Fibro Files

Muscle strength in fibromyalgia

2012-01-24T01:59:00.000-08:00

Recent research has shown that women with fibromyalgia have reduced lower limb muscle strength and a high prevalence of falls.
Their lower limb muscle strength affects balance and agile movement and also knee extension and impacts on quality of life and physical activity level.

Fibro Carnival of Ideas

2012-01-08T15:27:00.000-08:00

I'm joining in at the blog carnival at Fibro Bloggers Directory to help people understand about fibro and share ideas that help them.

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T01:26:00.000-08:00

Wishing you a

healthy
and

happy

and

peaceful

2012

6 Strange Signs of Fibromyalgia

2011-12-28T01:12:00.000-08:00

Sensitivity to touch, feeling disoriented – these and other mysterious symptoms are often related to fibromyalgia. By Wyatt Myers Medically reviewed by Cynthia Haines, MD
everyday HEALTH

If you have fibromyalgia, you're undoubtedly familiar with the chronic pain and fatigue that often accompany this disorder — which affects about 5 million Americans, primarily women.
But feelings of pain and exhaustion aren't the only symptoms of fibromyalgia. Other signs that aren’t necessarily visible to others can affect you and make the condition even harder for those around you to understand.
Here are some of the lesser-known signs of fibromyalgia that you may experience:
Allodynia. You might not give a second thought to rubbing a loved one’s shoulders or patting a friend on the back. But for someone with allodynia, being the recipient of these simple gestures can result in excruciating pain. Allodynia is a heightened sensitivity to touch, which results in pain from things that normally would not cause discomfort.
“This increased skin sensitivity and pain from touch is hypothesized to occur for a number of reasons,” says Jacob Teitelbaum, MD, medical director of Fibromyalgia & Fatigue Centers. “Over one-third of people with fibromyalgia develop a small fiber neuropathy caused from the chronic pain. In addition, the chronic pain causes amplification of pain signals in the brain itself, as well as changes in three key neurotransmitters related to pain.” Dr. Teitelbaum says medications known as NMDA receptor antagonists — memantine (Namenda) is one — can help.
Allodynia is also related to a lack of restorative sleep, so standard treatments for fibromyalgia — such as physical therapy, exercise, stress relief techniques, and practicing good sleep hygiene — can also help ease allodynia.
Sensitivity to fragrance. This fibromyalgia symptom is almost directly tied to allodynia and occurs for many of the same reasons. “Increased light, sound, and smell sensitivity are all common,” says Teitelbaum. “We have an enormous amount of sensory input coming in, and it takes energy to sort through all of this to separate the noise from the static. Fibromyalgia predominantly represents an energy crisis, and as the body has trouble sorting through the signal from the noise, it reflects as increased sensitivities.” In addition to whole-body approaches to treating fibromyalgia, Teitelbaum says the anti-seizure medication gabapentin (Neurontin) can often help decrease these sensitivities.
“Fibro fog.” Also called “brain fog,” this is a very serious fibromyalgia symptom that leaves many people in distress. “Brain fog or fibro fog is a classic component of the energy crisis we call fibromyalgia,” says Teitelbaum. Some of the common signs of fibro fog include a difficulty with word finding or substitution, loss of short-term memory, and occasionally even episodic disorientation that lasts for about 30 to 60 seconds. "With this disease, calling one’s husband by another man's name is not a Freudian slip," Teitelbaum notes. He explains that there is no single cause for fibro fog; rather, it can be caused by a combination of many factors including low thyroid levels, poor sleep, hidden infections such as Candida, and alterations in blood flow to the temporal lobes of the brain, which regulate speech.
Stephen Soloway, MD, a rheumatologist in private practice in Vineland, N.J., attributes much of the difficulties with fibro fog to sleep issues affecting people with fibromyalgia. Practicing good sleep hygiene and getting help from a sleep specialist may be useful.
Paresthesia. Paresthesia is an unexplained feeling of tingling and numbness that people with fibromyalgia may experience. Often it's related to anxiety or nervousness over the disorder and can be accompanied by rapid, deep breathing. This in turn can lead to acroparesthesia, a tingling in the hands and feet from lack of carbon dioxide. Considering that anxiety is a major player in parasthesia, the stress relief techniques recommended for fibromyalgia patients can help. Exercise can also play a role in treatment.
Lipomas. These benign fatty tumors that can appear as lumps in various parts of the body are not directly related to fibromyalgia, but they may cause you to experience more discomfort than the average person does. This may be related to where the lipomas develop — parts of the body that are susceptible to the excessive or inappropriate pain that patients experience, explains Elliot Rosenstein, MD, director of the Institute for Rheumatic and Autoimmune Diseases at Overlook Medical Center in Summit, N.J. “Alternatively, these may be fibro-fatty nodules or localized areas of muscle spasm.”
Excessive sweating. Some people with fibromyalgia perspire heavily and may even believe they have a fever. This is due to what’s called an autonomic dysfunction within the hypothalamus, the almond-sized area in the brain that controls sleep and regulates sweating, bowel movements, and other automatic body functions. “The autonomic dysfunction causes the increase in sweating," Teitelbaum says. Some medications and lifestyle changes that can keep you cool and dry may help with this fibromyalgia symptom.
Many of these unusual fibromyalgia symptoms respond to general treatment approaches. If not, talk with your doctor about targeted recommendations that may help.

What aggravates fibromyalgia?

2011-12-22T04:05:00.001-08:00

People with fibromyalgia walk a fine line:
They are often sensitive to weather, cold or drafty environments, hormonal fluctuations, odors, loud noises, bright lights, some foods, and prescription medications, poor quality sleep, stress, depression, anxiety, and over-exertion. All of these may contribute to fibromyalgia symptom flare-ups.

Anything you want to add to the list?

What fibro sites I am visiting lately

2011-12-10T22:40:00.000-08:00

In no particular order:

1. Aptly named The Practical Fibromite has lots of help for the chronically fatigued including handy hints for coping with Christmas and recipes that are quick and easy.

