Tag: Fibromyalgia

An in-depth guide on Fibromyalgia, covering its symptoms, causes, treatments, and tips for managing this chronic condition effectively.

  • Fibro Flare: Pain is such a barrier

    Obviously trying to do anything with a migraine is stupid, necessary, but stupid. However, struggling to get through the day with that sort of pain makes me rather forget how painful the fibromyalgia pain can be. Today was an extra special pain day where I got both. The migraine was consistent but not bad enough to seriously disrupt my thinking. Some would find that statement hard to believe knowing what a migraine is… but you get used to what you have to get used to. Such is the life, eh? Put that on your resume…’ superhuman pain tolerance’, ‘won’t call in sick for severe pain or run of the mill illness, only for mind-blowing scary-ass nasty pain’… but don’t mention how often that occurs or you’ll never land a job!

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    The FMS pain had to be triggered by the storm we had, but who knows? Sometimes a flare is just a flare, with no reason to be named for it. It started mid-morning with an ache in my knees and a sort of stiffness in my legs. Like zombified. Call me lurch. That sort of level of pain is normal. FMS pain shifts around to different muscles and ranges from mild to moderate on a daily bases, excluding days when I do my intense workout (12 minutes of yoga). It got significantly worse until my knees and ankles were in severe pain and my legs felt like the current running between them. Now it is at that level where it is hard to walk and it damn well hurts enough without moving. Seriously, it is insane how intensely FMS pain can hit for no reason. I get that if I walk too far, do exercise, or whatnot I can expect there to be consequences, but man does it suck when it just comes out of the blue like that. There is just something about spring and early summer that my body loathes and so I get more FMS flares and migraines as a result. Seriously is there somewhere in the world where the temperate is always moderate with lows are -10 and highs are +20 and it is always cloudy? Let me know. I was to move there.

    But sometimes I wonder about the normal baseline FMS pain. I think to myself I live a sedentary lifestyle and weak muscles will hurt. So maybe some level of pain is just normal. That is until I have a chat with someone and realize, nope, so not normal. A co-worker of mine is on this diet which is doing wonders for her and she routinely exercises as well. I joke about my yoga efforts and my pathetic limits and muscle pain. She said she had bad muscle pain after a workout (of good cardio by the way, as if I could do that!) but that she was told to stretch before and after the work out which eliminated that pain. I did not say anything about my FMS situation because why bother when it would take too long to explain and make me sound more of a cripple than my chronic migraines do.

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    But it made me think about what I do and the level of pain. I know FMS makes it so my body has a low threshold to feel pain, with more intensity and for longer durations… but what she is able to do (and seriously I am impressed with her willpower and determination) is nothing compared to what I can do and I really feel the consequences. But exercise is something I know will cause pain and I do a minimal amount when I can just because I think I should. Not enough that I can shed the weight I gained. Not enough to give me any more muscle endurance. So pain is a barrier to creating a routine in that aspect, but I don’t let it be a barrier to stop me from trying.

    Nonetheless, realizing how crippled I am today, body pain is just as much of a barrier as migraine pain but in a different way. Body pain when it gets severe limits my mobility, and my ability to be comfortable, and sleep and is also a distraction. While I can push through work, and mental stuff, with a nasty ass migraine I cannot force my body to do anything when in an FMS flare. The pain just explodes in intensity when I do. Of course, this is why I knew at a very young age I was destined for a desk job. I have had flares that made a ten-minute walk to school take a very long forty minutes. I vividly remember most of those worst ones. I do not remember much about the situation, all that is vague and hazy, but I remember the single-mindedness of needing to get through what obstacle was directly in front of me so that I could get home. I remember that intense focus of ‘just a little farther. Just a little longer Then there were times when the pain gets so insane your body simply says nope, no further, and gives out. That happened sometimes when I had summer jobs where I stood for eight hours, the moment I would sit down I was screwed because my legs would not let me stand after. This is also by the way why I prefer not to hold babies… I’m just saying, my arms can’t hold much weight either before they tremble, ache and then just give out. And dropping babies is never a good idea. So ‘just muscle pain’ does not quite define how nasty FMS can be. In some ways it might be less invisible than migraine pain because while I can mask both quite well when FMS gets to the crippling point I cannot walk well at all, just shuffle very slowly (I need a scooter or an old lady walker). Can’t hide that and damned hard to find a reason for those not in the know.

