Dear Fibromyalgia

Tag: fibromyalgia warriors

Celebrate the resilience of Fibromyalgia warriors, sharing stories of strength, tips for managing symptoms, and resources for support and empowerment.

My Experience in the Gupta Fibromyalgia Recovery Program
Causes of FM/CFS: Scientific Basis for the Gupta Program

The premise of the Gupta program is that fibromyalgia (FM) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS/ME) are caused by abnormalities in the functioning of brain structures that process physical and emotional threats to the body. However, connections in the brain are not fixed and can be rewired. Neuroscientists call this process “neuroplasticity”. The program was created by Ashok Gupta, who suffered from ME/CFS himself, but has since recovered.

The primary region in the brain involved is called the amygdala, a small almond-shaped structure in the brain. The amygdala interprets sensory information in order to detect potential threats to the body. If the amygdala determines that there is a threat, it triggers a response from other brain regions in order to protect the body.

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However, in certain people, the amygdala may overprotect the body. Many patients with CFS/FM experience a viral infection and/or a period of heightened stress at the beginning of their illness. These circumstances put the amygdala on ‘high alert. The amygdala begins to interpret sensations in the body as dangerous (like back pain or fatigue after a virus), triggering negative thoughts in the conscious mind about these symptoms, and causing a constant, unremitting stress response in the body. This stress response causes further negative symptoms (sleep disturbance, pain, digestive issues, etc.) – setting the stage for a vicious cycle in the body, which we call fibromyalgia.

I can completely relate to this hypothesis. In the year before I developed FM, I had mumps, bronchitis, gastroenteritis, as well as back pain. Then I began an intensive graduate studies program, which caused a lot of anxiety. I quickly developed a cascade of FM symptoms, including body-wide pain, fatigue, and insomnia.

How it Works: Brain Retraining

At the core of the Gupta program is an amygdala retraining technique. This technique involves a series of steps that focus on changing your relationship to your symptoms. Retraining includes recognizing and interrupting the flow of negative thoughts about your symptoms; changing your self-talk in a compassionate and positive direction; and visualizing health and happiness in your body.

In addition to the amygdala retraining technique, the program includes a daily meditation component, as part of the larger brain retraining focus. Meditation is, essentially, a way to practice being present. According to Jon Kabat-Zinn, a pioneer in the field of meditation and medicine, meditation is a practice of learning to “pay attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally.” Researchers have investigated the effect of meditation programs for patients with chronic pain conditions and found overall improvements in bodily pain, quality of life, and psychological symptoms (Rosenzweig et al., 2010). I have personally benefited from regular meditation practice by learning that most anxiety comes from worrying about the future or reliving difficult moments from the past, rather than from anything going on directly in this moment. Learning to be more present has helped me reduce stress and anxiety by reinforcing what my grandma used to say –– worry about crossing that bridge when you get there!

The goal of brain retraining is to substantially improve FM/CFS symptoms and even recover from these devastating conditions. Is it really possible? A small clinical audit found substantial improvements in 90% of patients with CFS who attended Ashok Gupta’s clinic in London. The Gupta program website is full of success stories and positive testimonials. The program is designed for patients no matter how long they have suffered from the condition.

What it Includes: Gupta Program Coaching and Learning Materials

The Gupta program consists of a DVD program and Webinar series which includes:
- a fully interactive DVD programme of 14 Training Modules with clinical director Ashok Gupta;
- a comprehensive manual (which is a transcript of the DVDs), as well as worksheets and handouts
- 2 Audio CDs with Meditative and Breathing Techniques
- a large floor chart mind map to help you “retrain your amygdala”
- a Follow-up 3 Month Group Coaching Webinar Series: 12 Interactive Sessions with Ashok Gupta in the form of a weekly webinar on a weekday evening, 6pm UK time, with the opportunity to ask questions and see feedback from others
The Gupta program also incorporates a free app called ‘The Meaning of Life Experiment‘ with 30 days of free meditations. This is an excellent meditation app. Ashok Gupta guides 10 or 20-minute meditations on topics like dealing with difficult emotions, gratitude, and inner peace. This app has helped me to deepen my meditation practice and I can’t recommend it highly enough.

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My Experience: How the Gupta Program Helped Me

Before I share my personal experience with the Gupta program, I should mention an important caveat. During the five months since I began the program, I have undergone surgery and experienced complications from an unrelated chronic pain condition (endometriosis). For this reason, I do not expect to see improvements in my physical fibromyalgia symptoms at this time. (As an example, my unrelated chronic pain condition often keeps me awake at night, so it’s not surprising that I experience fatigue and brain fog after a bad night’s sleep). However, I have been surprised that my fibromyalgia symptoms have not flared or worsened despite the pain and disruption of my endometriosis.

