Here is another story that was emailed to me yesterday from Sharon.  She is a bit younger than most of us, but she's sure been through a lot already with fibromyalgia.

Thank you Tracy for helping out.  My name is Sharon, and I am 38 years old.  I think that one of the hardest things to get used to is telling my 6 year old son that I cannot play with him the way he wants.  Sure, the pain can be unbearable, but nothing bothers me more than to see the hurt in my little one's eyes yet again.  My husband has had a few back surgeries, so he is not able to play around much either.  This is the one of the main reasons I try to keep my condition under control so that I can be the hands-on mom that my son deserves.  It hurts, but some exercise is one of the things that I think helps me do what I can.

I actually started with severe pain in my back when I was a teenager but the doctors just chocked it up to too much activity or growing pains and shrugged it off.   Unfortunately, the pain didn’t go away and it seemed to travel throughout my body at times, hitting me in different areas.  Generally, the pains I endured throughout my life were mainly migraines and back pains.  It seems that the older I got, the more severe the pain got.  There are days that my legs hurt so bad that I can barely get out of bed.

I was first diagnosed with Fibromyalgia when I was 22.  While there is no known real cause for this illness, I have learned to do a few things to deal it so that it doesn’t completely incapacitate me.  One thing that I figured out on my own was that I needed to lose weight.  When I first started with my fibromyalgia symptoms, I didn’t know what to do or what was causing this pain.  I found quickly that I couldn’t be as active as I normally was so I started to pack on the pounds. 

I found that once I got some of the pain I was having under control, I was able to get up and move around a bit more.  My doctor treated my migraines and chronic pain with analgesics, muscles relaxers and antidepressants.  Once they got the right combination down, I felt some of the fog lifting and I wasn’t so down all the time.  Granted, the meds didn’t take away all of the pains but it took the edge off and I was able to better cope with things.

I found that things lessened quite a bit when I dropped some weight and changed the foods I ate.  I try to stick with leaner meats such as white meat (chicken, turkey) and fish.  I try to stay away from processed foods and stick with fresh fruits and veggies as they aren’t packed full of sugar.  I keep a positive attitude and take things one day at a time.  Just because I am down one day with pain doesn’t mean that I will be down for good.  I just got to get back up and see what tomorrow has in store for me.  I see my doctor regularly so that my meds are adjusted accordingly.  The important thing is to not get discouraged and keep a good support system in place.

This is a follow up article from the previous post about how I've (finally) been losing weight using the Weight Loss 4 Idiots course.  I did a bit more research into things and just wanted to share some of these thoughts with you about how weight loss affects fibromyalgia.

Most people who have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia find that they have to deal with weight loss issues.  The majority of these weight loss issues are weight gain.  There are many factors that come into play when weight gain occurs with Fibromyalgia (FMS).   People do not realize that these factors can be both directly and indirectly related to FMS itself.

Great numbers of people with FMS are not aware that they need to follow a fibromyalgia diet in order to keep their weight where it needs to be to avoid more problems with symptoms.  When a person has fibromyalgia, they suffer with imbalances in their hormones which will affect the levels with their thyroid, cortisol, serotonin and insulin and even how their body produces growth hormones.  When you combine all of this together it slows down a person’s metabolism which will make them gain weight.

For fibromyalgia, the best things I have found so far are walking (at the mall or around the neighborhood does just fine), yoga, and stretching.  Other things are fine, but these are more practical for all of us.

Another symptom of this illness which can lead to weight gain is fatigue.  Lack of sleep or being tired all the time will make a person less active which can lead to weight gain and more problems with their Fibromyalgia.  Other fibromyalgia symptoms that can affect weight would be tingling or restless legs, chronic all over pain (making it hard for people to exercise) and sleep apnea which will make a person feel more exhausted.  All of these symptoms combined can make a person less active.

People often find that the medication they are given to treat their symptoms of FMS, can also add to their weight gain as these medications can increase their appetites and make them retain water.  By retaining water and not eating properly, your body will start to pack on the pounds.  It is important for people with this illness to maintain a healthy Fibromyalgia diet.  This will help to cut down on the amount of weight people will gain when dealing with this illness.

