If you know me, then you know I call things I use to assist me when I have painful flare; cheaters! I don’t know why. Here are three of my cheaters just for you! Consider it an early Christmas Gift…
Hello,Tommy Copper! Why haven’t I tried this before?!?! Well, I have tried ‘other’ copper products. But. Tommy Copper, the brand name, is a must! I got the back belt first but was so thrilled with the results I added the leg and arm sleeves! This product isn’t about compression, just get the copper cloth as close to your skin as possible. This means under your clothes. Start slow, a few hours a day, and build. I felt relief within one minute after I put on the back brace. I had no back pain within seven days! I’m dead serious! (Yes, the pain comes back but to get an hour of relief, not to mention 8 to 10 hours in ONE DAY?!?! I’m sold!)
This product may not work for everyone! But for $20? It is worth a shot. The company states that these items are for those who are in pain but cannot ‘slow down to rest. Well, I got to put these on, rest, and run errands! Yahtzee! These come in black and also in (my favorite) camouflage! I put mine on, and I am sure I’m invisible, blending in with my surroundings!
I just cannot stress the importance of soaking in Epson salt. Put a cup of Epson salt into your bathwater. (At least soak your feet in Epson salt!) As I no longer have a bathtub at my disposal, I soak my feet in Epson Salt about three times a week. You can add essential oils! I did happen across Dr. Teal’s Epson salt, there are many kinds, infused with beautiful smelling essential oils. Get yourself some Epson Salt. It is so cheap and had such wonderful results! Calming, detoxifying, and great to do before trying to sleep.
I am not supposed to take NSAIDs (ibuprofen), but there are times that I do because recently, I was denied any access to my pain medication.(Yep. It happened, I knew it eventually would.) Hello, ibuprofen. When I was younger, in my early 20s, I suffered from bursitis in my right shoulder. Very painful! The doctor I was seeing told me I could take 800 mg of ibuprofen every six hours, and that was almost the equivalent of taking a pain pill. It works, folks.* Not great, but tamps down the stabbing, take your breath away, pain. Take your regular medication, supplement your pain management protocol with 800 mg of ibuprofen 2-3 times for one day. (Don’t do this for very long, maybe one to three days max.)
*Please check with your doctor before doing this. There are always risks and rewards with every medication you take! The pros and cons, according to your own body chemistry. I am NOT a doctor nor do I play one on TV! Talk to your medical professional.
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), damage is caused in the small intestine.
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 diseaseonly 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 this in further detail. Although we are knowledgeable of fibromyalgia and many of its co-condition as we are specialist fibromyalgia lawyers, we are not medical experts, therefore, would always advise that you discuss your symptoms and treatment options with a professional.
There is a NEW cure for fibromyalgia plastered on FaceBook! Yep. They have done it! AGAIN! Another cure for us fibro sufferers, for crying out loud! It is about time!!! (Really?) Well, let’s talk about this…
Ok. There is a blood test called the FM/a to diagnose fibromyalgia. This is real. Your insurance, whatever that may be, will cover the cost of this blood test.
What does the FM/a test for? (Researcher-speak) This is a multi-biomarker-based test that analyzes your immune systems’ white blood cells’ chemokine and cytokine patterns. People with fibro have an irregular pattern regarding these proteins.
What does the FM/a test for?(Kim-speak) This test measures the proteins in your body that increase when you are ill. These proteins increase your white blood cell count considerably to fight the likes of the flu, mono, infection, etc… These measurements should prove to be erratic if you have fibromyalgia.
(Kim-speak) Do not rule out being tested for the FM/a test, just don’t be firstin case it’s a deciding factor in the treatment you are allowed to receive! (This is not a one-size-fits-all illness!)
The result in this proposed theory will be a cure for the incurable… AND (drumroll!) they have the ONLY cure!
