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.
Cannabis for fibromyalgia patients can be life-changing. At least it was for me! As a neuroscientist diagnosed with fibromyalgia, I tried all the traditional treatments, but nothing worked and the side effects were awful. Cannabis and CBD are helpful for fibro patients because they treat some of the root causes of fibromyalgia instead of just covering up symptoms.
Fibromyalgia is characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory, and mood issues. It is often diagnosed by pressing on tender points throughout the body that results in pain upon light touching. Fibromyalgia flares occur when symptoms rapidly increase in severity or number; these flares may last for days or weeks and are often dependent on stress levels or triggers like a poor diet.
Approximately 10 million patients in the United States have fibromyalgia, and 75-90% are women. While the cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, infections, physical or emotional trauma, and genetics appear to play a role in onset. Patients with lupus, osteoarthritis, and or rheumatoid arthritis are at higher risk of developing fibromyalgia.
In Canada, 30% of patients with fibromyalgia are on disability, whereas in the United States, the percentage is unclear because disability, as well as a fibromyalgia diagnosis, is harder for patients to obtain. In a survey conducted by the National Fibromyalgia Association in 2003, 99% of the respondents who were currently disabled because of fibromyalgia said that they would return to work immediately if they could find some relief for their pain.
Symptoms of fibromyalgia include muscle pain and tenderness, muscle spasms, joint pain, bone pain, neurological pain, pelvic pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, headaches, anxiety or depression, gastrointestinal issues, and cognitive issues including memory problems.
Common treatments of fibromyalgia include anti-inflammatories such as Aleve (naproxen), Advil or Motrin (ibuprofen), aspirin, and meloxicam, pain relievers Tylenol (acetaminophen), morphine (MScontin), and Percocet (oxycodone), and anti-anxiety medications including Valium (diazepam), Klonopin (clonazepam), Ativan (lorazepam) and Xanax (alprazolam). Anti-depressants include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like Prozac (fluoxetine) and Zoloft (sertraline), selective norepinephrine inhibitors (SNRIs) like Cymbalta (duloxetine) and Savella (milnacipran), and tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline are also used.
Anti-seizure drug Lyrica (pregabalin) is most well-known for fibromyalgia because of the constant commercials played in the United States; Neurontin (gabapentin) is another anticonvulsant used to treat fibromyalgia. Finally, alternative therapies such as acupuncture, myofascial therapy, massage therapy, yoga, meditation, and cognitive therapy are also used to treat fibromyalgia.
Cannabis helps fibromyalgia by reducing neuropathic pain, pelvic pain, and other forms of pain. It reduces spasms, headaches, inflammation, anxiety, and stress that may trigger or worsen flares. It can improve mood and depression that often comes with having a painful chronic disease with no cure. Finally, cannabis may improve serotonin or other neurotransmitter imbalances in fibromyalgia.
No genetic causes of fibromyalgia have been found yet, and a blood test for diagnosis was only recently developed and is not widely used or covered by most health insurance plans. It is possible that mutations in genes that regulate the endocannabinoid system could be involved in its development, but no study has looked at that.
There is limited clinical research on cannabis and fibromyalgia because of its Schedule 1 nature in the United States and limited funding on the medical benefits of cannabis. However, a survey by the National Pain Report found cannabis was more effective than standard treatments for fibromyalgia including Cymbalta, Lyrica, and Savella, and fibromyalgia patients prefer it. No research has suggested harm from using cannabis in fibromyalgia patients.
Patients are already using cannabis, partly due to tightening restrictions on opioid use in the United States. The National Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Association completed a survey on the impact on patients of changing hydrocodone from Schedule 3 to Schedule 2. The survey found 17% of fibromyalgia patients who were no longer able to fill their hydrocodone prescription shifted to medical marijuana, and 13% moved to alcohol to treat pain, a much less desirable outcome. Another study published in 2012 found 13% of fibromyalgia patients used cannabis, with 80% using smoked marijuana and 24% using prescription cannabinoids.