2. Gonna eat worms, who blogs nearly every day, The turgid, tortured tales of a middle-aged (if the average person lives to 99), somewhat disabled lesbian -- Sometimes amusing, sometimes whining, sometimes ranting, but ALWAYS thinking! What more can i say?

3. Checking out a male perspective at Fibromyalgia—Peter's Journey

4. The blog of a young Canadian woman in her late 20s struggling with chronic pain and invisible illnesses called Angst and Thanks. She has been diagnosed with chronic daily headache, migraine, bipolar (cyclothymic) and borderline personality disorders. The possibility of fibromyalgia is currently being investigated.

5. Then I check in to see how Fightin the Fibro is going with her day

Duloxetine in Patients With Fibromyalgia

2011-12-01T22:05:00.000-08:00

"Early improvements in pain during the first two weeks of treatment with duloxetine were highly predictive of response or nonresponse after three months of treatment, according to the researchers."

What does this mean??

It means there are signs when you first start taking this drug that show if it is going to help your fibro or not. This is from a new study published in the October issue of the Journal of Pain.

Duloxetine, also known as Cymbalta, Ariclaim, Xeristar, Yentreve, Duzela, is a long-acting capsule used to treat depression or generalized anxiety disorder or the pain of diabetic neuropathy or fibromyalgia, or ongoing bone or muscle pain.

Duloxetine is meant to be better than many other medications for the treatment of fibromyalgia as it does not contain as many substances that can cause adverse reactions. Its effectiveness in pain relief is believed to be due to its changing of the nociception system. (pain reception) Clinical trials have confirmed it gives pain relief, reduces fatigue and improves physical and mental function.

Have you taken this drug and do you agree with this report? Did it help you?

Study: Exercise may help memory of Fibro patients

2011-11-28T00:22:00.000-08:00

Fibromyalgia patients who stopped taking medication and then exercised regularly for six weeks reported improved memory function and less pain, according to a small, new study.

What kind of exercise will you be doing or are you doing? I am doing hydrotherapy just once a week but hope to increase that soon and I do some simple arm and leg and neck exercises everyday. If you are interested I could post them here.

The sleep connection with fibro

2011-11-15T03:23:00.000-08:00

Sleeping Poorly Could Increase Fibromyalgia Risk in Women
Previously attributed to genetics, infections, and emotional or physical trauma, scientists now believe fibromyalgia is caused by disruptions in the sleep cycle. Published November 14, 2011

Prolonged or severe stress and Fibromyalgia

2011-11-15T02:33:00.000-08:00

"...studies of brain anatomy show structural differences between the brains of fibromyalgia patients and healthy individuals. The cerebral alterations offer a compelling explanation for the multiple symptoms of fibromyalgia, including widespread pain and affective disturbances."

This article by Petra Schweinhardt, Khara M. Sauro and M. Catherine Bushnell comes to the conclusion that despite the many changes seen in the brain imaging, "fibromyalgia might not be a primary disorder of the brain but may be a consequence of early life stress or prolonged or severe stress" This stress is thought to change pain and emotion circuits in the brain of people who are genetically susceptible.
This idea sits well with my own personal experience - 5 children ! How about you does it ring true?

Location of tender points in Fibromyalgia

2011-11-15T01:51:00.000-08:00

When you are aching all over and you feel like you've been run over by a truck it is hard to say if the tender points actually hurt!

Fibro Blog Round up

2011-10-29T20:17:00.000-07:00

Have a look at what is happening around the fibro blogosphere:

Fibromyalgia: What New Research Means for You recent research into mind-body therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy.

Things to ask if you are newly diagnosed from The Insane Ramblings Of My Somewhat Lucid Mind

With Christmas coming up Entertaining With Fibro: The Holiday Edition is a very helpful post.

YOUR Favorite Foods for Fibromyalgia Flares! at The Practical Fibromite

traveling through time about traveling with Fibromyalgia at Fightin' the Fibro

Infinite Daze talks about CFS and giving blood for a study and participating in the Lipkin Study on CFS.

Trying different medications at Importance of Self-Expression

What’s Your Trigger?

2011-10-16T01:06:00.000-07:00

How can we begin to heal if we do not understand why we are ill?
Healing from chronic illness is so much more complicated than just treating the symptoms. Prescription meds may help us cope, but they do not correct the original imbalances that led to dis-ease. And with difficult-to-understand illnesses like fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, it is not always possible to pinpoint just one specific cause. Often it is a series of causes like a traumatic event experienced while in the midsts of some other type of recurring life stressors. There are many different types of traumas that can lead to chronic illness – physical, emotional, viral, environmental. With so many possible factors, it is easy to see why treatment is so difficult. READ MORE... and find out how one fibro sufferer knows what her trigger was.

So many great fibro blogs

2011-10-08T15:12:00.000-07:00

There are so many voices to be heard:

Infertility Mom is writing a book;

Fibro Daze is living in her own soap opera of change;
there are so many helpful ideas for living with fibromyalgia at The Practical Fibromite;
Fightin' the Fibro is talking about fibro fog and her view on "The Secret";
Counting My Spoons is getting organized;
Living with Fibromyalgia is discussing pain;
Michelle Arbore is questioning drug treatments and research studies
and so many more varied voices from around the world can be heard at Fibro Bloggers Directory.

Personalised information

2011-09-25T06:46:00.000-07:00

Living with the pain and fatigue of Fibromyalgia is a daily struggle. The WebMD health check can help by assessing your symptoms, treatment and lifestyle you get info and tips to help you cope with fibro and it is free.
Start here.
You are rated on your health, well being and knowledge about fibromyalgia.

Get real info on fibromyalgia and how it affects people's lives

2011-09-17T21:08:00.000-07:00

Find interesting blogs where you can get first-hand information from many people with fibromyalgia.
Visit the blogs of real people with fibro describing their life and symptoms.
Visit Fibro Blogger's Directory.
If you have a fibro blog join us and help educate people about real life with fibromyalgia.