Instead, the benefits that I have experienced are primarily in mentally and emotionally coping with chronic pain and illness. The daily meditation component has helped me to be more self-aware. What I really like about the Meaning of Life Experiment app and the meditation and breathing technique CD is that the guided meditations go beyond practicing being present. The ‘soften and flow’ and ‘surrender’ meditations have provided me with invaluable techniques for handling difficult emotions, like anxiety, that can accompany life with chronic illness. On the flip side, meditations on gratitude and cultivating inner contentment have helped me to take in the positives of small moments of enjoyment throughout my day. Finally, meditations on self-compassion have helped me to better understand patterns of negative self-talk or self-judgment. In the same vein, the amygdala retraining technique has helped me to interrupt unhelpful thought patterns like hyper-vigilance over symptoms or catastrophizing negative experiences, like having to cancel plans at the last minute. Since these negative thoughts are associated with an amygdala on high alert, I’m hopeful that breaking these cycles will help improve my physical fibromyalgia symptoms over time. Overall, I can say that I feel more positive and in control since I began the Gupta program.

How much does it cost?

The Gupta program costs $299 in the US/CANADA. One aspect I like is that if you aren’t satisfied with the DVD Home Study Course, you can return it for a full refund after 6 months, and for up to a year from purchase (minus the cost of postage and packing).

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For More Information Related to Fibromyalgia Visit below sites:

References:

Fibromyalgia Contact Us Directly

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Official Fibromyalgia Blogs

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Fibromyalgia Stores

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07/27/2022
Learning how to manage one day at a time

Part I: From Onset to Diagnosis

For Fibromyalgia Awareness Month, I wanted to share my illness journey here on the blog. My story starts eight years ago. It wasn’t a climactic beginning. It was just achy low back pain that got worse the longer I sat writing my M.A. thesis. It seemed like a common enough problem to have, except for the fact that I was 23. The nurse told me to take ibuprofen 24/7 and stretch. Spoiler alert: it didn’t work. About a year later, my body gradually began to fall apart, limb by limb. My back pain worsened. My knee gave out. My shoulders become too painful to allow me to type. This is what the doctors call “gradual onset”.

I thought I was losing my mind.

My doctor at the time told me all she could do was suggest Robaxacet. At this point, I was starting my Ph.D. The physical demands of reading and writing 24/7 began to take their toll, exacerbating my pain. Daily functioning on my own became increasingly difficult. My fiancé (now husband), who was living 4 hours away, had to come every weekend to help me with the chores (groceries, cleaning, etc.) that I could no longer do. In retrospect, I think the stress of the program and my fear about not being able to meet expectations, as well as not being able to understand what was happening to me, pushed my body past the point of no return. After that, I developed more of the classic fibromyalgia symptoms, like insomnia, fatigue, and digestive problems.

I was fortunate to have been referred previously to a pain clinic for pelvic pain. This meant I was able to see a pain specialist for my musculoskeletal pain within the same year all my fibro symptoms exploded. In March 2012 he diagnosed me with fibromyalgia.

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Part II: Change, Anxiety and Trying to Cope

I was so relieved after my diagnosis that my symptoms had been validated – and given better medication than NSAIDs. I was given tramadol, which reduced my pain, and doxepin, which helped me to sleep. But I still hadn’t absorbed yet what this diagnosis would mean for my future. After my diagnosis, it became obvious that even with treatment, no amount of accommodations would allow me to continue my Ph.D. I had tried everything I could think of so I could stay – withdrawn from my TA position, put in place disability accommodations to allow me to submit work late, bought expensive adaptive devices, and installed voice recognition software.

Feeling like my life was spinning out of control, I started having panic attacks on campus. When the spring term ended, I went back home to move in with my fiancé and decided to withdraw from the Ph.D. program.

With huge relief, I went on medical leave from my studies. However, I was immediately confronted by the problem that my days were empty of activity or responsibility. I remember dragging myself out to a local cafe in the afternoons while my fiancé was at work. I wanted the anonymity of a public place, where I could feel ‘normal’ for a while. It was the only cafe I could go to because the chairs were sensible rather than funky. Still, I had to bring my backrest with me, which generated stares from other patrons. I would cover it with my coat in order to try to hide it from attention. I could no longer type or hold a book due to pain, so I was embarrassed to be sitting at a table without a laptop or reading material, like everyone else. I listened to audiobooks or free online course video lectures instead. I would set up my tablet so that it looked like I was working, rather than listening and staring around. I envied all the other people my age, surrounded by papers, purposely tapping away on their computers. The goals that I had been pursuing were on pause, indefinitely. I grieved for my old life. I pushed myself to go to the cafe, even on days I experience brain fog or fatigue because staying home felt like giving up. I spent that year in a state of shock. I was always someone whose identity was wrapped up in my work. I didn’t know who I was anymore.

