Self help for Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia Dr Elizabeth Ann Diamond

I’ve had a look at the following websites to see what is being offered to people who suffer from Fibromyalgia.  I was most impressed by the first in the list as there is so much information on their website.  Some of the others give quite a short exposure of this dis-ease, so I decided to add some information taken direct from each of these websites to give you a start. 

It seems that this dis-ease mostly affects women initially from between the ages of 40-50, 90% of women to 10% of men.

What is apparent is that there are lists of symptoms associated with fibromyalgia but no clear treatment being offered by GPs and the NHS except maybe painkillers.  Some painkillers are not helpful at all simply because they do not alleviate the pain! 

When I was training in Naturopathic Nutritional Medicine with Dr Lawrence Plaskett he always emphasised that you could take 20 people who had been diagnosed with the same dis-ease, however there would be 20 different case histories to consider.  There never can be one treatment to suit all.

I suggest that sufferers have a look through the following websites and allow themselves to be guided by what resonates with them.  I believe that people need to take their power firmly back into their own hands where their health is concerned.  I’ve done this for myself and at 60 I am very well indeed, and it is certainly in my own interests to keep myself well.  A huge part of this is my refusal to take any prescribed medications as I absolutely know this can put people onto a downward spiral of ill health.  One medication then requires one or more others to deal with the side effects of the first.  The medical profession can put enormous pressure onto people to accept medication and in a vulnerable moment I succumbed myself with dire results. I took their medication for 6 weeks; however it was a further 6 months to get myself back to where I had been!

I also believe that many of the so called natural supplements can, not only, be of little use but if used incorrectly can cause further problems.

On my main website www.drelizabethanndiamond.com have a look at ‘Wholefood Guidelines’ which is a non faddy page of nutritional information.  It would be excellent if not already on a good wholefood diet to follow this information especially where the Essential Fatty Acid Omega 3 and magnesium are concerned.  These can be very valuable nutrients which may have become depleted for various reasons and thus cause many problems.  There is much more I could say especially about blood groups but I must end now. If this subject interests you I have written some eBooks on nutrition myself or you could find further information from whatever source you choose.

Look at what stresses you may have, and then start addressing them. Very Important.

Join a self help group and there are many to choose from.

Positive thinking rather than dwelling on all the woes of the world can be so helpful.

Think of something that would give you joy, maybe a hobby or interest which would also help to uplift you.

Work out a gentle exercise regime that suits you as this will certainly help.

I often suggest yoga to people but it seems that holding a posture would probably become very stressful to the body as would using heavy weights or repetitive exercise.  Slow and gentle to start with.

I think the overall recommendations are that you need to take control and help yourself, even if it is one small step at a time, it will be in the right direction.

Don’t become a victim of your dis-ease and allow it to rule you, take control and rule it.

I hope that this helps

Many Blessings.   Liz

 

http://www.ukfibromyalgia.com/

For years you have been hurting all over and are constantly feeling exhausted but your doctor has been unable to help. Your friends and family have started suggesting that it may be all in your mind. The good news is that you have finally been diagnosed with something called fibromyalgia but the bad news is that your doctor says there is very little he or she can do about it. Without a magic cure you need to take personal control over the management of your illness.

Patients can find themselves unable to work in their chosen professions and may have difficulty performing everyday tasks. As a consequence of muscle pain, many FMS patients severely limit their activities including exercise routines. This results in their becoming physically unfit - which eventually makes their fibromyalgia syndrome symptoms worse.

FM Exercise Summary


SNAPSHOT EXERCISE SUMMARY: Slow, steady progression is the key. Light conditioning work - stretching. For patients who find that any kind of pounding activity makes their tender points worse, non-weight-bearing exercises (warm water swimming, riding, and stationary bicycle) are ideal. Try to progress to an aerobic program providing low-impact, low-load, activity (brisk walking, biking, or warm water swimming) for 30 minutes 3-4 times/week.



DEFINITION: Fibromyalgia is a common disorder that causes pain, tenderness, and stiffness in the muscles, tendon insertions and soft tissue structures. The American College of Rheumatology uses the criteria for the diagnosis of Fibromyalgia are widespread pain in combination with tenderness in 11 or more of the 18 specific tender points by eliciting tenderness in at least 11 of 18 predetermined spots. The presence of chronic non-restorative sleep, is another key symptom.



