Oh wait a minute, I can’t raise my right-hand today because of killer shoulder pain. Hang on while I check to see if the left arm is working. Yeah! I can raise my left hand! Yes, I have been asked what having fibromyalgia feels like, many times.
Who knows what tomorrow or even later today will bring. My shoulders are favorites for my fibro buddy to target. There can be a limited range of motion in one shoulder or both. Sometimes neither, those are the good days. I find out only when the time comes.
Absolutely no way to predict these things, but learning to live with fibromyalgia means respecting physical limitations when they do crop up. I’ve been taken down for months by my fibro shoulders.
I mean pain pops up everywhere, no part of your body is sacred and there’s quite a variety of pain types and levels. There’s the stabbing, knock the wind out of you and take you down “fibro pain”. It moves around targeting different parts of you and the pain level ranges sometimes requiring medical attention.
Then there are the dull throbbing aches throughout your body that never completely subside. Sometimes they flare in spots and the pain can take you down. But, if you learn to respect the aches, and don’t push too far they can remain a dull pulsing ache.
It’s exhausting to never be comfortable, but you have to learn to live with the discomfort in order to survive.
Sleeping? Well, that’s a whole different matter. Tad difficult to get good quality sleep when your body is constantly hurting. Oh, and restless legs? Wow, they work better than any alarm clock. Then there are the times that your skin feels like it is quite literally crawling with tiny stinging insects, just under the surface so you can’t quite get to them.
We each are individual; unique. No two people are exactly alike. In that same sense, how Fibromyalgia affects or feels to someone will differ as much as we do as people.
Plus, fibro symptoms are almost fluid, they transform and move around constantly. It’s this never-ending process and so it’s tough trying to put into words something that never stops evolving.
It sucks to be exhausted, confused, and uncomfortable in addition to suffering from varying degrees of widespread pain every second of every minute of every day.
The thing about Fibro Warriors? We get knocked down, but we get right back up again. Well, maybe not right back up, but we get back up as soon as our bodies say we can.
The moment the words ‘get active’ escape their lips my focus shifts 100% to holding back the incredible urge to roll my eyes. For the most part, unsuccessfully.
It’s like constantly replaying the perfect vine loop of watching Groundhog Day over and over. We keep hearing how we need to get active in order to feel better. But, what people don’t understand is, we need to feel better in order to get active in the first place.
Press play and repeat day after day after day the exhausting loop plays.
For five years I spent a lot of days, months actually, beating myself up for not being active. It’s exhausting silently screaming at yourself constantly to get up and get active.
Then about a year ago I started listening to music again. Not only did the right playlist cheer me up, but often I’d catch myself bee bopping to the music.
Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t pulling off DWTS or anything. Sometimes I was simply swaying to the music or shuffling around like Tim Conway. But, I was standing and I was moving.
Which when you are battling fibromyalgia’s chronic pain, counts as getting active as far as I’m concerned. Music doesn’t always get me moving. But, it does some days and in my opinion, that’s better than no days at all.
Anyway, I remembered how much I loved going out dancing and how good it made me feel and so for a while now I’ve been working at wiggling my butt daily.
The right playlist lifts my spirits and gets me moving
I created a bunch of personal mood–lifting playlists. Each one is 6 songs and about 20 minutes long. While prepping for my shower, I press play, and more days than not the music gets me swaying. I always try to get boogieing before hopping into the shower, because I’m usually physically zapped after.
Turns out, well for me anyway, that music is good medicine. Hmmm, who knew?
What I had to learn was, to set the bar at a realistic level for me. And, to give me credit for any and all physical activity. To encourage me to get up and just get moving instead of putting myself down because I expected my version of “getting active” to be on par with die-hard gym-goers or the people I see out jogging.
It’s time Fellow Fibro Warriors to pat yourself on the back each and every time you wiggle that butt, even if it’s ever so slightly.
