Dear Fibromyalgia

Tag: Fibromyalgia

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

  • 6 Tips for Coping With ‘Fibromyalgia Fog’

    Managing Fibromyalgia’s Effects on the Brain

    Doctors often focus more on the physical symptoms of fibromyalgia, such as pain, fatigue, and stiffness. However, many people with the condition also have trouble focusing, concentrating, or thinking quickly in everyday situations. In a recent study, women with fibromyalgia ranked so-called ‘fibro fog’ among their five top complaints. Openly discussing these symptoms and how they affect you can help you and your doctor address them. Here are other ways to reduce the impact of fibro fog on your daily life.

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    Take note of any thinking or learning problems you have. You may want to write down when you experience them—and how severe they are—on a chart or calendar. Share this with your doctor. Together, you may be able to pinpoint what makes your fibro fog better or worse and develop strategies to minimize it.

    In addition to easing pain, therapy for fibromyalgia often helps with brain-related symptoms, including depression. Your doctor may write you prescriptions for pain medications or antidepressants. When you have less pain to deal with, you can focus more on living your life and doing things you enjoy. Alternative and mind-body therapies, such as massage and tai chi, also show promise.

    Trouble sleeping counts as a primary symptom of fibromyalgia. But the more restful your slumber, the clearer your thinking. Most adults need seven hours of restorative sleep to perform their best. Take steps to reach this goal by keeping a regular sleep schedule. Avoid alcohol and caffeine late in the afternoon and at night. Try to go to bed and get up at around the same time every day. And avoid daytime naps, especially in the afternoon. If you must take them, limit them to one hour.

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    Moving your body helps ease pain and stiffness—and also may benefit your mind. After working out, you may feel sharper and more alert. Physical activity also improves sleep, if you time it right. Schedule your gym session in the morning or during the day, if possible; working out at night can keep you awake. If you do work out later in the day, aim to finish about three hours before hitting the sack. This gives your body enough time to wind down.

    Some studies suggest people with fibromyalgia perform just as well on memory tests that involve one problem at a time as do people without the condition. That means minimizing multitasking could boost your brainpower. Try and focus on completing one task at a time. Along with tracking your symptoms, make a ‘to-do list and update it every day or so to help stay on track. Each time you complete a task, cross it off the list and congratulate yourself. Take it one step at a time.

    • 6. Make changes at work.

    Many people with fibromyalgia can continue to work. But there may be times when you struggle with balancing work when you have chronic pain. You might find that working fewer hours or having flexible hours helps you better handle the demands of your job. Or you might need to switch your role to one that plays more to your strengths than your weaknesses.

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    References:

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    Official Fibromyalgia Blogs

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  • Is fibromyalgia an autoimmune condition?

    Autoimmune diseases happen when the body’s natural defense system cannot tell the difference between your own cells and foreign cells, causing the body to mistakenly attack normal cells. There are more than 80 types of autoimmune diseases that affect a wide range of body parts, with the most popular being rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes type 1, lupus, multiple sclerosis (MS), and celiac disease.

    Although numerous studies have shown that fibromyalgia is not an autoimmune disease, research does show that this condition does weaken your immune system by causing various abnormalities and irregularities. There are conflicting studies on fibromyalgia – some show that it originates in the Brain, but others show that fibromyalgia is actually a disease of the immune system and that many of the symptoms in fibromyalgia syndrome are caused by antibodies that increase the activity of pain-sensing nerves throughout the body.

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    Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes widespread pain and extreme tiredness. Symptoms of fibromyalgia vary from person to person, but tend to include:

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

    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 a particularly difficult condition to diagnose and manage and can have a devastating impact on quality of life. Research is still ongoing, but various reports have proven that fibromyalgia does indeed weaken our immune system:

    • fibromyalgia patients tend to have high counts of white blood cells and cytokines (immune cells), which is often observed when a patient is suffering from an infection
    • studies show that fibromyalgia weakens the brain’s immune system by reducing the blood flow in the brain’s pain center, hence affecting the neuron receptors.
    • symptoms such as lack of sleep, fatigue, and loss of appetite, may weaken your immune system’s ability to defend your body and keep you healthy.
    • fibromyalgia usually leads to the decrease of a hormone known as cortisol, which in turn results in the increase of oestrogen levels in the body – this fluctuation of hormone levels in the body tends to weaken the immune system.