Do you think there is a gut connection to Fibromyalgia?

2011-09-10T23:56:00.000-07:00

New research demonstrates that bacteria in the digestive tract can have a direct influence on neurotransmitter function in the brain. This is what scientists call the brain-gut connection, but it’s something they don’t yet understand well.

Researchers say the bacteria Lactobacillus rhamnosus... Read more at Fibromyalgia The pain I live with everyday by Michelle Arbore

Lack of Government Funding for Fibromyalgia Research

2011-09-05T03:56:00.000-07:00

US government funding figures for 2011 for ME/CFS & Fibromyalgia research:

"Multiple Sclerosis – $144 million funding – 500,000 Americans

Lupus – $121 million funding – 1.5 million Americans

West Nile Virus – $63 million – 3,630 Americans (in 2007)

Lyme Disease – $26 million – 150,000 Americans (since 2002)

Fibromyalgia – $12 million – 3 – 6 million Americans

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome – $5 million – 1 – 4 million Americans" Read more about the lack of funding at fighting fatigue.org

What is our true essence?

2011-08-24T06:11:00.000-07:00

Not that long ago my thoughts, emotions, and daily functions revolved around being sick. It was how I identified myself. I was sick, and living in a state of “I can’t.” Everything seemed like an enormous task and too big of a risk to take. I was certain that anything outside the safety of the small little zone of comfort I had made for myself would send me spiraling into the depths of my illness. I was sick. That was pretty much the entirety of who I was and the lens with which I viewed the entire world.
But I was never happy or content with that state of being. Who is? Who could possibly be? Even when we reach a state of acceptance with our illness, it does not mean that we are content living with it. I was certainly not content – a shell of my former self, and a shell of the person I could still feel inside of me. My true essence is not that of a sick person. My true essence is...
Continue reading at Danette's blog

Muscle pain and myofascial

2011-08-17T03:04:00.000-07:00

I started getting new, quite strong pain in my neck and up into my temple. I thought it might be the dreaded Trigeminal Neuralgia (Facial Nerve Pain) that I had heard about so googled and found a most interesting article which described my pain exactly. No it was not Trigeminal Neuralgia it was Sternocleidomastoid (SCM) of which I had never heard. Anyway it convinced me to go to get myofascial treatment which I had heard can help fibro. I have had my first treatment and have felt some easing of tension in my shoulders and no face pain this week I am pleased to say. I will keep you posted about future treatments.

Positive coping strategies for Fibromyalgia

2011-07-10T02:24:00.000-07:00

Here is a list of positive coping strategies:
Talking to a Friend or Family Member
Praying
Meditation
Exercise
Relaxation Techniques
Talking to a Professional
Joining a Support Group
Getting Involved in Hobbies
Reading About Fibromyalgia

Apparently these were the top 10 suggestions, made by 600 fibro sufferers, in no particular order except the first three listed: "The positive coping strategy reported most frequently by the respondents was talking to a friend or family member (62.4%). Praying ranked second with 60.2% of respondents using this technique. Exercise was reported by 59.4%, which makes it the
third most popular strategy."

This was a study done by D.J. Clauw - Fibromyalgia: More than just a musculoskeletal disease. Am Fam Physician 52(3):843-851, 1995.

Where do they get their information about Fibromyalgia?

2011-07-05T02:22:00.000-07:00

Don't you just love it when you read that your fibromyalgia can be cured with exercise, diet and relaxation? These articles must be written by people who do not have fibromyalgia or who had a mild dose, of something similar, for 3 months.
I especially love the websites that ask you to pay money to get the secret cure!
Sorry, enough of the sarcasm. The National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association (NFMCPA) states "While there is currently no cure for fibromyalgia, better ways to diagnose and treat the chronic pain disorder continue to be developed." Read more... Arthritis Australia says "Currently there is no cure for fibromyalgia. While there are ways you can control your symptoms, you should be wary of any products or treatments that claim to cure fibromyalgia." Read more...

Of course there are a variety of things that can help manage the symptoms of fibromyalgia from pain management to sleep management to Complementary therapies and supplements including acupuncture, massage, movement therapies such as yoga, and dietary supplements such as calcium, vitamin D.

Accelerated Brain Gray Matter Loss in Fibromyalgia

2011-06-17T19:54:00.000-07:00

MRI of brain.

This a frightening and devastating discovery, of accelerated brain gray matter loss in Fibromyalgia, especially when coupled with the symptoms most fibromyalgia fighters describe as brain fog - not being able to concentrate, not taking information in, poor decision making etc. This report, published in The Journal of Neuroscience, April 11, 2007, showed there was decrease in gray matter in fibromyalgia sufferers, relating to how long they'd had the disease, much faster than in the normal population. "The patients, who ranged from 27 to 61 years of age, demonstrated a yearly decrease in gray matter volume more than three times that of age-matched controls."
The research carried out at Universities in both Canada and the UK prove there is Central Nervous System involvement in fibromyalgia.
The question is are these changes in the brain the cause of fibromyalgia or as a consequence of it? The good news is these findings may mean new approaches in treatment such as protecting the brain and could possibly mean symptoms may be able to be reversed.

Does anyone know of any studies that builds on this?

To find out more about the research quoted here please contact M. Catherine Bushnell, McGill Centre for Research on Pain, 3640 University Street, Room M19, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 2B2. Email: Catherine.bushnell@mcgill.ca

History of pain - part 3

2011-06-15T02:36:00.000-07:00

In the 17th century, the study of the human body and it's senses continued to be a source of wonder for the world's philosophers. In 1664, the French philosopher René Descartes described in his book, Treatise of Man, what is still called a "pain pathway." Descartes illustrated how particles of fire, in contact with the foot, travel to the brain and he compared pain sensation to the ringing of a bell.