As a knowledgeable fibromyalgia lawyer firm, we reveal all about ultrasound therapy and how it can be used to treat the condition.
The symptoms of fibromyalgia are debilitating, causing severe pain for sufferers all over the body. As well as this, patients may also experience extreme fatigue, stiffness, sleep deprivation, and headaches, making everyday life an ongoing battle. At the moment, there is no cure for fibromyalgia and, due to its unpredictable behaviors, treating it can be a complex process. As an experienced fibromyalgia lawyer firm, we know too well how the condition can have a negative impact on sufferers’ lives, which is why we offer support like no other in times of need. In this blog post, we discuss ultrasound therapy in more detail and explain how it works as a potential treatment for fibromyalgia.
Ultrasound therapy is a technique widely used by physical therapists to treat pain and stiffness, involving the use of an ultrasound probe and a transmission coupling gel. The probe is used to sweep over the areas of the body that are known to be painful or stiff, emitting waves that pass through the skin and cause the local soft tissues to vibrate. The vibrations caused by the probe then increase levels of hemoglobin, a molecule that shuttles oxygen to the body’s cells and tissues, as well as tissue temperature which improves blood circulation through tissues.
Therapeutic ultrasound increases blood flow through tissues, removing waste products that can cause muscle pain, stiffness, and inflammation.
In addition to the above, increased blood flow is also known for oxygenating the body’s tissues, which is a huge plus for fibromyalgia sufferers; poor tissue oxygenation is known to worsen symptoms.
Ultrasound therapy has been found to reduce musculoskeletal pain levels in fibromyalgia patients.
Ultrasound therapy is considered to be very safe; although ultrasound probes heat up during the course of the treatment, the risk of burns is very low and you’ll be safe in the knowledge that you’re being treated by a qualified professional.
If you suffer from fibromyalgia and want to give therapeutic ultrasound a try, you should get in touch with your GP, local physiotherapist, or physical therapist to find out if they offer this treatment modality. We would always recommend getting in touch with your GP beforehand to ensure that this treatment is suitable for your specific case.
This method of treatment is relatively short, usually lasting for 10 minutes, meaning that the cost associated is typically low. If the treatment works for you, there are therapeutic ultrasound machines that can be purchased for home use in the future.
If you suffer from fibromyalgia as a result of an accident or injury, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our helpful team of qualified fibromyalgia lawyersas you could be entitled to compensation. We have vast experience in handling fibromyalgia claims and could help you.
When suffering from chronic pain, most people reach for comfort food. Would you still make the same choice if you knew this could be aggravating your chronic pain symptoms? Find out more.
Nowadays, whether you suffer from chronic pain or not, the majority of people consume more calories than recommended. To make matters worse, many of these foods are high in saturated fats, salt, and sugar. Not only will this put you on the fast track to obesity but may also increase pain intensity.
As a law firm with vast experience in handling chronic pain compensation claims, we offer advice throughout this blog post, concentrating on the types of foods you could incorporate and avoid in your diet to reduce your chronic pain symptoms.
Salmon: Contrary to popular opinion, not all fats are bad for you. Salmon is rich in Omega-3, a fatty acid that can reduce inflammation often associated with chronic pain. Other foods that contain omega- 3 are sardines, herring, and mackerel.
Onions: Onions are rich in quercetin, an antioxidant that fights enzymes that contribute to inflammation. Other foods that provide a good source of quercetin are grapes, broccoli, red wine, and apples.
Garlic: Rich in sulfur compounds, garlic is one of the most anti-inflammatory foods to alleviate your chronic pain. Garlic stimulates the production of T helper cells, which also boosts your immune system.
Olive oil: Whilst arguably is most well known for ensuring the Mediterranean maintain a youthful complexion, some studies claim olive oil contains compounds similar to ibuprofen, making it a great addition to your diet to help chronic pain.
Blueberries: Rich in antioxidants called anthocyanins, blueberries help relieve chronic pain. Like all antioxidants, anthocyanins battle free radicals easing your chronic pain.