    Whether fibromyalgia is classed as a neurological condition or an autoimmune disease can have a significant effect on how we view the condition and ultimately impact the recommended treatments for the millions of people affected.

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    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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  • The Truth About Fibromyalgia Tender Points

    The phrase “tender points” isn’t something you hear every day. But if you have fibromyalgia, you may be familiar with those words. In fact, your doctor may have used tender points to diagnose you.

    What Are Tender Points?

    In 1990, the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) introduced criteria for diagnosing people with fibromyalgia. Part of the criteria included 18 possible tender points throughout the body. Tender points are small spots located around your neck, shoulders, chest, hips, knees, and elbows. 

    To be diagnosed with fibromyalgia, patients had to experience pain in at least 11 of those 18 sites when their doctor pressed firmly on them. In addition to tender points, you had to have pain in all four quadrants of your body (left side; right side, above the waist; below the waist) lasting longer than three months. 

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    The Problem With Tender Points

    A lot has changed since the original ACR criteria for diagnosis were released. A 2010 study found that approximately 25% of people diagnosed with fibromyalgia didn’t satisfy the ACR’s criteria for having the disease, even though their doctors believed they had fibromyalgia based on their other symptoms. 

    Tender points posed a significant issue for doctors and patients alike. For example, if a person experiences improvement and no longer has as many tender points, does that mean he or she no longer has fibromyalgia, even if the person still has other symptoms like widespread pain? The pain is often described as a dull, constant pain in the muscles. 

    New Ways of Diagnosing Fibromyalgia

    In 2010, the ACR updated its criteria for diagnosing people with fibromyalgia. Among several changes, it removed tender points from the criteria. Today, diagnosis relies more on patients’ self-reported symptoms than a doctor’s physical examination of the tender points. 

    In addition to pain, doctors consider symptoms that weren’t included in the original criteria, such as fatigue, sleep problems, and cognitive issues like trouble concentrating. They also use a tool called the symptom severity scale. The scale acknowledges that with a chronic pain condition like fibromyalgia, your symptoms may change with time. Pain can be more or less severe under different circumstances, such as how tired you are, your stress level, and your level of physical activity. 

    As a result, making a diagnosis no longer relies on a fixed set of criteria, such as tender points, and gives more weight to your personal experience with the condition. The symptoms of fibromyalgia resemble other chronic pain conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis. For this reason, doctors may use specific blood tests and other evaluations to rule out these conditions before making a fibromyalgia diagnosis.

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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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  • Lena Dunham Talks About Her Battle with Fibromyalgia

    Popular actress, writer, producer, and director, Lena Dunham, has recently revealed that she suffers from fibromyalgia.

    Recently, the talented creator of the hit series, Girls, opened up about what it is like to suffer from a long-term chronic pain condition in an Instagram post, which immediately received over 50,000 likes. In this blog, we discuss why we think such a high-profile person has chosen to speak out about her health problems and how she has helped sufferers around the world by doing so. Read on to find out more.

    With as many as 1-in-25 people thought to be affected by fibromyalgia, according to Arthritis UK, the decision made by Lena Dunham to speak out about her personal experience with the condition will have touched many. After having penned a heartfelt piece about her condition to her three million followers on Instagram, Lena immediately generated a huge reaction, with thousands of fellow sufferers thanking her for her searing honesty.

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    It began, “This is a post about chronic pain. I have it. I bet a lot of you do too. Some of us talk about it. Others are afraid to, as it could cost them their jobs or their relationships or their sense of control in a chaotic world.”

    As a long-term condition, fibromyalgia is known to cause severe, widespread muscle pain all over the body, as well as fatigue, memory problems, and mood issues. The causes of the condition are still not entirely clear – something that Dunham highlighted in her recent Instagram post.