In a pilot study of nine patients, THC in doses of 2.5-15 mg per day for three months significantly reduced subjective pain in the four patients that completed the study. In a study of 40 patients with fibromyalgia, four weeks of 1 mg of nabilone, a synthetic THC-like drug that binds strongly to the CB1 receptor improved insomnia but has little impact on pain, mood, or quality of life.
Twenty-eight fibromyalgia patients using cannabis had significantly reduced pain and stiffness and increased feelings of well-being, relaxation, and sleepiness two hours after use in another study. Finally, a survey of fibromyalgia patients in Israel found 50% of patients stopped using all prescriptions medications for fibromyalgia when they began using cannabis, and there were significant improvements in all quality of life and symptom scores on the Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQR).
It’s been 5 years since I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and 12 years since I got my Ph.D. in Neuroscience in the Department of Molecular Psychiatry.
To be honest, I’ve never met another neuroscientist who has fibromyalgia. And maybe that’s why my approach to treating fibromyalgia is so different than most clinicians.
When it came to treating my fibromyalgia, I let the professionals take the reins at first. I went through the typical medications like opioids, Lyrica, muscle relaxers, antidepressants, and hormone pills.
When all I got was dependence on opioids, and side effects like weight gain, nausea, and more pain, the scientist in me said there has to be a better way.
As a neuroscientist, I understand the brain, how both emotional and physical pain is processed, how pharmaceutical drugs impact brain chemistry, and how disease harms it.
I also know how to research solutions to complex problems, compare weak versus strong evidence, test hypotheses, communicate my findings, and teach students.
Fibromyalgia is a complex disease that requires a personalized medicine approach and no two cases are the same. It’s a disease that is worsened by stress, and the mind-body connection must be respected.
I did my research. Part reading the clinical research, part talking to alternative medicine experts and caregivers, and part playing guinea pig on myself and other patients.
I have a unique protocol that uses cannabis, kratom, and magic mushrooms to rewire the brain and heal the emotional and physical pain underlying fibromyalgia.
I’m sharing my secret sauce to how I ditched all my pills, got out of my walker, back to work, got my executive MBA, and wrote multiple books, all when my fibromyalgia doctor told me my best case scenario was to accept my illness and collect disability checks.
10 million patients in the United States with fibromyalgia, 75-90% are women. While the cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, infections, physical or emotional trauma, and genetics appear to play a role in onset. Patients with lupus, osteoarthritis, and or rheumatoid arthritis are at higher risk of developing fibromyalgia. Symptoms of fibromyalgia include muscle pain and tenderness, muscle spasms, joint pain, bone pain, neurological pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, headaches, anxiety or depression, gastrointestinal issues, and cognitive issues including issues with memory.
Common prescription or OTC treatments for fibromyalgia include anti-inflammatories and pain relievers, antidepressants, and anti-seizure drugs including gabapentin (Neurontin) and pregabalin (Lyrica), the first drug to be FDA approved for fibromyalgia. Massage, physical therapy, acupuncture, meditation, yoga, diet change from going gluten-free, and cognitive therapy have also provided relief for patients but are not widely adopted nor covered by health insurance.
In Canada, 30% of patients with fibromyalgia are on disability, whereas in the United States, the percentage is unclear because disability as a well as a fibromyalgia diagnosis is harder for patients to obtain. In a survey conducted by the National Fibromyalgia Association in 2003, 99 % of the respondents who were currently disabled because of fibromyalgia said that they would return to work immediately if they could find some relief for their pain.
There has been a lot of clinical research on cannabis for fibromyalgia in the last 10 years. We’ve transitioned from fibromyalgia being a medical condition linked to endocannabinoid deficiency based on Dr. Ethan Russo’s research, to anecdotal evidence that over 90% of fibromyalgia patients benefit from cannabis, to clear clinical trials showing evidence that cannabis works.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder that is difficult to diagnose and harder to treat. As a neuroscientist and health coach with fibromyalgia, Dr. Ross has combined modern science with ancient plant wisdom to not only stop the pain but also heal emotional and physical trauma from the disorder.