Caffeine: For some chronic pain sufferers, sleeping is disturbed. While a hot drink may seem like the perfect midday pick-me-up, caffeine lingers in your system for hours and can go on to cause sleep issues and thus contribute to worsened chronic pain symptoms. Try drinking decaffeinated tea or a more health-conscious green tea option.
Yeast and gluten: A recent study shows that chronic pain sufferers seem prone to gluten sensitivities. The theory is that yeast and gluten found in baked food can cause the growth of yeast fungus contributing to chronic pain.
Sugar: High insulin levels from sugar heighten inflammation and pain levels. Limit sugar intake by avoiding fruit juices and opting for fresh fruits to reduce chronic pain.
Junk food: Always try and maintain a healthy, balanced diet coupled with exercise. Junk food, such as crisps, biscuits, and takeaways encourages weight gain, which in turn puts strain on joints, which can increase chronic pain levels.
As you can evidently see, there are notable links between diet and pain levels. However, everyone is individual and different foods affect people with chronic pain in different ways. Take our advice on board, speak to your doctor and work out what is best for your personal needs. If you suffer from the condition and want to know if you’re entitled to chronic pain compensation, contact our helpful team and find out more.
Why my own of course. Rationally I’m aware that there is no magic bar that’s been set for me by others. There is no invisible line of measurement being monitored for results. Nobody is judging my achievements let alone defining what those are.
Well, that’s not entirely true. There is me, and I’m quite adept at setting the bar way too high for my current physical state. I’m living a life with Fibromyalgia and I won’t cut myself any slack, nor give myself proper credit for the incredible effort I put into moving around each and every single day of my life.
Rationally, I know this. But, unfortunately, that doesn’t make it any easier to accept. Nor does it keep me from constantly nagging myself in my head. It’s exhausting, and so…
Not only will I be taking it one task at a time, but I’m also going to pat myself on the back whenever I finish one. I’m switching into positive reinforcement mode, stepping away from negative mode, and becoming a cheerleader in my mind.
Today is a fibromyalgia day. Not a flare, but rather a not-so-subtle WARNING. If I push too hard there will be consequences.
Here goes, I’m giving encouragement a whirl. Congrats self! You made your bed, swept, took a shower, and tidied the kitchen.
Oh, right, and I also cleaned a toilet!
Take care, my chronic friends,BTW — you’re doing a great job today
Fibromyalgia is such an intricate illness. Currently, there is no cure, however many patients find a mixed approach to soothe flare-ups and live a normal life. Fibromyalgia manifests differently in individuals; for example, some people with fibromyalgia are sensitive to heat and others to cold, while some sufferers also face multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) or other co-existing conditions. Patients are often forced to take a trial-and-error approach in order to discover what works best for them, which can be costly. This is why therapeutic gifts can be well received by sufferers.
Below is a complete list of gift ideas to suit all types of fibromyalgia patients and cater to all budgets. These gifts can be used to warm up their spirit during the winter holidays, reward a friend or family member for achievement, show appreciation to a parent or grandparent, or make a friend feel special on their birthday. Whatever the occasion is, each gesture is sure to leave an impression and reveal how much you care about their wellbeing.
If you’ve noticed your loved one is struggling with an everyday task, like turning their neck, while driving, checking their blind spots, or moving hot pots or skillets while cooking, there may be tools, tricks, and gadgets that you can pick up to ease these daily burdens.
The animal championship has been proven to aid fibromyalgia patients, both physically and mentally, from simply lifting fibro sufferers’ moods to providing a means of escaping the agony of their symptoms. If you and/ or your loved one aren’t in the position to take in a furry friend or aren’t particularly drawn to them, there are community resources available to visit pets for a shorter period of time. Why not plan a day trip? You may be pleasantly surprised with the outcome of spending time with an animal.