    “It’s little understood and so even though I have a lot of knowledge and support, it’s hard to shake the feeling I am crazy. But I’m not (at least not this way!) and you’re not. Your pain, whatever shape it takes, is yours and so it is real.”

    She reached out to fellow fibromyalgia sufferers by adding:

    “I believe you when you say you hurt. I have learned time and time again how important it is to believe.”
    Dunham said she was aware that chronic pain can sometimes be associated with trauma and described the onset of her own symptoms.
    “It felt like every cell in my neck was singing,” she said. “My ankles and wrists were weak, and my fingers didn’t do their assigned job… I felt like I was suspended in gel, and when I meditated a line of pain zipped from my neck to my foot.

    “I appear to be totally able-bodied but it’s complex, and I am just trying to do everything required to maintain a life of joy and service… This is fibromyalgia.”

    Amongst the many replies to Dunham’s moving piece, there were some that stood out to us the most.

    “Thank you for posting and bringing awareness to the stigma of the horrible condition many suffer but are misunderstood.”

    “Thank you for sharing. I think the more open we can be about it the more people will feel they’re not alone. Pain is real, and it’s not easy dealing with it alone. There are many of us out there who can relate. Let’s support one another.”

    As specialist fibromyalgia solicitors, we understand how chronic pain negatively affects its sufferers. It is refreshing to see people speaking about fibromyalgia, particularly someone with such a high profile, since it is still so misunderstood, and further awareness is needed. Unfortunately, we meet many people in the same situation as Lena Dunham, who is also suffering, and we do all that we can to help those people.

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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

  • 4 Conditions That Can Mimic Fibromyalgia

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

    Ruling Out Similar Conditions

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

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    Rheumatoid Arthritis

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

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

    Lupus

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

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

    Chronic Fatigue Syndrome 

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

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

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    Hypothyroidism 

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

    When Conditions Overlap 

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

    Getting the Best Treatment

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

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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

  • What People With Fibromyalgia Wish They Could Tell You

    Fibromyalgia affects about 5 to 6 million people in the United States, mostly women. Yet, so little is known about the condition and people with fibromyalgia often feel misunderstood. Here, three women share their thoughts about living with fibromyalgia.

    1. The pain and fatigue are real.

    People understand pain and fatigue if they can see the cause, like a broken bone or an incision from an operation. Fibromyalgia is an invisible illness though, making it harder to understand. But, “That pain is real. That pain is debilitating, affecting every part of your life,” says Sharon Gates, a retired nurse from Montreal, Canada.

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    2. Fibromyalgia has been around for centuries.

    Fibromyalgia isn’t a new illness. It’s existed for centuries under different names, such as rheumatism. Historical records about Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, show she probably had fibromyalgia.

    “It’s a real medical condition, backed up by decades of work and many, many studies,” says Susanne Gilliam, a recent law school graduate in Massachusetts. But because there are so many unknowns, there are people who don’t believe it exists.

    3. It can be a relief to finally be diagnosed.

    Illnesses like cancer or diabetes have tests to diagnose them. There are no tests for fibromyalgia and it can take an average of about five years to get a diagnosis. For some people, it takes much longer. Gilliam thinks she’s had it for about 18 years. In the meantime, it’s easy for people to begin wondering what is going on–because so many tests are coming back as normal.

    Having a diagnosis is important. “When you get a diagnosis of something, it’s not always a positive thing, but at least you know you’re not crazy,” Gates says. “You make changes and you try to manage the best you can.”

    4. Fibromyalgia doesn’t go away.

    Fibromyalgia is a chronic illness and, while people may have periods with few symptoms, it doesn’t go away. This can make it hard to talk about the illness because no one wants to seem like they’re always complaining. “People lose patience with chronic illnesses,” points out Randi Kreger, an author from Wisconsin. “They’re more attuned to short-term things that get better. They don’t really realize that not everything is curable and that some things just don’t get better.”

