Dear Fibromyalgia

Tag: chronic illness

Raise awareness about chronic illnesses by understanding their impact, symptoms, and the importance of support and education.

  • Worst foods for fibromyalgia

    Balanced diet and fibromyalgia

    There is, unfortunately, no cure for fibromyalgia, but research has shown that eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and leading a healthy lifestyle can have a positive impact on fibromyalgia symptoms.

    Getting the right mix of nutrients is particularly important to people with fibromyalgia. Diets that are rich in antioxidants and provide adequate amounts of nutrients such as vitamin B12 can help lead to reduced symptoms.

    A balanced diet is a good idea for everyone, regardless of any illness or chronic pain condition, and should include:

    • fresh fruits and vegetables
    • whole grains
    • healthy fats
    • low-fat dairy
    • lean protein, such as chicken or fish

    Fibromyalgia symptoms

    Fibromyalgia is a pain syndrome of chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain and fatigue. Symptoms include:

    • Fatigue – People with fibromyalgia often awaken tired, even though they have slept for a long period of time. This is because sleep is often disrupted by pain. Many people with fibromyalgia also have other symptoms that affect sleep, such as restless legs syndrome and sleep apnoea.
    • Depression and anxiety
    • Memory problems – people with fibromyalgia often have trouble concentrating and have what is termed “fibro fog”. This is described as feeling like you are in a haze and people with fibro fog often experience forgetfulness, decreased alertness, inability to concentrate and stay focused, and confusion.

    Eating for energy

    Fatigue can have a serious impact on quality of life, and therefore it is important to try and implement a nutritional plan to try and combat some of the fatigue by eating energy-boosting foods. Complex carbs, healthy fats, and protein take longer to digest, satisfy your hunger, and provide a slow, steady stream of energy. A diet rich in foods such as whole grains, oats, pulses, nuts, and seeds will help you stay healthy and have more energy.

    Timing and quantities are important too. Rather than eating three large meals a day, small meals and regular healthy snacks can help give you more energy.

    The following dietary examples can help increase energy levels:

    • complex (not simple) carbohydrates – e.g. quinoa and brown rice
    • nuts and seeds, like almonds or walnuts
    • broccoli and other dark leafy greens
    • beans – a great source of protein, especially if you’re vegetarian or vegan. They have plenty of fiber to help slow digestion and are rich in magnesium too.
    • tofu
    • oatmeal – a bowl of oatmeal or porridge in the morning will keep you going for hours
    • avocado – is high in good fats that increase energy levels
    • bananas – are an excellent source of complex carbs, potassium, and vitamin B6, all of which can help boost your energy levels

    Remember to also drink plenty of water for energy. When your body doesn’t have enough fluids, you get tired, so health experts commonly recommend drinking 2 liters of water a day.

    Worst foods for fibromyalgia

    Food plays a huge role in our behavior and lifestyle and limiting certain foods can help. People with fibromyalgia sometimes find that their symptoms worsen when they eat certain foods, in particular:

    • dairy (including chocolate!),
    • additives such as MSG,
    • caffeine,
    • artificial sweeteners,
    • foods containing gluten,
    • sugary drinks, sweets, biscuits, and pastries

    Food diary

    If you are looking to your diet to help manage your fibromyalgia, in order to identify triggers you should keep a food diary for a couple of weeks and record how you feel after each meal and snack, noting specific foods and ingredients.

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    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

  • Celebrities living with fibromyalgia

    There is still a lot of misunderstanding around fibromyalgia because up until recently, the condition wasn’t widely accepted as a real illness. However, with more and more celebrities coming out and disclosing their fibromyalgia diagnosis, the condition has once again come to the limelight. The more vocal celebrities are about their struggle with fibromyalgia or other chronic pain conditions, the more awareness of the condition is raised, helping others who suffer.

    Celebrities with fibromyalgia

    In 2013, American actor Morgan Freeman went public with his diagnosis of fibromyalgia following a car accident in 2009. Freeman has described his symptoms as including “excruciating pain up and down the arm.”

    In 2018 pop star Lady Gaga famously opened up about her struggle with fibromyalgia which she described as “a cyclone of anxiety, depression, PTSD, trauma, and panic disorder, all of which sends the nervous system into overdrive, and then you have nerve pain as a result”.

    Irish singer-songwriter Sinead O’Connor is said to have stepped away from music in 2003 because she was struggling with fibromyalgia and raising her children.