Approximately 10 million patients in the United States have fibromyalgia, and 75-90% are women. While the cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, infections, physical or emotional trauma, and genetics appear to play a role in onset. Patients with lupus, osteoarthritis, and or rheumatoid arthritis are at higher risk of developing fibromyalgia.
Cannabis helps fibromyalgia by reducing neuropathic pain, pelvic pain, and other forms of pain. It reduces spasms, headaches, inflammation, anxiety, and stress that may trigger or worsen flares. It can improve mood and depression that often comes with having a painful chronic disease with no cure. Finally, cannabis may improve serotonin or other neurotransmitter imbalances in fibromyalgia.
There are 1000s of cannabis strains and CBD products that can improve the quality of life with fibromyalgia. If cannabis isn’t right for you, some people prefer microdosing magic mushrooms, while others prefer calming strains of kratom. Your plant medicine guide will go over the pros and cons of each plant medicine and help you decide which one is right for you.
The plant-based health revolution is here! I’m your guide to understanding cannabis, mushrooms, and other healing plants so you live a life free of pain.
My name is Dr. Michele Ross and my mission is to empower patients with the knowledge and use of plant-based medicine so they can live their healthiest and happiest lives.
“Dr. Ross is so knowledgeable about the hottest topic right, CBD, and her passion for using it to heal people is amazing. Her energy, humor, and relatability are refreshing and inviting. The type of wisdom and warmth that you’d want if your health journey should include CBD.”
“Dr. Ross will open your mind to so many new ideas about holistic health. WHY are we not taking care of ourselves as our instincts direct us? Well, the law has not been on the side of cannabis users for most of history. Now, things are changing and it’s up to us to reclaim our health.”
This is something I have been working on for a long time.
As a neuroscientist with fibromyalgia, I’ve worked for years to test the available treatments and debunk fibro myths.
I’ve come up with a protocol that has helped me cure my fibromyalgia naturally (putting it into recovery mode) and has helped so many of my patients.
And I want to share it with you.
Here’s what Ashley R. says about my work:
“Dr. Ross is so knowledgeable about the hottest topic right now, CBD, and her passion for using it to heal people is amazing. Her energy, humor, and relatability are refreshing and inviting. The type of wisdom and warmth that you’d want if your health journey should include CBD.”
Many of you know me from my turn as the first scientist to star in a reality TV series, Big Brother 11 on CBS, where I was a beast at winning competitions and almost won the whole game. There’s another part to my story, one that includes the struggle of getting a fibromyalgiadiagnosis.
Several years ago I used a cane and even a walker to move around. I had no energy, had permanent brain fog, and barely could sit up to work on my laptop at home for an hour or two before having to take a nap. I was prescribed Lyrica, morphine, and a laundry list of other prescriptions to manage severe pain, spasms, and depression. And I wanted to die.
I got off all my prescriptions using cannabis, and today, I’m healthy enough that I work full time and travel all over the world teaching doctors and patients about cannabis medicine.
Fibromyalgia isn’t stopping me from living my best life anymore. Now it’s your turn.
I created the Fibro University Membership to help patients design a life that supports their progress to cure fibromyalgia naturally – so you can feel connected, supported, and motivated every day.
Each month I deliver you brand-new content that’s easy to access on your computer, phone or tablet.
But this deal will not last forever. In fact, the lifetime membership disappears Saturday, July 25th, 2020 & the price goes up for an annual membership.
Are you ready to invest in your health today, for less than 10 cents a day?
Having the right fibromyalgia doctor can make the difference between struggling silently in pain or managing your disease confidently. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or feel overwhelmed by your massive list of prescriptions that seem to not do much, it’s never too late to do your research and change your fibromyalgia doctor.
While a general practitioner is great to go to for your yearly checkup or for a quick test and prescription when you’ve got strep throat, they’re not the best for handling complex chronic health conditions. That’s why they usually refer fibromyalgia patients out to a specialist, like a rheumatologist.