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    For More Information Related to Fibromyalgia Visit below sites:

    References:

    Fibromyalgia Contact Us Directly

    Click here to Contact us Directly on Inbox

    Official Fibromyalgia Blogs

    Click here to Get the latest Chronic illness Updates

    Fibromyalgia Stores

    Click here to Visit Fibromyalgia Store

  • What triggers fibromyalgia?

    Fibromyalgia triggers

    Fibromyalgia is often triggered, or exacerbated, by a physical event such as:

    • an accident or injury
    • a viral infection
    • giving birth
    • having an operation

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    What is fibromyalgia?

    It can also be caused by emotional or psychological stress and is known to have arisen following the breakdown of a relationship, being in an abusive relationship, or after the death of a loved one.

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

    Fibromyalgia is often referred to as an invisible illness – it is a pain syndrome of chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain and fatigue. The pain is thought to be caused by abnormalities in the pain pathways in the central nervous system. Other symptoms are believed to be caused by sleep abnormalities.

    Fibromyalgia specifically means pain in the muscles, ligaments, and tendons, generally all the softer, more fibrous tissues in the body. There is a sense, according to most patients, of ‘aching all over, with the related symptoms of a chronic case of flu. Muscles often feel as if they have been pulled or worked too hard and there are instances where muscles may twitch or feel like they’re burning. Cognitive abilities can also be affected with many patients reporting having ‘Ronty-fog’, where they find functions such as concentration and memory to be impaired.

    Can you claim compensation for fibromyalgia?

    If your fibromyalgia symptoms were caused or were made worse, as a result of another person’s negligence, then you may be eligible for a fibromyalgia compensation claim. For example, if you were involved in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, had an accident at work, or had a slip/trip, you may be able to claim compensation for your losses.

    In order to claim, you will need to be able to demonstrate that the negligence was the cause of your fibromyalgia symptoms. Additionally, the value of your claim will depend entirely on the severity of your symptoms and the effect it has had on your ability to work.

    Medical experts will be instructed to assess your symptoms and provide their opinion on the effect your accident has had on your quality of life, and how that is likely to change in the future. If you are looking to make a claim, the general rule is that you must claim within three years of knowledge of the negligence which caused your symptoms, however, there are exceptions to this rule.

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    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

    Click here to Contact us Directly on Inbox

    Official Fibromyalgia Blogs

    Click here to Get the latest Chronic illness Updates

    Fibromyalgia Stores

    Click here to Visit Fibromyalgia Store

  • How to find meaning again when fibromyalgia and chronic illness upends your life

    You’re sitting in the doctor’s office, being told you have an incurable illness. Maybe you have to leave your career, or pull back on your workload, with set accommodations. You can’t live up to being the involved wife, parent, sister, or daughter you planned on being. Travel becomes difficult, athletic ability falls off, and favorite hobbies or pastimes become more challenging. But mostly you just don’t feel like you. A period of grief ensues over your previous life, and it crashes over you in waves.

    Eventually, you start asking the big questions. Can you live a good life despite pain? How do you find meaning again amidst all the change?

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    I don’t have THE answer, but I did find some answers. I had to understand what I’d found meaningful in life Before Fibro (B.F.). And then I had to find the meaning behind the meaning- why is something sustaining, nourishing, enjoyable? Finding meaning is epitomized by the quote “A life well lived is a life fully experienced.”

    I was a very career-focused B.F., finding satisfaction in the field of global health (HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment). Once all that stopped, I felt stuck and lost. The one thing I had been certain of, my “calling”, was gone. Making a difference throughout my career had given me a sense of purpose.

    Travelling was my favorite activity. I came to realize that experiencing different cultures and ways of life was important to me because it had made my own worldview expand. Broadening my horizons made me feel vital and alive.