    The Waltons actress Mary McDonough is very open about her battles with fibromyalgia, lupus, and Sjogren’s syndrome which she believes stemmed from a medical operation.

    Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Kyle Richards was initially told she was suffering from depression until a later diagnosis confirmed she had fibromyalgia.

    Actor Michael James Hastings, best known for his role as Captain Mike on the political drama series The West Wing, has come to terms with having fibromyalgia having had it from a young age and says “I have learned to accept that some days I am not going to be able to keep up with my schedule or other peoples’ schedules and I just need to rest and ‘lighten up.’”

    Fibromyalgia is not just a modern-day illness. Based on historical documentation, various figures throughout history may have also suffered from chronic pain. Frida Kahlo, Florence Nightingale, and the Bible’s Job are all believed to have demonstrated signs of fibromyalgia.

    Symptoms of fibromyalgia:

    Many celebrities, singers, and famous actors describe their battle with fibromyalgia as an invisible illness. It is a real condition. Fibromyalgia is a pain syndrome of chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain and fatigue and is thought to be caused by abnormalities in the pain pathways in the central nervous system there is a sense, according to most patients, of ‘aching all over.

    As well as widespread pain, people with fibromyalgia may also have:

    • increased sensitivity to pain
    • extreme tiredness (fatigue)
    • muscle stiffness
    • difficulty sleeping
    • problems with mental processes (known as “fibro–fog”), such as problems with memory and concentration
    • headaches
    • irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a digestive condition that causes stomach pain and bloating

    Even famous people living with fibromyalgia and chronic illness struggle. Conditions impact their ability to work, just like everyone else. But living with fibromyalgia means making adjustments. Symptoms such as immense pain, fatigue, and Brain fog can be extremely challenging but you don’t have to put your life on hold because of them. It is important to take an active role in managing your condition, from pain relief, to diet and exercise, to stress management, to acceptance. Taking control will help boost your self-esteem and quality of life. Celebrities have found that once they are open about their condition, those around them are more supportive, and many join a fibromyalgia support group for advice from other fibromyalgia warriors.

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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 to Become a Specialist Solicitor

    If you want to become a solicitor, there are numerous different fields you can specialize in from tax and litigation to Ronty injury claims and fibromyalgia. Here we explore the required routes to becoming a specialist solicitor.

    What Is a Specialist Solicitor?

    A specialist solicitor is a professional who is an expert in a particular and specific field of law. Once qualified, solicitors often choose to specialize in a particular legal area, which can be something such as family, property, tax, litigation, or maybe something more specific such as space law or injury claims.

    It is not necessary to specialize in a particular area of the legal system and there are also general solicitors who can assist across a range of legal needs. This can include things such as general legal advice, legislation, drafting legal documents, and representing clients in court.

    General solicitors are also typically able to assist with things such as property conveyancing, writing wills, and custody cases.

    What to do to Become a Specialist Solicitor

    In order to become a specialist solicitor in the UK, you will first need to undergo the typical solicitor trajectory.

    Higher Education

    Your legal trajectory does not need to start at the college or A-Level stage, but what you choose to study at A-Level could help you get ahead of the curve when it comes to studying any sector of law. Any subjects which demonstrate analytical and research abilities will help you start to hone your legal skills.

    Additionally, there are some online law courses that you may be able to complete alongside your studies.

    When choosing a university degree, the most logical path is to study a three-year degree in law. This will help you obtain a broad overview of the different aspects of law and may also help inspire a specialism for later down the line. For example, if you know you want to study business or medical law, it might be worth studying business or medicine first and then completing a Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) afterward.

    It is not always necessary to study law as your undergraduate degree as you can often complete the GDL (law conversion) after you have graduated. If you do choose to study law at the undergraduate level, you can move directly onto your SQEs without needing to take the GDL.

    Legal Work Experience

    It is possible to skip the higher education route and go directly via a legal apprenticeship, which can last between 5-6 years. This route is a combination of studying and real-life work experience in a law firm. Apprenticeships can be a great way to apply theoretical knowledge in a real-life setting and can help you decide if a career in law is really for you.

    Training Contracts

    In order to complete your qualifications to be an accredited solicitor, you will need to complete a two-year training contract (or pupillage) after your studies with an accredited law firm. Alongside this, you will also need to complete a Professional Skills Course.

    Specializing as a Solicitor

    After completing the steps to become a solicitor, you will have an idea about which area of law is the most interesting for you. You may for example decide that specializing in something like chronic pain and CRPS is of interest, or perhaps something a little more general. You can ultimately decide if you would like to become a specialist in a specific field of law or go down the route of general law.