"For example, if the fire A is close to the foot B, the small particles of fire, which as you know move very swiftly, are able to move as well the part of the skin which they touch on the foot. In this way, by pulling at the little thread cc, which you see attached there, they at the same instant open e, which is the entry for the pore d, which is where this small thread terminates; just as, by pulling one end of a cord, you ring a bell which hangs at the other end.... Now when the entry of the pore, or the little tube, de, has thus been opened, the animal spirits flow into it from the cavity F, and through it they are carried partly into the muscles which serve to pull the foot back from the fire, partly into those which serve to turn the eyes and the head to look at it, and partly into those which serve to move the hands forward and to turn the whole body for its defense" Descartes, On Man, 1662

Rene Descartes now known as one of the fathers of modern science proposed one of the original theories of pain. His specificity theory was that pain is related to the amount of injury inflicted. This theory is still accurate when applied to acute pain but not to chronic pain such as fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia causes aching all over. Painful trigger points stay painful no matter what medication you take. Muscles feel like they have been overworked, sometimes with burning pain, sometimes a stabbing pain, sometimes joint pain.

THE IMAGE is from Descartes book Treatise of Man.
The long fiber running from the foot to the cavity in the head is pulled by the heat and releases a fluid that makes the muscles contract.

Books on Fibromyalgia proliferate

2011-06-10T01:09:00.000-07:00

Come on now, how many of these books listed have you read? Any? Oh, at least we can not complain about a lack of information.
On the flip side if you know of any extas that you would like to recommend please post them in comments.

Fibromyalgia: A Comprehensive Approach, by Miryam Ehrlich Williamson. Published in 1996, it was the first book on the disorder for people who have it. It is still an excellent introduction for people newly diagnosed.

The Fibromyalgia Controversy by M.Clement Hall MD.

The Cleveland Clinic Guide to Fibromyalgia by William S. Wilke.

Figuring out Fibromyalgia by Ginerva Liptan,MD.

The Complete Guide to Healing Fibromyalgia by Deborah Mitchell.

The First Year--Fibromyalgia: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed by Claudia Craig Marek

Reversing Fibromyalgia: The Whole-Health Approach to Overcoming Fibromyalgia by Joe M. Elrod

The Chronic Fatigue Healing Diet by Christine Craggs-Hinton

Fibromyalgia & Chronic Myofascial Pain Syndrome : A Survival Manual by Mary Ellen Copeland & Devin Starlanyl

The Fibromyalgia Help Book: Practical Guide to Living Better with Fibromyalgia by Jenny Fransen

The Fibromyalgia Relief Book: 213 Ideas to Improve Your Quality of Life by Miryam Ehrlich Williamson

What Your Doctor May NOT Tell You About Fibromyalgia by R. Paul St. Amand, M.D.

What Your Doctor May NOT Tell You About Pediatric Fibromyalgia Dr. R. Paul St. Amand and Claudia Craig Marek

What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Fibromyalgia Fatigue by R. Paul St. Amand, M.D. and Claudia Craig Marek, published by Warner Books.

The fibromyalgia cure by Dr. David Dryland

From Fatigued to Fantastic! by Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D.

Living Well with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia, Mary J. Shomon

PAIN FREE 1-2-3! by Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D.

Groundbreaking study widens treatment options for fibromyalgia

2011-06-04T23:16:00.001-07:00

“Figuring Out Fibromyalgia: Current Science and the Most Effective Treatments” by Dr Ginevra Liptan 2011, helps us understand fascia in fibromyalgia muscle pain and therefore treatment of muscle pain. The fascia is the connective tissue surrounding the muscle and the area targeted in myofascial release therapy.
So it seems, because of the scientific evidence in this book, treating the fascia will be the way forward in resolving fibromyalgia muscle pain. Dr Liptan believes that fascia is the missing link in our understanding of fibromyalgia.
Also in 2011 a European study including myofascial release treatments found significant reduction in fibro pain even weeks after treatments finished.
Read moreabout Dr Liptan.
Myofascial Release Therapy has developed over many years from a combination of Rolfing, Yoga and Joint Mobilisation. More about Myofascial Release Therapy.
More about fascia.
Find a therapist who does myofascial release therapy HERE

ACCEPTING FIBROMYALGIA

2011-05-28T00:05:00.000-07:00

This is half the battle - to understand and accept that fibromyalgia is the condition that is impacting on your life. Once we accept the diagnosis, hopefully we can work towards wellness. There is no magic tablet or treatment, and there probably never will be, but a combination of things that we have to do to help ourselves, some of which are diet, exercise, pacing, proper sleep and stress reduction.

Fibro Blogger Directory

2011-05-25T03:11:00.000-07:00

If you have a fibro blog yourself or if you are looking for real stories about fibromyalgia from the people who have fibromyalgia visit the Fibro Blogger Directory.

What works for me to help fibromyalgia

2011-05-17T16:35:00.000-07:00

On a day to day level the things that help me are:
1. Pacing myself - I can usually do anything for 15 minutes - e.g. sweep, clean, - and if the pain increases I change activities. I use to try and push on through but have realised it does not help in the long run.
2. Gentle stretches - like sitting on the floor and trying to touch toes and holding for 2 minutes. My worst pain is in the stiff ol' hips.
3. Hot spa of bubbling water or a hot bath or hot shower. It does not last long but it is the only thing when I am at my wits end
4. Connecting with others who have fibromyalgia on facebook and through their blogs
5. Taking a constant minimum painkiller so all I get is the break through pain.
I hope these help. Why not add your suggestions or a link to a blog post about the same topic. What works for you.

For Fibromyalgia Awareness Day

2011-05-03T05:31:00.000-07:00

This is my contribution to FAD Fibro Awareness Day -

Let's show the world how many we are and what fibro is about. Let's not be invisible anymore.

Do you have a blog or website about Fibromyalgia? Would you like to network with other fibro bloggers? Would you like to add your blog to the ever expanding list of Fibro voices out there? I think it's a really great way to support each other, get more visitors to our sites and stand as a united group of fibro sufferers. Maybe we can even do some good.
If you are interested go to the Fibro Blogger Directory
National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day aims to increase awareness of FM and provide support to those coping with the illness.