Part III: Learning Self-Care Skills to Manage my Fibro

Gradually I started trying to put the pieces back together. When I got diagnosed with my chronic condition all the information about exercise seemed so out of touch with the reality of my life. At the time, I had trouble bending forward, which meant I needed help with basic tasks like shaving my legs. I had trouble getting up or down from sitting on the floor. I rarely took the stairs and had trouble walking or standing for longer than ten minutes. Since I was already tired, sore, and busy then I wasn’t going to be able to go to the gym. I couldn’t afford a personal trainer. With my back pain, there was no way I could participate in the group yoga classes I used to take in university. Even more frustrating was the fact that all the research I came across proved how beneficial exercise is to health. I knew that I should exercise but I felt like I couldn’t.

I found two at-home instructional DVDs in yoga/pilates and tai chi that I was actually able to do, which helped me to improve my physical functioning. I started seeing a physiotherapist who put together a thorough stretching routine for me to do daily. Without a doubt, this is the single most effective thing I tried to improve my health and well-being. My pain decreased and my quality of life increased.

I was fortunate to be referred to a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy program by my pain clinic. I found participating in the course very valuable for learning tools to manage the negative thoughts and feelings that accompanied my fibromyalgia. One of the core parts of the program was learning to identify negative thinking traps or ‘cognitive distortions. These are thoughts that “sound rational and accurate, but really only serve to keep us feeling bad about ourselves.” I learned that I tend to think in “all or nothing” terms – a cognitive distortion. I would say to myself things like “if I can no longer pursue my career, I am a failure in life”. In CBT, I learned to challenge these distortions with the reality of each situation. For example, in response to the statement above, I challenged it by saying “While being in pain means I have to do less, that does not reflect on my personal worth, nor does it mean what I can do is meaningless”.

I was also referred for a Mindfulness–Based Stress Reduction course by the pain clinic. In this course, I learned to be more mindful of the present moment. I learned that worrying about the future or dwelling on the past, only makes me suffer more in the present. It’s better for my quality of life if I return my focus to the next best thing I can do for myself at this moment. Critically, the MBSR course reminded me that, even with pain and flare–ups, there are small moments of enjoyment, if I only stop and notice them – the taste of a good meal, sharing a hug, a sunny day, or a favorite hobby. One of the key lessons I learned through mindfulness is that my thoughts, feelings, and sensations, no matter how difficult, are changeable, like the weather. When I hold on to the fact that even my darkest moods will eventually lift, I feel calmer and more in control.

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Part IV: Coping with Relapse

In 2014 I started a part-time distance program for social work and completed the first year. But it wasn’t to be. I got a cold over the 2015 holidays and suffered the worst fatigue and brain fog I’d ever known. At the time I was just starting to look for a social work practicum placement. There was no way I could commit to working 15 hours a week out of my home. For the second time, I had to withdraw from school.

I felt completely overwhelmed at the outset of my fatigue relapse last year. First, there was the emotional reaction to a new situation: anxiety about whether it was here to stay, frustration that life was about to get more difficult, and grief at the prospect of losing what abilities I still had. Secondly, there was the practical challenge of figuring out how I would cope, like what new treatment options to try or how to manage my daily routines and responsibilities. Lastly, I faced the impact of a relapse on my relationships, such as the increased caregiver burden on my partner, and feeling less able to be present with family and friends.

My relapse brought me back to the beginning of my illness journey and how I coped after my diagnosis. I was able to use many of the lessons that had been learned the hard way the first time around. In essence, what I have learned is that I have the power of choice over what I focus my attention on each day. Through challenging negative patterns of thinking, being present, taking in the good, and pursuing an enjoyable hobby, I try to emphasize what enriches my life and let go of what doesn’t. Of course, there are always bad days and I don’t believe any amount of positive thinking frees us from ever experiencing difficult times. I personally have found, however, that changing my worldview has dramatically lessened the amount of suffering I go through during relapses and has improved my quality of life. I spent that winter using the time to learn new things. I taught myself calligraphy, I read, and I wrote more often on my blog.