Your primary care doctor might refer you to the wrong specialist, especially if they don’t know too much about fibromyalgia. Take your provider’s recommendation with a grain of salt, and do your due diligence (get to those Yelp reviews!).
Your doctor might refer you to a rheumatologist because they specialize in painful autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Fibromyalgia is not considered an autoimmune disorder (although some research suggests the immune system plays a role), and some rheumatologists don’t even take fibromyalgia patients.
Other specialists that take fibromyalgia patients include neurologists, pain management doctors, chiropractors, and functional medicine doctors. Each will have a different primary mode of treating you, and you should think about what is the best fit for you.
Some patients feel their doctors are just pushing 10 different types of pills on them, without offering any insight into other types of treatments. Others suggest treatments that aren’t covered by insurance and are out of their budget. Learn what typical fibromyalgia spends per year with the doctor to get a feel for what’s right for you.
No matter what type of doctor you do choose, make sure that they have extensive experience in treating fibromyalgia patients. This condition is notoriously hard to treat, with a wide variety of symptoms and many patients not responding to medications.
Working with an inexperienced doctor could mean that your doctor gives up on you because they don’t know all the options available, or worse, doesn’t understand the level of pain you’re in and downplays it. You need a compassionate doctor who understands you and your disease.
A doctor can prescribe medications, but if you’re looking for a more natural, holistic approach that includes changing your diet and using herbal supplements, a doctor is not the right fit. Your doctor can tell you to eat healthily but doesn’t have the time to tell you how to do it or follow up with you to make sure it’s happening.
Knowledge is NOT power. Knowledge is only potential power. Action is power.
Health coaches turn information into action and provide the emotional support to help you implement and maintain long-term lifestyle changes that will transform your health in a short amount of time.
Health coaches usually specialize in a condition or a treatment that they have personal experience with. For example, there are cannabis coaches that support new medical marijuana patients and there are fibromyalgia coaches that support patients through functional medicine.
I happen to be one of the few health coaches that specializes in fibromyalgia and cannabis, helping clients reduce their dependence on toxic prescriptions and heal naturally.
A recent research study found that 81% of fibromyalgia patients improved their symptoms with medical marijuana, also known as cannabis. However, many conservative doctors still believe cannabis is a drug of abuse and has no medical benefit. If your doctor isn’t open to the massive amount of research and testimonials supporting cannabis for fibromyalgia, you should pick another physician.
Fibromyalgia fatigue feels like a constant state of weariness that diminishes your energy and mental capacity. Fatigue is the second most prominent symptom of fibromyalgia and can be even more debilitating than the pain.
The overwhelming tiredness makes our bodies feel heavy and weak. It contributes to brain fog increasing memory loss and forgetfulness.
Studies have shown that the amount of fatigue a person with fibromyalgia experiences directly impacts the amount of pain they have. Fatigue also has an impact on your emotions and is linked to depression.
The fatigue associated with fibromyalgia is similar to that of chronic fatigue syndrome (renamed “systemic exertion intolerance disease”). In fact, many people who have fibromyalgia may also have CFS/SEID as well. The Arthritis Foundation estimates that 50 to 70 percent of people with fibromyalgia also fit the criteria of chronic fatigue syndrome.
For people with fibromyalgia and/or CFS, the conditions themselves cause fatigue. Other factors such as stress, anxiety, depression, lifestyle, and medications can make the fatigue worse.
Below are a few reasons you may feel exhausted:
Sleep Disorders– Lack of good quality sleep is a big part of the problem. Sleep problems are so common in fibromyalgia that symptoms such as waking un-refreshed, fatigue, tiredness, and insomnia are included in the diagnostic criteria for FMS.
Mitochondrial Dysfunction– Fatigue is a hallmark symptom of mitochondrial dysfunction. Mitochondrial inside our cells convert nutrients and oxygen to energy. With fibromyalgia, the mitochondria of many cells in the body have been shown to be impaired. This means we do not have enough energy to power our body.
Stress– One symptom of long-term stress is fatigue. Some experts believe chronic stress is a strong contributing factor for developing fibromyalgia. Many of us with fibro know that stress will trigger a symptom flare-up very quickly. Chronic stress is also a precursor to anxiety and depression.
