Dear Fibromyalgia

Category: Fibromyalgia Exercises

Discover effective exercises for Fibromyalgia that can help reduce pain, improve flexibility, and boost energy levels for better symptom management.

  • Fibromyalgia: 5 Tips for Traveling Like a Pro

    For 5 simple ideas for traveling well in spite of pain, a woman living with the pain and exhaustion of fibromyalgia. Despite her condition, Jenni needs to travel many times throughout the year and, in this video, she shares her favorite tips for traveling well. A transcript of the video is also available.

    Read the transcript of the video, “5 Tips for Traveling Like a Pro in Spite of Pain,” below:

    Hi, and welcome to Fibromyalgia: 5 Tips for Traveling Like a Pro in Spite of Pain. My name is Jenni Prokopy and I’m just like you—a woman living with the pain and exhaustion of fibromyalgia. But I need to travel many times throughout the year, so I’ve collected some of my favorite tips for traveling well. I’m excited to share them with you!

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    Tip 1: Plan Ahead for Accommodations
    Tip one: Plan ahead. I’m not just talking about making hotel and rental car reservations—you need to think about each step of your trip and the accommodations you may need.

    If you have a hard time walking long distances, ask for a hotel room near the elevator. Of course, if you’re a light sleeper, elevators can be noisy so you might want to request a room a little further down the hall. If you’re attending a trade conference at a large convention center, you may need to reserve a scooter for transport; even some resort areas make scooters road-legal.

    If you use a wheelchair, make sure your hotel can accommodate you and that rental car or shuttle companies are aware of your needs. Check some of the top travel Web sites or disability-specific travel Web sites for recommendations and specials. Plus, the FAA even has recommendations for navigating airports with assistive devices.

    Tip 2: Medications: Do You Have Enough?
    Tip two: Bring enough medication. One of the biggest travel mistakes I ever made was visiting a Gulf Coast vacation spot with just enough medication to last the trip. Of course, the inevitable happened: a hurricane threatened to extend our trip by days.

    The painful lesson I learned then was to always pack an extra week’s worth of medications, no matter where I’m going. You may want to keep your pills organized in counters like these (show pill organizer) but it’s safest to travel with your meds in their original containers with the prescription labels still attached. Not only will you have an easier time with security personnel who may search you, but if you do need a refill while traveling, it will be easier to get one with that information handy.

    And remember to always pack your medications in a carry-on bag! A lost suitcase with vital meds can ruin a vacation.

    Tip 3: Channel Your Inner Packing Goddess
    Tip three: Pack smart. Fatigue and pain from toting huge bags is often just an accepted part of travel. But one way I minimize these negative effects is to pack smart and pack light.

    Spend time a few days before your trip to plan each outfit; jeans can be worn a few times, and well-organized coordinates make it easier to make multiple outfits out of just a few pieces. One gorgeous handbag can work for almost any occasion. Roll up anything you can to increase room in your suitcase, and coordinate colors for even greater flexibility.

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    If you have a hard time remembering what to bring when traveling (I always do!) make a list and save it for future trips.(show an example of a packing list) I tweak mine every year or so, and it saves valuable time and keeps my load light.

    Tip 4: Luggage Matters
    Tip four: Find your perfect bag. It may take a bit of research, but it’s worth the effort. A great bag that meets FAA guidelines for overhead bin storage can still accommodate a week’s worth of belongings, if it’s designed right.

    Today’s best bags are made of lightweight materials and have long extendable handles and wheels that rotate to make pulling the bag easy. (show bag with matching carry-on [blur any logos]) You don’t have to sacrifice style, either. Many designers have attractive suitcases with matching carry-ons. Visit discount commerce Web sites for periodic sales, checking user reviews for the best finds.

    Tip 5: Transport—Choose Wisely
    Tip five: Travel smart each step of the way. So you’re packed, rested and ready to go. Getting to the airport is just the beginning of your travel day. If need be, did you call ahead for a cab that accommodates a wheelchair? Does your shuttle company guarantee a driver who will lift your bag? Did you check in with your airline ahead of schedule to avoid long lines? Will your rental car offer air conditioning and GPS for when you arrive tired and hungry? Does your hotel offer free shuttle pick-up?

    Before every step of your journey, do your homework using trip planners, Web sites and referrals from trusted friends. You don’t have to use up all your valuable energy when you travel…as long as you plan ahead and ask for what you need.

    https://fibromyalgia-6.creator-spring.com/
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    For More Information Related to Fibromyalgia Visit below sites:

    References:

    Fibromyalgia Contact Us Directly

    Click here to Contact us Directly on Inbox

    Official Fibromyalgia Blogs

    Click here to Get the latest Chronic illness Updates

    Fibromyalgia Stores

    Click here to Visit Fibromyalgia Store

  • AHA News: Worried About Her Health, She Lost 163 Pounds – And Inspired Her Husband to Drop 55

    A few weeks before Thanksgiving, Ken and Morgan House of Newington, Connecticut, spent a week at one of her favorite places – Disney World. They walked to all the theme parks, went on countless rides and shared healthy meals.

    Every day, Morgan would smile broadly at Ken and shoot him an expression that said, “Do you even believe this?”

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    The last time the Houses were there, Morgan weighed 357 pounds. Ken weighed 280.

    While they enjoyed the trip, Morgan couldn’t walk for more than 10 minutes without needing to take a break, her knees hurt and she didn’t fit on some of the rides, including Avatar Flight of Passage, one of her favorites.

    That was in January 2020.

    In November 2021, Morgan weighed 194 pounds. Ken weighed 225.

    “I wasn’t struggling to get in and out of rides,” Morgan said. “I wasn’t struggling to walk. In fact, I was doing 15,000 to 20,000 steps a day without batting an eye.”