Part V: Moving Forward, Maintaining Balance

That spring, my energy began to slowly improve. I found a kind of peace in accepting that whatever I do next, needs to allow me to work with my body and not against it. I think that’s why blogging and writing have ‘clicked’ more for me now than when I first started. I have found that grieving for your old life and finding acceptance in your new life is an ongoing process, not a one-and-done kind of thing.

Being at home allows me to respond to each day as it is. I’m fortunate to be able to stay at home. I sleep in late because without ten hours I am a brain-fogged zombie. I can’t type because of shoulder pain but I can use speech recognition software. I stretch, do gentle exercise, walk, and make sure I move around during the day. I balance my activities with self-care, which is how I am able to live more fully, even with fibromyalgia.

In the summer of 2015 I felt well enough to finally plan my (fibro-friendly) wedding. On a beautiful August day, I married the man I’d fallen madly in love with eight years earlier and who has been my saving grace through this whole journey. He didn’t blink when it came to assuming caregiving responsibilities – he does the housework, the laundry, and the dishes on top of his full-time job. He is always understanding when we have to change plans or just stay at home. Most of all he is so supportive. He celebrates the small accomplishments of my life without ever making me feel ‘less than.

I’m grateful for how I’ve grown through encountering all of the challenges that come with chronic illness. Learning mindfulness meditation and focusing on the present has given me a more helpful perspective. I’m a happier person when I remember to ‘stop and smell the roses. I feel like I’ve become more patient, more adaptable, more assertive, and more accepting than I was before fibromyalgia. I’m proud of making it through every day, especially on the tough days where no amount of self-care stops your symptoms, and you just have to hold on to the knowledge that it will pass. Everyone living with chronic illness should be proud of the strength they have developed to manage daily life.

My new motto is something I read shortly after my diagnosis – “It’s not the life you imagined, but it’s a good life nonetheless.” It’s something I hope for myself and everyone who lives with fibromyalgia.

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For More Information Related to Fibromyalgia Visit below sites:

References:

Fibromyalgia Contact Us Directly

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Official Fibromyalgia Blogs

Click here to Get the latest Chronic illness Updates

Fibromyalgia Stores

Click here to Visit Fibromyalgia Store

07/26/2022
Fibromyalgia is often puzzling for some medical professionals who are not familiar with it. So, who do sufferers turn to for treatment?
Like an ‘invisible illness, Fibromyalgia is difficult to diagnose. The symptoms of Fibromyalgia overlap with many other chronic pain conditions, which is why receiving an official diagnosis is often problematic.

If you have Fibromyalgia, you will experience widespread pain. This may be felt throughout the entire body or could be worse in certain areas, such as the back or neck. The pain is likely to be prolonged and unpredictable; there will be times when it is more severe than ever before.

The discomfort caused by Fibromyalgia has been described as an ache, a burning feeling, or as a sharp, stabbing sensation. Most sufferers feel extremely sensitive to pain, so even the slightest bump can feel excruciating, and the intensity will last far longer than it would for a non-sufferer.

It is not uncommon for sufferers to experience the debilitating symptoms of Fibromyalgia for many months, sometimes even years, before they are formally diagnosed with the disorder. Sufferers will often find themselves visiting many medical specialists and still be no closer to knowing what exactly is causing their symptoms.

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The main reason for the confusion and the misunderstanding is exactly that – confusion and misunderstanding. Many members of the medical profession openly admit to being baffled by this long-term complex condition.

Fortunately, there is no shortage of knowledgeable medical experts who can help diagnose Fibromyalgia and help to treat and control the pain. A GP will play an important role in caring for a person with Fibromyalgia. He or she can help to determine the best treatment plan, depending on the severity of symptoms.

Patients with Fibromyalgia often have other ailments too, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), headaches, and jaw pain. A doctor will know how to deal with each of these or recommend another healthcare professional who can help.

As Fibromyalgia has numerous symptoms, no single treatment will work for all of them. This may lead to many medical professionals being involved in the care plan, including a:
- Rheumatologist: This is a specialist in musculoskeletal and autoimmune diseases, such as arthritis and gout. Although Fibromyalgia is not a form of arthritis and does not cause damage or inflammation to joints, muscles or other tissue, the symptoms are very similar.
- Neurologist: A neurologist treats diseases of the brain and central nervous system. Many, but not all, understand Fibromyalgia. The pain from Fibromyalgia is what typically prompts an appointment with a neurologist who can help prescribe the correct medication to control it.
- Psychologist: The distressing symptoms of Fibromyalgia and the feelings of isolation it can result in often lead to patients being referred to a psychologist who can help support with mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety.
- Pain Management Specialist: The pain caused by Fibromyalgia can impact heavily on a person’s life. Patients may be referred to a specialist pain clinic where a team of physical and occupational health therapists, as well as specialist nurses, can help to treat overall symptoms.
Finding the right medical specialist who understands Fibromyalgia and knows how to treat individual cases can take time. There are an increasing number of experts who can offer the right care and support to help reduce pain, so do not be disheartened if you feel like there is currently no light at the end of the tunnel.