Anxiety or Depression– Anxiety and depression can both cause fatigue and leave you feeling drained. People suffering from depression are 4 times more likely to suffer from fatigue. People who suffer from fatigue are 3 times more likely to become depressed. People with fibromyalgia are likely to suffer from anxiety and/or depression. It all becomes a vicious cycle that can be difficult to break.
Poor Nutrition– Experts say poor nutrition is a big culprit when it comes to fatigue in general. We know there are several nutritional deficiencies involved with fibromyalgia so eating healthy and getting the proper nutrients is extremely important.
Medications– Many prescription and nonprescription medications can cause weariness and fatigue. A few examples are anti-anxiety medications, antidepressants, high blood pressure medications and statin medications for high cholesterol. The more medications you take the more likely you are to feel fatigued.
Studies published earlier this year, help explain why individuals dealing with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) and Fibromyalgia have a poor response to physical activity and poor energy production.
Fibromyalgia fatigue is not that easy to treat. On good days, the fatigue can be tolerable. However, on bad days ordinary activities seem virtually impossible.
Here are some tips that can help deal with fatigue:
Use Your Energy Wisely– Take breaks and pace yourself. Even if you are having a good day don’t try to do too much, it will only cause a setback. So keep your schedule simple, know your limitations and rest when you need to.
Exercise– I know the thought of exercising can be overwhelming, but the lack of exercise can make your muscles stiff and more painful, which also contributes to feeling fatigued. Start slow and pick a time of day that works best for you.
Eat Well– Eating a nutritious diet is good for your overall well-being. Avoid sugary, fried and processed food which can leave you feeling bogged down. Cooking can make me feel exhausted. On days I have more energy, I either make meals ahead or at least do some of the prep work to make it easier.
Reduce Stress – Fibromyalgia can be stressful and stress can leave you more fatigued. If you can learn to manage your stress, you will have more energy. Deep breathing, meditation, yoga and listening to music are a few stress management techniques that help me.
Prioritize Sleep– Sleep disturbances are common with fibromyalgia. The lack of quality sleep can cause fatigue and worsen fibromyalgia symptoms. Some experts believe that disordered sleep is the most important symptom to treat when you have fibromyalgia. I know that when I sleep well I feel better. When I can’t sleep I feel worse all the way around.
Talk To Your Doctor– If your medications are making you even more tired, talk with your doctor. He or she may be able to prescribe an alternative, lower your dosage, or have you try taking your medicine at a different time of day.
Energy Boosting Supplements – Four supplements that help your body produce more energy are Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10 ), D-Ribose , Magnesium and Vitamin B . It is important to keep in mind that supplements can negatively affect certain health conditions and interact with certain medications. Please do your research and check with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure they are safe for you to take.
Fibromyalgia fatigue can be crippling. It’s physically and emotionally exhausting. On bad days, you can barely drag yourself out of bed. You feel drained. The overwhelming tiredness will not go away. You can’t concentrate, remember things or stay focused. Believe me, I know how it feels. I can’t remember the last time I felt full of energy or haven’t felt exhausted at some point in the day.
A major risk of leaving fibromyalgia untreated is that symptoms such as chronic pain, fatigue, headaches, and depression can become excruciatingly worse over time. Fibromyalgia also has a huge impact on mental health and anxiety and mood disorders can also worsen if you don’t treat fibromyalgia.
The treatment of fibromyalgia varies considerably from patient to patient depending on individual symptoms. No single treatment works for the condition and most sufferers find themselves handling a range of medications and treatments. Medication is most commonly teamed with lifestyle changes to help alleviate the worst symptoms.
Many fibromyalgia sufferers take a range of different medications, which are looked at in more depth below. All medication should be prescribed by your doctor. You should not be tempted to self-prescribe medications as this could lead to serious health problems.