International Fibromyalgia Awareness Campaign

2011-04-29T21:40:00.000-07:00

http://youtu.be/iMQaAITmzPE

Facing Fibro

2011-04-29T20:32:00.000-07:00

The 1st 4 times I was told I had fibromyalgia I chose to ignore it.

I was stubborn.

This could not just be fibro!

The pain was so bad, the foggy head was so bad, the difficulty getting to sleep, the weight gain, everything could not just be fibromyalgia.

Denial lasted a long time with me,

taking that step towards acceptance seems so long ago now,

that I cannot remember what made me do it.

What a pain!

2011-04-23T21:58:00.000-07:00

Who said this? "Pain is a more terrible lord of mankind than even death itself."
Find out here

Also more about - pain treatments pain research disorders with pain - yes it includes Fibro

Drawing from The Library of Congress Prints & Photographs Online Catalog

Are you trying simple solutions?

2011-04-15T16:58:00.000-07:00

We all know we have to eat a healthy diet, but do we?

Most people with fibromyalgia may know that magnesium may help the aches pains, twitches and cramps but do you know what foods magnesium is in?

Do you know that some people with autoimmune disorders do not absorb tablets and supplements easily making it more beneficial to get nutrients from food? (Isn't that what we are meant to do?)

Did you know that coffee, soft drinks, salt, alcohol and prolonged stress, as in fibrommyalgia, can lower magnesium levels?

MAGNESIUM FOOD SOURCES: Asparagus, dried apricots, avocados, almonds, bananas, brazil nuts, blackstrap molasses, cashews, green vegetables, honey, legumes, oatmeal, pumpkin seeds, pine nuts, peanuts, pistachio nuts, potatoes with skin, seafood, spinach, tofu, whole wheat flour, wheat bran, walnuts and whole grains.

ACTION Magnesium helps every organ in the body, helps activate enzymes and helps regulate other vitamins and minerals. Helps treat depression, heart conditions, stomach acidity, contraction and relaxation of muscles,poor circulation, noise sensitivity and kidney stones. Aids blood sugar levels. Mineral Health

SYMPTOMS OF DEFICIENCY agitation, anxiety, nausea, poor nail growth, restless legs, sleep disorders and seizures.' muscle weakness, fatigue, hyperexcitability, and sleepiness'. MedlinePlus

Fibro & weight gain roundup

2011-04-10T01:26:00.000-07:00

These are some of the sites out there discussing fibro, weight gain and their solution to this frustrating problem. I hope you find something that helps you.

Fibromyalgia and Weight Gain at Health Central. Lack of Sleep,
Neuroendocrine Abnormalities, Decreased Activity, Medication and Weight-loss Strategies.
Weight Gain: Why It's a Problem With Fibromyalgia, and What to Do About It ProHealth.com by Mark J. Pellegrino, MD. Discusses Decreased Metabolism, Hypoglycemia [abnormally low blood sugar]and diet.
Fibromyalgia and Weight Gain at Fibromyalgia Symptoms - fatigue and diet and exercise

History of pain - part 2

2011-04-01T17:56:00.000-07:00

The Greeks and Romans were the first to advance a theory of sensation, the idea that the brain and nervous system have a role in producing the perception of pain. But it was not until the Middle Ages and well into the Renaissance-the 1400s & 1500s-that evidence began to accumulate in support of these theories.

Apuleius from Project Gutenberg

History of pain - part 1

2011-03-27T21:12:00.000-07:00

Ancient civilizations recorded on stone tablets accounts of pain and the treatments used: pressure, heat, water, and sun. Early humans related pain to evil, magic, and demons. Relief of pain was the responsibility of sorcerers, shamans, priests, and priestesses, who used herbs, rites, and ceremonies as their treatments.

true tales

2011-03-27T21:01:00.000-07:00

"I have had these aches and pains for 10 years now, mainly in my arms, legs and shoulders. Sometimes I get tingling in my mouth and jaw pain. The brain fog comes and goes. There does not seem to be any rhyme or reason to why symptoms change or get stronger or weaker except I am not as bad if I have a good night's sleep." Some new pain can last over a week, I make an appointment at the doctor for extreme upper back pain or shoulder pain which is not reduced by my pain killers and by the time I get there - about 10 days since pain starts - pain magically disappears or changes to another part of my body! Continue reading more people's stories with fibromyalgia here

PHOTO of Tai Chi © Bob StockfieldCourtesy: National Center forComplementary and Alternative Medicine

Deep sleep eases pain and fatigue

2011-03-20T04:13:00.000-07:00

Improving sleep

Researchers, supported by NIAMS*, are investigating ways to improve sleep for people with fibromyalgia whose sleep problems persist despite treatment with medications.

One team has observed that fibromyalgia patients with persistent sleep problems share characteristics with people who have insomnia, such as having erratic sleep and wake schedules and spending too much time in bed. This team is testing whether strategies developed to help insomnia patients will also help people with fibromyalgia achieve deep sleep, which eases pain and fatigue.
Preliminary results show that sleep education, which teaches good sleep habits, and cognitive behavioral therapy, which includes sleep education and a regimen to correct poor habits and improper sleep schedules, both reduce insomnia.

* National Institute of Arthritis & Musculoskeletal & Skin Diseases

Why is it that we need sleep but cannot sleep at night and often feel a bit better late night?
Is anyone studying that?

What's your top 3?

2011-03-04T00:37:00.000-08:00

What helps your fibromyalgia? Please post in comments so we can make a large list. This may help on days when we are low and can't think what to do to help ourselves (No one else can really help us! I heard a funny thing "Doctors are just there to amuse us!") These are 3 that I can think of that help me.

