CFS, for many people, is the sister disease of fibromyalgia.  I do not know the exact figures of those who have Fibro that also have CFS, but I know it is a rather large percentage.  My mother has both.  I compiled some details on CFS, and living through each day with CFS.  I hope you find this beneficial.

Many suffer from the effects of chronic fatigue syndrome, or “CFS”. This condition results in an individual feeling extremely exhausted most of the time. This fatigue results in a lack of quality of life. Many are unable to perform basic, everyday activities. Other people lack the motivation and energy to even think about much more than they have to. There are many theories on the causes of this condition, but doctors and scientists have yet to discover anything concrete. Until this happens, people who experience this condition must learn steps to living day to day with chronic fatigue syndrome. Here, I will provide a few basic self-care techniques that can be used in order to accomplish this task.

One of the first things that you can do when it comes to living day to day with chronic fatigue syndrome is to ensure that you live a healthy lifestyle. Lifestyle choices – such as the diet that you elect to consume, as well as the exercise that you do or do not engage in – can have a direct impact on how you feel. This impact can be both physical and mental. Individuals who consume healthy foods that are considered to be organic and do not contain a lot of sugar, salt, and caffeine tend to feel a bit better daily when suffering from CFS. In addition to this, those that engage in a regular exercise program often find that they have more energy, and feel better in general. If you want to succeed in feeling better, despite the fact that you suffer from CFS, try discussing a safe diet and exercise program with your doctor.

The next way that people are living day to day with chronic fatigue syndrome is by taking natural herbs and supplements that are known to increase energy levels. There are many different products on the market that are considered to be safe and effective to the CFS patient. The following details examples of supplements that can be purchased for this task:

• Ginkgo Biloba
• Jatoba Tea
• Coca Kola Suma
• St. John’s Wort
• And many more!

In addition to the steps listed above, if you want to live day to day with chronic fatigue syndrome successfully, it is important to put a support system into place. Having someone that you can talk to about what you are experiencing, someone who will listen to what you have to say is a very important element when it comes to successfully overcoming the daily challenges that you are faced with.

As you can see, there are many different ways that one can succeed in living day to day with chronic fatigue syndrome. If you or someone you know suffers from this complicated condition, lifestyle changes, taking supplements for energy, and implementing a support system can be extremely beneficial.

Here is the conclusion of Diane's post on putting together a good fibromyalgia diet.  The main purpose of this article is to be able to find a nutritional approach to finding relief from the symptoms of fibromyalgia.  Improving the quality of life on a day-to-day basis is something I think we all are wanting.

3. It has been found that individuals who consume fish and various types of poultry actually suffer from fewer symptoms. These foods contain fish oil, omega-3, and many other nutrients that can be linked to health.

4. Fruits and various types of vegetables are also beneficial to the fibromyalgia patient. It is important to note, however, that these foods are best when purchased organic. You should do all that you can to ensure that you purchase organic foods that are not cultivated with harsh chemicals and other items. These chemicals can actually result in the development of many symptoms that are common to fibromyalgia.

While there is no known “cure” for fibromyalgia, there are many ways in which patients can live comfortably with this condition. One of the most popular methods of treating fibromyalgia naturally is to take part in a good fibromyalgia diet.

I've receive a real quality article from a woman in Illinois who has some advice about a good fibromyaliga diet.  Here is the article from Diane:

Millions of people around the world suffer from a complicated medical condition that is referred to as fibromyalgia. Individuals that suffer from this condition experience many different symptoms. These symptoms often include pain, tenderness, and a general lack of energy. There are problems within the central nervous system that result in a person’s feelings of pain and other uncomfortable sensations associated with fibromyalgia. What may be a normal sensation to one is a sensation of immense pain to another. Many patients struggle for years just to find an effective coping strategy. Many have discovered that the foods that are consumed can have a direct impact on the ability to cope effectively. Here, I will address the main components of a fibromyalgia diet, and what constitutes one that will help to soothe the symptoms of this condition.

1. If you have fibromyalgia, you should seriously consider eliminating sugar from your diet. Sugar – especially at high levels – can result in the onset of symptoms of fibromyalgia. You may actually feel as if you are drained, you may find that you are more sensitive to pain, and a wide array of other symptoms if you consume high amounts of sugar.