Just what is this cure? It is the TB vaccine. Period. Will this work? I haven’t researched one case where it has worked. I have not studied one case where it has caused any harm. Go ahead and research the TB vaccine and see if you think it may hold promise for your ‘type’ of fibromyalgia. Go ahead and get the TB vaccine if you think it might work. Just ask your doctor to administer the TB vaccine. The cost is low, the vaccine is available. There is no need for such a cryptic message of a wonderous ‘cure!’I trust YOU to make the best decision for YOU!
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a greater than the normal reaction of the body to an injury. It is a poorly understood condition in which a person experiences persistent and debilitating pain that is extremely severe. In this blog, we take a closer look at the condition and discover what causes CRPS to spread.
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronicpain condition. Although most cases are triggered by an injury, the resulting pain is much more severe and long-lasting than normal. It causes intense pain, usually in the arms, legs, hands, or feet. The main cause of CRPS is unknown, therefore, there is no cure. Many cases gradually improve to some degree over time, however, some cases of CRPS never disappear completely, leaving the affected person to experience pain for many years.
One of the first and most commonly asked questions about CRPS is doing it spread. The simple answer to that is, yes. Usually, CRPS starts out in one limb, moving to another originally uninvolved limb or another part of the body. In most cases, CRPS will stay on the same side of the body – right arm, to the right leg – or spread to an opposite limb – right arm, to the left arm. Although it is rare, CRPs can occasionally spread across the body diagonally – right arm, to the left leg.
Anything can cause a spread in a CRPS patient. The reasons why remain unclear. As a result, care needs to be taken each time any procedure is required, such as an operation, dental work or even giving blood.
Unfortunately, it would appear the risk of a spread increases with every limb that is affected. Spreads are not only limited to limbs, as they can affect any part of the body. This can include:
All internal organs
Face
Mouth
Back (especially when undergoing surgery for a spinal cord stimulator)
Highly simplified – if it has a nerve, CRPS can spread to it.
In a small number of cases, thought to be 8% or less, CRPS has spread to the entire body. More common is for CRPS to spread to an entire limb. For example, an original injury may have occurred in a finger, but CRPS has encompassed the entire limb. This is referred to as a contiguous spread.
Although there is no known cure for CRPS, a combination of physical treatments, medication, and psychological support can help and there is plenty of advice available for those living with chronic pain.
Then the pain oozed into my jaw. This is when I learned about temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ disorder). Persistent headaches became the norm. Thankfully, I have had only one crazy migraine that brought me to the hospital. Migraines are not cool, bro.
Stress shoved its way into depression and then full-blown anxiety.
Pain oozed into my lower back and hips. Cue for the frustrating adventure of going to specialist after specialist–none of whom could find the answer to my invisible aches and pains.
After a few weeks of digestion issues and my gastroenterologist reported that stress is impacting my digestion. Thankfully, my digestion issues did not persist enough for a diagnosis to be stamped on my stomach.
Restless leg syndrome. Aches and pains. Aches and pains. Falling asleep became an arduous undertaking. And it still is! Soreness and exhaustion travel to my wrists and fingers.
It’s not rheumatoid arthritis. It’s not Lupus. No diagnosis was yet discovered. My doctor printed out a detailed sheet of Hypochondria for me from Chronic Illness. And off he went to his next patient. No bedside manner.
Alone, confused, misunderstood, and in constant pain. I took a break from asking questions. And I saved a lot of Metrocard money from traveling to these “specialists.” Praying was different. My body and its pains were yelling for attention. “Heal me!” My mother, my aunts, uncles, my family in the Dominican Republic were all earnestly praying for my healing.
“Tenga fe. Dios te vas a sanar.” (Have faith. God will heal you.)
I didn’t have any faith. Before my aches and pains, I believed that I wasn’t good for anything. I was convinced that the domino effect of my aches and pains was God’s funny way of saying, “Since you don’t think you are good for anything, I will make sure you are no good for anything.”
I am managing with yoga, analgesic creams, TENS, and a few other devices and techniques that I am grateful for, but it’s a daily battle. My body, mind, and soul experience Jesus crucified as I re-offer my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings to his Sacred Heart.
Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is also known as idiopathic environmental intolerance (IEI) and is a condition that affects many people who also suffer from fibromyalgia (FMS). Anyone who has MCS is severely sensitive to many pollutants, including perfumes, petrol, diesel, smoke, pollen, dust, pet fur, and many more. The cause of MCS is unknown, however, it is recognized as a disorder and is an ongoing problem for many patients, which means it is classed as chronic. To find out more about MCS and how it is linked to fibromyalgia, continue reading.
MCS is triggered by various different things, depending on the person; no two people with MCS will experience the same discomfort with the same pollutants. Symptoms of the disorder range from mild to severe and are both painful and uncomfortable, including headaches, nausea, fatigue, stinging eyes, a sore throat, cough, runny nose, or sinus problems. MCS symptoms are similar to those of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, which makes it extremely hard to pinpoint what is causing the symptoms.
There are no reliable tests for MCS, much like fibromyalgiaandchronic fatigue syndrome, which makes it difficult to determine whether you are suffering from one of the three conditions or a combination of them all. When it comes to receiving a diagnosis, however, you must meet several different criteria:
Your symptoms must be reproducible and triggered by the same thing every time
The discomfort you feel must be a long-lasting problem
Symptoms must show signs of improvement when suspected harmful substances are removed and not present
Your symptoms always remain the same, regardless of whether or not exposure to the substance is small or large
Symptoms must involve more than one organ or area of the body
Although MCS is incurable, there are a number of possible solutions to help relieve symptoms and discomfort, including the following:
Avoid exposure to substances you know are harmful to you
Purify the environment you reside in by investing in purifiers and/ or water filters
Eat cleanly as certain foods could be to blame
Detoxify and release toxins by increasing your sweat production (give sauna therapy a try or take part in light exercise)
According to this article, 40% of people with chronic fatigue syndrome and 16% of people with fibromyalgia also suffer from MCS. In fact, researchers believe that fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome are all part of the same family of illnesses – central sensitivity syndromes. As discussed earlier in this blog, it can be difficult for chronic pain sufferers to determine whether or not they are suffering from symptoms of their condition or MCS. Due to this, it’s important that you be aware and take note of the symptoms you suffer from; if you are experiencing any of the symptoms detailed above as a result of a suspected substance, it’s important that you visit your medical professional*. You may be suffering from MCS alongside your condition and, therefore, will need to pinpoint exactly what it is that’s causing discomfort, so you can make the appropriate changes to your life.
*While we are experienced in claiming compensation for those who suffer from chronic pain syndrome as a result of an accident, it’s important to remember that we are not medical experts, which is why we recommend discussing everything from symptoms to new treatments with your doctor first.
You’re (probably) just meeting me and here I am talking about my weight. Well let me tell you, it’s a tough topic for me like I’m sure it is for 95% of the women out there.
But I also know it is something we women dedicate a lot of emotional time and energy to. So I’ve decided to put aside my personal discomfort in favor of sharing my experience with a Fibromyalgia Diet.
I can tell you right now this is not a “Get FitQuick” story. Or even a “Get Fit Easy” story. It takes a lot of dedication to change your life, but it is so worth it.
It started in 2007 when I decided I needed to get in shape. I lovingly carried around the Freshman 15 (plus a few more) for several years. Holy smokes were I tired of it!
At the time, I still thought Fibromyalgia was maybe a mental disorder, and running for miles a day was completely doable. It took a few years, but I dropped about 55-60 pounds and was loving life. Then 2013 came around and Fibromyalgia dumped a load of fatigue, pain, and migraines on me that completely stopped my physical activity. Oh, and ushered me into the deadly territory known as comfort eating.
All my hard work went out the door before I could get up, walk over to it, and stop the exodus.
It didn’t help that I met my (now) husband a few months after getting sick. And we all know what happiness and dinner dates do to the waist-line!