    How to replicate that feeling from my couch at home? An answer came surprisingly from the podcasts and audiobooks I listened to during my enforced rests. I found I enjoyed learning about history, as a way to travel from my armchair. Learning feels like time well spent, whether it’s listening to a historical mystery or an episode of a podcast on ancient Egypt. After all, curiosity keeps your brain healthy and young. What do you geek out about? It can be anything, from an academic subject to a hobby, to DIY project techniques. Intentionally find ways to learn about things you find interesting, from online classes, podcasts, audiobooks, or just connecting with interesting people online and asking them questions. The time that feels spent on rewarding things makes meaning.

    Over time I came to see that there is a lot of life to live here, in ordinary life, without globetrotting or being career-driven. I never appreciated that B.F., assuming everyday life was boring and humdrum. But in learning to be mindful and still, I’ve found how much I missed before, and how much being present enriches my life. Being on autopilot, or always looking ahead, meant I whizzed past sunsets, birdsong, long hugs, savored meals, belly laughs and so many other moments. Connecting to the beauty and wonder all around us via our senses is possible, even while in pain, even at home. Finding ways to feel that makes life more worthwhile. Mindfulness as a practice, or just realizing the need to be present, means showing up for moments big, and small. Choose to stay with an experience instead of reaching for a distraction.

    And the difficult experiences of chronic pain, surviving the limitations, still mean that you are living fully. I’ve grown in strength, resilience, compassion, self-confidence, and patience in ways I never would have before my illness. After all, what else really is the point of life other than to become a better, wiser version of ourselves on this journey? This is another way to have a purpose in life. I’ve come to value growing as a person as one of my most important accomplishments, instead of getting promotions, keeping up with the Joneses, or any of the other markers we are taught to measure our success by. Without fibro, I would have let external factors determine my self-worth. It’s not that I’m grateful for fibromyalgia, or that I’m glad I have it, but I have found a way to make meaning out of it, and find a silver lining. I’m developing as I go; it’s a work in progress, but a worthwhile one.

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    I’ve written before about the critical importance of our happiness of selfexpression and contributing to something greater than ourselves. We are often taught that the only way to do this is to work and be a “productive citizen.” However, there are so many other ways to find connections, such as sharing your story and finding online relationships, to learn from and support others. Writing on my blog and now writing as a freelancer, has transformed my life. Volunteering, supporting others online, teaching, mentoring, and sharing your experience are all ways to contribute, big and small.

    Fiction writing has engaged me again in a new way through imagination. (I’m writing a historical mystery set in Niagara Falls during the American civil war when the area was a hotbed of spies and intrigue). Creativity can be a form of salvation, as a craft, art, music, or interior decoration, in the kitchen, the garden, on the page, or anywhere else. We shift into an active mode, not passenger mode when creating. Yet we also refrain from intellectualizing, analyzing, number crunching, or any other left-brain thinking. Creativity is about engaging intuitively, emotionally, and symbolically with the world, through self-expression, using the right brain. It’s good for your heart; it’s good for your soul. Don’t disparage it as “unproductive” or unimportant, because it is a meaningful source of intrinsic pleasure. It’s meaningful because it’s a way of being open and engaging with the world around you (sensing a theme yet?), via your senses and interpretations, from your own unique perspective.

    We find meaning in our relationships, in our faith, and in our philosophies. But we have to be present, open, and engaged to really benefit from these resources. That doesn’t happen overnight! But tuning in to our senses, our inner strengths, our creativity, our intrinsic interests and sources of pleasure allows us to connect to the world in ways that create and cultivate meaning in our lives. This is a form of strengths-based healing – leveraging your inner resources to create a life fully experienced, and well lived – in spite of adversity.

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    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

    Click here to Contact us Directly on Inbox

    Official Fibromyalgia Blogs

    Click here to Get the latest Chronic illness Updates

    Fibromyalgia Stores

    Click here to Visit Fibromyalgia Store

  • How do you prove clinical negligence?

    What is clinical negligence?

    Doctors can be life savers. However, unfortunately, sometimes things can go very wrong. If a doctor or health professional is negligent when giving you medical treatment, this is called ‘clinical negligence.

    Doctors and healthcare professionals have a duty of care to their patients. If the standard of care falls below what is considered to be the accepted standard, then negligence occurs as the duty of care from the doctor to the patient has been breached.