    Specializing in Personal Injury Law or Medical Malpractice

    Becoming a personal injury specialist solicitor requires the same first steps as any other career in law in that you will need to complete an undergraduate degree in law or in another subject followed by the GDL. After this, you will need to study the Legal Practice Course and then secure a training contract with a law firm that specializes in Personal Injury or Medical Malpractice in order to get the relevant experience.

    For Medical Malpractice law, you will first need expert knowledge of medical knowledge coupled with a deep understanding of diagnosis and treatment of medical issues.

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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

  • Why do I need to see so many doctors as part of my legal claim?

    The Truth About Multiple Doctor Visits in Legal Claims: What You Need to Know Now

    Navigating the aftermath of an injury can be overwhelming, especially when it is tied to a legal claim. From car accidents to workplace injuries or medical negligence, these situations often involve more than just physical recovery—they require extensive documentation and expert evaluations. One of the most common and confusing aspects for claimants is the need to see multiple doctors throughout the process.

    The question naturally arises: Why do I need to see so many doctors as part of my legal claim? The answer lies in the complex relationship between law, medicine, and insurance. Each doctor plays a specific role in painting a complete picture of your injuries, prognosis, and how your condition affects your daily life and earning capacity.

    This article unpacks the reasons behind these multiple evaluations, what types of doctors may be involved, how their input shapes your legal case, and what you should expect during the process.

    Understanding the Legal and Medical Intersection

    In personal injury or workers’ compensation cases, your medical condition is at the heart of your legal claim. It is not enough to say you are hurt—you must prove the extent of your injuries, link them to the incident, and demonstrate the impact they have on your life.

    The legal system relies heavily on objective, professional documentation to support your claims. This is where multiple doctors come in. Each provides evidence from a specific perspective, helping to establish credibility and clarity.

    Legal teams and insurance companies do not just accept one doctor’s opinion. They need a trail of medical evidence that is thorough, consistent, and backed by various specialists. These evaluations can ultimately make or break the outcome of your claim.

    Key Reasons You Need to See Multiple Doctors

    1. To Document the Full Scope of Your Injuries

    Different injuries require evaluations by different types of medical professionals. For example:

    • Orthopedic specialists assess bone, joint, and muscle injuries.
    • Neurologists evaluate nerve damage or brain trauma.
    • Physical therapists measure your recovery and functional limitations.
    • Psychologists or psychiatrists assess emotional trauma, PTSD, or anxiety.
    • Pain management specialists address chronic discomfort and its treatment.

    No single doctor is qualified to diagnose or treat every aspect of a complex injury. Legal claims demand a comprehensive view of all conditions, which means visiting several professionals over time.

    2. To Establish a Clear Timeline

    Seeing multiple doctors helps establish a documented medical timeline from the moment of injury through diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. These records are essential to demonstrate that the injuries are not pre-existing and are directly related to the incident in question.

    The timing and consistency of these medical visits can support or undermine your case. Gaps in treatment may be used by opposing counsel or insurers to argue that your injuries are not severe or that you have recovered.

    3. To Strengthen Credibility and Support Evidence

    Legal claims are often challenged, especially by insurance companies looking to reduce payouts. When multiple doctors, especially specialists, independently confirm your injuries and limitations, it adds credibility to your case.

    Diverse medical opinions that align with each other build a strong foundation. It becomes harder for an insurer or opposing attorney to claim that you are exaggerating symptoms or faking conditions.

    4. For Independent Medical Examinations (IMEs)

    Sometimes, you will be required to undergo an Independent Medical Examination. These evaluations are requested by insurance companies or opposing parties to verify your injury claims. Although not chosen by you, the results of an IME carry weight in legal proceedings.

    IMEs serve as a neutral perspective and often play a crucial role in determining compensation or settlement decisions. They are designed to be objective but may vary in fairness, which is why having your own team of doctors is equally important for balance.

    5. For Expert Testimony and Legal Strategy

    Some doctors may serve not just as healthcare providers but also as expert witnesses. Their medical opinions can be presented in court to explain your injury in detail, translate complex medical terms for the jury, and support the claims for compensation.

    Your legal team may select certain doctors specifically for their experience with litigation. These professionals know how to document cases properly and present findings in a way that is compelling and aligned with legal requirements.