I can genuinely say I haven’t been happy with my weight since then. And my decrease in activity level has been a hard pill to swallow. Especially when I really thrived on being able to hop on my bike and go.
Although I don’t have proof, I’d pretty much promise you that a number of my health issues in the ensuing years can be laid at the feet of the Standard American Diet (SAD) and lack of exercise.
In 2018, a friend recommended a Functional Medicine Doctor (FMD) to me. It was one of the various treatment options I hadn’t yet explored. Considering I had seen upwards of 20+ doctors at this point, my husband and I both figured it was about time to consider it.
Dr. Scotting, my FMD, was amazingly knowledgeable about my illnesses, my symptoms, my medications, and how they were interacting. With a little blood work, we started down the path of getting my system to settle down – the first step: start a supplement regimen.
This was tailored specifically to my needs and was a great way to take care of the ‘low hanging fruit’, so to speak, of my health issues. For example, thanks to a sensitivity to sunlight and heat, I had REALLY LOW Vitamin D levels.
We got a few other issues ironed out and then we moved on to the secondstep: fix eating habits.
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“Time to make some changes,” he said. (Or something very similar)
It helped that I knew it was coming. I’d tried diet changes before, but never long-term or with any particular success. As a matter of fact, I was strangely excited to give it a shot since I knew I was going into it with his help. There was also the peer pressure factor. He was telling me how to help myself and I didn’t want to roll back into his office a few weeks later and tell him, “Thanks for the advice I paid for, Doc, but I didn’t take any of it.”
One hour later, he handed me a whopping list of gut irritants and inflammatory food, walked me through the process, and sent me out into the world.
Unlike a lot of ‘diets’ I’ve tried throughout my life, this one was aimed at Fibro and not at weight loss. And for me, that was a really important distinction.
I focused on how my diet was making my various illnesses worse instead of how I was overweight.
Honestly, going into this lifestyle change was surprisingly easy. Especially considering how many of my favorites I was going to have to give up for a little while at least, and forever at worst.
I had the support of my husband and FMD, the right mindset, and a trash box of non-compliant foods that I couldn’t even lift. Even though the next few months were going to test my resolve and mental health in ways I wasn’t prepared for, at least I had my mindset straight.
The first thing to note is that this was less of a ‘diet’, in the traditional sense, and more of a lifestyle change. Every time I felt like eating something that was out of bounds, I wondered if it would be the thing that brought my migraines back. Or ramped up my IBS symptoms. Or made my legs hurt like the flu on steroids.
I wasn’t counting calories or macros. Instead, I was considering how my decisions would impact how I felt physically and mentally.
It was because of this mindset that I gave up the following food groups for a minimum of 3 months:
The adjustment period was tremendous but made easier by the fact that I had decided to go all-in and was excited by the possibility of change. In less than 2 weeks I was down 10 pounds and eating to my heart’s content!
Here’s the theory behind this eating method: cut out all inflammatory foods and give your gut and system enough time to rest. Most people remain on the ‘strict compliance’ phase for 2 months minimum, or until they see a dramatic reduction in their symptoms.
Once your symptoms subside, you gradually work food back in, one at a time, monitoring for a reaction. If you react in any way, then do not continue to eat that food. You might choose to wait another 6 months or so before trying to reintroduce it again. Or give it up entirely.
In the end, you have a list of foods that you should avoid or eat sparingly. And best of all, symptoms that have lessened or disappeared entirely!
Full disclosure, it wasn’t always cheap or easy to do this diet.
Organic produce is more expensive. Grass-fed meat is more expensive. Sugar-free, gluten-free, etc is all more expensive.
And more than once I was tired and overwhelmed when it came time to cook for dinner and broke down crying. Bless the Lord for my husband who jumped in with a pan-seared chicken breast and AIP-approved seasoning to keep me on track and feed me!
I didn’t realize it in those early days, but there is actually a food service that provides compliant meals, sides, and desserts that deliver!
