New research was carried out by healthizes in order to better understand it’s fibromyalgia community members. The online poll sampled 671 people, all diagnosed with fibromyalgia and the results have provided a valuable insight into the connection between fibromyalgia, depression and anxiety.
The healthizes survey revealed that the majority of fibromyalgia patients are also diagnosed with depression. Figures show that more than 63% of those surveyed stated they had been diagnosed with depression and 58% with anxiety.
The connection between the symptoms is a reciprocal one in that one makes the other worse. One person surveyed commented: ‘I have dealt with doctors, friends and family members that don’t even bother to hide their doubts, and even dismiss my symptoms and daily struggles.’
Of those surveyed, nearly 30% had experienced pain for five or more years before receiving a diagnosis and a surprisingly small 8% received a diagnosis within a year. Raised awareness of fibromyalgia could help to decrease this timeframe.
Those suffering with fibromyalgia and depression and/or anxiety should look to focus their efforts on making sleep a priority as well as getting regular gentle exercise and eating healthily in order to help improve the physical symptoms of fibromyalgia as well as mental health.
At first, my illnesses would require a little more rest while away. Because I pushed through pain and fatigue in hopes of keeping up with my family, I always returned home feeling like death. It was not unusual for my body to need days, weeks, and a few times months to recover from a week away from home.
Through the years I have not only made changes to how I address and relieve my chronic pain, but I have made changes to how I vacation too!
Here are a few tips to help you better enjoy your summer vacation!
Do a little research. Locate pharmacies, hospitals, and urgent care facilities that are in close proximity to your hotel. Then verify that they accept your health insurance.
Speaking of health insurance, check with your provider to see what your coverage is while in a different state or country.
Have your most important medicalinformation handy in case of an emergency. Click here to download my free Emergency Wallet Card. Perfect for when you are not able to inform emergency personnel of your health history or allergies. Always inform your traveling companions of their whereabouts so they can access them easily in case of an emergency.
I do not have White Coat Syndrome, where patients experience a higher blood pressure reading when at the doctor’s office. My fear of doctors goes way beyond that.
My fears stem from incompetent care. Not from just one doctor or surgeon and I am talking double digits!!!
My medical PTSD is the result of being ignored, dismissed, having more than one surgeon make life-lasting errors, and many post-op errors that will haunt me for life.
In case that is not enough of an explanation, here is a list of some of the reasons I fear doctors, hospitals, and test results.
Not one test ran in the emergency room indicated that my appendix was about to burst. I spent 7 hours crying from pain and being told that they can’t see a reason to give me more pain medication. It wasn’t until a shift change that the real problem was discovered. The new doctor pressed on my appendix, my body bounced off the table, and he said it’s her appendix. He then prepped me for surgery. My appendix could have burst inside had I not made it through a shift change.
Not one scan showed the giant cyst that was pulling my uterus, left ovary and fallopian tube, and bladder to my sidewall. This too was discovered in surgery.
Not one scan gave the surgeons I begged to help me after my hysterectomy a clue to the horror show that was taking place in my abdomen. A large, infected piece of my fallopian tube was never seen, nor were the adhesions that were strangling my bowels.
I experienced something that I thought would never happen to me prior to the second surgery performed to fix my botched hysterectomy.
The surgeon was reading my test results when he mentioned that my appendix looked fantastic. I stopped him and said that there was something wrong because I had my appendix removed 3 years earlier!!
His response? He argued with me!!!! He insisted that the report was read correctly and that it was mine!
Thankfully, I had already adopted the policy of never seeing a doctor alone. Had my husband not been there to witness this conversation, I probably would have had a mental breakdown.
One would think he would have checked to see if the results were correct or even mine. Instead, he questioned whether I really had an appendectomy….. I told him he could call the hospital where it took place if he had any more questions.
Later after surgery, I asked the attending surgeon if he saw an appendix. He said NO! The validation joy didn’t last long. I soon began dealing with the fallout from the errors he made during surgery.