    Common Specialists You Might Encounter

    While each case varies, some of the most common specialists involved in legal claims include:

    • Primary Care Physicians: For general oversight and initial documentation
    • Orthopedic Surgeons: For musculoskeletal injuries
    • Chiropractors: Often seen in motor vehicle accidents
    • Neurologists: For head injuries or nerve damage
    • Radiologists: To interpret X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans
    • Physical Therapists: To monitor progress and rehabilitation
    • Occupational Therapists: To assess your ability to work and perform daily tasks
    • Pain Specialists: For ongoing pain management
    • Mental Health Professionals: To address trauma, anxiety, or depression

    The Emotional and Practical Toll of Doctor Visits

    While each visit serves a legal and medical purpose, the emotional toll of seeing multiple doctors should not be ignored. Frequent appointments can disrupt your routine, increase stress, and even feel invasive, especially when you’re required to recount painful details repeatedly.

    Keeping organized, staying informed, and having a supportive legal team can ease the burden. Ask your attorney to clarify why a specific evaluation is necessary and how it contributes to your case. Understanding the purpose can make the process feel more manageable.

    How to Prepare for Multiple Medical Evaluations

    To make the most out of your medical appointments during a legal claim:

    • Keep a Medical Journal: Track symptoms, pain levels, and how your injury affects daily life.
    • Bring Documents: Always carry prior medical records or reports to avoid repetition.
    • Be Honest and Clear: Exaggeration or inconsistency can hurt your credibility.
    • Ask Questions: Understand what each evaluation is for and how it impacts your case.
    • Communicate With Your Lawyer: Let your legal team know if appointments become overwhelming or if you are unsure about any aspect.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    1. Why can’t one doctor handle everything for my legal claim?
    Different doctors have different specialties. One physician may not be equipped to evaluate all the physical and emotional aspects of your injury, which is why multiple evaluations are necessary.

    2. Do I get to choose which doctors I see for my legal claim?
    In many cases, yes. Your attorney may recommend specialists familiar with legal documentation. However, if the insurance company requests an Independent Medical Examination, they may choose the doctor.

    3. What happens if I miss an appointment with one of the doctors?
    Missing appointments can weaken your legal case by creating gaps in your medical record. Always notify your attorney if you need to reschedule.

    4. Will seeing many doctors delay my legal claim?
    While it may feel slow, these evaluations help ensure your claim is accurate and supported. Proper documentation can actually speed up negotiations and settlements by reducing disputes.

    5. Are all these medical visits paid for in advance?
    Some visits may be covered by your health insurance or arranged on a lien basis, meaning the provider is paid from your settlement. Discuss payment options with your lawyer.

    6. Can I stop seeing doctors once I feel better?
    Even if symptoms improve, it’s important to complete your treatment plan and follow-up visits. Stopping early could hurt your claim or suggest your injuries were minor.

    Conclusion

    Seeing multiple doctors as part of your legal claim may seem excessive, but each appointment plays a critical role in building a solid case. These evaluations document your injury thoroughly, ensure accurate treatment, and provide the evidence needed for fair compensation. While the process may be lengthy and tiring, remember that each step brings you closer to justice, recovery, and resolution. Understanding the purpose behind every visit helps you stay focused and empowered during a challenging time.

    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

  • Can fibromyalgia be caused by trauma?

    Fibromyalgia can affect people of all ages and backgrounds, but it is seven times more likely to be diagnosed in women than in men. The condition tends to develop between the ages of 30 and 50, however, it is not uncommon for it to occur in people of all ages, from the very young to the elderly.

    It’s not clear what causes fibromyalgia although it may be caused – or exacerbated by – physical traumas, such as car accidents and falls, often due to no fault of the patient. It can also start after a stressful event, like the death of a loved one.

    Possible triggers for the condition include:

    • An injury
    • A viral infection
    • Genetics
    • Stressors such as being born premature, traumatic life events such as abuse, accidents, or being deployed to war

    Physical Trauma and Fibromyalgia

    Many people suffering from fibromyalgia date their condition back to a traumatic event. It does not need to be associated with trauma to the spine, and many experts link fibromyalgia symptoms to injury that affects the head and neck and claim that traumatic triggers of fibromyalgia can be much more widespread.

    Although experts are increasingly aware of the correlation between trauma and fibromyalgia, many doctors are not. It is possible for a car accident to cause fibromyalgia although the condition can be misdiagnosed as whiplash. If you’re looking to make a claim about fibromyalgia that was caused by an accident through no fault of your own, the general rule is that you must claim within three years of knowledge of the negligence which caused your symptoms. There are of course exceptions to this rule however the sooner you act and seek specialist help, the better.

