgia Flare Kit

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Fibromyalgia is difficult to handle on any given day, but when experiencing a flare up it becomes even more difficult to function. A flare up can be triggered by doing too much, stress, or even a medication change. My three biggest triggers include cold winter weather, stress and overdoing it on my good days (which I do way too often). These are just a few examples. When a person enters into a fibromyalgia flare all the symptoms get worse and exacerbate intensity of symptoms. New symptoms may even appear. Everyone who has to survive these flare ups soon learn strategies that will help them cope. Flares can last up to a few hours, days and even months. My worst flare lasted over a month. It was a very difficult time and wore me out physically and mentally. Fibromyalgia flares can result in limited abilities or result in being incapacitated leaving one bed ridden. Below are items that I keep readily at hand to get through a fibromyalgia flare up.

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My flare up kit includes:

1. Heating pads. I have several heating pads of various sizes. There have been times where I have had all three in use, depending on the severity of my flare. I have a heating pad that is meant to be used on the shoulders and neck. These two areas are problematic when I enter into a flare. Even though the heat doesn’t relieve the throbbing aches long term it helps while in use. I get a short break from the pain. Anything is better than nothing.

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2. Heated blankets. I often get chills when I go into a flare. Having a heated blanket takes the chill out of my body. It also acts as a full body heating pad if I have jumping pain all over my body.

3. Weight blanket. I absolutely love my weight blanket. My boyfriend gifted this to me for Christmas one year. If you know anything about weight blankets, you know there are many benefits in using them with or without fibromyalgia. The weight from the blanket is known to help reduce anxiety. For those of us with fibromyalgia, we know anxiety can become an issue. For myself, I find the weight helps relieve my leg pain. I’ve heard from others that the weight causes further pain, so they don’t use a weight blanket. The use of a weight blanket with be dependent on your body. Using a weight blanket is also supposed to help one sleep better. I have noticed when I use the blanket I in fact do sleep better.

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4. Travel neck pillow. Often times when I flare my neck becomes very painful and my muscles in my neck get weak. Having to hold my head up feels unbearable. I use the neck pillow to allow my muscle to relax and not have to work as hard to hold my head up. This is easy to take with you anywhere!

5. Medications. Make sure you have extra medications that you may use to remedy any flare up symptoms. For example, when I flare i often get flu like symptoms which can be relieved with over-the-counter Advil cold and sinus pills. Keep any other remedies you use available such as bio freeze spray.

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6. Ear plugs and a mask. I often get sensitive to noise, and light. If i try to lay down during the day I may use a sleep mask to cover my eyes. I have also just bought some ear plugs to try during the day if sound bothers me. Sometimes even the vehicles driving down the street is too much noise to handle.

7. Compression gloves. I bought a pair of compression gloves to try. When i flare my hands often ache in every joint possible. Lots of people I have spoken to love their compression gloves. They even have compression socks to help with foot pain. I’m still experimenting with the gloves to see if they make a difference.

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8. Comfy clothing or soft pajamas. Comfy clothing often brings one a feeling of comfort. During a fibromyalgia flare I often have sensitive to clothing. i rather be in pajama bottoms or sweatpants then a pair of jeans.

9. Water. Drink lots of water. As I type that sentence, I realize I should take my own advice. Water is important to drink for everyone but can also help during a flare. I find adding lemons or lime to water makes it more desire able to drink.

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10. Music. I always have found music soothing and relaxing. I often will turn on music while I relax. Research often states music has the power to reduce pain and anxiety. We often hear about music therapy for children with disabilities. Why wouldn’t it help with people with fibromyalgia?!? Give it a try. What do you have to lose?!?

11. I was going to stop at ten, but I’m going to add one more thing to the list. Do you own a pet?! They can greatly help us through hard times – even a fibromyalgia flare. Did you know petting a dog or cat, can reduce levels of cortisol in your bloodstream, thus lowering muscle tension that may be contributing to pain levels?!! Research says spending even ten minutes with a dog can reduce a person’s anxiety levels. Interesting, isn’t it?!! Dogs are often used at therapy pet for these reasons.

What would be in your flare kit? Everyone’s flare kit will look a little different. Maybe your flare kit includes a book instead of music!

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Chest Pain in Fibromyalgia…What is it called?

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Did you know that fibromyalgia can cause chest pain? I sure didn’t!!!! The first time I had experienced this type of chest pain was the scariest moment of my life – thinking something was wrong with my heart. Chest pain that is felt with fibromyalgia can mimic what may present as a heart attack. It is actually a condition called Costochondritis – which causes inflammation of your rib cartilage. This cartilage connects your ribs to your breastbone. With the symptoms mimicking a heart attack, I would definitely not just assume its costochondritis and get it checked by a doctor to be sure it’s not anything serious or heart related.

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Since I hadn’t heard of this condition before, I decided it was a good time to do some personal research and find out as much information as I could about it as at the time. I was dealing with this chest pain daily for a while. On several sites I used to research, it stated that costochondritis pain is usually only felt in a small area of one’s chest while a heart-attack involves a more widespread area and often causes pain in the neck and into the arms. My chest pain I experience is always on my left side of my chest – hence why at first I thought it was my heart. The pain is a sharp aching pain, which can have a gradual onset or appear immediately. For myself, the chest pain would start minimal and then increase to the point it hurts to breathe or move. I would also feel like there was an air bubble stuck in my chest- it really isn’t an air bubble, but cartilage inflammation. Costochondritis is not a life-threatening, but can be very painful. The attack can usually be relieved by resting and waiting for the condition to improve. Everyone will experience costochondritis differently. Your pain may be less severe than mine, similar or even more severe than I have experienced. I found the duration of the attacks different each time. Sometimes the pain would ease after several hours, while other times it would last until the following day.

To help treat costochondritis I have found lying flat on the bed or couch helps ease my pain. I remain as still as I possibly can as movement aggravates the pain further. I also apply heat with a heating pad to the area. One could also try to ice the area, but I prefer heat. My body responds poorly to icing. My body has become intolerant to icing areas causing pain to arise. Some people may not get any relieve by laying down but may get some relief by standing or sitting in a particular position. You may find yourself experimenting to see which works best for pain relief for you. I often take over the counter pain killers such as Advil or Motrin to help relieve the pain. A few times I have had to rely on prescription anti-inflammatory medication to help.

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There has been no solid evidence towards what could cause an attack of costochondritis to form, but possible causes could be anything that may cause tension to the chest area. The stress can therefore cause inflammation to take place. Even a simple action such as coughing, could cause an attack to happen or reaching for an object off a high shelf above your head. In most cases, it remains unknown to what causes each episode of costochondritis to take place. If you can pinpoint the cause, you may be able to prevent future attacks from taking place. However, without being able to know what the direct cause for the cartilage is to become irritated and inflamed, it remains very difficult to prevent.

I have come across a few articles over the years, that states there are exercises and stretching one can use to help relieve the pain felt from costochondritis. However, I have never explored these stretches and exercises as it states it is best to be directed by a trained physiotherapist. If anyone attends physio for other reasons, you may have the opportunity to ask your physiotherapist about these exercises. Usually at physio, they will teach you the proper stretch or exercise, so you do not hurt yourself further. There are many videos on YouTube about these specific exercises if you wish to explore further.

You can find more information on Costochondritis here. You will be redirected to the mayo clinic website for more information.

I’m sure costochondritis can be present without being diagnosed with fibromyalgia. So don’t assume that if you have fibromyalgia, you will have costochondritis or vice versa. Individuals who are diagnosed with fibromyalgia just seem to have higher chances of having the cartilage in their ribs inflame.

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