Painkillers – Simple painkillers such as paracetamol can be effective in relieving some degree of the pain of fibromyalgia. This is not the case for everyone and therefore a GP may prescribe a stronger painkiller such as codeine or tramadol but intake of these painkillers is often closely monitored due to the risk of addiction
Antidepressants – Antidepressant medication is often used to help relieve pain as they boost the levels of chemicals that carry messages to and from the Brain. Low levels of these chemicals are known to be a potential factor in the cause of fibromyalgia so combatting it can make a huge difference to the widespread pain associated with the syndrome. There are different types of antidepressant medication and most GPs will offer a choice of three main types: tricycle antidepressants, SNRIs, or SSRIs to fibromyalgia sufferers
Sleeping Medication – Sleep problems are commonly associated with fibromyalgia and can exacerbate the condition. Some GPs will prescribe medication to help with sleep but they may prefer to offer advice and tips for good sleeping techniques
Muscle Relaxants – Many fibromyalgia sufferers live with muscle stiffness and pain, which can be eased with a muscle relaxant medication. Many muscle relaxants also have sedative qualities which can cancel out the need for the previous type of medication
Some GPs will also consider adding anticonvulsant or antipsychotic medication to prescriptions as they can help manage pain in different ways. With the causes of fibromyalgia still a mystery, many patients will try a range of different treatments before finding the one that works for them.
In addition to traditionally prescribed medication from doctors, many people with fibromyalgia try other methods to help treat the condition. Hydrotherapy is becoming more popular as well as gentle exercise and swimming, often tailored by an expert in the field. Cognitive behavioral therapy and psychotherapy have been known to ease the psychological symptoms of the condition which can in turn exacerbate some of the physical pain. Self-help groups and support communities are also heralded as very successful by some individuals.
From an alternative therapies perspective, it is possible to use acupuncture, massage, and reflexology in treating fibromyalgia although there is no evidence to suggest these therapies help in the long term. You should seek medical advice before taking part in any of these activities or treatments so as not to worsen any symptoms.
Fibromyalgia ranks among the most puzzling and common chronic pain conditions. Fibromyalgia pain moves around from one area of the body to another or it seems to be everywhere at once. We experience several different types of pain. The intensity of the pain also changes. It can be very difficult to describe fibromyalgia pain to others. We often feel misunderstood and disbelieved.
It is hard for people who do not have chronic pain to understand how it is for us to live with it. Even those closest to us can not fully understand. They cannot and do not know the painful life we experience.
It can be just as difficult to describe how your pain feels to your doctor. Many doctors use a 0-to-10 pain rating scale, which has its limitations. Each of us experiences our pain differently. One person 8 may be another person’s 4. I often feel that because I always have pain, I under-rate my pain on the pain scale.
We have to rely on our words to communicate our pain to our doctor. The better we can describe our pain, the easier it may be for our doctor to help. Your doctor needs to know not just how much the pain hurts, but how the pain hurts and how it impacts your life.
Those of us with fibromyalgia suffer from different types of pain. Some words that can help you describe the way your pain feels include:
Keeping a pain diary is a good way to track your pain over time and will help you be more specific at your doctor appointments. You can also use the American Pain foundations LOCATES memory aid. It is a good way to remember how to describe your pain. Each letter of LOCATES stands for the information you should tell your doctor:
Location of the pain and whether it travels to other body parts. Other associated symptoms such as nausea, numbness, or weakness. Character of the pain, whether it’s throbbing, sharp, dull, or burning. Aggravating and alleviating factors. What makes the pain better or worse? Timing of the pain, how long it lasts, is it constant or intermittent? Environment where the pain occurs, for example, while working or at home. Severity of the pain. Use a 0-to-10 pain scale from no pain to worst ever.
If you want your pain to be taken seriously, don’t ever rate your pain at a 10! Unless you actually look as if your pain is a 10, your doctor will think you are exaggerating.
Dealing with fibromyalgia pain is a process. The more specific and detailed you can be when describing your pain, the more likely your doctor will be able to help you manage your pain.
Chronic pain not only makes us feel helpless, sometimes it makes doctors feel helpless, too.