The spa

Getting to bed before 10.30 pm

Thinking positive

PHOTO © Bob Stockfield Courtesy: National Center forComplementary and Alternative Medicine

Traditional Chinese Medicine and Fibromyalgia

2011-02-28T02:38:00.000-08:00

"In terms of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), fibromyalgia is primarily a liver disease. The liver is in charge of keeping qi moving throughout the body, and when it fails to do so, pain results. Fibromyalgia is characterized by a combination of symptoms, including pain and tenderness of acupuncture points, and often involves fatigue. Fibromyalgia is often discussed alongside chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)."
To read the rest of this article by Heidi Hawkins, MAc, LAc please go to Acupuncture Today

Acupuncture chart from Ming Dynasty

Pain and Fibromyalgia in the News

2011-02-10T23:23:00.001-08:00

Many Breakthrough Drugs Come From Publicly Funded Research: Study U.S. tax dollars contributing to more major new meds than previously thought, researchers say. Bloomberg Businessweek, Feb, 2011 Daily Record-Keeping May Boost Fibromyalgia Care Tracking symptoms electronically helps doctors evaluate condition, researchers say. Bloomberg Businessweek, Feb, 2011 "Pain is a more terrible lord of mankind than even death itself." Pain info NINDS The pain suffered by fibromyalgia patients The Star online The world first micro chip to treat chronic pain Southern Courier USE OF OPIOIDS IN CHRONIC PAIN: Australian Faculty of Pain Medicine has recently published a position statement on opioids: Principles regarding the use of opioid analgesics in patients with chronic non-cancer pain Chronic Pain Australia Resources for self management of chronic pain

PHOTO © Matthew LesterCourtesy: National Center forComplementary and Alternative Medicine

Yoga improves Fibromyalgia symptoms

2011-02-06T03:04:00.000-08:00

Oregon Health & Science University has confirmed that yoga is of benefit to fibro sufferers. They studied 53 women diagnosed with fibromyalgia who were in two research groups. One group doing an eight week yoga program, the other only medication for fibromyalgia.
The research showed that yoga appears to assist in reducing symptoms of pain, fatigue, stiffness, poor sleep, depression, poor memory, anxiety and poor balance. All improvements were shown statistically and had impact on daily functioning e.g.fatigue was reduced by 30 percent and depression by 42 percent.

PHOTO : "mulabandhasana" posture from Jaina Publications

You need support from others

2011-01-17T16:37:00.000-08:00

Fibromyalgia, like many other conditions can lead to isolation and loneliness. Sufferers need to make an effort to get support by attending a pain clinic, attending meetings of a support group or at least some on line support if the others are not possible due to mobility issues. It is a great way to find out what treatments may work for others and may be worthwhile to try. It is wonderful to just be with others who understand what you are going through.

Scroll down the right hand side of this blog to find Fibro Forums, Fibro Websites, Fibro Support Groups and Fibro Books
- FIBRO FORUMS that are online
Daily Strength Forum Fibromyalgia Support Group
ME/CFS Society of NSW Inc.
The Ultimate Fibromyalgia Forum- FIBRO SUPPORT in Australia will be a coming blog - watch this space

THANKS ERIEE13 FOR NICE PHOTOGRAPH

Advice by Bruce Campbell

2010-12-27T02:31:00.000-08:00

The article 'Advice to a New Patient' by Bruce Campbell is not just interesting for the newly diagnosed. It has good advice on why it is important to accept your illness, live within your limits, get support, educate yourself, rest daily and keep a positive focus. View the full article at CFIDS and Fibromyalgia Self Help.
Bruce Campbell is a recovered CFS patient, he is a graduate of Stanford University and holds a Ph.D. from the University of California.

FIBROMYALGIA reciprocal links

2010-12-05T23:13:00.000-08:00

Do you have a blog or website about Fibromyalgia? Would you like to network with other fibro bloggers? Would you like to add your blog to the ever expanding list of Fibro voices out there? I think it's a really great way to support each other, get more visitors to our sites and stand as a united group of fibro sufferers. Maybe we can even do some good.

If you are interested go to FibroNetwork

Tiger balm and other topical pain relief

2010-12-03T00:26:00.000-08:00

I get almost instant relief from Tiger Balm ointment - the one in the little red tin. After all it is designed to help myalgia or muscle pain.

Sometimes we forget the simplest, easiest treatments and just reach for another painkiller or even heavier drug.
Tiger Balm is made from mint oil, camphor, clove bud oil, cassia oil, cajuput oil and no tigers, though it originally did have tiger bone as an ingredient when it was first made in the 1870's. These oils are in a paraffin and petroleum jelly base. (Not sure if that is good or not but it absorbs into the skin pretty quickly.)

I have no connection to this company!

Do you get relief from this or any other topical analgesic?

Why Omega 3 is so important

2010-11-23T02:57:00.000-08:00

Omega 3 is an essential fatty acid that cannot be produced by the body so we need to get it from our food. So why is it essential? Scientists named them essential as they found a small amount was essential for normal growth and brain function in children.

As previously mentioned in a previous post it can be found in flaxseeds and also in barramundi, bream, herring, leafy greens, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, salmon, scallops, sardines, soy beans, tuna, organic eggs and grass fed beef so it is not necessary to take fish oil tablets.

The heart foundation recommends 500mg every day to reduce heart disease as it has been found to lower triglycerides.

Omega 3 can reduce inflammation, lessen pain in muscles and joints as proven in controlled trials with sufferers of arthritis. It has been proven in a small study to help fibromyalgia sufferers as discussed at Fibromyalgia Network in June this year.

Ayurvedic Treatment for Fibromyalgia?

2010-11-14T22:50:00.000-08:00

Ayurveda is an ancient Indian system of medicine which means "science of life and longevity."
In Ayurveda, Fibromyalgia is seen as an imbalance of Vata and accumulated toxins. Special daily massages are prescribed and certain foods are suggested to eat and to avoid such as tea, coffee and alcohol. Herbs are also suggested such as ginger, tumeric and garlic.
Vata deals with the nervous system and movement.