As experienced Fibromyalgia lawyers, we act on behalf of sufferers across England and Wales. If you now suffer from chronic pain as a result of an accident or trauma that was not your fault, then we can help you to claim compensation.

We understand that no amount of money will make your pain disappear. However, it can help you to live a more comfortable life alongside it.

If you would like to speak with a member of our approachable and friendly team about bringing a Fibromyalgia compensation claim, then call us on 0161 737 9248 or fill in our online contact form. We look forward to hearing from you.

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For More Information Related to Fibromyalgia Visit below sites:

References:

Fibromyalgia Contact Us Directly

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Official Fibromyalgia Blogs

Click here to Get the latest Chronic illness Updates

Fibromyalgia Stores

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07/25/2022
The tender point test was developed by the (ACR) as a diagnostic tool for diagnosing Fibromyalgia

Dear Alexa

I was involved in a road traffic accident following which I initially suffered from a whiplash injury with pain to my neck and back. It has now been 9 months since the accident and the pain has spread so that I have pain all over my body. I am convinced that I am suffering from fibromyalgia as I seem to suffer from the majority of symptoms in addition to the widespread pain including disturbed and unrefreshing sleep and loss of concentration. The pain has reached the point where I had to give up my job!

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I went to my GP, presented my concerns and a tender point test was performed. Unfortunately, only 4 tender points presented with pain led my GP to be of the opinion that I was not suffering from fibromyalgia.

Bearing in mind that I fit the bill for a diagnosis of fibromyalgia according to the other diagnostic criteria, is it still possible that I am suffering from fibromyalgia despite ‘failing’ the tender point test?

The tender point test was developed by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) in 1990 as a diagnostic tool for diagnosing fibromyalgia.

Over the years it has become apparent that many primary care physicians such as GPs are unable to perform the test correctly. This has to lead to some GPs missing an otherwise clear diagnosis of fibromyalgia.

This was one of the reasons that the ACR developed a further set of guidelines in 2010 that give an alternative route to diagnosing fibromyalgia without the need for a tender point test.

It is therefore certainly possible that you are indeed suffering from fibromyalgia despite your GPs medical opinion. However, that is a diagnosis that only a medical professional can make. You may want to ask your GP to consider the 2010 criteria or refer you to a rheumatologist.

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

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For More Information Related to Fibromyalgia Visit below sites:

References:

Fibromyalgia Contact Us Directly

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Official Fibromyalgia Blogs

Click here to Get the latest Chronic illness Updates

Fibromyalgia Stores

Click here to Visit Fibromyalgia Store

07/23/2022
Fibromyalgia and celiac disease are two debilitating conditions that prove to be extremely difficult to live with

Fibromyalgia and celiac disease are two debilitating conditions that prove to be extremely difficult to live with. Some symptoms of both conditions overlap and are very similar. In this blog, we look at the connections between the two conditions and how they may be related to one another.

Fibromyalgia is a complex, long-term chronic condition with a multitude of different symptoms, including widespread pain all over the body, and without a single known cause.
Many people with fibromyalgia have digestive disorder complaints. Most commonly they are told that these are caused by Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). The symptoms of IBS include alternating diarrhea and constipation; nausea; bloating and wind; and extreme tiredness – the same symptoms of celiac disease.

Celiac disease is a serious autoimmune disorder whereby the body mistakenly attacks its own tissue seeing it as a foreign substance. When a person with celiac disease eats any food containing gluten (the protein found in wheat, rye, oats, and barley), the damage is caused in the small intestine.

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It has been reported that gluten can lead to chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia and that some of the symptoms of the celiac disease resemble the symptoms of fibromyalgia. These include major digestive disorders; stomach ailments; chronic fatigue; headaches; widespread pain; and mental fog.

So, indications would suggest you could be presented with many of the symptoms of fibromyalgia and be suffering from celiac disease. This similarity can make gaining an accurate diagnosis difficult.

There are a few key differences between the two conditions, however. First, the celiac disease only flares up when you eat gluten. It is diagnosed by a blood test and biopsy of the small intestine during a gastroscopy. The simple treatment of it is a completely gluten-free diet.