    One day, she cried with gratitude exiting Flight of Passage.

    The tears of joy were as much about conquering her lifelong struggle as they were about enjoying that ride.

    “Being overweight prevented me from being my best self, my confident self,” she said. “You internalize how society views you as a fat person.”

    In high school, she began what would become years of trying various diets and workout plans. Her weight yo-yoed, always ending higher.

    In her 20s, she started getting migraines and was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, a condition marked by pain. Later, she developed sleep apnea and prediabetes.

    Doctors recommended bariatric surgery. Morgan saw that as a last resort. She wanted to continue trying to lose the weight on her own.

    In her 30s, her struggles continued. Between pain from the fibromyalgia and a lack of activity, “I kind of spiraled,” she said.

    “Once my weight got to a certain point, I had depression, anxiety and felt out of control,” she continued. “My life was feeling unmanageable.”

    Morgan was in her early 20s when she met Ken. They married five years later.

    “She was always beautiful to me, and I’ve always loved her,” Ken said. “But I saw the weight as impacting her quality of life and self-esteem.”

    A few years ago, a doctor encouraged Morgan to learn more about gastric bypass surgery. It’s not enough to want the operation; patients must meet certain guidelines to qualify. These include a willingness to make permanent lifestyle changes.

    “I thought, ‘This is a tool that can physically help me,’” Morgan said. “It was very scary, and I had a lot of emotions, but it also felt promising.”

    Ken, meanwhile, was having his own middle-age wakeup call. He’d long been on medication for high blood pressure.

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    “I always knew I was too heavy, but it just didn’t bother me,” he said. “Then my physician told me I was a ticking time bomb for stroke and heart attack because of my blood pressure, heart rate and metabolic panel.”

    He was also developing sleep apnea. He’d wake up in the middle of the night feeling like he was drowning. He feared leaving behind Morgan and his daughter from a previous relationship.

    “I want to be there for both of them,” he said.

    Ken vowed to walk 10,000 steps a day. He aimed to limit his daily diet to 2,000 calories.

    As he began slimming down, Morgan received the OK for the bariatric surgery. She underwent the procedure in September 2020, then began adjusting to her new life.

    “I might think, ‘Oh, I can’t fit between that chair and the wall’ – when, in fact, now I can,” she said. “It’s a weird feeling.”

    Another weird feeling: Adjusting to people treating her differently just because there’s less of her. It makes her angry.

    “At 357 pounds, I felt invisible,” she said. “Then when you’re the same person but 163 pounds lighter, you’re suddenly visible.”

    The weight loss has made them healthier.

    Ken said his sleep apnea is gone and he’s in the best shape of his life. Morgan is especially excited about walking long distances without knee pain.

    She’s looking forward to their Disney-themed vacation for her 40th birthday on Jan. 28.

    https://fibromyalgia-6.creator-spring.com/
    https://www.teepublic.com/stores/fibromyalgia-store

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    For More Information Related to Fibromyalgia Visit below sites:

    References:

    Fibromyalgia Contact Us Directly

    Click here to Contact us Directly on Inbox

    Official Fibromyalgia Blogs

    Click here to Get the latest Chronic illness Updates

    Fibromyalgia Stores

    Click here to Visit Fibromyalgia Store

  • Mindfulness for Fibromyalgia by best possible treatment in our holistic

    Mindfulness for Fibromyalgia by best possible treatment in our holistic

    In order to provide patients with the best possible treatment in our holistic approach at our Multi-disciplinary Clinic we try to consider everything available and as part of that we’ve looked at many non-drug therapies over the years. Many of these treatments or therapies are for reducing the Sympathetic Nervous System over stimulation (or the heightened fight or flight reaction most readers will have heard of) of Fibromyalgia have been studied and now part of our scientific treatment.

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    One therapy that’s getting a lot of attention lately and is thought to reduce the Sympathetic Nervous System over stimulation and has shown improvements in Fibro symptoms is Mindfulness. Kim Jones, PhD recently completed a clinical study on Fibromyalgia and Mindfulness and it was the cover article in the USA Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Life Winter Magazine 2014 issue, where they state “These results indicate that practicing mindfulness techniques may be a low-cost, side effect free option for people wishing to reduce the severity of their fibromyalgia.”

    Basically practicing mindfulness techniques starts with the concept of living in the moment and not looking back into the past or forward into the future. Try to keep your mind in the present moment of whatever you’re doing, so if you’re ironing, doing paperwork or walking, just focus on those things in your mind and don’t think about other things. My best Mindfulness moments are when I walk my dogs, no matter how stressed I am at the beginning of the walk I come back….calm.

    Another good principal is to stop multi-tasking. You really can’t be calm if your mind is racing, trying to do several things at one. Try to just do the one thing and do it well, then move on to the next thing that needs doing and just focus on that one thing.

    Finally, meditation and deep breathing are also essential to obtaining Mindfulnesses possible stress reducing effects, which should then hopefully reduce the Sympathetic Nervous System over stimulation and possibly help reduce your Fibro symptoms. The body can’t heal if it feels it’s under threat, so being calm and rested are thought to be essential to one’s recovery.

    There are many sources of Mindfulness online and most CBT (Cognitive Behaviour) Therapists will be familiar with it and be able to offer advice. So relax and don’t stress if you don’t get Mindfulness at first – as that defeats the entire purpose!

    https://fibromyalgia-6.creator-spring.com/
    https://www.teepublic.com/stores/fibromyalgia-store

    Click Here to Visit the Store and find Much More….

    For More Information Related to Fibromyalgia Visit below sites:

    References:

    Fibromyalgia Contact Us Directly

    Click here to Contact us Directly on Inbox

    Official Fibromyalgia Blogs

    Click here to Get the latest Chronic illness Updates

    Fibromyalgia Stores

    Click here to Visit Fibromyalgia Store

  • How Can I Increase My Energy Level During A CFS and Fibromyalgia?