    If, as a result of this breach of duty, the patient suffers injury or loss, whether by misdiagnosis, delay in diagnosis, or mistreatment, one may be entitled to compensation. Where the carelessness has been so severe that it is judged to be ‘gross’, the doctor may be subject to a charge of criminal negligence.

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    What is the impact of clinical negligence?

    The effects of clinical negligence are varied, with each case having its own set of unique circumstances. In some cases, the damage done is relatively minor and is quickly resolved. However, in more severe circumstances, the patient can be left with life-altering injuries, and therefore it is important to ensure you get compensation for the negligence.

    How do you prove clinical negligence?

    If you believe you have been affected by clinical negligence, and that your life has been significantly impacted as a result, we will assess your case and instruct medical experts whose opinion will help determine whether negligence occurred and if so, the effect of any such negligence.

    There are three key things that we will look at:

    1. That the Defendant owed the Claimant a duty of care – this is generally the case in a claim against a medical professional;
    2. There was a breach of the duty – i.e. the standard of care provided was below the accepted standard and therefore negligence occurred due to carelessness; and
    3. Causation, e.g. the breach of duty caused injury and loss

    Ronty Rhodes are specialist solicitors who deal with clinical negligence and personal injury cases. We, therefore, know how to investigate your case in detail and prove that you would not have suffered the injury but for the negligence of the medical professional(s) involved. Due to the nature of our practice dealing exclusively in this area, we have close connections with a variety of medical experts and will ensure that we engage with the right expert who has the specialist knowledge of the area of medicine relevant to your cases, such as psychologists, gynecologists or oncologists, and will always work hard to ensure that you are compensated for what you have lost due to the negligence.

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    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

  • Finding Someone to Treat Fibromyalgia

    It isn’t always easy to find someone to help you because there’s not just one type of doctor who treats fibromyalgia. But it’s important to find a doctor who understands your condition and will work closely with you to manage your symptoms and help you feel better. How do you find the right doctor for you? 

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    Know your options.

    Some people with fibromyalgia are treated by their primary care doctors or internal medicine doctors. However, you may want to ask whether you should see a specialist. Specialty doctors who most often treat the condition are rheumatologists. Rheumatologists treat inflammatory, often painful conditions that affect the joints, muscles, bones, and other organs. Pain specialists and neurologists may treat fibromyalgia, too. 

    There’s no rule as to what type of doctor you should use to help you manage fibromyalgia. However, make sure he or she has an interest in and knowledge of fibromyalgia treatment. 

    Expand your horizons.

    Finding a doctor who can lead your care and help you manage fibromyalgia is your first priority. But you may benefit from working with a team of healthcare providers that can help you manage specific symptoms. The team might include a physical therapist, sleep specialist, massage therapist, acupuncturist, cognitive-behavioral counselor, and others. 

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    Look for a clinic.

    Getting recommendations from friends, family, other physicians and your insurance provider is one way to find a doctor. Another is to see whether you have a pain or rheumatology clinic in your area. Oftentimes, these clinics offer care from several members of the fibromyalgia treatment team all in one location.

    Ask the right questions.

    Just because a doctor or other type of healthcare provider knows about fibromyalgia doesn’t mean he or she is the right doctor for you. A few questions you can ask to help you decide include: 

    Many people with fibromyalgia check out a number of doctors until they find the right one. It’s worth the effort. You can greatly improve your symptoms when you have a knowledgeable and focused doctor, along with your own participation and motivation. In addition to asking your insurance provider, you can search Healthgrades.com for providers who treat fibromyalgia.

    https://fibromyalgia-6.creator-spring.com/
    https://www.teepublic.com/stores/fibromyalgia-store

    Click Here to Visit the Store and find Much More….

    For More Information Related to Fibromyalgia Visit below sites:

    References:

    Fibromyalgia Contact Us Directly

    Click here to Contact us Directly on Inbox

    Official Fibromyalgia Blogs

    Click here to Get the latest Chronic illness Updates

    Fibromyalgia Stores

    Click here to Visit Fibromyalgia Store

  • CRPS and anxiety

    Most people have feelings of anxiety – a feeling of unease, such as worry or fear, that can be mild or severe – at some point in their life. Anxiety is an illness from which people cannot ‘snap’ out and it is thought that approximately 8 million people in the UK have some form of an anxiety disorder.