If you’ve never heard of Paleo on the Go, it’s worth looking into. It’s definitely more than just Paleo and the slightly higher price tag is, in my opinion, worth it.
Because honestly, the overwhelm is real when you begin. If I would have known there was something like this available, I would have jumped on it and never looked back!
Also, when you’re dying for something easy or delicious (that you didn’t have to throw together), their AIP bakery is AMAZING! I’ve tried some of their cookies and they are the. best. thing. ever.
I won’t be dishonest and say this Fibromyalgia diet fixes everything. And I certainly can’t say that I didn’t spend a lot of time stressed or crying because I was too tired to think about what I could eat, much less cook it. But I’m also able to see some shining moments.
I spent an absolute ton of time Googling “Fibromyalgia diet recipes” or “AIP Recipes” and found some excellent options. I love cooking so it really helps to find ‘real food’ recipes so I don’t get bored. And I nurture my family’s love of asparagus and Brussel sprouts to our hearts’ content!
And I weighed myself more than recommended because I’m slightly neurotic about seeing the scale drop. As a matter of fact, it dropped steadily with zero weight loss effort from me. And continues to do so!
Best of all, I had some remarkable wins in the symptom departments:
3-5x weekly migraines dropped to 1 every 2 weeks (or so)
I saw less decrease in symptoms than others ( which I try my hardest not to compare to)
I went through about a month-long period where my hair fell out a little more rapidly. FMD said it was because my hormones were regulating. It did eventually stop.
Increase in anxiety/spending too much time worrying about eating
Despite these negatives, I would choose to do it all over again. Absolutely some of that enthusiasm is related to dropping weight. I hope to continue doing so. But it’s life-changing to know I have more control over my health.
After all, isn’t that one of the things chronicillness tries to take from us? But this time I fought back and I’m pretty sure I won.
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Having a healthy, balanced diet is recommended for anyone, particularly those with fibromyalgia, as there are foods that can help to fight inflammation and in turn reduce pain.
Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes widespread pain all over the body, as well as extreme fatigue, stiffness, mental fogginess, headaches, and increased sensitivity to pain. Although there is yet to be a cure for fibromyalgia, there are many treatments out there for sufferers to try in order to reduce painful symptoms. One potential way to treat fibromyalgia naturally is through diet; having a clean diet helps to support your immune system, allows you to maintain a healthy weight, and can reduce inflammation in your body. If you’re a fibromyalgia patient on the hunt for a new treatment method, look no further. In this blog, we provide a list of healthy recipes that could help towards reducing the pain you feel on a daily basis*.
*It’s important to remember that while we are experts in handling fibromyalgia compensation claims, we are not medical experts, therefore, before beginning any new diet, we would recommend you discuss everything with your GP.
This recipe is quick, easy to make, and the perfect option for a highly nutritious breakfast, lunch or snack. Avocados are low in saturated fat and contain more potassium than bananas, a nutrient that is said to reduce blood pressure. For the toast, we would recommend whole wheat or, if you’re gluten intolerant, a gluten-free option.
Salmon is a great addition to any meal; as well as being high in omega-3 fatty acids, salmon helps to reduce inflammation and joint pain. Although this recipe is healthy, it isn’t short on flavour; the glaze itself is made from a mixture of chilli sauce, soy, sesame oil, rice wine, garlic, and ginger. Who said eating healthy was bland and boring?
Black beans are prized for having high protein and fibre content, which is essential for healthy bowels, regular bowel movements, and weight management. This healthy recipe will act as the perfect replacement for beef burgers at any barbeque. Don’t forget that if you are avoiding gluten, you should opt for gluten-free buns to serve your veggie burgers with.
With this recipe, you will transform sweet potato from a sweet treat into a satisfying savoury feast. Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of vitamin A, as well as potassium, dietary fibre, vitamin B1, and vitamin B2. In addition to the sweet potato, there is a healthy filling made with spinach and chickpeas to bump up the health factor, both of which are ingredients notorious for their health benefits.