    5. Fibromyalgia can make you extra sensitive to the sensations around you.

    When people have fibromyalgia, it’s as if their sensitivity dials are turned up too high. Lights can be too bright, smells can be too strong, and noises can be too loud. These sensitivities can make it hard for them to get out and be an active part of the community.

    “I went to a book club that met in a coffee shop,” Randi says. “They were roasting and grinding coffee. The noise was really too much and I asked if we could go to a place where it was just not that noisy.” But the others in the group refused to move. They didn’t find the place particularly noisy and couldn’t relate to Randi’s discomfort.

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    6. Fibromyalgia makes you forgetful.

    Most people have memory lapses from time to time. They forget where they put their keys or to show up for a doctor’s appointment. But for those with fibromyalgia, it’s worse. “Fibro fog” makes thinking fuzzy and remembering difficult. It can also make it hard to follow conversations.

    7. There can be good days.

    The confusing thing about fibromyalgia is that for many people, the pain, fatigue, fibro fog, and other symptoms aren’t always there. One day, they may be able to go on a hike with their children and then out to a movie with a friend, but the next day, they may not be able to get out of bed. Nothing is constant.

    8. It can be hard to plan ahead.

    Because people with fibromyalgia have both good and bad days, it’s next to impossible to plan ahead. It’s no fun to make plans only to have to cancel them. It’s disappointing, but they can’t know what they’re going to be feeling like a month from now, a week from now, or even a day from now. “I just do the best I can,” Gates says.

    9. Medications help some people with fibromyalgia.

    There are medicines that are effective for some people’s symptoms. Gilliam experienced a complete turnaround when she and her doctors found the right drug combination for her. “Every day it was like crossing the finish line at the end of a marathon,” she says. There was something new each day that she could do, like carrying her laundry up the stairs, going to the pharmacy alone, and even going back to school to study law. “But this isn’t the standard outcome,” Susanne points out. “It isn’t even a common outcome, but it does happen.”

    10. But the medicines don’t help everyone.

    Unfortunately, the medicines do not help everyone with fibromyalgia and for others, the medicines cause serious side effects, such as depression, weight gain, or dizziness.

    Patient listening and helping hands mean a lot to people with fibromyalgia. It can be discouraging to live with a chronic illness, but the understanding of friends and family goes a long way and can make all the difference, perhaps turning a bad day into a good one.

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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 treatment is there for fibromyalgia?

    Fibromyalgia is a pain syndrome of chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain and fatigue. Although it is a chronic disease, fibromyalgia is not a progressive disease, meaning it will not usually worsen over time, and taking steps to treat fibromyalgia can help relieve your symptoms. However, it is worth bearing in mind that some external actions like stress or trauma can lead to the conditioning worsening.

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    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 ‘Brain–fog’, where they find functions such as concentration and memory to be impaired, and unusual tiredness is also a symptom of fibromyalgia.

    Although there’s currently no cure for fibromyalgia, there are treatments to help relieve some of the symptoms and make the condition easier to live with. Treatment tends to be a combination of:

    • medicine, such as antidepressants and painkillers
    • talking therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and counseling
    • lifestyle changes, such as exercise programs and relaxation techniques

    Medical pain relief for fibromyalgia

    It’s important to find the right healthcare provider to treat your fibromyalgia. Find a doctor who understands fibromyalgia, knows how to treat it, and can help you understand and cope with this condition. As well as your GP you may get a referral to a rheumatologist or pain specialist who has expertise in this condition.

    It’s important to find the right healthcare provider to treat your fibromyalgia. Find a doctor who understands fibromyalgia, knows how to treat it, and can help you understand and cope with this condition. As well as your GP you may get a referral to a rheumatologist or pain specialist who has expertise in this condition.

    • Pain relievers: over-the-counter pain relievers such as paracetamol, ibuprofen or naproxen may be helpful.
    • Antidepressants: duloxetine (Cymbalta) and milnacipran (Savella) may help ease the pain and fatigue associated with fibromyalgia. Your doctor may prescribe amitriptyline or the muscle relaxant cyclobenzaprine to help promote sleep.
    • Anti-seizure drugs: medications designed to treat epilepsy are often useful in reducing certain types of pain. Gabapentin (Neurontin) is sometimes helpful in reducing fibromyalgia symptoms, while pregabalin (Lyrica) was the first drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat fibromyalgia.