    How To Manage A Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Crash

    Anyone suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome is familiar with the term ‘crash’. It’s used to describe what happens when you push your body past its’ current energy production capabilities.

    The technical term for a crash is ‘post-exertional malaise. How severely you are affected by chronic fatigue syndrome will dictate how badly you crash, how debilitating the crash is, and how long you take to recover from it. In a study, PEM was found to worsen symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome and reduce daily functioning.

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    When you push yourself physically, mentally or both, outside your energy envelope, your body systems will be unable to cope and force you to rest.

    You may have had a good couple of days, been feeling better, gone out for the day, or worked longer hours than usual. Perhaps you went to a party or some other social gathering and stayed longer than you should have because you were having fun catching up with friends.

    Whatever the activity, you know you’ve pushed it too far and arrive home from your outing feeling pretty tired. But the following day, it’s worse than just the normal fatigue you cope with each day, you can barely get out of bed and now you are paying for overdoing it the previous day.

    Your muscles are painful and you feel like you have the flu, you are so fatigued you have no energy to do anything. Dragging yourself out of bed to use the toilet is a major feat.

    But you have life to live and stuff that needs to be done, what are you going to do? You are desperately asking yourself ” How can I increase my energy level during a crash”?

    When going through a crash, even the simple act of standing upright to take a shower was unthinkable for me. I started taking baths instead and tried to make them as relaxing and pleasant as possible. Even then, it took all of my diminished energy to push myself up and out of the bath, I felt like a ninety-year-old woman.

    Unfortunately, the reality is that even when you are pretty tuned in to your own energy limits, there are going to be times when you push things too hard and you crash. So, what are you going to do?

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    Give In To It……….

    Pushing yourself any further will only result in even more debilitating fatigue and worsening symptoms. So, give in to your crash and realize you must restfully and completely recover even a small amount of your diminished energy reserve again.

    One of the most difficult things for me to get to grips with mentally was the realization that I had an illness. Once I acknowledged this, it made it easier for me to treat myself well and stop beating myself up for everything I could no longer do.

    Going over and over in your mind all of the things you need to do, have to do, and should be doing whilst in the midst of a debilitating crash is pointless.

    With this realization, I was able to give in to each crash, knowing that if I took it easy for a couple of days I’d recover sufficiently to return to leading what had become my new normal, a semi-normal life.

    Luckily for me, I only had one period during my illness where I was pretty much bedridden for about a month. All other crashes I recovered from in a few days once I simply let go, gave in to it, and allowed my body the time it needed to recover some energy.

    A Crash Can Be Scary……

    Experiencing a crash is scary because you feel as if you’ve lost control over your health and your life. It’s impossible to know how long each crash will last, will it be one day or two days, maybe a week, or perhaps even longer before you can crawl out of bed, get dressed, and function semi normally again?

    My version of chronic fatigue syndrome was waking up every morning totally unrefreshed with a feeling of having the flu. The feeling that my bones had been filled with lead made every movement an effort. Tight and painful muscles and a never-ending array of symptoms that grew weekly added to my distress. This was my new normal life. But,  when I experienced a crash, things got even worse.

    Each crash put me flat on my back, incapable of doing anything, and all my varied and confusing symptoms worsened. Everything hurt, my arms, shoulders, neck, and back along with the extremely tight and painful Achilles area in my legs which also affected my balance somehow. My entire body seemed waterlogged as my fluid balance went haywire and night sweats were out of control.

    So, What Should You Do During A Crash?

    The short answer is zip, zero………………absolutely nothing! Stay in bed, or camp out on the sofa, get comfortable and simply rest. You’ve used up all of the available energy your body is capable of producing right now and you’re in a deficit.

    For me, what made dealing with each crash difficult was that my mind was still fully alert and active, it was my body that was letting me down. It was hard to relax my body for recovery when my mind was still humming along and raring to go.

    Mentally, I had to continually remind myself of the benefit of just giving in to it and being confident that if I did, my recovery period would not become prolonged.

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    Settle In And Get Comfortable

    Whether it takes a day or a week to recover, acknowledging you have an illness that will inevitably result in having crashes means you can be prepared when they arrive.

    Here are 4 ideas for managing a crash:

    #1. Get Prepared

    On days when you feel better, do some cooking and food prep. Stock up the freezer with ready-prepared meals that can be easily re-heated during times when you’re experiencing a crash. This way, you’ll have nutritious and easily digestible food ready.

    This should prevent the need to order fast food, or eat whatever junk is readily available when you don’t have the energy to cook. More than at any other time your body needs good, healthy, and nutritious food to provide nutrients to your cells for energy production.

    Meals should ideally include a good balance of protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates. If the thought of eating solid food is even too much for you, having some nutritious soups on hand is a good idea. You can make them with some healthy chicken bone broth and vegetables and place them in the freezer.

    The most important thing to remember is not to indulge any cravings for sugary, fatty, high-carb fast food and to understand the cravings are simply your body’s way of trying to get energy quickly whilst in such a depleted state.

    #2. Reading Material

    Load up your Kindle with reading material to relieve boredom.

    I found this a lifesaver for me, so simple and convenient to use a couple of clicks and a new book is downloaded immediately. However, you shouldn’t have long periods of screen time. So, break up your reading time with some audiobooks too.

    #3. Take A Bath

    As I mentioned, during my worst episodes with crashes I could not even summon up enough energy to stand upright in the shower, so I started taking baths instead.

    Putting a couple of handfuls of Epsom salts and a few drops of essential oil in the bathwater turned it into a relaxing pleasant experience.

