January 30, 2006
3 Things To Help Your Fibromyalgia
Many people who have fibromyalgia simply want relief from the symptoms, but don't know how. If you took all the advice given by doctors and other medical practitioners, you could probably summarize their advice into 3 helpful tips for reducing the symptoms of your fibromyalgia.
Here are the big three taken from Medicinenet's Fibromyalgia article :
1. Self-education. Understanding the battlefield is often half the battle. As persons with fibromyalgia develop a better understanding of their condition, it becomes far easier to cope with and address. Furthermore, for some, simply the realization that the condition does not threaten the body's organs and often improves over time can greatly relieve anxiety. The anxiety is often due to concern about the cause of the frequent pains of fibromyalgia.
2. Stress reduction. Reducing stress can help with muscle relaxation and improve non-Rapid Eye Movement (non-REM) sleep. Inadequate sleep of this type is felt to play a central role in promoting the symptoms of fibromyalgia. The response to stress differs from person to person. The reduction of stress in the treatment of fibromyalgia must be individualized for each patient. Stress reduction might include simple stress modification at home or work, biofeedback, relaxation tapes, psychological counseling, exercise activities such as yoga and/or support among family members, friends, and doctors. Sometimes, changes in environmental factors (such as noise, temperature, and weather exposure) can exacerbate the symptoms of fibromyalgia, and these factors need to be modified.
3. Exercise. Aerobic activities that exercise the muscles can work together with the methods above to greatly relieve the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Many experts on fibromyalgia feel that exercise works by promoting the non-REM sleep that is commonly deficient in patients with this illness. Low-impact aerobic exercises, such as swimming, cycling, walking, and stationary cross-country ski machines can be very effective. For patients who are unfamiliar with exercising options, a physical therapist can provide an ideal source of instruction. With any new exercise program, it is important to understand that a mild increase in aching in the first two weeks is expected. This increased aching is especially likely to occur when the patient has not been exercising and the muscles are deconditioned. Sometimes, applications of cold packs to sore muscles and tendons after exercising can help relieve muscle inflammation and soreness.
To read the whole article, go to: http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=18697
5 Comments on 3 Things To Help Your Fibromyalgia »
January 31, 2006
Kimberly @ 2:48 pm:
I am interested in getting as much information on Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Symdrome, Arthritis, Bursitis, Buldging disk, scrolosis, and other side effects that go alone withw these medical problems.
This is the first time I have been to this site, could you please help me and guide me to where I need to go, I am in pain 24/7 with all the illnesses and any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.
February 2, 2006
FMS Lady @ 12:37 am:
Kimberly,
Thanks for taking the time to write, and we're glad you dropped by the site. Here is my opinion on this.
1) Unless you really need it, stay away from support groups. I have visited many of them and have not seen a productive one yet. This is a generalization, but most of them are just a place where us women get together to complain. Not much help actually takes place.
2) Spend some time on WebMD. They usually have some good, objective advice. Here is the FM link:
http://www.webmd.com/diseases_and_conditions/fibromyalgia.htm
3) Take the medications your doctor(s) may recommend. They are trying to help, but it can be a tough battle with all of the side effects and possible drug interactions. I know my mother is constantly battling with the interactions in trying to get her FM, CFS, Type 2 Diabetes, BP, etc. under control.
4) Don't be afraid to try some quality nutritional supplements. They tend to take much longer to see the results, but after several months, I know of dozens and dozens of women who have begun to get a certain level of their quality of life back. But, it does take months and years, not days and weeks, usually.
5) Try the 3 things listed above in this Blog Post - Education, Reduction, and Exercise. Reduction is usually a big one (no pun intended
) that causes complications and aggravates the pain, bulging disks, etc.
I hope this has helped Kimberly.
Thanks again, and let us know how things go!
March 8, 2006
zach @ 10:25 pm:
My wife has suffered from fibro for more than 4 years. It has been a constant struggle in our lives. She has tried everything, all the meds, supplements, chiropractic, acupuncture, etc. The ONE this that has helped her the most, hands down is a natural juice supplement from www.mymangosteen.com/trinityhart. Her chiropracter recommended it to her and since she started drinking it last May, she has never gone back on the variety of drugs she was previously taking and she feels like a normal person again. This juice actually works when nothing else did. Of course, this juice combined with a balanced diet and excersise and changed her and our lives. She is a much happier person now and is again that woman I fell in love with.
March 10, 2006
FMS Lady @ 11:02 pm:
Zach,
Thanks for the comment. I know that many companies, like Xango, offer quality products that can help many people. One of the things I truly desire is for people to rely more heavily on natural products and much less on prescription medication.
One of the problems is medications tend to act quickly and can take away the symptom quickly. Natural products on the other hand, not being toxic, tend to work slower (not always), but can take longer to see the results. However, the results can be much more long term than medications.
It's a tough balance, but they sure didn't have as much fibromyalgia back when we our lives did not have as many toxins. Going natural is my goal.
June 23, 2006
Suzie @ 8:22 pm:
Hi! I, too like Kimberly, am in pain 24/7 and this is my first time here. When I try a new vitamin or medication, it works great for 2-3 weeks. Then I'm back to intense pain. I am 47, thin build, have lung disease and really can't exercise much anymore. Help!! Also, I have heard that sugar triggers FM pain. Is this true? Thanks for all your help and I will be checking back as frequently as my back will allow. Hang in there all.