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Fibromyalgia Articles, Essays, Emails etc.... Part of Our Fibro-Share Initiative!
Fibro-Share and Fibromyalgia Articles... Our Contributor's Page Where We Share With Our Readers [with the writer's permission of course] articles about fibromyalgia, letters, emails, opinion pieces, links to news stories and syndicated articles all about fibromyalgia and living with this mostly misunderstood disorder. The letters and fibromyalgia articles on this Web page may not be constructed using perfect grammar, spelling and formatting, as we endeavor to keep the writings as close to the original as possible to maintain the essence as conveyed by the writer. We have also added an additional variety of articles below, on the general subjects of "Wellness" and "Giving Back". Please take the time to check them out. This information contained on this web site is not meant to replace your physician's advice. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Opinions expressed are the contributing writer's and not necessarily shared by this Web site or its owners.
Psychological Effects Of Fibromyalgia And Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Coping StrategiesBy Mark J Shaw
I suffered from Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for 4 years before reaching a point where I am 90% better than I was at the beginning of the illness.
I will say from the outset that I believe this is one of the worst afflictions that can strike a person, at any age and at anytime.
It so debilitating that it is currently assigned the same disability rating as is given to heart disease patients, while at the same time you have to deal with the extremely negative connotations that surround it.
Even the name does not sound credible, "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome", "what is that like a bad hangover or something" people will say.
At a time when you need the most support in your life, often, people are turning their backs and walking away or muttering under their breath. It is truly a frightful condition.
This illness will become a pivotal point in your life. You will find that during the course of your illness you will find out who your real friends are, and who really cares.
There is no point disguising the reality which is, I'm afraid to say, that you will lose a lot of friends and colleagues along the way to the terrible affliction that is Fibromyalgia and CFS.
It is NOT possible to explain this condition to people who have no experience of it either by having suffered directly, or through having a particular medical interest in the area.
They WILL NOT understand what from, or to what extent, you are suffering.
Again, I'm afraid this is the norm. Accept it as such and you will not then be personally offended by acts of prejudice. Easier said than done I know.
Let us examine a common sequence of events which should ring true with sufferers, and may enable us to better understand the prejudice from an outsider perspective.
You had a viral/ bacterial/ chemical exposure of unknown origin, precisely the same as happens to millions of people throughout America every day, and for some reason that no-one can explain to you, you have felt generally ill and exhausted with a multitude symptoms and multi-systemic failure ever since.
Your doctor appears cynical and can't give you an adequate diagnosis so you may by now have been referred to a psychologist for analysis as a suspected depressive incident. "hmmm okay" you hear them mutter.
Ask yourself this one question.
If you had no knowledge about Fibromyalgia and CFS what would your reaction be to someone else developing these bizarre symptoms?......You see? Its human nature, it's cruel isn't it?
So how do we as sufferers cope and rationalize what is happening to us.
Firstly, remember, knowledge is power!
Educate yourself about your condition.
Concentrate on yourself and try not to dwell morbidly over the people that you have lost so far. Those that do not stand by you, and there will be some, are what we term fair-weather friends, usually activity based they were your friends due to your common interest in a certain activity, be it sport or work based.
The activity is over due to your illness, and unfortunately by association so is the friendship, this is okay because we are going to get you to a stage where you can resume the activity.
You can forgive those "acquaintances" if you wish and resume the activity with them, you will also be wiser and more aware of "the type" of friendship you have with this person.
There is a consolation that I allow myself, and this is the level of self-knowledge and wisdom that you will gain from this painful journey.
It is a small consolation admittedly I know and I hear most of you shouting, "it's wisdom and knowledge I could well do without", but so it is, and when you do come out the other side in the following weeks and months what you have been through will make you ten times stronger than the person you were.
You have plumbed the depths of pain and despair and in the future you will be scaling the heights with an appreciation of life that noone else can understand.
When you come through this nothing in life will faze you again.
You will value the simple things in life. You will live every day. You will scoff at the vanities and selfishness of our systems and culture.
Fibromyalgia and CFS will create emotional havoc for you and for your loved ones. This is normal.
Becoming chronically ill is very much like a bereavement. The losses and emotions involved are very similar. Giving up work means not only that you lose income but you also lose status, friendship and a purposeful role in life.
Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome encompass the full range of human emotions and magnify the negative ones ten-fold.
This disease is truly the devil. The usual response is to want to hide away from the world. However, confronting these emotions can be very important as part of your psychological rehabilitation which should be addressed in conjunction with the manual therapy discussed later.
This really is an area where a healthy mind can assist a healthy body towards better recovery.
The pain that comes with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome can be frightening and this in itself can cause fear, loneliness, isolation, panic and anxiety.
Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome can create a fear of rejection by others even when there is no evidence of this happening. I mean, who wants to be around someone who is like this, we say to ourselves.
Again this is a normal reaction, our self esteem is based on what others think of us, and usually that is based on what we "do" or "how we play" , or "what we say", generally how we interact with other people.
As we take to "doing less", "playing" less and generally interacting or "saying" less, then our self esteem plummets along with our health.
We are worried about the future; the dark shadow of uncertainty is round every corner.
- Will I ever get better?
- What if I don't?
- How long is this going to go on?
We ask these questions every day. We begin to experience life in a shadow land. Our hopes and dreams have been shattered and the road ahead can be bleak and never ending.
Anger is very common emotion
- Why me?
- Why now?
– What have I ever done to deserve this?
Unfortunately this anger alienates those we love even more.
You will find supportive people, often, and encouragingly the last people you would expect. Those who are supportive are often people, or those close to them, who have experienced serious illness and are living with it, or have come through it.