    The Epsom salts help relax tight muscles and the essential oils can be uplifting or relaxing depending on which oils you choose.

    #4. Light and Sound

    Always sensitive to bright lights and loud noises, I became even more so during a crash. It’s helpful to pull the shades and keep the lighting subdued to alleviate over sensitivity.

    Putting It All Together

    During a crash, it’s important to stay positive, continue to work towards recovery from chronic fatigue syndrome using some of the tips on this website together with a protocol from your naturopath.

    Meanwhile, make your bedroom as comfortable as possible and keep necessities close at hand to limit how much you need to move.

    Crashes will become fewer and recovery from crashes will be faster as your body gets stronger. By keeping a positive attitude and slowly moving towards your goal of recovery, crashes will gradually become a thing of the past.

    https://fibromyalgia-6.creator-spring.com/
    https://www.teepublic.com/stores/fibromyalgia-store

    Click Here to Visit the Store and find Much More….

    For More Information Related to Fibromyalgia Visit below sites:

    References:

    Fibromyalgia Contact Us Directly

    Click here to Contact us Directly on Inbox

    Official Fibromyalgia Blogs

    Click here to Get the latest Chronic illness Updates

    Fibromyalgia Stores

    Click here to Visit Fibromyalgia Store

  • The Fibromyalgia Cure? OK, Let’s Talk About This…

    There is a NEW cure for fibromyalgia plastered on FaceBook! Yep. They have done it! AGAIN! Another cure for us fibro sufferers, for crying out loud! It is about time!!!  (Really?) Well, let’s talk about this…

    Here is the hook…

    Ok. There is a blood test called the FM/a to diagnose fibromyalgia. This is real. Your insurance, whatever that may be, will cover the cost of this blood test.

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    What does the FM/a test for? (Researcher-speak) This is a multi-biomarker-based test that analyzes your immune systems’ white blood cells’ chemokine and cytokine patterns. People with fibro have an irregular pattern regarding these proteins. 

    What does the FM/a test for? (Kim-speak) This test measures the proteins in your body that increase when you are ill. These proteins increase your white blood cell count considerably to fight the likes of the flu, mono, infection, etc… These measurements should prove to be erratic if you have fibromyalgia.

    Next, here is the theory ‘MOJO’ statement…

    The theory ‘MOJO’ statement is a promise to be admitted to their clinical trial if you test positive on the FM/a blood test.

    (Researcher–speak) Take the FM/a test.

    (Kim-speak) Do not rule out being tested for the FM/a test, just don’t be first in case it’s a deciding factor in the treatment you are allowed to receive! (This is not a one-size-fits-all illness!)

    The result in this proposed theory will be a cure for the incurable… AND (drumroll!) they have the ONLY cure!

    Just what is this cure? It is the TB vaccine. Period. Will this work? I haven’t researched one case where it has worked. I have not studied one case where it has caused any harm. Go ahead and research the TB vaccine and see if you think it may hold promise for your ‘type’ of fibromyalgia. Go ahead and get the TB vaccine if you think it might work. Just ask your doctor to administer the TB vaccine. The cost is low, the vaccine is available. There is no need for such a cryptic message of a wonderous ‘cure!’ I trust YOU to make the best decision for YOU!

    https://teespring.com/stores/fibromyalgia-6
    https://www.teepublic.com/stores/fibromyalgia-store

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    For More Information Related to Fibromyalgia Visit below sites:

    References:

    Fibromyalgia Contact Us Directly

    Click here to Contact us Directly on Inbox

    Official Fibromyalgia Blogs

    Click here to Get the latest Chronic illness Updates

    Fibromyalgia Stores

    Click here to Visit Fibromyalgia Store

  • How I lost 30+ Pounds Fighting Fibromyalgia

    I think I might be a little crazy.

    You’re (probably) just meeting me and here I am talking about my weight. Well let me tell you, it’s a tough topic for me like I’m sure it is for 95% of the women out there.

    But I also know it is something we women dedicate a lot of emotional time and energy to. So I’ve decided to put aside my personal discomfort in favor of sharing my experience with a Fibromyalgia Diet.

    I can tell you right now this is not a “Get Fit Quick” story. Or even a “Get Fit Easy” story. It takes a lot of dedication to change your life, but it is so worth it.

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    Fibromyalgia and Weight Gain

    It started in 2007 when I decided I needed to get in shape. I lovingly carried around the Freshman 15 (plus a few more) for several years. Holy smokes were I tired of it!

    At the time, I still thought Fibromyalgia was maybe a mental disorder, and running for miles a day was completely doable. It took a few years, but I dropped about 55-60 pounds and was loving life. Then 2013 came around and Fibromyalgia dumped a load of fatigue, pain, and migraines on me that completely stopped my physical activity. Oh, and ushered me into the deadly territory known as comfort eating.

    All my hard work went out the door before I could get up, walk over to it, and stop the exodus.

    It didn’t help that I met my (now) husband a few months after getting sick. And we all know what happiness and dinner dates do to the waist-line!

    I can genuinely say I haven’t been happy with my weight since then. And my decrease in activity level has been a hard pill to swallow. Especially when I really thrived on being able to hop on my bike and go.

    Although I don’t have proof, I’d pretty much promise you that a number of my health issues in the ensuing years can be laid at the feet of the Standard American Diet (SAD) and lack of exercise.

    But I digress. Moving on.

    Functional Medicine for Fibromyalgia

    In 2018, a friend recommended a Functional Medicine Doctor (FMD) to me. It was one of the various treatment options I hadn’t yet explored. Considering I had seen upwards of 20+ doctors at this point, my husband and I both figured it was about time to consider it.

    Dr. Scotting, my FMD, was amazingly knowledgeable about my illnesses, my symptoms, my medications, and how they were interacting. With a little blood work, we started down the path of getting my system to settle down – the first step: start a supplement regimen.