Massage therapy is highly recommended for fibromyalgia patients, to reduce general stiffness and promote flexibility. Many fibromyalgia sufferers receive massages on a regular basis to replace more conventional medical treatments that have negative side effects, such as painkillers. A gift card for a massage at a spa, or an appointment for a therapist to make a home visit, make great gifts for people with chronic pain.
If your loved one is up for trying something new and maybe even pushing their boundaries, there are several groundbreaking remedies, involving modern medicines and traditional healing, that they can try. Being exposed to something they usually wouldn’t be, may even result in them finding an alternative remedy that aids their fibromyalgia symptoms. Here are some suggestions:
Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment is the process of heightening a patient’s oxygen levels, by delivering pure oxygen at higher than atmospheric pressures in an enclosed chamber.
Floatation R.E.S.T. (Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy/Technique) is floating on top of a 25cm deep pool of salt water in a specially designed tank.
Acupuncture treatmentinvolves the use of “very fine single-use pre-sterilized needles to stimulate specific acupuncture points on your body” and can be combined with other Chinese medicine techniques.
Continuing on the health trend, yoga and low-impact exercises are known to naturally ease fibromyalgia pain. A package for beginner lessons at a studio may make a great present for your loved one with fibromyalgia. This could also be something you try together, and it could even become a regular bonding activity, or simply an opportunity for them to blow off steam and refuel.
If your loved one is already into fitness, there are plenty of complimentary gifts to support their efforts. Infrared workout clothes are designed to enhance the benefits of exercise with a heat-promoting feature, which works twofold to reduce the severity of pain. Wearable technology for fitness is trending right now, especially in the fibromyalgia community.
If your loved one with fibromyalgia loves music, a new set of headphones will make a great therapeutic gift, considering listening and interacting with music has shown to deliver positive results for chronic conditions.
A musical playlist is both a thoughtful and inexpensive gift. Include some of their favorite songs to peak positive memories or introduce them to a new mix of relaxing music to calm their mind and ease their pain. If you’re unsure of their taste in music or prefer they choose their own albums, you can always give a voucher from iTunes, Amazon, or an alike site, to purchase digital music. Alternatively, you can subscribe yourselves to a program like Spotify or Apple Music to discover new music on-demand and collaborate to make ongoing playlists.
Bath-time treats make great gifts for just about everyone, especially people with fibromyalgia. There’s nothing more soothing than sinking into a warm bath, so why not maximize that experience with some candles or an aromatherapy oil burner? Essential body or bath oils will add an element of luxury to this experience. And, it’s worth noting that lavender is a particularly soothing scent that can aid a good night’s sleep.
Preparing someone’s favorite home-cooked meal will brighten their day and give them something to look forward to. And while you’re at it, why not go the extra mile and stock their fridge with healthy ingredients and their cupboards with mineral supplements, like Vitamin D, that are proven to be beneficial for fibromyalgia?
Looking back to the beginning of my fibro tale. I don’t believe pharmacy was necessarily the wrong choice for me at the time.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned in the last two years it’s that no two single Fibro–tales are exactly the same. No two sets of triggers are exactly the same.
I had tumbled a little too far into the abyss and was dangling by a thread above the danger zone. So, I decided on the shortcut, quicker results to bring me back from the brink, both physically and mentally.
For this reason, I filled the first prescription. Which turned out to be the first of many more to come. As one might expect given the circumstances, I needed to get “a little bit well” to tackle life head-on again. So, I decided I would deal with the consequences later.
I don’t regret my choice otherwise, I believe without medicine and the support of my amazing Doctor I might not be here today sharing my Fibro–Tale with you.
After overcoming some uhhhhh shall we call them setbacks? A few months ago I finally decided it was time to start putting some of what I’ve learned about the many faces of my fibromyalgia to use. Now that the urgent stuff had been taken care of, time to try some new things.
I have decided to test the waters at decreasing the number of medications I am taking and to introduce some non-pharmaceutical healing “practices” into my life.