    What Are the Symptoms of Fibromyalgia?

    Fibromyalgia affects people differently but the main symptoms you should look out for include:

    • widespread muscle pain and joint pain
    • fatigue
    • poor sleep
    • anxiety or depression
    • digestive problems, including diarrhea or constipation, and IBS
    • stiffness
    • face or jaw pain (temporomandibular disorders)
    • headaches or migraines
    • memory problems
    • extreme sensitivity and tingling or numbness in hands or feet

    What Triggers a Fibromyalgia Attack?

    Fibromyalgia flare-ups are common and certain things can trigger fibromyalgia symptoms, especially stress. Increased pain and worsening fatigue are the hallmarks of a fibromyalgia flare-up, although additional symptoms may also occur during flare-ups, including increased difficulty with sleep, increased trouble thinking (cognitive dysfunction), digestive difficulty (such as acid reflux), swollen extremities, and numbness and tingling.

    Flare-ups can happen without warning and a flare-up can last anywhere from a few days to weeks at a time, although research has shown that certain things can bring on a fibromyalgia flare-up including:

    • changes in daily routines
    • dietary changes or a poor diet
    • hormone fluctuations
    • lack of sleep
    • work-related stress
    • illness
    • emotional stress
    • treatment changes
    • change in sleep patterns
    • weather or temperature changes

    Fibromyalgia can arise through the experience of one or many physical or emotional traumatic events, which create stress and distress for individuals, and in turn, affect changes in the brain and central nervous system. There is no cure for fibromyalgia but many people who have been diagnosed with the syndrome are able to live a healthy and full life, especially those considered to be suffering from the lower level, less severe versions of the syndrome. It is important to try to manage and improve fibromyalgia syndrome and follow the advice of doctors and other medical professionals at the earliest opportunity.

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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

  • Can I sue a medical professional for clinical negligence?

    If something goes wrong with your medical treatment, you have the legal right to sue for medical malpractice and negligence. Your actions can also help ensure that the same mistake is not made again and others do not suffer in the future.

    If you believe you have received care that falls below an acceptable standard and has a medical negligence claim, then do not delay as you only have three years from the date of the accident to bring forward your claim. There are sometimes exceptions to this rule but generally, it is wise to speak to a specialist at the outset who can really understand your claim and the impact that this has had on your life and proceed with expertise and efficiency.

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    Common medical malpractice and negligence claims include:

    • pregnancy and childbirth (injuries to either the baby or the mother)
    • hospital-acquired infections
    • dental malpractice
    • surgical errors
    • medical misdiagnosis and incorrect treatment
    • delayed diagnosis

    How to prove a breach of duty of care

    In order to bring forward a claim of clinical negligence, the practitioner must have acted in a way that fell short of acceptable professional standards. Known as the ‘Bolam’ principle, this tests whether the actions of the health professional in question could be supported by a ‘responsible body of clinical opinion’. This test is not about what ‘could have been done –but whether it ‘should have been done in the first place. In other words, would a ‘responsible body’ of health professionals support the action taken?

    There is also a further test known as ‘Bolitho’. This means that the court should not accept a defense argument as being ‘reasonable’, ‘respectable’, or ‘responsible’ without first assessing whether the such an opinion is susceptible to logical analysis.

    What is causation?

    The harm suffered must be shown, on the balance of probabilities, to be directly linked with the failure of the health professional to meet appropriate standards. If, for example, there was a good chance that the harm would have taken place even if the health professional had acted differently, then a claim is unlikely to succeed.

    Ronty Rhodes Solicitors specialize in this area and we will look at your case to establish both a breach of duty of care and causation, in order for you to be entitled to receive compensation.

    For the most part, healthcare is generally very good and most people do not experience any difficulties. But occasionally things can go wrong and if this has happened to you, make sure you speak to a specialist solicitor who really understands your situation and can ensure you get the compensation you deserve.

    https://fibromyalgia-6.creator-spring.com/
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    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

  • 4 Conditions That Can Mimic Fibromyalgia

    If you have symptoms that point to fibromyalgia but haven’t been diagnosed, you are not alone. Many people spend years working with doctors to rule out other diseases. That’s because a number of other conditions share fibromyalgia’s primary symptoms—chronic pain and fatigue.

    Ruling Out Similar Conditions

    Wouldn’t it be a relief if there was a simple lab test that could identify fibromyalgia? Unfortunately, there are no tests or X-rays available to diagnose the condition. As a result, doctors often look at conditions that share the same symptoms. Learn what other conditions can be mistaken for fibromyalgia and why finding a clear diagnosis is so important.