    Anxiety is not the same as stress, and it can persist whether or not there are obviously external factors. The feelings associated with anxiety can be overwhelming, stopping the individual from doing things or making them behave in an unusual way.

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    CRPS patients often experience cognitive changes, anxiety, and depression, and stress can cause a flare-up of CRPS symptoms so it is important to understand and make sense of the illness in the first place before working out how best to manage it.

    Types of CRPS

    There are two types of CRPS:

    • type 1, previously known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy or RSD, and
    • type 2, previously known as causalgia.

    The difference between these two types is whether nerve damage is involved.

    Diagnosing CRPS Type 1 is particularly difficult as there is no damage to the nerves and usually no damage to the bone and little damage to the tissue. The pain is out of proportion to the accident or injury that occurred and the main symptoms are usually allodynia, continuing pain, and hyperalgesia, disproportionate pain to touch, movement or pressure.

    CRPS Type 1 is usually diagnosed if the above symptoms are found as well as some kind of oedema, changes to the blood flow (and therefore temperature) in the affected area and other conditions have been ruled out.

    Type 2 is the rarer of the two conditions. CRPS Type 2, formerly known as causalgia, is a severely painful and chronic condition which develops as a result of an injury to a peripheral nerve. The pain associated with CRPS Type 2 is usually described as an intense burning which doesn’t subside and the pain is specific to the affected area, due to the injury to the nerve.

    CRPS Type 2 is different to Type 1 because of the tangible nerve injury which can be found and also because the pain doesn’t migrate from the original site. Whilst Type 1 may result in pain in the whole limb over time, CRPS Type 2 is a condition which remains specific to the original place that was injured.

    CRPS Type 2 is caused by a trauma to a large nerve in one of the limbs, usually in the peripheral nervous system. CRPS Type 2 can be caused by a simple injury or something more traumatic such as a car accident or a fall from a height. The disease progresses over time and can result in loss of movement and mobility in the affected limb, alongside increased pain.

    The symptoms of CRPS Type 2 are quite similar to those of CRPS Type 1 which is why a full diagnosis needs to be carried out by your doctor who may refer you to further specialists to ascertain the exact root cause of the pain. Symptoms of CRPS Type 2 include the burning pain already mentioned as well as sweating, discolouration of the skin in the affected area and hyperalgesia, extreme pain felt from disproportionate action such as light touch, pressure or movement.

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    CRPS Type 2 can also change the rate at which hair and nails grow and it’s also more common that the joints in the affected area may seize up or spasm.

    Budapest criteria

    The Budapest Criteria is often used to diagnose CRPS and differentiates between ‘signs’ and ‘symptoms’.

    Symptoms:

    • Sensory – Hyperaesthesia (an abnormal increase in sensitivity), and/or allodynia, which is pain caused by stimuli which shouldn’t trigger a painful response. Examples of allodynia include lightly touching the affected limb, perhaps by moving a bedsheet or by a gentle tap on the wrist.
    • Vasomotor – Skin colour changes and/or changes in the temperature of the limb.
    • Sudomotor/oedema – Swelling of the limb and/or an excess of sweat from the affected limb, or changes in sweating swelling of the limb.
    • Motor/Trophic – Decreased range of motion and/or motor dysfunction, including weakness, spasms, tremors or wasting. Trophic changes include changes to the hair, nails or skin on the affected limb.

    Signs:

    • Sensory: Hyperalgesia (to pinprick), a heightened sensitivity to pain, and/or allodynia to light touch or deep somatic (physical) pressure and/or joint movement
    • Vasomotor: temperature differences between the limb, and/or skin colour changes and/or skin colour changes between the limb
    • Sudomotor/oedema: oedema and/or sweating changes and/or sweating differences between the limbs.
    • Motor/trophic: decreased range of motion and/or motor dysfunction (ie weakness, tremor or muscle spasm) and/or trophic changes (hair and/or nail and/or skin changes)

    Stress and chronic pain

    The fight or flight response is an automatic physiological reaction to an event that is perceived as stressful or frightening, and therefore stress overload is common for sufferers of chronic pain. This can be a vicious circle as stress can exacerbate the pain and chronic pain can also cause an increase in stress.

    https://fibromyalgia-6.creator-spring.com/
    https://www.teepublic.com/stores/fibromyalgia-store

    Click Here to Visit the Store and find Much More….