2. Caffeine is another substance that should be avoided in the good fibromyalgia diet. Caffeine has been linked to many different symptoms of this medical condition. Many doctors have stated that caffeine is actually a “trigger” for this condition. Other triggers include alcohol, foods that are fried and even foods that are processed.

Part 2 of Diane's article will be posted in a few days.

II heard a doctor say this week that there may be a link between sleep disturbance and Fibromyalgia (FM).  I read that some professors are researching the link between sleep problems and the chronic pain of FM.  The research will compare the sleep patterns of people with FM and the sleep patterns of healthy, normal-sleeping people.

Since FM affects about 1% to 5 %of the population and is most commonly found in middle-aged women, answers are being sought for its cause.  FM sufferers often report problems getting to sleep and also staying asleep, so researchers think there may be a link. 

This research project will study the relationship between sleep and pain, as well as sleep's relationship to attention and memory, which is another common problem in those with the disease. Study participants will wear an "actigraph" for five days. The device is worn around the wrist and measures a person's physical activity throughout the day.  For those with FM it can sometimes be difficult to tell the difference of when they are asleep and awake because of the sleep problems they have.

The researchers think the study will show that sleep problems play a bigger role than has been acknowledged so far. The study has the potential to increase understanding of the disease, which could lead to more effective treatments.  I’m hoping it does!

I remember seeing the late night infomercials for taking Cortisol to lose weight, take away aches and pains, and grow hair.  Well, that may be exaggerating, but if my memory serves me right, I also remember that was about the time the good ole U.S. Government began cracking down on all of these erronious health claims made by all natural products, or something that was non-pharmacuetical.

(side note - the older I get and the more I see what's going on, the government is not a voice of the people.  They are a voice of the lobbyists, and the pharmaceutical companies are helping to steer the FDA against much of what is good.  Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of snake oils out there, but much of what is good is getting smothered by the FDA (which has basically become the police for the pharma companies. - end of side note)

Anyway, sometimes you need to look outside the U.S. to find good information today.  So here it goes… finally:

Cortisol may help fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue symptoms.  Here is a brief snipet from the study out of Canada.  The doctor reported from his group of patients, that those "who received cortisol as part of their treatment. He found that by the fourth visit, 84 per cent reported improvement, with 75 per cent showing "significant improvement," and 62 per cent reporting substantial improvement."

That's encouraging.  You can go here to read more about this.  http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2008/03/19/cortisol-study.html

Millions of individuals globally suffer from the devastating effects of fibromyalgia. This is a chronic disorder that affects the muscles, and soft tissues throughout the body. Those who suffer from this medical condition often feel isolated in their pain. Many will attempt to find support through members of their family, and friends. Others may reach out to fibromyalgia support groups. All of these support methods can prove to be quite effective when it comes to coping with fibromyalgia symptoms. Here, however, we will take a closer look at the groups that offer support for fibromyalgia patients. It is important to know and understand the pros and cons associated with these establishments.

The Pros

As mentioned previously, many individuals who suffer from fibromyalgia symptoms often feel isolated. Many may feel as if those who do not have this condition simply do not understand the day to day complications that are experienced. However, when a person who has this health problem connects with fibromyalgia support groups, they often reap the benefit of connecting emotionally with others that can understand their position. Participating in a group can open up numerous opportunities for a patient of this chronic muscle and soft tissue disorder. Information can be shared and provided in a group setting regarding research, medications, and other forms of relief. Many resources can be shared among those in fibromyalgia support groups.

The Cons

Though fibromyalgia support groups are often viewed as productive and beneficial, there are a few cons associated with this type of group. One of the first cons is that many online communities have now started support groups for those that experience fibromyalgia symptoms. While this opens up the audience to people all around the world, this type of group can quickly become impersonal. In addition to numerous people gathering who do not know one another on a personal level, many times, invalid information is shared that can pose more harm than good when it comes to treating and coping with fibromyalgia symptoms. Last, many who suffer from the symptoms of this medical condition may find it quite complicated to participate when a flare up of fibromyalgia symptoms is being experienced.

Fibromyalgia support groups can be a productive way of seeking out understanding from those that suffer with this terrible condition. However, it is important to also seek out the love and support that is offered by friends, family members, and coworkers. When symptoms reach their peak, it is these individuals who you will find to be most supportive. However, there are many benefits associated with Fibromyalgia support groups that you may find to be productive with your journey with fibromyalgia. It is a good idea to find a community group that can offer you tools and resources to deal with fibromyalgia symptoms effectively.