One of the main things you need to do when on this type of diet is to avoid eating such things as animal fats like red meat.  When making your meat selection you want to go with a leaner meat such as turkey, chicken or even fish.  These types of meats will also provide you with a good source of protein.    You should also eat plenty of foods that are rich with fiber.  Your sugar intake should decrease so you will want to stick with fresh fruits and vegetables.  Try to steer clear of dried fruits that are packed with preservatives.

Of course, check with your doctor so that you can incorporate a good exercise plan that is suited for your particular activity level so that you are not doing too much too fast.  You can increase the amount of exercise as you get more fit and used to the regimen.

Since February, I've been able to drop 24 pounds… YEAH!!

I've got to tell you, much like most of you, I have tried so many different things - Weight Watchers, Atkins, low-fat, Jenny Craig, etc.  I've done okay with them, but have not been able to sustain the cost, therefore I gained the weight back, or it was not a realistic life style to try and live.

For example, I went low-carb for a while… and actually lost about 40 pounds.  The problem was I couldn't live it out for very long… and slowly but surely I gained the weight back.

Can you relate to this… the yo-yo idea?

Anyway, I came across some weight loss material earlier this year that finally made sense to me, and it has worked for me.  As far as the benefits for folks like us is, the symptoms of fibromyalgia have been lessening due to less body mass and strain on the muscles.  I have not felt this good in quite a long time.  Maybe some of it is psychologicial, but that is okay with me too.  Feeling good is better than feeling bad.

It is called Fat Loss 4 Idiots.  It is like those yellow books you see at Barnes and Noble… like Weight Loss for Dummies.

Anyway, I had not seen things presented in the way it is presented in this course, and they talk about something called "Calorie Shifting."  It isn't complicated, and quite frankly, it has been kind of fun. 

Finally, it is less expensive than any of the other things listed above.  It is a fraction of the price of Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig, no monthly fees, just the one time cost for the information.  I highly encourage you to check it out.

Fat Loss 4 Idiots

Something that often comes with Fibromyalgia that doctors don’t always mention is the guilt that can come from several factors.  Some feel guilty because they are told their symptoms are all in their head and cannot be substantiated, although this is getting less common as Fibromyalgia is becoming more recognized as a real medical condition. 

Others may feel guilty because there are things they need to accomplish that day in their home or work or with their family, but just cannot muster the energy or relieve the pain long enough to accomplish those tasks.  The constant limitations can cause feelings of guilt especially as the sufferer sees their family and friends working harder to compensate for their lack of ability to help.

The presence of guilt is not necessarily a bad thing as it shows the person has a conscience and is not acting selfishly and realizes there is an impact on others.  The key is learning where the guilty feelings are coming from so you can develop ways of healthfully handling the guilt. 

The best things to do when realizing you are suffering from guilt over your condition or lack of ability to help is to admit the guilt and then begin to deal with it.  Admitting it to your family and friends will help them and you.  It will help both sides to realize that it is not the sufferer’s fault that he or she is tired all of the time or in pain much of the day.  Blame cannot be a part of the remedy.

Another thing that is important is continuing the treatment plan prescribed and make changes as necessary to show yourself and those around you that you are trying to feel better.  When someone is not willing to do what is necessary to feel better, the others around them will be discouraged and possibly angry about their own circumstance.

Many will find help by seeking out someone to talk to whether that is a professional counselor or a religious leader or just a friend who understands and will listen and give healthy feedback when needed.  It may be best in some situations to have the whole family go to a session so everyone understands each other’s needs and feelings. 

Guilty feelings are a normal process that many individuals suffering from Fibromyalgia or other conditions go through, but it doesn’t have to be a part of your life for long.  Learn how to deal with it once it is recognized so it will not rob you of more of your life than the pain and fatigue already take from you.

When you are suffering with fibromyalgia and depression, it is even harder for you besides dealing with the chronic pain to think about seeking help for your depression. If someone you know shows signs of being depressed, please seek counseling for them. You do not have to suffer through this disease alone. A lovely woman I know struggles daily with fibromyalgia and depression. I would like to share with you some warning symptoms and practical treatments, other than anti-depressants, that witnessing this disease has shown me. I nowhere near can claim to feel the pain but I have seen remedies that have benefited my friend.  