    This was tailored specifically to my needs and was a great way to take care of the ‘low hanging fruit’, so to speak, of my health issues. For example, thanks to a sensitivity to sunlight and heat, I had REALLY LOW Vitamin D levels.

    We got a few other issues ironed out and then we moved on to the second step: fix eating habits.

    Stay up to date!

    All the latest news, tips, and tricks, for when life gets curvy!

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    Diet for Fibromyalgia, Not Weight Loss

    “Time to make some changes,” he said. (Or something very similar)

    It helped that I knew it was coming. I’d tried diet changes before, but never long-term or with any particular success. As a matter of fact, I was strangely excited to give it a shot since I knew I was going into it with his help. There was also the peer pressure factor. He was telling me how to help myself and I didn’t want to roll back into his office a few weeks later and tell him, “Thanks for the advice I paid for, Doc, but I didn’t take any of it.”

    One hour later, he handed me a whopping list of gut irritants and inflammatory food, walked me through the process, and sent me out into the world.

    Unlike a lot of ‘diets’ I’ve tried throughout my life, this one was aimed at Fibro and not at weight loss. And for me, that was a really important distinction.

    I focused on how my diet was making my various illnesses worse instead of how I was overweight.

    Honestly, going into this lifestyle change was surprisingly easy. Especially considering how many of my favorites I was going to have to give up for a little while at least, and forever at worst.

    I had the support of my husband and FMD, the right mindset, and a trash box of non-compliant foods that I couldn’t even lift. Even though the next few months were going to test my resolve and mental health in ways I wasn’t prepared for, at least I had my mindset straight.

    Fibromyalgia Diet Details

    The first thing to note is that this was less of a ‘diet’, in the traditional sense, and more of a lifestyle change. Every time I felt like eating something that was out of bounds, I wondered if it would be the thing that brought my migraines back. Or ramped up my IBS symptoms. Or made my legs hurt like the flu on steroids.

    I wasn’t counting calories or macros. Instead, I was considering how my decisions would impact how I felt physically and mentally.

    It was because of this mindset that I gave up the following food groups for a minimum of 3 months:

    The adjustment period was tremendous but made easier by the fact that I had decided to go all-in and was excited by the possibility of change. In less than 2 weeks I was down 10 pounds and eating to my heart’s content!

    Here’s the theory behind this eating method: cut out all inflammatory foods and give your gut and system enough time to rest. Most people remain on the ‘strict compliance’ phase for 2 months minimum, or until they see a dramatic reduction in their symptoms.

    Once your symptoms subside, you gradually work food back in, one at a time, monitoring for a reaction. If you react in any way, then do not continue to eat that food. You might choose to wait another 6 months or so before trying to reintroduce it again. Or give it up entirely.

    In the end, you have a list of foods that you should avoid or eat sparingly. And best of all, symptoms that have lessened or disappeared entirely!

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    Expenses And Cooking For Specialized Diets

    Full disclosure, it wasn’t always cheap or easy to do this diet.

    Organic produce is more expensive. Grass-fed meat is more expensive. Sugar-free, gluten-free, etc is all more expensive.

    And more than once I was tired and overwhelmed when it came time to cook for dinner and broke down crying. Bless the Lord for my husband who jumped in with a pan-seared chicken breast and AIP-approved seasoning to keep me on track and feed me!

    I didn’t realize it in those early days, but there is actually a food service that provides compliant meals, sides, and desserts that deliver!

    If you’ve never heard of Paleo on the Go, it’s worth looking into. It’s definitely more than just Paleo and the slightly higher price tag is, in my opinion, worth it.

    Because honestly, the overwhelm is real when you begin. If I would have known there was something like this available, I would have jumped on it and never looked back!

    Also, when you’re dying for something easy or delicious (that you didn’t have to throw together), their AIP bakery is AMAZING! I’ve tried some of their cookies and they are the. best. thing. ever.

    Mixed (But Excellent) Results

    I won’t be dishonest and say this Fibromyalgia diet fixes everything. And I certainly can’t say that I didn’t spend a lot of time stressed or crying because I was too tired to think about what I could eat, much less cook it. But I’m also able to see some shining moments.

    I spent an absolute ton of time Googling “Fibromyalgia diet recipes” or “AIP Recipes” and found some excellent options. I love cooking so it really helps to find ‘real food’ recipes so I don’t get bored. And I nurture my family’s love of asparagus and Brussel sprouts to our hearts’ content!

    And I weighed myself more than recommended because I’m slightly neurotic about seeing the scale drop. As a matter of fact, it dropped steadily with zero weight loss effort from me. And continues to do so!

    Best of all, I had some remarkable wins in the symptom departments:

    • 3-5x weekly migraines dropped to 1 every 2 weeks (or so)
    • IBS symptoms went almost entirely away
    • Pain level decreased and more manageable
    • PCOS symptoms disappeared
    • I now understand which foods give me problems!!!

    On the less positive side:

    • I saw less decrease in symptoms than others ( which I try my hardest not to compare to)
    • I went through about a month-long period where my hair fell out a little more rapidly. FMD said it was because my hormones were regulating. It did eventually stop.
    • Increase in anxiety/spending too much time worrying about eating

    Despite these negatives, I would choose to do it all over again. Absolutely some of that enthusiasm is related to dropping weight. I hope to continue doing so. But it’s life-changing to know I have more control over my health.

    After all, isn’t that one of the things chronic illness tries to take from us? But this time I fought back and I’m pretty sure I won.

    Stay up to date!

    All the latest news, tips, and tricks, for when life gets curvy!

    https://teespring.com/stores/fibromyalgia-6
    https://www.teepublic.com/stores/fibromyalgia-store

    Click Here to Visit the Store and find Much More….