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    Therapies and counseling help with fibromyalgia

    In conjunction with medicine, different therapies can help reduce the effect that fibromyalgia has on your life. Talking with a counselor can help strengthen your belief in your abilities and teach you strategies for dealing with stressful situations.

    Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of short-term psychological treatment that’s based on the premise that how we feel and behave can influence our thoughts, but also our thoughts can affect how we feel and behave. CBT has been shown to be useful for people whose quality of life suffers because they have a chronic illness, and it specifically has been found to be helpful for people with fibromyalgia. It can improve sleep quality and decrease fatigue, anxiety, and depression. It can also be effective in reducing pain symptoms, Brain fog, and fatigue.

    Lifestyle changes

    Changes to lifestyle in terms of diet and exercise can have an overall positive effect on your mental health and your lifestyle.

    • Eat healthy, nutritious foods – pay attention to what you are eating and keep a food diary in order to limit foods that can exacerbate fibromyalgia symptoms.
    • Exercise regularly – improving your strength, flexibility and stamina can help those who suffer from fibromyalgia.
    • Manage stress levels – relaxation techniques, such as meditation and deep breathing, and even taking time out to focus on yourself for half an hour every day can help to make you feel better.
    • Sleep – many people with fibromyalgia don’t get enough sleep, and if they do, many of them don’t feel well-rested. If you are not getting 8 hours of sleep a night regularly speak to your doctor for advice.

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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

  • Who’s At Risk for Fibromyalgia?

    There’s a lot that’s not known about fibromyalgia. Doctors aren’t sure what causes it and why it affects certain people instead of others. But experts continue to learn about the disease and who may be more likely to get it. The risk factors fall into five categories: gender, heredity, sleep pattern, weight, and having certain pre-existing conditions. Here are some risk factors identified so far:

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    Women are more likely to develop fibromyalgia. 

    It is estimated that 2 to 4 people out of 100 have fibromyalgia. The condition is about seven times more common in women than it is in men. However, men and children can have fibromyalgia, too. Most people with fibromyalgia are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50. It is not yet clear why fibromyalgia affects more women than men. 

    Fibromyalgia may run in your genes. 

    The disease sometimes runs in families, which suggests that genes may play a role. Scientists are getting closer to identifying specific genes that may be associated with fibromyalgia. The family connection may also be a function of common lifestyle and exposure to environmental factors, in addition to genetic factors.

    Sleep problems can play a role. 

    In one study, women who regularly experienced sleep problems were more likely to develop fibromyalgia during the following 10 years. Sleep deprivation is associated with increased inflammation and a decrease in the body’s ability to block pain signals, factors that could contribute to your risk of developing fibromyalgia.

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    Obesity increases your risk. 

    Women who are overweight or obese have a 60 to 70% greater chance of developing fibromyalgia compared with women who are a normal weight. The good news: Exercise can help! Overweight or obese women who exercise two or more hours each week have a 23% lower risk of being diagnosed with painful syndrome.

    People with other rheumatic diseases may have a higher risk.

    If you have another health problem that affects your joints, muscles, or bones, such as osteoarthritis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or ankylosing spondylitis (arthritis mainly affecting the spine), you may be more likely to develop fibromyalgia. Work closely with your doctor to manage your condition, and let your doctor know if any new or painful symptoms occur.

    Other issues may trigger fibromyalgia. 

    There’s still a lot to learn about how fibromyalgia begins, but experts have found that several other issues may be at play with the disease:

    • Certain conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome
    • Emotional stress includes post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
    • Physically traumatic events such as a car accident or serious injury

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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

  • 8 Inspiring Reminders When Fighting Fibromyalgia Fatigue

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    • Living with fibromyalgia fatigue on a daily basis can really get you down and leave you struggling to find motivation. At times, it feels like there’s no way to keep going, maintain focus, and stay inspired to live positively or to live at all. However, inspiration surrounds us at every turn as these eight quotes remind us.
    • Keep trying—you have not failed.