Think surgical errors aren’t common? Well, they appear to be with me!
Apparently, there is only one surgeon in Arizona and one in California who not only knows about but knows where to find the only sutures that I am either not allergic to or that are compatible with my body. Why? Because no matter how much detail I go into when explaining the type of sutures they need to use, I have had an issue with the sutures and my healing all because they chose not to listen to me or take me seriously.
My incisions became infected from staples and traditional sutures. The ones that look like regular sutures but are supposed to dissolve on their own don’t dissolve with my body’s makeup.
A surgeon was in a hurry one Friday afternoon and didn’t take the time to sew me up properly.
Even after I protested and screamed that something was wrong, (blood has never poured out of my incisions in the past) I was told that it was normal and sent home. Mind you, the nurses who told me this was normal refused to look under my gown to see what I was referring to.
The next day I called the hospital who told me no that it wasn’t normal and to get back there asap.
When I did, they discovered that he left a gaping hole where he had cut into my belly button. I have seen three-year-olds do a better job of sewing!!
It took two years for me to get a surgeon to listen to me.
I was told repeatedly that it wasn’t an OBGYN problem since I had the hysterectomy.
Some refused to look past my chronic illnesses on my chart. While others told me that I needed to see a psychiatrist. But the pain wasn’t in my head, it was real.
Finally, when surgeon number 21 agreed to go in and later shared his findings, I could finally breathe. I wasn’t crazy after all.
During the second surgery to address the errors of the hysterectomy, my surgeon severed a set of nerves between my vagina and left leg.
Later one of the top neurologists in Scottsdale, Arizona informed me that there are two sets of nerves in that area. One that is commonly nicked or severed and that had been researched and there were ways to fix it. The other is a set that is so rarely severed or nicked that there was no research on how to fix it.
Can you guess which one my surgeon severed? That is right! I have permanent nerve damage.
The sad part is that every single one of those surgeons is still practicing and has never been reprimanded by the state that the errors took place in. Why? Because my lawyers and the state attorneys were unable to find a peer to testify against them.
When I woke up from surgery without feeling in my left thigh, I quickly called over the recovery room nurse.
She said that it was normal considering that I had just had back surgery. Except that I didn’t have back surgery and there was nothing normal about my numb thigh or the blood pouring out of my belly.
This took place at a world-renown hospital in Arizona, the last place you’d ever expect to be treated so poorly, but yet it happened to me.
The recovery room staff refused to allow my husband into the recovery area, even though everyone else had someone with them.
My husband had my glasses, so I was blind, but I also couldn’t walk because of the nerve damage and was weak from losing more blood, otherwise, I would have left on my own.
I have had doctors scoff at my allergy list. One actually laughed out loud, that is until he ordered a liquid for me to consume before a test he was running and I had an allergic reaction in front of him after one sip.
Others just ignore my list, leaving it up to me to go through the ingredient list to make sure it doesn’t contain one of my allergens.
Nine times out of ten my prescriptions would have killed me had I not done the research.
Living with incurable chronic illnesses means often hearing the words, this is all we can do or there isn’t anything else we can do.
But that doesn’t make it easier knowing that there is only so much that can be done.
However, all we can do or we are going to blame it on one of your chronic conditions don’t cut it when vital organs are being attacked.
What’s really sad is that I am only taken seriously when I have been in a car or other type of accident. Anything that could remotely be blamed on fibromyalgia, psoriatic arthritis, psoriasis, etc. is…….
I could seriously fill a book about how terribly I have been treated by the medical profession.
With just what I shared in this post, are you able to understand why I am so fearful?
Do you see why I do not run to them until I am sure they cannot blame it on something else?
Can you understand why knowing I need to see someone ASAP for my latest bout of abdominal pain fills me with anxiety?
In 2016 I was told by a handful of surgeons that they agreed that adhesions were attacking my bowels. But each and everyone one of them refused to fight for me after their request to schedule surgery was denied by the head of my HMO’s gynecology and GI department. Their reasoning? The adhesions will return…..