    For More Information Related to Fibromyalgia Visit below sites:

    References:

    Fibromyalgia Contact Us Directly

    Click here to Contact us Directly on Inbox

    Official Fibromyalgia Blogs

    Click here to Get the latest Chronic illness Updates

    Fibromyalgia Stores

    Click here to Visit Fibromyalgia Store

  • Cryotherapy for Fibromyalgia Pain

    Europe’s doing it. Athletes are doing it. The medical community is doing it. What is cryotherapy?

    Cryotherapy is a treatment that uses freezing or near-freezing temperatures to attain specific results, namely pain reduction. The most popular thing right now is whole-body cryotherapy (WBC). WBC involves standing in a chamber called a cryo-chamber for anywhere from two to five minutes. While you are standing in this chamber, the temperature is taken down to a range between negative 100 and negative 140 degrees. You are virtually naked while you stand in a cryotherapy chamber.

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    Usually, the facility where the cryotherapy is performed will give you a pair of clean, thick socks (a nice alpaca blend) to wear, as well as thick slippers and thick industrial-strength winter gloves. For women, they can either wear underwear and a bra or they can stand in there completely naked. It is highly encouraged for men to keep their underwear on while cryotherapy is performed. For men, it is not recommended to stand in the buff unless they want their “bits” to get a little bit extra chilly (frostbit). A nice furry, fluffy robe is provided for you so you can get from the dressing room to the cryotherapy chamber.

    You step up into this cryo chamber that has a door on the front that hinges open and close. Once you’re inside the chamber, the operator will close the door tight and only your head will stick out of the top. It doesn’t matter if you’re short or tall, just about everybody fits in a cryotherapy chamber. There are little mini foam platforms that are placed on the bottom for you to stand on. This makes the height completely adjustable so almost everybody fits.

    Once you are inside you will notice that it is a little bit chilly. Surprisingly, it’s a different kind of cold than what you think it would be. You’ll then be locked into the chamber and the doors closed so you can take off your robe and toss it over the side to the staff member who is monitoring the controls.

    The temperature when you enter the cryotherapy chamber is usually around 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Depending on whether there was already someone in there prior to you, the temperature can be colder than that. So now that your robe is off, hold on tight because your three-minute journey is about to start. If you have any “bits” that you don’t feel like you want to have icicles grow from, I suggest holding on to them tight, because that is exactly what will happen if you don’t.

    Now that you are officially ready to go, the cryotherapy practitioner will set the time and the temperature on the cryo–chamber. Generally, when you’re new to cryotherapy the operator will start you at a temperature around negative 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Once that is set, it triggers the nitrogen to release its gas that cools off the inside of the chamber. Cold, smoky steam will start billowing out of the top where your head sticks through and will make it hard to see. You can feel the cold air coming from the jets that are positioned in several different places throughout the inside of the chamber. After about a minute or so you can see icicles forming where your fine body hair “used to be” on your arm and other places of your body.

    While cryotherapy is cold, it is not the kind of cold that you would think about not being able to tolerate. I live in the snow belt of Ohio and I have lived here my entire life, so I know cold. In the winter of 1996, we had five feet of snowfall in less than a week and the National Guard had to come to my hometown and dig us out. In the Cleveland area, we are used to having winters where, when the wind chill is factored in, it will easily be negative 40 degrees outside. Let me tell you, it is the most unbearable thing you could ever possibly imagine. It does not matter how layered up you are, or the quality of your “thermal underwear,” it’s dang cold and there’s no way to get around it.

    I don’t know how the designers did it, but cryotherapy is different. There is absolutely no way in hell that you would ever catch me standing outside in the middle of January in the snow belt of Ohio butt naked for three minutes and be able to tolerate it. It doesn’t matter what lifetime, it’s not happening! Somehow the geniuses that came up with the cryotherapy chamber have made it just cold enough for you to be able to stand there butt naked and not pray for death. Don’t get me wrong, it’s miserable. It’s very, very miserable. I counted in my head the seconds until the nitrogen would be turned off and I could find some relief from the cold. It still wasn’t January snowbelt cold miserable.

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    Even while you’re standing there freezing off your cha-chas, you start to get a sense of invigoration and energy that you hadn’t had before. It is amazing the energy you feel from doing a whole-body cryotherapy session. The theory behind this and why this happens is because the air becomes so cold that in order to protect itself, your body concentrates all of its blood to your main internal organs, away from your extremities.

    This affects both your brain and the pain receptors in your body. Your body starts releasing anti-inflammatory molecules and endorphins to protect itself from the extreme cold. Cryotherapy increases white blood cells, anti-inflammatory cytokines, and beta-endorphins. Once you are done with the cryotherapy and your body starts to return to normal temperature the blood that was protecting your major organs moves back to your extremities. Immunostimulation due to noradrenaline responds to cold which causes a reduction of pain through the alteration of nerve conduction. This causes oxygen-rich blood to be returned to the extremities, which in turn helps with decreasing pain and inflammation in your muscles and joints.

    To have the best results for Fibromyalgia, it is suggested that you perform three to five consecutive whole-body cryotherapy sessions in a row. After that, it is suggested that you follow a maintenance schedule of two to three times a week to maintain the benefits.

    Cryotherapy is being used for many different conditions. Some of them are Fibromyalgia and chronic pain, sprains, different types of arthritis, pain, and swelling after surgery, tendonitis, sports injuries, low back pain, broken bones, and more.

    You may be wondering how effective cryotherapy is for Fibromyalgia. That is a very good question. According to one study, whole body cryotherapy worked for 83% of Fibromyalgia patients during the three weeks while they were undergoing treatment. Results may last for up to a week after the last treatment. Long-term effects were not measured in this particular study.