    For More Information Related to Fibromyalgia Visit below sites:

    References:

    Fibromyalgia Contact Us Directly

    Click here to Contact us Directly on Inbox

    Official Fibromyalgia Blogs

    Click here to Get the latest Chronic illness Updates

    Fibromyalgia Stores

    Click here to Visit Fibromyalgia Store

  • Getting a Better Night’s Sleep With Fibromyalgia

    A good night’s sleep is as important to your health as eating right and exercising regularly. That’s especially true when you have fibromyalgia. Getting enough quality sleep can ease the pain of this arthritis-related condition and help you feel refreshed. 

    Fibromyalgia can change your brain wave patterns, which can rob you of slow-wave sleep, the deepest stage of sleep. It can also bring on other problems, such as restless legs syndrome, which can make sleeping through the night a challenge. When you don’t sleep well, fibromyalgia can feel even more uncomfortable. 

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    Don’t let fibromyalgia steal your sleep. There are strategies you can try to help yourself get the rest you need to feel your best:

    • Be as active as possible. Exercising during the day is one of the best ways to help you get a good night’s sleep. It is also one of the best things you can do to treat fibromyalgia. Start with walking. Gradually and over time, try going farther and faster. Avoid working out within three hours of bedtime, though, so you have enough time to wind down. 
    • Darken your bedroom. Light can keep your brain awake, making it harder to sleep. If streetlamps, moonlight, or early morning sun peaks in through your windows, invest in room-darkening bedroom shades. If you get up during the night to use the bathroom, use a nightlight to show the way rather than turning on a bright overhead light.
    • Go to bed at the same time every day. Try to get up each morning at the same time too, even on weekends and when you’re traveling.  
    • Limit caffeine and alcohol. Avoid caffeine in the afternoon and evening. It can keep you from sleeping soundly. As for alcohol, you may be able to enjoy a glass of wine with dinner and still sleep well, but skip the nightcap. Alcohol around bedtime can make you drowsy, but cause you to wake up in the middle of the night.  
    • Nix long naps. For some people, a short midafternoon nap can improve their day, but for others, it’s the recipe for lost sleep at night. If you’re among those who doze off during the day, don’t nap for long. To prevent your nap from affecting your sleep at night, set your alarm for an hour, and get up when it goes off. 
    • Reserve your bed only for sleeping. Watching TV or working on your laptop in bed can make it tough to fall asleep. 
    • Talk with your doctor. If you are having trouble sleeping despite all efforts, ask your doctor about participating in a sleep study. It can help identify any other disorders you have that may be disrupting your sleep. It’s thought, for example, that people with fibromyalgia may experience the same breathing pauses during sleep that affect people with sleep apnea. If this is the case for you, a CPAP machine (which increases air pressure in the throat to hold it open during sleep) may be helpful. Your doctor can also prescribe sleep medicine, if necessary.

    https://fibromyalgia-6.creator-spring.com/
    https://www.teepublic.com/stores/fibromyalgia-store

    Click Here to Visit the Store and find Much More….

    For More Information Related to Fibromyalgia Visit below sites:

    References:

    Fibromyalgia Contact Us Directly

    Click here to Contact us Directly on Inbox

    Official Fibromyalgia Blogs

    Click here to Get the latest Chronic illness Updates

    Fibromyalgia Stores

    Click here to Visit Fibromyalgia Store

  • Who treats CRPS

    Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) can affect people of any age, including children, but it tends to be more common in women who are 60 to 70 years of age. Some of the common symptoms include:

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    Symptoms of CRPS

    • Extreme sensitivity to pain that is out of proportion to the injury or trauma
    • Excessive or prolonged pain after contact – as the affected area has increased sensitivity, even light contact can cause extreme pain
    • Continuous pain that gets worse over time
    • Experiencing pain from something that shouldn’t be painful such as a light touch or a change in temperature
    • Stiffness and swelling of the affected joints
    • Changes in skin, hair, and nails – skin may become blotchy, dry, or scaly, nails crack and can become grooved or brittle, and hair often becomes thin
    • A decrease in the range of motion of the affected limb or limbs
    • Stiffness of limbs
    • Insomnia and difficulty sleeping
    • Changes in skin temperature – the affected limb may feel warmer or cooler than the opposite limb
    • Changes in skin texture
    • Tremors and muscle spasms

    These are the most common symptoms experienced by people suffering from CRPS, but it is essential that you seek medical advice rather than making a self-diagnosis. A medical professional can carry out the assessments and tests required to ensure the symptoms you are experiencing are indicative of CRPS.

    CRPS is often very misunderstood and misdiagnosed, which is why it is important to speak to your doctor to discuss a diagnosis. Your doctor will often refer you to specialists including rheumatologists and neurologists to help with your diagnosis and to put together a treatment plan. Physiotherapists, psychologists, occupational health workers as well as pain relief specialists will all work together to support you so you can manage the impact of pain on your life.

    The treatment plan for CRPS

    The treatment plan tends to comprise:

    1. Education and self-management – advice about any steps you can take to help manage the condition
    2. Physical rehabilitation – to help improve your function and reduce the risk of long-term physical problems
    3. Pain relief – treatments to help reduce your pain
    4. Psychological support – interventions to help you cope with the emotional impact of living with CRPS.

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    Budapest criteria

    CRPS is a lifelong condition that is known for being very hard to diagnose and the Budapest Criteria is often used to diagnose CRPS and differentiate between ‘signs’ and ‘symptoms’.

    Symptoms:

    • Sensory – Hyperaesthesia (an abnormal increase in sensitivity), and/or allodynia, which is pain caused by stimuli that shouldn’t trigger a painful response. Examples of allodynia include lightly touching the affected limb, perhaps by moving a bedsheet or by a gentle tap on the wrist.
    • Vasomotor – Skin color changes and/or changes in the temperature of the limb.
    • Sudomotor/edema – Swelling of the limb and/or an excess of sweat from the affected limb, or changes in sweating swelling of the limb.
    • Motor/Trophic – Decreased range of motion and/or motor dysfunction, including weakness, spasms, tremors, or wasting. Trophic changes include changes to the hair, nails, or skin on the affected limb.

    Signs:

    • Sensory: Hyperalgesia (to pinprick), a heightened sensitivity to pain, and/or allodynia to light touch or deep somatic (physical) pressure and/or joint movement
    • Vasomotor: temperature differences between the limb, and/or skin color changes and/or skin color changes between the limb
    • Sudomotor/edema: edema and/or sweating changes and/or sweating differences between the limbs.
    • Motor/trophic: decreased range of motion and/or motor dysfunction (ie weakness, tremor, or muscle spasm) and/or trophic changes (hair and/or nail and/or skin changes)

    Pain is often invisible and the brave face needed to cope with each and every day doesn’t show the internal suffering to others, therefore the sooner you seek help and get a diagnosis and a treatment plan, the sooner you can move forward with your life.

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    Fibromyalgia Contact Us Directly

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    Official Fibromyalgia Blogs

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  • The Emotional Effects of Fibromyalgia

    Living with fibromyalgia can affect you physically and emotionally. Fibromyalgia is stressful. The pain and stress of fibromyalgia raise your body’s level of cortisol, a stress hormone. Adjusting to the disease and finding treatments that work can be frustrating. This fits with the fact that about 20% of people with fibromyalgia report feeling anxious or depressed

    Don’t let fibromyalgia bring you down. Instead, do what you can to reduce the psychic toll of the illness. Integrating various coping strategies can affect how your body responds to the disease and give you the tools you need to feel better emotionally and physically:

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    Daily Time Outs

    Set aside time each day for meditating or deep breathing exercises. These calming techniques can help you manage the stress hormones that make fibromyalgia symptoms worse. You might also try guided imagery, biofeedback, or progression relaxation. You can learn these mindfulness techniques from a trained practitioner, classes, books, and DVDs or audiotapes. Get into the habit of regularly practicing them on your own. 