    “To fall is not to fail. You fail when you don’t try.” – Superchick, “Get Up”

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    It’s easy to think of yourself as a failure when fibromyalgia has taken so much away from you. But you are not a failure. You prove that every day by continuing to try. This song quoted above is about persistence and is a wonderful anthem for those who struggle with the chronic pain and fatigue of fibromyalgia. Keep trying, persist, and continue to be the success that you are.

    • Remember that tomorrow is a new day.

    “With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

    No matter how overwhelming your fibromyalgia symptoms are today, tomorrow is a new day. Every tomorrow is an opportunity to start over and to have a better day. Allow yourself and your body to rest on bad days, and don’t think about the things you aren’t doing. Just know that if you rest now, you are more likely to have the strength to do things tomorrow.

    • Just keep swimming.

    “When life gets you down, you know what you gotta do? Just keep swimming.” – Dory, Finding Nemo

    When fibromyalgia fatigue takes over, it often feels like you are swimming–upstream. Finding Nemo is full of inspirational gems to help you remember why you are here and that although obstacles will get in the way, you don’t give up. You just keep moving forward. Keep swimming even when it feels like you aren’t making any progress. After all, this isn’t a race. If you need a smile and some inspiration on a day when fatigue has taken over, pull out this movie and give it a watch.

    • Look to your faith for strength.

    “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” – Martin Luther King, Jr

    Holding onto your faith could improve your quality of life. Without faith, it’s virtually impossible to get through the dark days that often come with the fatigue and pain of fibromyalgia. Faith can take many forms, from religious belief to faith that a treatment will work, to having faith in your support system and community to be there for you.

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    • Rise up like the day.

    “In spite of the ache
    I’ll rise up
    And I’ll do it a thousand times again” – Andra Day, “Rise Up”

    Fibromyalgia hurts. It leaves you feeling lost and fatigued and like there is no coming back, but you will rise up again. Look how many times you’ve already risen with the new day. If you are ever unsure of whether you can push through another day, just consider how many days you’ve already survived.

    • Stay focused on your goals.

    “I don’t focus on what I’m up against. I focus on my goals and I try to ignore the rest.” – Venus Williams

    If you allow yourself to get lost in the pain and fatigue, you will lose sight of all that is important—of your goals, your hopes, and your dreams. Focus on the endgame, on all that you still have in front of you. Strive for your goals and keep working towards them, even if the steps you take towards reaching those goals are small ones.

    • Play the hand you were dealt.

    “It doesn’t matter what has happened to you, it matters what you do with what has happened to you.” – Regina Brett

    You are not a victim: You still have control of your life and what comes in front of you. You can’t change the past, you can’t undo chronic illness or regain the time you’ve lost, but you can still choose the life you will live despite the pain and fatigue of fibromyalgia.

    • Remember that it’s not the end.

    “Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end.” – John Lennon

    It’s difficult when you live with the chronic pain and fatigue of fibromyalgia to remember that your life is not over and that there are good things yet to come. But, there is still a great deal of life yet for you to live and many things for you to do. Your plans may have changed, but there is still a plan in place.

    • Stay Inspired

    You have many sources of inspiration that surround you. Look to your family and friends and remember why you are here. Focus on the things that motivate you and keep those front and center on the bad days when fatigue tries to take over.

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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 Face the Day During a Fibromyalgia Flare

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

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

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    Accept the flare.

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

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

    Focus on self-care.

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

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

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

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

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    Start small and avoid overwhelming tasks.

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

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

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

    Skip the mental gymnastics.

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

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

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

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

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

    For More Information Related to Fibromyalgia Visit below sites:

    References:

    Fibromyalgia Contact Us Directly

    Click here to Contact us Directly on Inbox

    Official Fibromyalgia Blogs

    Click here to Get the latest Chronic illness Updates

    Fibromyalgia Stores

    Click here to Visit Fibromyalgia Store