Yes, they will return, but I won’t… especially if they are permitted to destroy what is left inside of me. On the other hand, I also fear that a surgeon will make a fatal error.
I got lucky and was able to find temporary relief outside of normal healthcare practices after being completely shut down in 2016. I just pray that I can get lucky one more time…
In past posts, I’ve written about feeling ill-equipped to handle the role of spouse, the (still ongoing) process of learning that I can’t fix everything, and just being there for my loved one. Those are all key components of becoming the best you can be as a partner, spouse, relative, or friend of a loved one who suffers from a chronic illness such as Fibromyalgia.
However, some days are just tough…
tough to watch your loved one suffer a Fibro flare
tough to watch your loved one have a good Fibro day but is sick with a cold, the flu, etc.
tough to watch your loved one deal with a separate health issue unrelated to Fibro (i.e. back and/or neck problems, migraines, etc.)
If my loved one has managed to avoid a Fibro flare by doing everything “just right” I feel it is a tragedy if she gets socked with another health issue that sours an otherwise good day. THOSE ARE THE DAYS THAT REALLY FRUSTRATE ME!!
This is a time to put worry and anxiety to bed. One thing I need to remember in these instances, and I encourage you to do so as well, is that worry is essentially pointless. I am a HUGE worrier, so this is something that I struggle with on a minute-to-minute basis.
Worry is trying to control the uncontrollable. Fibromyalgia, chronic pain, and other conditions that afflict our loved ones are often, if not always, out of our control. As caregivers and helpers, we need to only tackle the things within our control that can be beneficial for our loved ones.
What are some of the things that are in our control?
Cooking (meals that are conducive to our loved one’s dietary needs, not ours; that means using ingredients that will NOT cause a flair)
Reassuring and supporting
Sacrificing (putting many things second to our loved one)
We’re all human. I know that changing our way of thinking, our way of eating, our way of living life…for the benefit of someone else…is very difficult!
No matter how hard it seems, after all, some days are just tough, we have to remember that we’re called to love one another, and the well-being of our most special lovedone(s) should be a concern that rivals none other.
Mother’s Day is just around the corner and many people are scrambling to find the right gift for Mom. If the Mom in your life has fibromyalgia choosing the right gift can be even more difficult. Typical Mother’s Day gifts such as flowers, perfume, or scented candles may not be appropriate. So I have put together a list of gifts that a Mother with chronic pain would love to receive.
If you know a Mom who suffers from fibromyalgia, these 10 Mother’s Day gifts ideas will show her you were thinking of her and that you truly do care about her and her illness.
Oska Pulse is a small wearable pain relief device developed by Oska Wellness. The Oska Pulse is designed to reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and promote joint and muscle recovery. The device treats all types of pain including headaches and migraine.
I love my Oska Pulse and highly recommend it. Mom can try the Oska Pulse risk-free. If she is not fully satisfied, Oska Wellness offers a 90-day money-back guarantee that includes all taxes and shipping costs.
The Quell is another pain management device I personally use and recommend.
The Quell is an FDA-cleared medical device that can be worn 24 hours a day. The Quell device is designed to treat all types of chronic pain. It works especially well for nerve–related pain associated with fibromyalgia, diabetes, sciatica, and neuralgia. The Quell is worn around the calf of either leg. It stimulates the nerves and triggers the body’s natural pain blockers to relieve widespread pain.
The Quell Starter Kit costs $249 and includes 1 Quell device, 1 adjustable sports band, 1 month supply of electrodes (2 electrodes), 1 charger, 1 charger adapter, and a quick start guide. Each electrode lasts for about two weeks and costs about $30 a month.
The Hummingbird is a medical device intended to alleviate muscle aches, pain, fatigue, and related other symptoms associated with low blood pressure and inadequate blood flow common to fibromyalgia and other chronic health conditions. You simply sit in a chair, place the front part of your feet on the device, and it does the rest.
The Hummingbird operates by using low amplitude, low-frequency physical massage therapy causing muscles in each calf to pump blood and fluid from the lower leg back to the heart which improves circulation of the blood throughout the body and to the brain.