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    Rheumatoid Arthritis

    Rheumatoid arthritis may seem similar to fibromyalgia because pain is a primary symptom of this disease. But there are a lot of differences. Unlike fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis causes inflammation in the body. And some symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are visible. For example, people with the condition may have swollen or deformed joints. 

    Doctors diagnose rheumatoid arthritis by a physical exam, blood tests that look specifically for rheumatoid factors and signs of inflammation, and X-rays to look for joint damage.

    Lupus

    Lupus, a chronic disease that also causes fatigue and painful joints, can be difficult to diagnose because there is no specific test for it. But certain factors make it possible to differentiate it from fibromyalgia. For example, unlike fibromyalgia, lupus causes inflammation, arthritis, skin rashes, and damage to tissue and organs. 

    Doctors make a lupus diagnosis by taking into account your symptoms, medical history, and a series of lab tests. 

    Chronic Fatigue Syndrome 

    Chronic fatigue syndrome is a complex disorder that some medical experts believe is closely related to fibromyalgia. People with chronic fatigue syndrome have many of the same symptoms as those with fibromyalgia, including pain, fatigue, brain fog, difficulty sleeping, headaches, and more. 

    The main difference is that severe and overwhelming fatigue is the primary symptom of chronic fatigue syndrome, while pain is the dominant symptom of fibromyalgia. 

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    Hypothyroidism 

    Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough of the hormones the body needs to regulate metabolism and other functions. An underactive thyroid can cause a number of symptoms similar to fibromyalgia. These include fatigue, joint pain, and more. However, unlike fibromyalgia, hypothyroidism can be confirmed with a blood test and treated with thyroid hormone.

    When Conditions Overlap 

    Although it can be frustrating to take the time to rule out other conditions, it’s very important to do so. Not only is having a correct diagnosis vital to getting the right treatment, but it may also shed light on a bigger health picture. That’s because fibromyalgia not only mimics other conditions, it tends to overlap them. This means you may have fibromyalgia as well as another condition, like rheumatoid arthritis. In fact, you are at higher risk for fibromyalgia if you have a rheumatic disease—one that affects the joints, muscles, and bones. 

    Getting the Best Treatment

    Once you have a clear diagnosis, you can work with your doctor to develop a treatment plan. If you have more than one condition, treating fibromyalgia can affect how you and your doctor manage your other conditions. And the treatment of other conditions can affect the pain of fibromyalgia. Understanding all your medical needs can lead to the best treatment possible.

    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 to Face the Day During a Fibromyalgia Flare

    When you wake up in a fibromyalgia flare—with that feeling that you can’t move, as if a 500-pound weight has been dropped on you in your sleep—you can’t help but wonder how you can possibly face the day.

    On mornings like this, the best thing you can do is limit your activity and rest. Still, even as your body takes the downtime it needs, feelings of guilt or other negative emotions can make days like this even more challenging. However, making a few positive shifts in perspective as you start the day can make a difference in how you end it.

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    Accept the flare.

    When you wake up in a fibromyalgia flare, you can either get mad and allow negative thoughts and emotions to make you feel worse, or you can accept what is and take steps to change it. 

    On any journey, you can’t make the correct turns to reach your destination without first understanding and accepting your starting point. When you wake up in a fibromyalgia flare, accept that that is how you are starting the day, then encourage yourself to build your energy as the day goes on. Remind yourself that ending the day with more energy than you started with may require a few changes to your daily routine, then take that first small step toward feeling better.

    Focus on self-care.

    Your focus should be on self-care from the moment you wake up before you even attempt to get out of bed. Keep a bottle of water by your bed and drink it before you start trying to move. Follow that with some light stretches in bed. Avoid physical exertion that may use your energy and leave you feeling more fatigued. Light stretching should feel good and warm up your muscles without making you more tired.

    After you are feeling a little more awake, spend some time meditating to focus your attention for the day. Clear your mind of all the things you had planned for the day, of all things that weigh you down and make you feel stressed. Instead, focus your attention on wellness and feeling energized.

    Other ways to practice self-care during a fibromyalgia flare include:

    By giving yourself the time to rest—both mentally and physically—you can begin restoring your energy bit by bit.

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    Start small and avoid overwhelming tasks.

    There is nothing as overwhelming as waking up in a fibromyalgia flare only to see a huge to-do list staring at you from your phone. The best thing to do when fatigue takes over is to wipe that list clean. Move everything that’s not essential to another day.