Discover more, in detail, about Ayurvedic Treatment for Fibromyalgia [CFS] from Ayurveda for you

THANKYOU avidads for the photo

सो वहत रेदुसस इन्फ़्लम्मतिओन? So what reduces inflammation?

2010-11-04T04:00:00.000-07:00

We would be living in a cave in the Himalayas if we had not heard of the benefits of omega 3 and that the suggested best supply of it is fish oil tablets.
Well I beg to differ as I believe that using a whole food must be better - so why not try flaxseeds. They are a wholefood that can easily be crushed and added to many foods such as bread, cakes and cereals and shakes. It is also a lot cheaper than fish oil tablets. Flaxseed is also known as Linseed.

Flaxseeds contain omega-3s and omega-6 fatty acids in the form of linoleic acid.
Flaxseeds also contain lignans which are beneficial in helping balance hormones.
More information on foods that reduce inflammation at Help Autoimmune

THANKS mickp65 for photo.

Nutrition-Based Approach to helping relieve symptoms of Fibromyalgia

2010-08-06T00:40:00.000-07:00

Dr Oz, who is seen often on the Oprah Show, recommends Dr Jacob Teitelbaum's supplement regimen to relieve fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Dr Jacob Teitelbaum's website has a free FMS Symptom Analysis Program to create a natural remedy treatment plan tailored to your specific symptoms.
Dr Teitelbaum has suffered from these conditions himself and has written books and articles about them.
Link to Dr Oz's article on Fibromyalgia

Books on Fibromyalgia

2010-08-01T21:09:00.000-07:00

Here is a list of books relating to Fibromyalgia in no particular order.
If you know of any others please post in comments and I'll add to the page - Thanks.

The First Year--Fibromyalgia: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed by Claudia Craig Marek

Reversing Fibromyalgia: The Whole-Health Approach to Overcoming Fibromyalgia by Joe M. Elrod

The Chronic Fatigue Healing Diet by Christine Craggs-Hinton

Living Well with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia, Mary J. Shomon

Fibromyalgia & Chronic Myofascial Pain Syndrome : A Survival Manual by Mary Ellen Copeland & Devin Starlanyl

The Fibromyalgia Help Book: Practical Guide to Living Better with Fibromyalgia by Jenny Fransen

The Fibromyalgia Relief Book: 213 Ideas to Improve Your Quality of Life by Miryam Ehrlich Williamson

What Your Doctor May NOT Tell You About Fibromyalgia by R. Paul St. Amand, M.D.

What Your Doctor May NOT Tell You About Pediatric Fibromyalgia Dr. R. Paul St. Amand and Claudia Craig Marek

What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Fibromyalgia Fatigue by R. Paul St. Amand, M.D. and Claudia Craig Marek, published by Warner Books.

The fibromyalgia cure by Dr. David Dryland

From Fatigued to Fantastic! by Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D.

PAIN FREE 1-2-3! by Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D.

Measuring symptoms - new Fibromyalgia Diagnostic Criteria

2010-07-31T20:23:00.000-07:00

Measuring severity of symptoms would be a useful thing to do in any chronic condition. Saying "how bad is the pain on a scale of 1 to 10" is useful, especially as a follow up tool, but how do you measure unrefreshed sleep, fatigue and cognitive symptoms? Has anyone with fibromyalgia been given a cognitive test? How many of us have undergone a sleep study?
The widespread pain index (WPI) and the symptom severity (SS) scale score are 2 new measurements designed by The American College of Rheumatology.The American College of Rheumatology preliminary diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia and measurement of symptom severity. They include many symptoms including Nervousness, Chest pain, Blurred vision, Fever, Diarrhea, Dry mouth, Itching, Wheezing, Raynauld’s, Hives/welts.
New Clinical Fibromyalgia Diagnostic Criteria – Part 1.
Hopefully this will help with correct diagnosis and the monitoring of symptoms in fibro.

What exercise works for fibromyalgia?

2009-12-30T18:26:00.000-08:00

Water Exercise and Fibromyalgia Pain from webMD
Exercise is often the last thing we feel like doing and many people find that walking aggrevates the pain for days after. Walking in warm water or water aerobics may be the solution if it is accessable to you. Check out the link above which includes info about studies from Spain done on water aerobics. These studies were done at the University of Extremadura, Spain and the University of Evora, Portugal, and published in the journal Arthritis Research & Therapy. The study showed participants experienced improvement in their fibromyalgia symptoms including (1) mobility, (2) self-care, (3) daily activities, (4) pain and discomfort, and (5) anxiety or depression. Research Article in the journal Arthritis Research & Therapy.

Trying Acupuncture

2009-12-22T12:28:00.001-08:00

Well, I've had 5 acupuncture treatments now over 5 weeks. I don't feel the needles go in. They are in my arms. legs and feet. I enjoy the peaceful lying still even though I cannot move much. I feel better in myself after the 4th treatment - a wellbeing, positive feeling like I know I can get better.

Improvements:

My blocked head feeling halfed after the first treatment.

I have not had the severe pain in my shoulders or hips for 5 weeks and was getting it usually once a week.

my aches and pains in legs and arms feel distant - still there but distant

I am not taking any meds (not even ibrofen or paracetamal)

I am not as tired

I no longer feel cold all the time

I have started sweating - have not perspired for 20 years - this is a good thing
my sore throat - usually constant - is sometimes gone

Homoeopathy effective in fibromyalgia

2009-12-16T15:06:00.000-08:00

Fibromyalgia is not a terminal illness but it does affect quality of life considerably with chronic musculoskeletal pain in neck, shoulders, back, hips, arms and legs.

There are many other symptoms.
Conventional medicine does not offer a solution.