Most of us with fibromyalgia experience daily tension-type headaches and frequent migraines. Both can cause sensitivity to light, during and between attacks. Flickering or pulsing lights, repetitive patterns, glare, bright lights, and computer screens can all trigger a painful migraine, as well.
Axon Optic therapeutic glasses provide a natural solution for headaches, migraine, and light sensitivity. Their glasses are available for indoor use, outdoor use, and transitions lenses, which can be used both indoors and outdoors. They have a wide selection of frames and each set of glasses come with a hard-shell case and cleaning cloth.
Essential oils can be very helpful for pain relief, improving sleep, relieving stress, and addressing emotional problems such as depression and anxiety. One of the most effective ways to reap the benefits of essential oils is to use a diffuser. By diffusing the oils into the air, they are inhaled and sent instantly to the brain.
Organic Aromas make beautiful essential oil diffusers. Each handcrafted aromatherapy diffuser uses specialty glass and high-quality wood. They have various shapes, colors, and sizes of essential oil diffusers to choose from.
Organic Aromas nebulizing essential Oil diffusers don’t use water or heat. This means you can use less essential oil and get all of the oil’s therapeutic benefits. Organic Aromas certified organic essential oils and blends are made with the finest quality natural materials.
I love to read and don’t know what I would do without my Kindle. Kindle E-readers have dedicated e-book readers and can hold thousands of books. There is a massive selection of low-priced Kindle e-books available. And with a subscription to Kindle Unlimited, Mom can enjoy unlimited access to over one million e-books and thousands of audiobooks for $9.99 a month.
The Kindle Fire, which is what I have, is an e-reader as well as a high-performance tablet. Fire tablets feature instant access to thousands of the most popular free and best-selling games, social media, premium TV and movie providers, and more.
ChronicAlly is the first health and beauty monthly subscription box for women and girls with chronic illness. The box contains health and beauty products centered around self-care. The idea of ChronicAlly Box is to bring cheer to women living with chronic illness. The items are handpicked by Ally and her allies who are also chronic illness sufferers. Every month Mom will receive a new box filled with health, beauty, and pick-me-up products delivered right to her door.
Adult coloring books have gained popularity as a great relaxation technique. It turns out that coloring has therapeutic benefits for many different conditions, including anxiety, depression, and chronic pain. When you are focused on coloring, you’re not concentrating on the pain you’re in so it is a great distraction. Coloring can also help to boost mental clarity because coloring utilizes areas of the brain that enhance focus and concentration.
An Amazon gift card makes a great Mother’s Day gift. Amazon gift cards are redeemable for millions of items store-wide at Amazon.com. Plus they never expire.
The most precious gift you can give someone with fibromyalgia is your understanding and support. Fibromyalgia is a complex condition that’s difficult to make sense of. Because fibromyalgia involves the brain and nervous system, it can have an impact on virtually every part of the body. It can be confusing to see someone with fibromyalgia be unable to do something one day, yet perfectly capable of it on another day. That’s fibromyalgia, it’s unpredictable.
When it comes to chronic pain syndrome, there is no universal definition, but it is often explained as pain that has persisted for longer than 12 weeks, or beyond what would be expected to have been a normal healing period.
When you are suffering from pain it is hard to explain to others how you are feeling. But chronic pain is very real and can be complex.
The Brain and the spinal nerves make up the central nervous system. The spinal nerves carry messages from the body to the Ronty to tell it what’s going on. The Brain acts like a control center working out from these messages if it needs to do anything. It’s sometimes easier to think of how the messages and the Ronty combine together to form an alarm system. It’s the Brain’s interpretation of this information from the alarm system that results in the feeling of pain. Sometimes the Brain’s interpretation of these signals isn’t accurate.
We usually expect the pain to settle down with time but sometimes the Brain continues to send out pain signals. These signals can be hard to stop, are often intense and at times seem to come for no obvious reason. This fact isn’t always easy to understand but it is important to understand that this pain is still “real”.