    My personal experience with cryotherapy was that it wasn’t worth the monetary cost to continue. I spent hundreds of dollars and felt minimal relief that only lasted for an hour or so after my treatments. On the other hand, when I did localized cryotherapy on my neck where I have spinal stenosis, I had an incredible amount of relief. I also highly suggest a cryotherapy facial. It is so relaxing and amazing and refreshing. You walk away with a glow and tightness you could never imagine.

    To see the full benefits of cryotherapy, it is suggested that you have continuous treatments. Unfortunately, the pain relief results aren’t permanent. On the other hand, when you are in the throws of pain and agony, cryotherapy could be the answer to alleviating some of your symptoms.

    https://teespring.com/stores/fibromyalgia-6
    https://www.teepublic.com/stores/fibromyalgia-store

    Click Here to Visit the Store and find Much More….

    For More Information Related to Fibromyalgia Visit below sites:

    References:

    Fibromyalgia Contact Us Directly

    Click here to Contact us Directly on Inbox

    Official Fibromyalgia Blogs

    Click here to Get the latest Chronic illness Updates

    Fibromyalgia Stores

    Click here to Visit Fibromyalgia Store

  • A Neuroscientist With Fibromyalgia

    It’s been 5 years since I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and 12 years since I got my Ph.D. in Neuroscience in the Department of Molecular Psychiatry.

    To be honest, I’ve never met another neuroscientist who has fibromyalgia. And maybe that’s why my approach to treating fibromyalgia is so different than most clinicians.

    When it came to treating my fibromyalgia, I let the professionals take the reins at first. I went through the typical medications like opioids, Lyrica, muscle relaxers, antidepressants, and hormone pills. 

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    When all I got was dependence on opioids, and side effects like weight gain, nausea, and more pain, the scientist in me said there has to be a better way. 

    I learned the rules so that I could break them.

    As a neuroscientist, I understand the brain, how both emotional and physical pain is processed, how pharmaceutical drugs impact brain chemistry, and how disease harms it.

    I also know how to research solutions to complex problems, compare weak versus strong evidence, test hypotheses, communicate my findings, and teach students.

    Fibromyalgia is a complex disease that requires a personalized medicine approach and no two cases are the same. It’s a disease that is worsened by stress, and the mind-body connection must be respected.

    No wonder why throwing a bunch of pills at it wasn’t the answer.

    I did my research. Part reading the clinical research, part talking to alternative medicine experts and caregivers, and part playing guinea pig on myself and other patients.

    Plant-assisted therapy (PAT) was the answer.

    I have a unique protocol that uses cannabis, kratom, and magic mushrooms to rewire the brain and heal the emotional and physical pain underlying fibromyalgia. 

    I’m sharing my secret sauce to how I ditched all my pills, got out of my walker, back to work, got my executive MBA, and wrote multiple books, all when my fibromyalgia doctor told me my best case scenario was to accept my illness and collect disability checks.

    I’m going to teach you how to use plants to heal yourself and give your finger to your doctor. 

    https://teespring.com/stores/fibromyalgia-6
    https://www.teepublic.com/stores/fibromyalgia-store

    Click Here to Visit the Store and find Much More….

    For More Information Related to Fibromyalgia Visit below sites:

    References:

    Fibromyalgia Contact Us Directly

    Click here to Contact us Directly on Inbox

    Official Fibromyalgia Blogs

    Click here to Get the latest Chronic illness Updates

    Fibromyalgia Stores

    Click here to Visit Fibromyalgia Store

  • My Secret To Fibromyalgia Recovery

    Ever wish you could just snap your fingers and cure your fibromyalgia naturally?

    What a wild week it’s been over here. I have been busy with patients and trying to keep my houseplants alive in this Vegas 110 degree heat…

    So that I can go into sequester for Big Brother All-Stars!

    Just kidding! I’m launching Fibro University!

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    This is something I have been working on for a long time.

    As a neuroscientist with fibromyalgia, I’ve worked for years to test the available treatments and debunk fibro myths.

    I’ve come up with a protocol that has helped me cure my fibromyalgia naturally (putting it into recovery mode) and has helped so many of my patients.

    And I want to share it with you.

    Here’s what Ashley R. says about my work:

    “Dr. Ross is so knowledgeable about the hottest topic right now, CBD, and her passion for using it to heal people is amazing. Her energy, humor, and relatability are refreshing and inviting. The type of wisdom and warmth that you’d want if your health journey should include CBD.”

    Many of you know me from my turn as the first scientist to star in a reality TV series, Big Brother 11 on CBS, where I was a beast at winning competitions and almost won the whole game. There’s another part to my story, one that includes the struggle of getting a fibromyalgia diagnosis.

    Several years ago I used a cane and even a walker to move around. I had no energy, had permanent brain fog, and barely could sit up to work on my laptop at home for an hour or two before having to take a nap. I was prescribed Lyrica, morphine, and a laundry list of other prescriptions to manage severe pain, spasms, and depression. And I wanted to die.

    I got off all my prescriptions using cannabis, and today, I’m healthy enough that I work full time and travel all over the world teaching doctors and patients about cannabis medicine.

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    Fibromyalgia isn’t stopping me from living my best life anymore. Now it’s your turn.

    I created the Fibro University Membership to help patients design a life that supports their progress to cure fibromyalgia naturally – so you can feel connected, supported, and motivated every day.

    Each month I deliver you brand-new content that’s easy to access on your computer, phone or tablet.