This vegan recipe is so much more than your everyday vegetable soup. It’s low in fat, cholesterol and calories, which makes it the go-to recipe for times when your stomach is craving good food. With various herbs and spices, including thyme, sage and bay leaves, this soup is full of flavour, so you definitely won’t need to reach for the salt anytime soon.
If you’re looking for a tasty and simple yet filling lunch, this salad recipe is perfect. The combination of chicken, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, olive oil, and greek yoghurt is a match made in heaven. As these ingredients are easy to pick up from your local supermarket, they couldn’t be simpler to make, meaning that you can easily prepare your lunches in advance.
This hearty shepherd’s pie is the perfect option for cold evenings. With lentils, sweet potato, pumpkin peel, tomatoes, and various other vegetables, this recipe is full of goodness as well as flavour. As it serves up to 6 people, it’s also the ideal recipe to prepare for any family get-togethers you’re hosting.
It’s important to remember that although healthy eating may work for one person with fibromyalgia, it isn’t guaranteed to work for you; while some people show sensitivities to gluten, others will show sensitivities to dairy, which proves how symptoms vary from sufferer to sufferer. When trying new recipes, it’s important that you pay attention to how your body responds in order to understand which foods you should and shouldn’t eat. As discussed previously in this blog post, it’s important to discuss new diets with a medical expert, so that you can both create a bespoke eating plan that’s specific to your situation. Although we aren’t medical experts, we do have vast experience in securing fibromyalgia compensation for a wide range of patients. If you suffer from fibromyalgia as a result of an accident or injury and want to find out whether or not you are entitled to compensation, our team of legal experts is always on hand to provide answers to all your questions.
Fibromyalgia and Agitation. You would be forgiven for thinking that these are two words that belong together. Well not in my world!!
For those of you recently diagnosed with Fibromyalgia or those who may have an inkling that perhaps you are showing symptoms of having the condition, it is easy to allow some fear to creep in. When words like “incurable”, “chronic” and “heightened pain responses” are used it is understandable that an element of fear will kick in and your outlook is considered gloomy.
My symptoms first started appearing in 1989, back in the day when the condition was referred to as “yuppy flu”. Doctors really didn’t have much of an idea about what was happening. After endless tests which always came back clear, I was worried that maybe I was imagining all of the fatigue and pain. A real fear for my sanity crept in. This carried on until I finally got my diagnosis.
Not because I was scared or shocked, the reality being I was relieved. I was right all along, there had been something wrong with me and now they knew what it was, I could be cured…
Oh, how wrong I was. I asked the doctor excitedly, what was the cure? He then told me there wasn’t one and the fear crept in again.
Since 1989, fear has tried to overtake me many times. My condition has threatened to overwhelm me but it has never quite succeeded because I was determined that for as long as I could, I was not going to allow the fear of Fibromyalgia gets the better of me.
Each new day gave me an opportunity to keep on keeping on. My attitude has always been to push on through whatever the condition could throw at me. There have been times when it has knocked me down but I never allowed the fear to keep me there. I was more afraid of not being able to enjoy my family and my life, not be able to hold down a job, and becoming a burden both financially and physically.
I didn’t have a crystal ball and could not see into the future. I did not know what Fibromyalgia would take from me and when it would take it, so I tried to get through each day the only way I knew how – which was to get up and get going.
If I had listened to my GP when I got my diagnosis, then for sure I would not be functioning the way I do now. My life would have consisted of anti-depressants and strong painkillers which ultimately would have stopped working and had to be replaced by stronger medication. Most likely I would have ended up in the wheelchair that he promised me further down the line and I would not have been able to hold down a full-time job.
For some, I know that this condition can bring with it additional health issues which means some people struggle massively with their Fibromyalgia. But I would say to those people and all of the newly diagnosed sufferers, don’t be afraid to push a little. Life is for living and making wonderful memories. Even with a chronic condition, it is possible to have a positive mindset that speaks to our body and says “I can do this”.