Why is the pain so bad?
Living with chronic pain can be exhausting, making daily life a struggle.
Chronic pain can interfere with your daily activities, such as working, having a social life, and taking care of yourself and your family, and can sometimes lead to depression, anxiety, and trouble sleeping. A lack of exercise and unused muscles due to living with a chronic pain condition can cause tiredness and exhaustion, starting a vicious cycle and making your pain worse.
Painkillers are often the first line of attack in treating chronic pain syndrome. Doctors may advise NSAIDs – Non-Steroid Anti Inflammatory Drugs – such as Ibuprofen. These work in the body by blocking the effects of a particular group of enzymes which contribute to the production of both pain and inflammation. Paracetamol can also help alleviate pain when taken on a regular basis, but It has no effect on inflammation. Opioids, such as Codeine and Tramadol, are another extremely powerful type of medication and work by binding to receptors and decreasing a body’s reaction to pain, and increasing tolerance levels.
Drugs are not the only answer to managing chronic pain; alternative medicine or therapies can be effective, especially when used in combination with an overall pain management program prescribed by a doctor.
Acupuncture is available on the NHS in some parts of the country and has shown to be helpful in combatting chronic pain.
Yoga, breathing techniques, and meditation can all be effective and help to reduce symptoms of chronic pain by learning how to remain positive and manage negative emotions.
Low-impact exercise (such as cycling, swimming, and walking) can help with chronic pain, as the movement can trigger the release of feel-good endorphins such as dopamine, which can result in improved tolerance for pain. The exercise can also help to alleviate stiffness and pain caused by a lack of movement in the joints.
Those who suffer from chronic pain are often inactive due to fear of causing their symptoms to worsen. However, this just contributes to the pain cycle. Of course, not everyone is able to exercise and medical advice should always be sought before embarking on a program.
Personal Independence Payment (or PIP) is a welfare benefit in the UK that is intended to help adults with the extra costs of living with a long-term health condition or disability. It replaced DLA (Disability Living Allowance) and if you have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability, and are over the age of 16, you may be entitled to benefits.
If you have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia you may be entitled to a range of welfare benefits, including:
PIP provides extra money to help with everyday living expenses and eligibility is not affected by your income, savings, or employment status. Eligibility is not determined by the condition you have, but instead by the amount of help you need as a result of how the condition affects you.
To be eligible for PIP, as a result of your condition, you must:
have had difficulties with daily living or getting around (or both) for 3 months; and
expect these difficulties to continue for at least 9 months.
Once you have checked you are eligible, to claim PIP, you need to:
Call the PIP new claims line on 0800 917 2222 to start your claim. You’ll then be sent a form that asks about your condition.
Complete and return the form.
You might need to have an assessment if more information is needed. At the assessment, you will be asked questions about your ability to carry out activities and how your condition affects your daily life.
Before calling the DWP, make sure you have your National Insurance number; your bank or building society account number and sort code; your doctor or health worker’s details; dates, and addresses for any time you’ve spent in a care home or hospital; and dates for any time you spent abroad for more than 4 weeks at a time, and the countries you visited, all to hand.
Visit the government website to find out more: https://www.gov.uk/pip/how-to-claim
There is much greater acceptance now that the condition of fibromyalgia is real and figures show that people with Fibromyalgia account for 3.5% of all applications for PIP. However as it is often seen as a hidden disability, make sure you are prepared before applying for PIP. Ensure your GP is up to date on how affected you are (from physical challenges to fibro fog) and see if they will refer you to a specialist. It can also be useful to contact your local authority to have an occupational health therapy assessment carried out and make sure you get a copy of this report as it could be useful when claiming for PIP.
If your application is declined, you can ask for a mandatory reconsideration and the DWP will look over it again.