Secondly, there is one aspect of fibromyalgia that makes it distinctive. Pain occurs in eighteen specific points around the body and gets worse when someone applies pressure to these same areas. This makes it possible to distinguish fibromyalgia from other chronic pain conditions. A doctor can tell if you have fibromyalgia by performing a diagnostic test based on these ‘tender points.

Research has revealed that some patients who have adopted a gluten-free diet have seen their symptoms of fibromyalgia and IBS disappear or dramatically improve but there is currently insufficient data to substantiate this.

If you are a fibromyalgia sufferer and are experiencing symptoms associated with celiac disease as mentioned above, it is advised that you visit your local GP to discuss in further detail.

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For More Information Related to Fibromyalgia Visit below sites:

References:

Fibromyalgia Contact Us Directly

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Official Fibromyalgia Blogs

Click here to Get the latest Chronic illness Updates

Fibromyalgia Stores

Click here to Visit Fibromyalgia Store

07/22/2022
Osteoarthritis is known to occur in those suffering from fibromyalgia

Osteoarthritis is known to occur in those suffering with fibromyalgia, but why? Find out in this blog.

Not to be confused with osteoporosis, osteoarthritis affects the cartilage in your joints and wears them down over time, causing the bones to rub together. As a condition, osteoarthritis can make it extremely hard for you to move around, leaving you feeling uncomfortable, particularly for those of you who are looking to be active in any way. Symptoms range from mild to severe and can be affected by the weather, similarly to those of fibromyalgia. In fact, many fibromyalgia sufferers are known to also suffer from osteoarthritis. In this blog post, we discuss more the disease, its symptoms, and how it is linked to fibromyalgia.

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The exact cause of osteoarthritis is unknown. This being said, however, in some cases, it is known to be caused by an injury that makes it difficult for your joints to heal properly. Being obese can also be a contributing factor, as it applies more strain to the joints, which adds to the pain and stress that osteoarthritis has on your body. Other diseases, such as diabetes and fibromyalgia, can also cause osteoarthritis. Of course, aging is the most common cause; as we age, our bodies wear down, which results in a loss of cartilage, leaving the joints suffering.

Osteoarthritis can occur anywhere in the body, however, the most common areas include the hips, knees, feet, hands, and back, specifically in the area around your neck and spine, which is likely to be due to the fact that these areas are used the most and, therefore, prone to injury.

People with fibromyalgia are more likely to experience osteoarthritis, as they are known to have poor posture and will overcompensate regularly in order to reduce pain, making them more likely to experience injuries. Also, by minimizing motion on a daily basis, fibromyalgia patients are more likely to suffer from stiff joints and weight gain.

If you suffer from fibromyalgia, then it may be difficult to notice that you also have osteoarthritis, as both conditions are known to cause stiffness, joint pain, and fatigue. Keeping an eye on your symptoms is a sure way to stay on top of everything. If your symptoms become worse, then you may want to talk to your doctor, so you can take care of the problem quickly.

Much like fibromyalgia, there is no cure for osteoarthritis. However, there are many things that can treat it, such as physical therapy, exercise, holistic treatments, and prescription medicines. The weight control can also help both osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia, therefore, it is important to stay on top of your daily food intake to ensure you do not suffer from dramatic weight gain or even worse, obesity. Your doctor can help to determine which treatment plan is right for you, based on the symptoms you are experiencing.

Many people believe that, once they have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis alongside fibromyalgia, they will need to cope with the problems. However, this is not the case. There are ways of preventing symptoms, so do not give up.

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

07/21/2022
How a Fibromyalgia Diagnosis Changes Your Life Story

An illness like fibromyalgia permeates every aspect of your life – it forever alters the trajectory of your story. For this year’s Fibromyalgia Awareness Day, I wanted to reflect on how my diagnosis changed my path, both in negative and positive ways.

I have written about my story before, but here I want to talk about the impact my diagnosis had. Initially, all I could see afterward was a loss in every direction, as if a tornado had ripped through my life, reducing everything I had dreamt, all my castles in the air, to rubble. There would be no graduation from my Ph.D., no career in international development, no traveling around the world, no more outdoor adventures, no parties, no financial independence, and no buying a house, among many other no’s.

Fibromyalgia changed most of my relationships. I now depend on my husband for many daily tasks, household chores, and finances – I am a dependent and he is my caregiver. I have lost friendships, and I see the friends I still have less frequently than I would like.