Why? I have finally reached acceptance. Two years into the fibro tale that is now my life, I am at last ready to meet the new me.
Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue are often associated with toxic overload and therefore, finding ways to reduce the toxins in our bodies are crucial to good health. Dry Body Brushing is a great addition to your daily routine.
Many of us opt for a massage as this helps with our aches and pains. However, what the massage is actually doing is moving and draining lymphatic fluid, getting it to freely circulate around the body. Exercise also has the same effect. However, unless we are very lucky, daily massages are just not an option for most people and we may not be up for exercise every day. Dry Body Brushing is free, quick, and easy, taking just a few minutes every day.
Not only is the skin the largest organ of the body but it is really important for elimination and detoxification. The lymph is responsible for helping to remove toxins from the body and the skin accounts for the removal of about one-third of your body’s toxins.
Often when our body is toxic, this in most cases is reflected on our skin in varying degrees ranging from dry and lackluster to oily and acne. Whilst nutrients are delivered to other areas of the body first before the skin, it is the skin that is the first organ to show signs of dis-ease. Toxic overload can also leave us lacking in energy and suffering from digestive issues.
• Increasing circulation which in some cases has improved cellulite. • Sheds dry skin cells which encourage new cell renewal which ultimately results in brighter skin. • Releases toxins through the improvement of lymphatic drainage. • Stimulates the nerve endings which just feels great. • Helps to eliminate clogged pores and therefore assists absorption of nutrients. • Helps digestion. • Tone the muscles.
• For best results, use a natural bristle brush. • Always brush on dry skin before a shower. • Work in circular, brisk, upward motions always towards the heart and in the direction of the lymphatic flow. • Start at the ankles and work up. • On the back work from the neck, down towards the lower back. • Use circular counter clock-wise strokes on the stomach • Lightly brush over the breasts • Ensure that you never brush over inflamed, sunburnt skin or skin cancer. • Always shower after body brushing to wash away the sloughed-off skin cells. Follow up with a moisturizer.
Annet King, Director of Global Education for The International Dermal Institute says that “body brushing helps to remove stagnant toxins that break down connective tissue leading to the cellulite, however, ultimately there is no conclusive evidence but as a quick fix to plumping the skin, this may be one of the short-lived results of body brushing”.
As with adopting any new regime, it will take time to see results and it is recommended daily brushing for a minimum of 30 days to experience some changes. For a more thorough lymphatic cleansing, you should brush daily for 3 months to see the benefits.
I have never been a huge visitor to Fibromyalgia support forums. However, it has been “eye-opening to say the least to see how opinions have been divided.
In one camp you have those, like me who think that this is great for raising awareness.
People are finally starting to ask questions about this relatively unknown and misunderstood condition. Facebook went into overdrive. Instagram was buzzing and Twitter, well just tweeted. Daytime TV interviewed doctors who gave the low down on Fibromyalgia. One of our regular presenters got a crash course in pronouncing the word as well as learning what the symptoms are. In some respects, it felt better late than never. All of sudden, we are validated. Just sad that it has taken so long and a celebrity suffering to bring Fibromyalgia out in the open. Good on Gaga!!
Sadly, on the other side of the fence, there are those sufferers who are playing the “my Fibromyalgia is worse than yours” game. They have declared open season on Lady Gaga.
They are questioning her motives for going public. Doubting that she could even have the condition given her long and energetic live performances. There have been those that have suggested that she would be better using her wealth by contributing to research. They deem this preferable as opposed to sharing her story. And believe it or not, there are some who are “whining” about her being in hospital. If she can “rest in the hospital, why can’t I?” Really???
I am sure that she can think of better places to rest and recuperate without being admitted to hospital.
The reality of this condition is that nobody is immune, the pain has no regard for celebrity status. Because Fibromyalgia is so different and unique to each individual it is difficult to judge one set of symptoms against another. Fibromyalgia can prove to be more debilitating for some than others. We know that it tends to go hand in hand with so many other conditions such as Chronic Fatigue or Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
For those of us with Fibromyalgia and chronic pain, it is important that we extend compassion not just to fellow sufferers but also towards ourselves.