    Cleaning the house will wait. If you have children to care for, do what you must, but enlist their help as well. The only task that should take top priority is caring for yourself. This way, you can have more energy to accomplish your tasks later and be better able to take care of others.

    Motivate yourself with small tasks you can complete without effort, and commend yourself for what you are able to do. This may be as simple as just getting out of bed and getting something to eat. Take the day slowly, focusing only on one simple task at a time.

    Skip the mental gymnastics.

    Don’t allow your thinking to get stuck in a loop, ruminating on what you should be doing or what you wish you were doing. Those mental gymnastics will only make you feel more stressed and fatigued. Give yourself grace and patience and remember that your illness is frustrating, but it is not your fault. You are taking control of your symptoms by taking care of yourself.

    When you spend your time focused on how uncomfortable you are, you will stay uncomfortable. Focus your attention on the outcome you want to achieve—feeling better—and take small steps to achieve your goal.

    You can’t control your body. You don’t pick and choose when fibromyalgia flares hit, but you can make choices that will help limit the pain and fatigue. By pausing and practicing mindfulness about the flare and how to fight it, you can end the day feeling better than you started, allowing you to start tomorrow with renewed energy.

    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

  • 10 things I would tell the newly diagnosed with Chronic Illness

    I wish I had been prepared for the impact of what was going to happen in my life from chronic illness being newly diagnosed. Realistically. I had a firm belief back then that I could limit the impact by choosing a specific job and as long as I was engaged mentally, it didn’t matter if I was hindered physically. I didn’t think of the radius pain has. It never occurred it would get worse, complex and the impact would affect all of me and all of my life. If I wish for one thing I could have known that the first day of diagnosis… is the impact it was going to have.

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    Here are things I would have wanted to know about newly diagnosed

    1. Your social life will change:

    You will go out less often. You will lose friends. Have fewer friends and likely gain a lot of online friends. There are vibrant online communities for the chronically ill. We reach out to them to feel less isolated and to calm any fears we have about our illness. To share our concerns, fears, and coping. However, in the real world, we may not have much energy reserves to go out and do activities often. We may cancel plans when we feel worse than we expected to. Some people will drift away because of this. Those that remain tend to be the best influences on us for support.

    2. The ‘cure talk:

    People will suggest remedies, cures, treatments, diets, and medications they heard on the news, online, on Facebook, or from their Uncle Frank who swears by it. You will tire of it. Maybe you will even try some of the recommendations like that chiropractor of your work associate or the acupuncturist your hairdresser mentioned. You are new to this chronic illness game and there are so many things to try. But when you have, the recommendations? Will get tiresome. Even though you also know they all come from a good place. When it comes from a good place it is hard to say anything about it, even when it is the 10th meme you have seen on the same thing, that year anyway. People just want to help. They see something that maybe you have not and they send it to you, well intentions. Nevertheless, you will see a lot.

    3. Lifestyle:

    People will comment on your lifestyle and the changes you should make to it because it might help with your health. Exercise is mentioned often by people and doctors. As is losing weight. And dieting, often contrary diets as well. While You, on the other hand, will actually be trying a whole lot of changes from exercise to mediation, to chiropractors and physio. One thing I learned early on was there was little help with a treatment plan. I had to go out there and try to find things that might help me myself. All of these are essentially out of pocket, with a minor amount sometimes covered.

    4. Treatment:

    In the beginning, you will likely believe medications will do something profound and help a great deal. When this belief is broken you will learn medications are a long process of trial and error. Of weighing the side effects with the benefits. Finding the right medications is the first aspect of treatment, however, but they do not help to the degree you once believed they would.

    5. Research:

    Right from the get-go, you will believe your doctor. His recommendations and medications. Soon though you will begin to pick things up, do some research and join some support groups. You’ll begin to gain some knowledge about your disease and options. A couple of years into the chronic illness lifestyle and you will know more than your doctor about your specific disease. It just happens. As an informed patient you will be able to know if the treatment you are getting is sufficient or if there are better options.

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    6. Work will suffer

    : It becomes more difficult to find a job. And a struggle to figure out what and when to disclose your illness. It can be difficult to maintain full-time work. We often struggle with it and have to seek some sort of accommodation; flex work, working from home, fewer hours, part-time. Work accommodations for our workspace. Trust me this is a challenging one to figure out and adjust to.