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Grieving over the losses caused by chronic illness is a different process than the usual stages of grief people experience. When I wrote a post on grief after diagnosis, I found the concept of infinite losses very helpful for illuminating this:

Most often, grief is a reaction to a single, time-limited event… Grief associated with chronic illness, however, is more complex for many individuals. For people who are chronically ill, the losses are multiple and permanent and therefore difficult to resolve. Because these losses are unending, they’re known as infinite losses (Jackson, 2014).

But my story doesn’t end there. In the trials I’ve experienced on my illness journey, I have forged a stronger, wiser, and more patient personality. Fibromyalgia stripped me down to my most basic self and forced me to find my identity independent of career, relationships, and external activities.

The positive gains that I’ve experienced after diagnosis cannot be measured in dollars or posted as pretty pictures on social media. Instead of outward experiences, chronic illness has directed my journey inward. For the first time, I have cultivated a relationship with myself.

Mindfulness meditation was the turning point for me. As I came to know the content of my own heart and mind and began to tend to my inner self like a gardener cultivating a flower bed, I learned that growing in wisdom was a worthwhile goal to pursue. People on the outside may not appreciate my efforts, and I might not have material worth to show for it, but my inner peace is a higher reward than any external validation.

Taking in the simple pleasures of an ordinary day has enriched my life – tuning into sensory experiences like the warmth of sunshine on your skin, the aroma of coffee brewing in the morning, or the sound of bird songs. Learning to savor the little moments of closeness with people I love on a daily basis is one of the most important lessons I’ve learned.

Difficult moments happen daily, triggered by pain, difficult emotions, and frustrating appointments, among other things. I’ve come to see these like thunderstorms, that eventually pass, just like the weather. It helps me to read less into those thoughts and feelings, to stop over-analyzing or ruminating on them, and eventually to let them go.

Beginning to accept me, despite my mistakes and missteps, and feel compassion for my body, even when it lets me down, has probably made me a stronger, more patient, and compassionate person. I know I treat those around me better because of it.

Being a better person is kind of the point of living your life, after all. I’m not trying to say that developing fibromyalgia was worth it, because I don’t buy into that “think positive” prescription. But what I aim for is a quote I read somewhere along the way:

“it might not be the life you planned, but it’s a good life nonetheless”.

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07/20/2022
Fibromyalgia vs My Rest Day

When is the last time scheduled a rest day? I am not talking about spending the day in bed because your chronic illness flared and made leaving it impossible. What I am asking is, when did you last choose a day to relax, give your body a break, and allow yourself to chill out in front of the television for no reason other than you wanted to?

I don’t need a rest day

The problem with having multiple chronic illnesses is that a lot of our downtime is dictated by chronic pain. Fibromyalgia, psoriatic arthritis, and endometriosis dictate when I am active or when I can leave the house.

There are times when they make me feel like I have no control over the time in between.

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It is like all eyes were on me and that unless I was completely unable to leave my bed, I would be judged for not pushing myself to catch up on everything that I had fallen behind on.

The bad part about that way of thinking was that I wasn’t showing any love or consideration for myself. My life became a full-time punishment. If I was in bed, I was being punished by my chronic illnesses.

If I was able to get out of bed, I was punished for the time when I couldn’t get out. Over time I became bitter towards not only my family, but friends, acquaintances, and pretty much anybody who was alive.

Change of mind

After a decade of punishing myself, it became clear that I needed to give myself permission to take a day “off”. To do whatever I wanted, even if that meant doing nothing but binge shows on Netflix or Hulu all day. I had to love myself enough to not feel like everything I did was a punishment.

A day of planned rest may not always rejuvenate me physically, but it sure does wonders for my mental state. Rest days allow me to clear my head, breathe, and remember that I will be of no use if I continue to run myself into the ground.

A funny thing happened after I began allowing myself to enjoy life, I fell in love with living again. I will always be chronically ill. Yes, my chronic pain has been well managed for the past two years and continues to be, but there are no guarantees that this will always be the case.

I don’t know what the future holds. What I do know is that no matter what my chronic diseases decide to throw my way, no matter what new illnesses or injuries I accrue, I will never punish myself or my body the way that I did before.

I love myself enough to schedule rest days.

Do you?

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07/19/2022
Mindfulness Meditation for Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain
Meditation is a way to practice being present. According to Jon Kabat-Zinn, a pioneer in the field of meditation and medicine, meditation is a practice of cultivating mindfulness, which means “paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally.”

For this post, I wanted to look at some recent research on mindfulness meditation programs involving participants with chronic pain. The purpose of these studies was to assess whether mindfulness can lower pain, reduce depression, and improve quality of life.

The Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program created by Jon Kabat-Zinn to teach mindfulness meditation to patients had demonstrated remarkable benefits for reducing chronic pain as well as anxiety and depression. I personally have found that this approach has helped me to reduce my anxiety, improve my quality of life, and manage my pain. The MBSR intervention is structured so that participants attend weekly sessions where they learn “different types of formal mindfulness practice, mindful awareness during yoga postures, and mindfulness during stressful situations and social interactions” (p. 227, Grossman et al., 2007).

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Researchers investigated the effect of MBSR programs for participants with mixed chronic pain conditions and the significance of at-home practice for pain management. The study measured results in terms of bodily pain, quality of life, and psychological symptoms for each chronic pain condition (neck/back pain, arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic headache, and two or more coexisting conditions). The researchers discovered that the degree of benefit of participating in mindfulness programs varied depending on the chronic pain condition, but that overall improvement was seen in almost every category (Rosenzweig et al., 2010).

Rosenzweig (2010) suggests different possible causes for how meditation practice can improve chronic pain conditions:
- First of all, nervous system pathways to parts of the brain associated with stress can be inhibited through mindfulness practice.
- Secondly, reducing psychological symptoms like anxiety and depression can help because those symptoms can amplify the perception of pain.
- Third, mindfulness practice can help improve emotional regulation and coping skills in stressful situations.
- Fourth, mindfulness contributes physical self-awareness which could help lead to better self-care.
- Finally, mindfulness can help activate nervous system function associated with rest and calm (parasympathetic nervous system), which in turn can lead to deep muscle relaxation that may reduce pain.
Similar results were found in a study of the effects of participating in an MBSR course for people with fibromyalgia (Grossman, et al., 2007). Significantly, the researchers interviewed about half of the original participants from the mindfulness training group 3 years later and found sustained long-term benefits among those who continued their mindfulness practice (Grossman et al., 2007).

One research review compared 38 studies involving a total of 3500 participants. It examined previously published studies that investigated the effectiveness of mindfulness meditation as a treatment for chronic pain. They found that “mindfulness meditation was associated with a statistically significant improvement in depression, physical health-related quality of life, and mental health-related quality of life” (Hilton et al., 2017). In this review, participants showed promising outcomes on pain symptoms, but the degree of improvement was limited.

Research reviews like this are limited in their ability to compare and contrast different studies. Different meditation techniques were used in the different studies, such as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness–Based Cognitive Therapy. In addition, the studies investigated outcomes in patients with different conditions, like fibromyalgia and migraine – which is like comparing apples to oranges. This highlights the need for more high-quality studies that include a greater number of participants with the same condition, using the same type of meditation program.

When it comes to trying mindfulness meditation, for people with chronic pain, there is nothing to lose and everything to gain. Prescriptions rarely offer total relief and come with unpleasant side effects. The only cost of meditation is a little bit of time. while the potential benefits are less pain, better mood, and a greater quality of life.

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07/19/2022
Fibromyalgia Worsens Function in RA Patients

Recently published research stated that those patients with Rheumatoid arthritis had higher pain levels if they also were diagnosed with Fibromyalgia.

“Fibromyalgia is associated with worsening function in rheumatoid arthritis patients”.”The researchers noted that Fibromyalgia is a debilitating syndrome characterized by widespread, non-articular pain. The condition is more common in RA patients, with a prevalence of about 20% compared with 2.5% in the general population.”

A few additional facts from the study included a psychosocial stress element and a suggestion for rheumatologists to consider using a pharmacological approach for treating RA patients with Fibromyalgia. Even though the study attempted to connect a psychosocial distress element there was no recorded worsening of the RA/Fibromyalgia patient.

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What the research found was RA patients without Fibromyalgia had significantly higher anxiety and depression scores, on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). At this point, this worsening of psychosocial status in RA patients minus Fibromyalgia cannot be fully explained.

Researchers suggested that RA/Fibromyalgia patients may benefit from treatment that involved improving physical function and consider prescribing antidepressants, anti-convulsants, and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors.

The author and coauthors of this research reported financial relationships with a number of pharmaceutical companies.

I am happy to see that research has finally caught up with what we in the field working with these patients knew for many years. Fibromyalgia is a “condition” that makes all other conditions that a patient has worse. As I have written numerous times in my blogs, all Fibromyalgia patients have multiple conditions with interrelated symptoms. These symptoms are constantly exacerbated by Fibromyalgia. Regardless of the condition whether it be RA, Lime disease, Osteoarthritis, thyroid conditions, traumas from auto accidents or work-related injuries, or any other condition not mentioned if you also have Fibromyalgia your symptoms will be 3 to 5 times greater.

Contact us with your questions or comments.

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07/18/2022