The pain and fatigue associated with fibromyalgia can leave you inactive and overweight. It is difficult for many people to feel motivated to exercise at this time of the year when the weather is cold and wet and the nights are dark, and even more so when you are in pain and exhausted. Many people with fibromyalgia find they are more sedentary than they used to be which can lead to a loss of muscle strength and stamina. It can be a difficult cycle to break, however, extra weight can lead to more severe fibromyalgia symptoms, therefore it is certainly something that you should be aware of.
What Causes Weight Gain?
Weight gain does not only come from a lack of exercise. Several aspects of fibromyalgia contribute to excess weight, such as:
When you have fibromyalgia, the appetite-signaling hormone leptin may be out of sync, meaning that inaccurate hunger messages can be sent to the Brain, making you eat more, or
Your thyroid, which regulates metabolism, could be dysfunctional (which in turn can slow the body’s ability to burn calories)
The condition itself causes a metabolic slowdown
But there are still ways to take control of your weight if you suffer from fibromyalgia.
Due to the pain associated with fibromyalgia, along with chronic fatigue, patients may find exercise and daily physical activity more difficult. This can be a vicious circle as lack of exercise can naturally result in weight gain, which can exacerbate feelings of depression and self-worth.
Research has shown that engaging in aerobic exercise for 20–30 minutes per day a few days per week may help reduce symptoms and fatigue in people with fibromyalgia. Start slowly and gradually increase, and if you are unsure where to begin, speak to a doctor, physio, or personal trainer for some advice.
Walking – low-impact exercise is the best type of exercise for people who have fibromyalgia and are new to exercising because it builds general strength and endurance
Yoga – stretching can help relax tight muscles and ease spasms. Always take time to warm up and loosen your muscles first in order to help you avoid injury. Yoga can also help with mind-body awareness and some practitioners design workouts specifically for those with chronic pain
Swimming – swimming is a low-impact aerobic workout and exercising in water can improve overall fitness while putting less stress on the body. The water’s buoyancy eases stress on the joints, and in a heated pool, its warmth helps tight muscles relax. The soothing effect of the water may also reduce the perception of pain, helping lower anxiety
Tai chi– this ancient martial art incorporates stretching and slow movements. As it encourages mind-body awareness, it can help with both the physical and psychological symptoms of fibromyalgia
Weightlifting– many people with fibromyalgia claim strength training, when done properly, significantly improves their quality of life. It’s important to increase intensity slowly and use light weights, to begin with
Exercise can also help with other fibromyalgia symptoms, asides from weight gain, including depression, difficulty concentrating, and sleep problems. A balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle, combined with regular exercise can help alleviate some of the symptoms associated with fibromyalgia, but remember to speak to your doctor before embarking on a new regime.
Fibromyalgia is always difficult to diagnose, especially following a road traffic accident as it can follow on and progress from an initial injury involving whiplash.
Fibromyalgia is a pain syndrome of chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain and fatigue. The pain is thought to be caused by abnormalities in the pain pathways in the central nervous system, and is most commonly caused, or exacerbated by, physical traumas, such as car accidents and falls, often due to no fault of the patient. This is why it can often be initiated or exacerbated by whiplash.
There is no specific test to give a straight diagnosis of fibromyalgia and therefore it may take some time to get to the final answer. The symptoms of fibromyalgia are very similar to several other conditions hence it is well-known for its difficulty when it comes to diagnosis. Neck and shoulder tenderness is one common indicator that is used to diagnose fibromyalgia; general pain lasting longer than three months is another. Although fibromyalgia shares some symptoms with whiplash, a differentiating factor is that whiplash is centered on the neck and, back, and shoulders, whereas fibromyalgia is pain throughout the whole body.
What is Whiplash?
Whiplash is an injury to your neck/back, caused by your neck bending forcibly forward and then backward, or vice versa. The injury usually involves the muscles, discs, nerves, and tendons in your neck and back, and feels like a dull aching pain resulting in a stiff neck and back often making it difficult to turn your head from side to side. The pain can extend to the shoulders as well.