    Yoga

    A recent study in the Journal of Pain Research found that women with fibromyalgia who practiced Hatha yoga (a gentle form of exercise) for 75 minutes twice weekly for eight weeks felt less pain and stress. Their bodies also produced less cortisol. Overall, the women were more accepting of their disease. 

    Another study revealed physical activity helps reduce depression in people with fibromyalgia.  Whichever form of yoga you try, be sure to modify the poses in response to pain. For instance, don’t hold the pose as long, or use a yoga block for support

    Positive Self-Talk

    If you have fibromyalgia, you may find it easy to put yourself down for not being able to do as much as you used to, for depending more on others or even blaming yourself for the disease. But negative self-talk is not helpful. Keep your self-talk as positive as possible. Tell yourself, “Fibromyalgia isn’t my fault,” and “I’m going to do all I can to control the disease.” Focus your self-talk on what you need to do to get better, not on what might have possibly caused your illness

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    Therapy

    If you are overwhelmed by the illness, consider seeing a therapist who practices cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). This type of therapy can be helpful for people with fibromyalgia. It focuses on helping you think positively and redefining your beliefs about illness, to help you feel more hopeful.

    Music

    In one study involving 22 fibromyalgia patients, those who listened to the music of their choice were able to function better physically than patients who didn’t. The study found that music can boost mood enough to overcome the perception of pain, especially before doing something physically taxing. If you don’t have one already, invest in a portable device so you can listen to your favorites at home and on the go.  

    Support Groups

    Getting feedback from others with fibromyalgia can give you the inspiration you need to manage your illness better. Blogs and message boards can be safe places for you to get ideas and talk openly with others in the same situation. What are they doing to cope that you might try? How are they managing to get tasks done? What are they doing to thrive despite their condition

    Ask your doctor if there are support groups in your community that you can visit. You can also search for a support group online. The right support can give you the tips and encouragement you need to focus on feeling better.

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    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

  • Does the weather affect chronic pain?

    Does the weather affect chronic pain?

    The weather has an impact on all of us – both mentally and physically – and many patients who suffer from chronic pain report that the change in weather makes their pain worse.

    The term ‘chronic pain syndrome’ is an umbrella term used to define long-term pain which can arise from a variety of different sources. One of the most common triggers of chronic pain disorder is an injury, such as one caused by a road accident or fall, where the pain lingers after the initial physical damage has healed – with no obvious cause.

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    In many cases of chronic pain syndrome, pain-relieving drugs are prescribed in order to manage the pain, however, this can cause some undesirable side effects for the patient, such as drowsiness, dizziness, or digestive problems. This forces many sufferers to turn to alternative therapies, such as acupuncture, reiki, and mindfulness techniques in order to alleviate the pain.

    The weather has been thought to affect symptoms in patients with chronic disease since the time of Hippocrates over 2000 years ago. Yet despite much research, there is no scientific consensus. Many people report their pain is made worse by the cold, rain, and low atmospheric pressure. Others report that their pain is made worse by warmth and high humidity. Therefore each case needs to be treated alone, and what works for one person with chronic pain may not necessarily have the same positive impact on another person.

    Joints contain sensory nerves that continuously respond to changing weather. Temperature and humidity can alter the level of fluid that fills your joints resulting in inflammation and pain and it can also affect the stiffness or laxity in your tendons, muscles, and ligaments.

    Scientists at Manchester University compiled a study that exposes a link between chronic pain and humid, windy days with low atmospheric pressure. The study included more than 13,000 people from all 124 of the UK’s postcode areas. The participants were predominantly people with arthritis, though some had other chronic pain-related conditions, such as fibromyalgia, migraine, or neuropathy, and the analysis showed that on damp and windy days with low pressure, the chances of experiencing more pain, compared to an average day, was around 20%.

    With Spring in full bloom and warmer weather approaching, this can mean more frequent flare-ups for chronic pain sufferers. Chronic pain can be distressing and debilitating, overwhelming daily life and disrupting an individual’s ability to function on even the most basic level. Therefore knowing how the weather impacts you uniquely on your pain can enable you to accept that the pain is firstly out of your control, and secondly what to expect with changing weather.

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    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

    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