When you have fibromyalgia, it is not easy to know if you are just tired or feeling depressed, because you are always exhausted! Most people who are suffering depression do want to sleep A LOT. A good indication it is more than being tired is when you are not interested in doing ANYTHING, especially activities you normally enjoy.

A RED FLAG for depression is not only lack of energy but also lacking concern that you cannot do a thing about it.  

What Can You Do If You Have Fibromyalgia and Depression

Give yourself some time. Sadness is a natural emotion that everyone experiences. This could be a rut that will work itself out. If the depression lasts more than a week at a time then it needs to be dealt with. Be self-aware and cautious not to sink too deep into depression without expressing your anger and frustration to another human being.     

If you are in too much pain from fibromyalgia and depression to get out of bed, you need to get someone ASAP to put you on a path to restoring your life. Sometimes, talking it out with a caring person makes a difference. Sharing your feelings and gaining understanding is a healthy benefit for you.

Try taking your mind off your problems by getting out of the house. Take a walk. Join a fibromyalgia support group. Make plans to meet with your friends. Set goals for yourself.   
I know you may be in more pain than people realize but do not keep it to yourself. Do not give your life up to pain. There is no need to spend another lonely day in pain.

Consider having your Vitamin D levels checked through a blood test. Some of the symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency are bone pain and muscle weakness. Ask your doctor about taking Vitamin D3 supplements. 

Pamper yourself with a long soak in a hot bath. The hot water helps to loosen up your tight muscles and relieve the aches. Make the tub more relaxing with a soft pillow. Add fragrant and therapeutic bath salts.

Light exercise such as water aerobics and stretching. Your fibromyalgia pain may respond favorably to a heating pad.  When not at home, use heat activated patches.

Treat yourself to a massage. A trained massage therapist will work with you to help relieve your pain. A massage relaxes you, erasing your cares temporarily, to gather the strength you will need in the battle of fibromyalgia and depression. It is a fight, but with a winning team of information and guidance in your corner, it is a sickness you can beat! 

With the confusion of the condition, there also seems to be confusion on how to treat it effectively.  Most doctors tend to treat the different symptoms individually since there is not one medication that relieves the symptoms of Fibromyalgia alone.  Most sufferers end up trying several different medication or treatment regimens before finding out something that helps them.  The same regimen is not usually affective for multiple sufferers. 

Some Fibromyalgia sufferers are found to be low in magnesium which may need to be built up using supplements or increasing your intake of green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds and whole grains.  Other natural helps include S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), which helps in the production and breakdown of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine and also assists in formation of cartilage.

Some people have found help with an increase in their vitamin D intake sometimes improving the symptoms of anxiety and depression, as well as non-specific musculoskeletal pain.  Your vitamin B-12 level may also be checked to see if it is normal.  Capsaicin cream is also used by many patients to relieve the symptoms of pain.

Research has repeatedly shown that regular exercise is one of the most effective treatments for fibromyalgia.  People who have too much pain or fatigue to do vigorous exercise should begin with walking or other gentle exercise and build their endurance and intensity slowly. 

Patient education is also valuable to help reduce anxiety, which can be a trigger for flares of the condition.  Medical centers that combine exercise, psychological therapy and drug therapy may offer the best opportunity for improvement for some sufferers.

The drug Lyrica was approved by the FDA as the first drug to be used for Fibromyalgia.  It was originally approved as an anti-seizure medication, but has been used as an off-label drug to treat Fibromyalgia for many years.  Lyrica seems to be effective in a large percentage of patients in helping both pain and their sleep patterns.  There are some side effects to Lyrica which need to be considered before taking it.

Just recently the enrollment for a clinical trial program for a possible treatment for Fibromyalgia was completed and testing will now continue on sodium oxybate.  So far the study has shown some improvement in levels of pain when using sodium oxybate.  This medication is usually used for people with narcolepsy and excessive daytime sleepiness and has not yet been approved for the treatment of Fibromyalgia, but may be once the study is completed.