    7. Stigma:

    With invisible disabilities, you will encounter people who will doubt you. They won’t believe you are as sick as you claim. Or that you even are. They will claim you are fine one day, sick another and it makes no sense. Or that you are complaining, lazy, or just depressed (making you less likely to discuss comorbid depression). You can have a stigma in the workplace. In the medical field, where they minimize your pain due to gender or age. In your family. In a society as a whole.

    8. Relationships: 

    relationships will be strained and stressed with this extra stressor. Not all partners can handle the extra stresses of a partner who is chronically ill. Some survive but they have to communicate about the stresses to deal with them. The partner feels more stress as well. Our illness affects those around us. And we have to acknowledge the impact and support we get. While other people, who are single, sometimes fear getting into a relationship as they feel they would ‘ruin’ someone’s life and they fear disclosing their health. Never giving the person their choice of who to care for.

    9. Pacing:

    the faster you learn you need to pace your activities during the day and week the happier you will be. We learn we do too much and we feel much worse, then have to recover. So we learn we have to pace.

    10. Limitations:

    Likewise, we have to learn our limitations. Jobs we cannot work (Shift work or repetitive lifting, heavy lifting). Things we cannot do (cleaning the house in one day). And recognize in a day when we hit a limit, knowing when to stop. Knowing on some days due to pain or fatigue our limit is less than on other days.

    Yet that is all part of the process. The friends we have are the ones a person wants on their side. A spouse that stays is one that understands illness comes to us all. We figure out a work one way or the other, something that works for us in our situations. We adapt and we change. Life changes but we cope to adjust to those changes. But it can take the newly diagnosed a bit to adapt.

    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

  • Lack of continuous sleep in Fibromyalgia

    Fibromyalgia has some pretty distinctive sleep disturbances associated with it not to mention comorbid sleep issues. It is one of the key factors in the syndrome… our inability to attain refreshing sleep. I wrote a post about it here. So it interests me that they have done some recent research in this area. One of the important things about our sleep dysfunction is that since it isn’t presenting like regular insomnia the treatment likewise has to be different. Lack of sleep, as we are all aware, can cause a lot of symptoms.

    So the recent Canadian study in Ontario took a look at 132 subjects (109 insomniacs and 52 without any sleep difficulties). During the two-night analysis, their sleep was recorded by polysomnography; electrodes placed on the face and scalp of the subjects enabled the researchers to look at sleep latency, the stages of sleep, sleep cycles, and duration of sleep.

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    With fibromyalgia and insomnia subjects have issues falling asleep, compared to controls and they have fragmented sleep. They have frequent night wakings. Here is specifically what they found with the differences between Primary insomnia and FM insomnia.

    • FM subjects had decreased total sleep time
    • They had slow-wave sleep
    • They had increased latency to persistent sleep
    • And wake time after sleep onset.
    • Both FM and insomniacs had short sleep duration compared to controls

    Conclusions: Increased frequency of wake and sleep tips and wake Decreased end duration, together with LPS and Increased Decreased SWS, Suggests That Sleep in FM is characterized by year Inability to Maintain continuous sleep goal and Greater sleep drive Compared with PI. Clinical Journal of Pain

    The ideal goal then is not only to get us To sleep but to maintain continuous sleep.
    There is research to suggest that the issue lies in difficulties with deep sleep interference

    ” Alpha-delta sleep is the abnormal intrusion of alpha activity (8- to 13-Hz oscillations) into the delta activity (1- to 4-Hz oscillations) That olefins slow-wave sleep. Alpha-delta sleep is Especially prevalent in fibromyalgia patients, and there is evidence Suggesting Que la Irregularities in the sleep of These patients May because of the muscle tissue and bread That characterizes the disorder. We constructed a biophysically realistic mathematical model of alpha-delta sleep. Imaging studies in fibromyalgia patients Suggesting altered levels of activity in the thalamus has motivated thalamic model as the source of alpha activity.”

    It should be noted that previous studies have also shown we have had issues with Delta deep sleep, leading to unrefreshing sleep no matter how much we get. Causing other issues as well. Although it is interesting to note they point to the thalamus as the alpha intrusion into our deep sleep.

    Now, I hardly needed a study to tell me I have difficulty falling asleep and maintaining it. It has been a long-term issue of mine since I was quite young. Not to mention pain is a factor as well. The main thing is that by researching it there can be new targets for medication. I had heard they researched a sleeping pill for people with FM. I have not heard anything since then, so maybe nothing came of it… but it was designed to keep us asleep. Maybe that is still on the go. Either way it is interesting to know primary insomnia is not quite the same as Fibromyalgia related insomnia.

    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