It is imperative that we don’t turn our pain into some sort of competition by judging one another as to who can do what. We should be celebrating our successes and commiserating when the going gets tough. Not putting each other down because somebody had a good day!
I have, in some small part, been on the receiving of those who have doubted the severity of my condition. I have been slated for holding down a full-time job and for not taking medication. All good reasons apparently to question my diagnosis by other Fibromyalgia sufferers.
Therefore, I have to say that I do feel for Lady Gaga. Although never a fan, I admire her honesty and her admission that shows she isn’t the superhuman everybody thought she was. By coming out and talking of her struggle with pain, she has made herself vulnerable to the doubters and naysayers. I am hoping that she also becomes an ambassador and a voice for those who genuinely suffer in silence.
She has the same frailties and struggles as the rest of us who suffer with this condition.
And, yes truth be told, she has more money than most. Without a doubt, she will have access to some of the best doctors and healthcare. However, at the end of the day, her pain and fatigue will be as soul-destroying and debilitating as it is for the rest of us.
As we all do, she will have good and bad days. Sadly, she will have flares and periods of stability. She is now after all a Fibromyalgia Warrior battling with the rest of us. Therefore, she is as deserving of our support as any other brave soul battling chronic pain.
Whatever your thoughts are on the performer, she has brought the word Fibromyalgia into the public domain and that can only be a good thing. I for one, wish her all the love and luck in the world.
This is a great opportunity now to capitalize on her story and build momentum by telling ourstories. If you are feeling brave, why not get in touch with your local press and tell them about your Fibro journey. Post on your Facebook page, start up your own community or share your Fibro days on Instagram.
It is certainly a topical subject at the moment and ultimately, this can only be a good thing in educating people about our condition. It is up to us to get our message out there and highlight how many people are actually battling this condition day in day out, out of the headlines, and away from the cameras.
Be brave, be bold and tell your story – no meaty outfits required!!
Since I began Fibro Warrior, I have often been asked how do I manage to focus on the positives whilst battling Fibromyalgia? The answer to that is what are the alternatives? I guess I have two choices but only one is worth pursuing.
The truth is that there is certainly nothing positive about having a chronic condition. But given that there is currently no cure for Fibromyalgia, then I feel that I must change and adapt. So read on to see how I do just that….
When I was diagnosed in 2000, I had already been struggling with Fibromyalgia for 11 years. I didn’t know what was wrong with me and I think in reality those years were the darkest. They were scary in the sense that I feared for my sanity. I knew all was not well but the doctors could find nothing wrong.
It was in the early years that this condition robbed me of so much.
It took my energy, my health, my confidence, and my self-esteem. More tragically, it robbed me of the early years with my baby son, and later in 1997 it put paid to my first marriage. Whatever this was, it was beating me and winning!
Getting my diagnosis was a massive relief and once I got my head around the fact that it was incurable, I was ready to fight. I made the decision there and then, that I was not going to rely on medication and from then on, things started to change.
I had two choices, roll over and let Fibromyalgia throw all that it had at me. Become its victim and allow it to keep robbing me until I had nothing left or I couldn’t fight anymore!!
I didn’t have an army or stash of secret weapons…yet! But, I did have a renewed will to get better. I didn’t know how I was going to do it but I thought I knew what I was up against. It was a start, the battle lines were drawn and I could start and fightback.
Over the years, I read everything I could get my hands on about the condition. I saw a nutritionist, spent a fortune on alternative therapies and acupuncture. Joined a gym and quit, joined another, and quit again. I took supplements, drank Aloe Vera. I used crystals and aromatherapy oils looking for one that one miracle cure. You have been there, right? You know what I am talking about.