A new study has shown that Homoeopathy is effective in treating patients suffering from fibromyalgia. This study was a double-blind, randomized, parallel-group, placebo-controlled trial of homeopathy. It was conducted by Department of Psychiatry at the University of Arizona, Tucson, USA. Participants reported less tender point pain, better quality of life, global health and less depression compared with those on placebo. Read the full article at Pub Med

Great ideas to help fibromyalgia

2009-12-15T13:59:00.000-08:00

I am linking here to Daily Strength Fibromyalgia Forums for a great thread of helpful and comforting ideas to help with the daily gringe of fibromyalgia.

Thanks unduki for starting this and everyone who joined in.

Thanks Elizabeth Howell for this image

Fibro and Weight Gain

2009-12-13T16:12:00.000-08:00

Here is a good article about Fibromyalgia and Weight Gain from Chronic Pain Connection

It gives 4 reasons for weight gain in fibro:

Lack of Sleep.

Neuroendocrine Abnormalities. This is to do with hormone deficiencies

Decreased Activity. Because of the level of pain.

Medication.

It gives good Weight-loss Strategies :

Eat a High-protein, Low-carbohydrate Diet.

Eat proteins first.

Eat until you’re full.

Give yourself a Break from a diet on weekends.

See article in more detail here

An effective treatment for fibromyalgia?

2009-12-07T17:55:00.000-08:00

Dr. R. Paul St. Amand is the Assistant Clinical Professor Medicine, Endocrinology Department at UCLA, USA and he is continuing his treatment for fibromyalgia called the Guaifenesin Protocol.
He says Fibromyalgia, or "Fibrositis"as it was then called, was first described in 1843 as a type of rheumatism "with painful hard places."

I have never heard this description of the "painful hard places" before but definately have them in my neck, shoulders and right thigh.

So what is this treatment and what is guaifenesin? It is a uricosuric, which means it increases the excretion of uric acid from the blood serum into the urine. It is believed to cure fibromyalgia by removing excess phosphate from the body.

The Guaifenesin Protocol "We begin patients with 300 milligrams of long acting guaifenesin twice a day for one week. Feeling distinctly worse suggests adequate dosage and patients remain on that amount. This suffices for only 20 percent of patients; if symptoms do not worsen, we increase to 600 mg. twice daily. Reversal begins for 80 percent of patients at one of these two levels leaving 20 percent who will need more. " This is from Dr Amand's website - sounds a bit complex, so if I am going to try it I will need a doctor who knows about this treatment.

Book to read: "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Fibromyalgia Fatigue" (ISBN 0-466-67730-2) by R. Paul St. Amand, M.D. and Claudia Craig Marek, published by Warner Books.

Printable Body Map with Symptom Checklist from Dr Amand's site.

I am not recommending this or any other treatment or product - just something to check out.

FMS Detective

2009-12-02T14:28:00.000-08:00

So it seems to me that Fibromyalgia is a name which is given when no other diagnosis can be found for these myriad of symptoms - rule out MS, Lupus, Myasthenia Gravis, Lambert - Eaton Syndrome etc. No other clear test results heading us in a specific direction then lets just say Fibromyalgia and wait. It is not life threatening.
The pain specialist explained that it is an overlap syndrome - it could be autoimmune, it could be endocrinological or it could be an infection. Treat it all the same. Well the treatments - and I've tried a few - are not working. So here we go again looking for a clue, looking for something that will make us better.
Today my hypothesis will be focused around the autoimmunity link? Why? Because I have been told I have an autoimmune condition by a professor and also I have Hashimoto's Thyroid which is autoimmune hypothyroid.
So my assumption is that my "Fibro" is caused by my autoimmune system. I will :

Look at the autoimmune system in general as it may be impossible for me to diagnose my own condition as there are over 100 known autoimmune diseases
See what is recommended to help the immune system i.e. what general things can I do to feel better?

"your immune system attacks healthy cells in your body by mistake" MEDLINE PLUS
"In many people, the first symptoms are being tired, muscle aches" MEDLINE PLUS

What is recommended to treat immune system

Disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) suppress the body's overactive immune and/or inflammatory system

This is going to be a long process so check out what I find here

Trying new treatments

2009-11-21T18:02:00.000-08:00

I have decided to lay off the drugs for a while and try what are sometimes called Complementary and Alternative Therapies.

Has anyone tried acupuncture for their fibromyalgia?

A trial, conducted by the Mayo Clinic, found that acupuncture "provided significant improvements in a variety of symptoms associated with fibromyalgia, with the effects of care often lasting several months". ACUPUNCTURETODAY

50 patients who had tried other treatments for relief, without success, either had acupuncture or simulated acupuncture. They were not told which treatment they received. After 6 sessions they reported improvement in symptoms of pain, anxiety and fatigue. I do not get anxiety but have decided to try acupuncture for my pain and fatigue. I will keep you posted.

Learning Curve

2009-11-09T19:49:00.000-08:00

Already after only 1 day I am learning alot about Fibromyalgia and I thought i knew alot about it.

For example I posted the video below about ME/CFS because it sounds pretty much the same as Fibromyalgia. But I had never really heard of ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) until yesterday and I don't rightly understand it yet. It came up when I googled Fibromyalgia.

why it is always linked with CFS - Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?
how it is any different to Fibromyalgia?
how it is diagnosed?

I will keep investigating, but if you have any answers to these questions please help me out by posting in COMMENTS. Thank you.

NEW BELIEF: No 1. You can teach an old dog new tricks if they are willing to learn.

Sleepy Dust video

2009-11-08T21:51:00.000-08:00

The video aims to help the friends and family of ME/CFS [including Myalgic Encephalomyelitis , Chronic Fatigue Syndrome , and Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome] sufferers understand the illness and what their loved ones are going through.

Finally Facing Fibromyalgia

2009-11-08T19:29:00.000-08:00

It has been 10 years now and nothing has changed except that I am finally facing the diagnosis of the dreaded Fibromyalgia.

All my symptoms fit. ( I don't have headaches or irritable bowel syndrome or painful menstrual periods but I have all the other symptoms listed plus some. ) I cannot ignore it any more.

So I wonder what will be different in my day to day life ??