    You get LIFETIME access inside Fibro University to:

    • online group coaching video calls with me (Value $999)
    • weekly Q&A video calls with me (Value $999)
    • weekly support seshes with our private community (Value $499)
    • a supportive private Facebook community (Value $999)
    • 50% discount on most of my digital courses & books (Value $499)
    • all-access pass to years of past content including videos and slide presentations (Value $999)
    • partners discounts on CBD and health products and services (Value $399)
    • exclusive monthly members-only podcast episodes (Value $99)
    • skip the waitlist for 1-on-1 coaching with me (Value $99)

    Total value = amount $5,591

    And here’s the best part. I am not charging 4 figures for it. No. I’m not even charging 3 figures for it!

    If you purchase this today, before Saturday, you will get a LIFETIME membership for just $97 dollars!

    Seriously! That’s a huge saving and you would not be able to get this kind of group coaching and resources for fibromyalgia for this price anywhere.

    These are just some of the topics we’ll deep dive into and get you on the road to fibromyalgia recovery:

    …For only $97!

    But this deal will not last forever. In fact, the lifetime membership disappears Saturday, July 25th, 2020 & the price goes up for an annual membership.

    Are you ready to invest in your health today, for less than 10 cents a day?

    https://teespring.com/stores/fibromyalgia-6
    https://www.teepublic.com/stores/fibromyalgia-store

    Click Here to Visit the Store and find Much More….

    For More Information Related to Fibromyalgia Visit below sites:

    References:

    Fibromyalgia Contact Us Directly

    Click here to Contact us Directly on Inbox

    Official Fibromyalgia Blogs

    Click here to Get the latest Chronic illness Updates

    Fibromyalgia Stores

    Click here to Visit Fibromyalgia Store

  • Fight or Flight Response Overactive In Fibromyalgia

    Fight or Flight Response Overactive In Fibromyalgia

    An overactive sympathetic nervous system, also known as the body’s fight or flight response is closely linked to fibromyalgia. The fight or flight response is designed to help us function in emergency situations. It is meant to be a response that only lasts a short time and then turns itself off. With fibromyalgia, the fight or flight response gets stuck in the “on” position playing havoc with our body, our emotions, and our ability to think clearly.

    Increased activation of the fight or flight response is associated with poor sleep, fatigue, poor cognitive function (brain fog ), anxiety, and depression. Recently researchers have also found a direct correlation between our fight or flight response and fibromyalgia pain.

    The overactive fight or flight response in fibromyalgia is linked to a dysfunctional autonomic nervous system.

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    Autonomic Nervous System

    The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is the part of the nervous system which controls involuntary functions. These functions include breathing, blood pressure, digestion, heartbeat, bladder function, and narrowing or widening of the blood vessels.

    The ANS contains two branches, the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) and the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). Both of these systems control the same group of body functions, but they have opposite effects on the functions that they regulate.

    Sympathetic Nervous System

    The sympathetic nervous system is the one that controls the “fight or flight” response, also known as the acute stress response. It is our body’s automatic response that prepares the body to “fight” or “flee” from perceived harm or threat to our survival.

    When activated, the fight or flight response causes a surge of adrenaline and other stress hormones to pump through our bodies. It increases our heart rate and blood pressure, dilates pupils, restricts circulation, slows down digestion, relaxes the bladder, and makes us more alert. It also provides a boost in energy so that we are capable of dealing with stressful situations effectively.

    While the stress response can be lifesaving in emergency situations where you need to act quickly, it wears your body down when constantly activated by the stresses of everyday life.

    Parasympathetic Nervous System

    The parasympathetic nervous system has almost the exact opposite effect. It counteracts the stress response. The PNS brings the heart rate and blood pressure back to normal, constricts pupils, improves circulation, enhances digestion, calms us down, contracts the bladder, and puts us into a state of rest and relaxation. It conserves energy and can be summarized by the phrase “rest and digest”.

    When the autonomic nervous system is functioning as it should, the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system work in harmony to maintain balance in the body. The sympathetic nervous system helps us respond to stress and then the parasympathetic nervous system restores us to our normal state.

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    In fibromyalgia and many other chronic illnesses, this autonomic balance is impaired with an excessive sympathetic nervous system response and underactive parasympathetic nervous system response. So now the question is, how do we turn off our fight or flight response? Is it even possible?

    Can We Turn Off The Fight or Flight Response?

    Most of us have heard of the fight or flight response, but have you heard of the “relaxation response”? The relaxation response is a term coined in 1975 by a pioneer of mind-body medicine, Dr. Herbert Benson of Harvard Medical School. The relaxation response is a state of deep rest that is the polar opposite of the fight or flight response.

    The relaxation response is a mentally active process that leaves the body relaxed, calm, and focused. When the relaxation response is activated:

    • Your heart rate decreases
    • Breathing becomes slower and deeper
    • Blood pressure drops or stabilizes
    • Your muscles relax
    • Your body begins to heal

    In addition to its calming effects, the relaxation response increases energy and focus, relieves aches and pain, heightens problem-solving abilities, and boosts motivation and productivity.

    We can turn “OFF” the fight or flight response by turning the relaxation response “ON”.

    A variety of different relaxation techniques can help bring your nervous system back into balance by producing a relaxation response. Many of these techniques can be incorporated into your regular daily schedule. There is no single technique that works for everyone. Read about the relaxation response next and you will find tips on how to find the right technique for you to turn off your fight or flight response.

    Do you practice any relaxation techniques? If so, what have you found works for you? If not, are you thinking about it?

    https://teespring.com/stores/fibromyalgia-6
    https://www.teepublic.com/stores/fibromyalgia-store

    Click Here to Visit the Store and find Much More….

    For More Information Related to Fibromyalgia Visit below sites:

    References:

    Fibromyalgia Contact Us Directly

    Click here to Contact us Directly on Inbox

    Official Fibromyalgia Blogs

    Click here to Get the latest Chronic illness Updates

    Fibromyalgia Stores

    Click here to Visit Fibromyalgia Store