Well, I am sure you discovered the same as me. There is no miracle cure. One Nil to Fibromyalgia
As I neared my 50th birthday, there came the realization that with this anniversary there would be another “milestone.” I would have officially battled Fibromyalgia for over half of my life. In all likelihood, I would have to carry on the fight for another 25 years. I knew that there had to be a way of making sure that the Fibro didn’t swallow me up completely. I finally knew that the answer wasn’t going to come in some wonder drug or therapy. It was going to come from within me!!
Yep, Fibromyalgia, I won this one!! I got the answer you tried to keep from me for 25 years – one all
It was almost a revelation that my “healing” as much as it could be, was going to start and end with me. No doctors, no therapists, no medication – just me. I truly believed that I had all the weapons I needed right here in my body. It was just a matter of deciding what I had and how I was going to use it.
Firstly, I knew I needed exercise. I had tried all the usual gym stuff, swimming and walking. Invariably, these made me feel worse and induced a flare. I knew that I had to find something fairly gentle on my body but it had to be effective. So began my journey to the Yoga mat. It was and still is amazing.
Yoga meets you where you are and no two sessions are the same. Positions are adapted to accommodate my Fibro body depending on what I can manage on any given day. I also read up on rebounding (bouncing on a trampoline) and learned that this was beneficial for Fibromyalgia sufferers. So, I bought my rebounder and gradually increased my bounce time from an initial tough 5 minutes to an invigorating and enjoyable half an hour.
I had, over the years dabbled with meditation. This had been born out of my love of all things Tibetan and His Holiness, The Dalai Lama. Therefore it made sense to make a real effort to include meditation in my yoga practice. In addition, I spend the first 10 minutes of every day meditating outside, no matter the weather. (An outdoor gazebo is a triumph).
Meditation works!! It takes me to a place where my breath dominates and my thoughts, feelings, and pain are relegated for a short time while I focus on ME. My personal mantra is “It is all about me, it’s all about now”.
My early morning meditation and yoga sessions set me up for the day. I believe that this sends a message to my Fibromyalgia that I am up, out of bed, and ready to take on my day – strong and determined.
So, that is my body & mind sorted – what else could I arm myself with?
I have always been a strong believer that given the right conditions, the body can heal itself. Never one to embrace a medication, I always know that a headache will eventually go away. A cold or flu will run its course and then disappear without a trace. A cut or a bruise will in time, heal as if by magic. So, my next quest was to explore what my body needed to fight Fibromyalgia every damn day.
I personally believed that the answer would lie in my diet. So, I decided to go right back to the drawing board and carry out a cleanse. I knew that this would give me the opportunity of cutting out large amounts of food, whilst giving my digestion a break. This would then put me in the position of slowly introducing certain foods again and then judging how they impacted my body.
I opted for a 12-day program that required me to cut out all processed food, meat, caffeine, dairy, and sugar. It was tough for a couple of days but then the magic started. I woke in the mornings with no aches and pains (seriously). My energy increased and the constant fatigue which plagued my days was gone. People started to comment on how well I looked and I was even accused of getting Botox because my skin glowed.
I felt so good that at the end of the 12 days, I did another 12. I made the decision then to permanently cut out all caffeine and processed foods from my diet. Also, I opted to leave out the meat and just eat fish.
As time went on, I wanted to learn more about how I could further support my body in its war with Fibromyalgia but I also wanted to pass on what I had learned already. In order to support other sufferers, I decided to sign up to become and Health & Wellness Coach. I then went on to study raw food nutrition. It was learning about what my body needed to function at its optimal. I was giving it a fighting chance against Fibromyalgia.
Now, I need to be clear here and say that I would not consider myself healed. There are times when the pain is too much to bear, the fatigue overwhelming but compared to how I felt in 1989 there is no comparison. I have learned that with the right foods and being gentle with me when I need it, these flares pass and I live to fight another day!
Fibromyalgia may win many of the battles but I am determined it will never, ever win the war!!