Associated disorders: Migraine, IBS, Raynauds, Chronic Fatigue.


Chronic fatigue (including M.E.) is very similar to fibromyalgia. However, instead of producing specific and localised pain, M.E. usually causes a range of varied symptoms that can include low-grade fevers and swollen glands. They both have significant fatigue. Individuals with chronic fatigue seem also to suffer an impaired immune system, although the role of cause or effect is still being researched.

The cause of Fibromyalgia is unknown, but five distinct aetiologies reappear in medical research.

  • Toxicity. Exposure to organic chemicals or pesticides
  • Trauma/Stress
  • Genetic Type
  • Various relations- usually female
  • Immunologic Type. Viral or bacterial infection, or after immunisation
  • Post-Traumatic, especially Cervical Spine compression. Commonly through whiplash accidents

 

Note: There seems to be a lot of help available on this website and they have a large online forum. I was impressed by their very large network of support groups.

http://www.fibromyalgia-associationuk.org/

Along with other health charities, FMA UK has been providing input into the planned changes to the NHS and the improvement of the benefit system. The government only allows for short deadlines to respond to these issues and this has meant a heavy workload on already overstretched staff, while also coping with financial restrictions.

The new planned NHS arrangements are undergoing questioning from all levels and we have been trying to ensure that treatment for long term conditions especially pain are seen as a priority not as an area that can be omitted from commissioned services. A pain pathway for chronic widespread pain is in draft form at present and will have been presented by the time this goes to print. This includes the necessity for longer appointment times to consider the range of symptoms and follow up appointments to check on the effectiveness of treatment. The treatment options include a wide range of medications, counselling, self-management and exercise options.

Note: This organisation offers online information packs

 

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Fibromyalgia/Pages/Introduction.aspx

There is currently no cure for fibromyalgia, because the cause is unknown. However, there are a number of treatments that may ease symptoms. Treatment tends to be a combination of:

  • medicines – such as antidepressants and painkillers
  • talking therapies – such as counselling
  • lifestyle changes – such as better sleeping habits and relaxation

In particular, exercise has been found to have a number of important benefits for people with fibromyalgia, including helping to reduce pain. See Fibromyalgia – treatment for more information.

For most people, the symptoms of fibromyalgia are permanent, although they can vary in severity. There are several lifestyle changes that can help to relieve your symptoms and make your condition easier to live with.

Note: This NHS website offers a good section on self helf.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/physical_health/conditions/fibromyalgia1.shtml

There's no known precise reason for why fibromyalgia occurs, but a number of theories exist. The most popular is that it may result from a problem with the transmission of pain messages to and from the brain such that the brain becomes more sensitive to pain. Most researchers believe those who develop fibromyalgia react to pain differently from those without the condition. This may be because of genetic predisposition to fibromyalgia, or it may be a result of environment.

There is evidence that those with fibromyalgia have lower levels of the chemicals serotonin, noradrenaline, and dopamine so this may be responsible. Some scientists believe that disturbed sleep may result in the development of fibromyalgia.

Many people relate the onset of their problem to a significant life event, such as a bereavement or illness. Some experts have suggested that a virus, as yet unidentified, may be the trigger in susceptible individuals.

Note: There is a concise section on this BBC website concerning fibromyalgia

 

http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Fibromyalgia.htm

The word fibromyalgia means pain ('algia') coming from the muscles ('my') and fibrous tissues ('fibro') such as tendons and ligaments. Most people with fibromyalgia also have other symptoms in addition to the pains - see below. Therefore, fibromyalgia is sometimes called fibromyalgia syndrome, or FMS. It is a chronic (persistent) condition. Fibromyalgia does not affect the joints, and so is not an arthritis.

Fibromyalgia is not an arthritis, it is not due to cancer, and does not damage any joint or tissue. It does not shorten expected lifespan. In some cases, symptoms ease or go after a few months. However, in many cases it is a chronic (persistent) condition which tends to wax and wane in severity. Quality of life can become affected.

Note:  This website is gives the sort of advice that GPs and nurses offer for this dis-ease, including prescribed drugs.