I can get out of bed today, I can have friends over for dinner, I can attend that wedding, I can make that trip for a few days holiday, I can do some gentle exercise, I can make healthy changes to my diet, I can take some quiet time to just be. I know some of you are reading this and saying I would flare – well yes, so do I but I try to compensate and be gentle with myself for a few days after doing something which exerts me. I almost build it into my schedule. I have a late-night, I follow it up with 2 early nights to try and rest my body.
We have all heard that saying, and I believe that fear could be the thing that cripples us long before Fibromyalgia. It is said that ourdeepest fears rarely manifest. If I could offer you one piece of advice that I know to be true for me it would be to “do it anyway”. Don’t allow the fear of what may or may not happen to hold you back from living your life. Don’t let the expectation of what you should be going through as a Fibromyalgia sufferer stop you from creating special times and memories. Your body may surprise you and give you an easy ride – you won’t know until you try.
Baby steps they may be but they are still steps in the right direction.
I heard a poem today which inspired me to write this piece. it is by Jeff Foster and is called Nothing to Fear.
99.99999% of your fears live only in your imagination, in anticipation, and in memory.
Even if the worst happens, you’ll find yourself dealing with it at the moment, responding from a place of presence.
You don’t have to deal with it now, you’ll handle it then.
And who knows: The “worst” thing may turn out to be your greatest teacher, your most profound call to awakening, an invitation to the kind of courage of which you never thought yourself capable. Fear isn’t your enemy, but a signpost ~ breathe into the moment.
Fibromyalgia is an incredibly painful, debilitating condition. The symptoms are often so bad that even the most simple tasks can become a struggle, having a hugely negative impact on the lives of sufferers. In fact, many fibromyalgia sufferers are unable to work after being diagnosed and, as a result, suffer a loss of income and can even develop further symptoms, such as depression and anxiety. From severe pain to extreme fatigue, there are a number of reasons why fibromyalgia sufferers are forced to give up their job after being diagnosed with the condition.
Even just a few of the symptoms of fibromyalgia can force sufferers to leave their jobs. From Brain fog to chronic fatigue, it’s clear to see why it’s difficult to continue to work with fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia is an incredibly debilitating condition that can have a huge impact on a sufferer’s ability to work. With symptoms ranging from extreme pain all over the body, to Brain fog and chronic fatigue – it’s not surprising why so many sufferers are forced to give up their careers.
‘Fibro fog’ is one of the most common reasons why sufferers feel they are unable to continue with their work, as it can have a huge impact on their concentration levels and ability to communicate with their colleagues, leading to a loss of confidence, as well as feelings of anxiety.
Fibrofog can manifest itself in a number of different ways and can vary from person to person. However, it’s known for causing a range of symptoms, including:
Although the cause of fibrofog is unknown, experts believe it’s down to a lack of sleep, resulting in impaired cognitive function.
In addition to the cognitive side effects, fibromyalgia can also make it difficult for sufferers to sit or stand for long periods of time due to extreme joint and muscle pain, as well as sensitivities to light, sound, and temperature changes, which can make any line of work unmanageable.
It can be difficult to make the call as to whether or not you’re able to continue working with fibromyalgia, however, it’s important to listen to your body and establish whether or not you’re well enough to perform at work.
If getting through the day is a real challenge because of extreme pain, difficulty concentrating, and chronic fatigue and it’s having a detrimental effect on your mental health, causing depression and anxiety, then it’s clear that adjustments need to be made.
If you’re a self-confessed workaholic, or can’t afford to stop working, the thought of giving up your career might fill you with dread. However, your employer might be able to make adjustments in order to allow you to continue in your role.
Whether you talk to them about making adaptations to your working week, such as allowing you to work from home, go part-time, or make changes to your responsibilities – it’s important to weigh up all of the options to help you make the best decision for you.
However, if you come to the decision that you can’t continue in your role, it might be worth exploring other career paths. For example, if you find relief from your symptoms by staying active, then finding a job where you’re on your feet for most of the day might be perfect for you.