Whiplash can present itself in a variety of ways and most commonly comes about as a result of the sudden jolt that occurs in the course of a car accident, or from a vehicle impacting another from behind, causing the driver and passengers’ heads to jolt. Key symptoms of whiplash include:
With whiplash, the majority of neck pain goes away within a few weeks, and even more within three months, although it can last longer. Studies show that between 12% and 50% of people still have persistent neck pain after a year. Like most other injuries, serious side effects can occur if it is left untreated, therefore it is important to try and get an accurate diagnosis from your doctor as soon as possible.
Fibromyalgia is usually a long-lasting problem that doesn’t just go away six months later, not even after treatment. It is characterized by tender points all over the body, not just in the neck and shoulder areas and as a general rule, people with whiplash-associated disorders tend to have local tender points (i.e. just in the neck and shoulder and not anywhere else).
What Are The Main Symptoms of Fibromyalgia to Look Out For?
You should always consult a medical expert on fibromyalgia expert rather than self-diagnose. However, the symptoms of fibromyalgia to look out for include:
Other symptoms that people with fibromyalgia sometimes experience include dizziness and clumsiness; feeling too hot or too cold; an overwhelming urge to move your legs (restless legs syndrome); tingling, numbness, prickling or burning sensations in your hands and feet (pins and needles); in women, unusually painful periods; anxiety; and depression.
Whether it is whiplash or fibromyalgia, don’t ignore the symptoms following an accident and speak to a doctor for an accurate diagnosis.
Cannabidiol (more commonly known as CBD oil) is an extract of Cannabis indica and Cannabis sativa, the same plants used to make marijuana. From oils and nasal sprays to sweets and soft drinks, CBD is becoming increasingly popular in the UK for treating and helping to relieve various conditions.
CBD is said to provide relief for anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as pain relief, and there are said to be some key benefits that CBD oil may have when incorporated into your daily life.
Formerly known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is caused by an injury to the sympathetic nerves resulting in severe pain. The definition of CRPS has changed regularly through the years and there are now two separate recognized types:
Type I – is often known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy and shows no evidence of nerve lesions
Type II – often known as causalgia and has clear evidence of nerve lesions and damage
CRPS is a chronic condition that is typically triggered by a traumatic injury to a limb, but the pain does not subside as would usually happen during a usual recovery. Those suffering from CRPS tend to experience pain that is greatly amplified and disproportionate to the severity of the injury itself and it can be catastrophic for many.
Cannabis has been used to treat pain for thousands of years, and in more recent history, scientists and researchers have uncovered that there are specific components of the marijuana plant, including CBD that is responsible for the pain-relieving effect that CBD can have.
Many people use CBD to relieve pain. CBD works in three main ways:
reducing inflammation by decreasing the production of inflammatory chemicals called cytokines;
by binding to and blocking receptors in the central nervous system that are associated with pain; and
reducing anxiety associated with pain by binding to serotonin receptors and giving a natural anti-depressant.
There are few studies that have specifically explored the relationship between CBD and CRPS itself, however, there have been a number of promising studies that have looked into cannabis and its ability to provide pain relief to sufferers of CRPS.
CRPS is a poorly understood condition and therefore difficult to treat. There is no known cure for CRPS, however, a combination of physical treatments, medication, and psychological support can help to manage symptoms.
CBD is legal in the UK, however, the law states that the product has to meet certain criteria to be lawfully available for human consumption. Primarily CBD oil must not contain any trace of THC to be legally sold in the UK (it’s the THC that’s present in the cannabis plant that gets you high). Many CBD products on the high street aren’t always properly authorized, therefore it’s best to buy them from trusted websites, pharmacies, or stores and to speak to your doctor before taking CBD products.
To be legal in the UK CBD products must have no THC so that they’re not psychoactive and won’t get you high. They are becoming increasingly popular for those suffering from various medical conditions, however, with all supplements, there are possible side effects that could affect you. Our understanding of the role of CBD in pain management continues to evolve and it is important to read the product information and packaging so you’re aware of what could happen and to speak to your doctor before starting to take CBD products to help relieve CRPS symptoms.