Alternatively they may have experienced Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome directly or have someone close to them who has it. These are the people you should aim to spend your limited energy resources building relationships with (for the moment).
Do not feel bitter towards people who you lose at this stage, hold on while you can then just let them go lightly, they are not your problem.
Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome IS your problem, and directing your energies toward fighting it hard is your duty to yourself.
To regain your health, for you and your loved ones.
You are going to need the energy you have left for this fight.
I do advocate counseling and support groups. You will need to find someone who has specific knowledge about the emotional effects of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue, again a good doctor should be able to put you on the right path, there are also Fibromyalgia and CFS support groups based in most cities and towns across the US.
Once you have found a good support group you will also find good counseling.
However, the majority of cases will NOT need to see a psychologist unless you are being referred for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, as your illness is NOT depression, and therefore you should not accept anti-depressants.
An exception may possibly be a low dose of amitriptyline if your symptoms include severe nervous pain and sleep disturbance.
However I cannot personally vouch for this but there is enough evidence to suggest is a valid treatment, calming the nervous system.
Mental and emotional preparation, knowledge of your condition, and the correct course of treatment are all essential, and work symbiotically to assist your recovery.
In my next article I will explain new research which is allowing us to determine how genetic and biomechanical anomalies, predispose certain individuals to attacks of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
Dr Mark J Shaw
About the Author: Mark J Shaw.Mark is the author of a new digital book and training manual "Beat Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome" http://www.BeatFibroAndFatigue.comMark also publishes in a regular blog at: http://www.BeatFibroAndFatigue.blogspot.com
Source: www.isnare.com
Title: Fibromyalgia
Author: Dr. Michael L. Johnson
Article:
Fibromyalgia is a form of generalized muscular pain and fatigue that affects approximately 3.7 million Americans. The name fibromyalgia means pain in the muscles and the fibrous connective tissues (the ligaments and tendons). Fibromyalgia lacks laboratory abnormalities; instead, the diagnosis depends mostly on a person’s report or complaints and feelings. Pain is the most prominent symptom of fibromyalgia. It generally occurs throughout the body, although it may start in one region, such as the neck and shoulders, and spread to other areas over a period of time.
A majority of people with fibromyalgia experience moderate or severe fatigue with lack of energy, decreased exercise endurance, or the kind of exhaustion that results from the flu or lack of sleep. Sometimes the fatigue is more of a problem than the pain. Headaches, especially muscular (tension headaches) and migraine headaches, are common in fibromyalgia. Abdominal pain, bloating and alternating constipation and bladder spasms and irritability may cause urinary urgency or frequency. A person's skin and blood circulation can be sensitive to temperature changes, resulting in temporary changes in skin color.
As a Board Certified Chiropractic Neurologist, I take a different approach to the treatment and prevention of fibromyalgia. After a thorough neurological exam, I determine which part of the nervous system is not functioning properly. In many fibromyalgia patients I may find a high mesencephalic output.
There are three parts to the brain stem: top, middle and lower. The mesencephalon is the top part of the brain stem. A high output of the mesencephalon will cause an increased pulse and heart rate, the inability to sleep, or a waking, fitful sleep. Other symptoms might include urinary tract infections, increased warmth and sweating, andsensitivity to light.
Along with a high mesencephalic output, the fibromyalgia patient may present with a decreased output of the cerebellum. The cerebellum controls coordinated movement and all of the muscles of the spinal column.
No matter what the condition, it is imperative that the chiropractic neurologist performs a thorough and comprehensive exam to determine the exact nature of the patient’s condition.
Fibromyalgia patients, as with all chronic (symptoms longer than six months) type patients must be monitored closely, before and aftertreatments (blood pressure, pulse SpO2). If the patient is not monitored, it is possible to over-stimulate or exceed metabolic capacity. Since the upper part of the brain stem (mesencephalon) is firing at an abnormally high rate, I will want to utilize modalities that will lower the mesencephalic output.
About the author:
Dr. Michael L. Johnson is a Board Certified Chiropractic Neurologist with over twenty years of experience in private practice, over 850 hours of neurological studies, and 3800 hours of postgraduate education. His bestselling book "What Do You Do When the Medications Don't Work? - A Non-Drug Treatment of Dizziness, Migraine Headaches, Fibromyalgia, and Other Chronic Conditions" is available wherever books are sold.
"The difference between a stumbling block and a stepping-stone is what you make of it."
How To Win Your Case For Social Security Disability Benefits If You Suffer From Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and/or Fibromyalgia
by: Sheri Abrams
Winning a Social Security Disability case for someone who suffers from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and/or Fibromyalgia (CFS/FMS) can be very difficult. However, with proper preparation I am often able to win client's their Social Security Disability benefits. I approach a Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Fibromyalgia case using the following five factors: 1) Was the Diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Fibromyalgia Made by a Specialist? I am always very skeptical on my chances of winning when a person comes to me and is not being treated by a specialist in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and/or Fibromyalgia. I usually prefer to see that the client is being treated by a Rheumatologist but I have been successful in these type of cases working with an Infectious Disease Specialist and a Neurologist. I feel that the diagnosis of a primary care or internist is not sufficient in this type of case. It is also important, of course, for this doctor to be supportive of his/her patient’s disability case and for me and the client to know this from the beginning of my representation. If a person calls me and does not have a specialist working with him/her, I suggest that they contact a local support group for a referral. 2) Has the Client’s Doctor Eliminated Other Diseases Through Testing Before Diagnosing Him/Her with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and/or Fibromyalgia? I feel that to provide validity to the diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and/or Fibromyalgia certain medical tests need to be performed so as to rule out other conditions. I usually like to see blood work done that excludes other Rheumatic diseases which may share symptoms with, or mimic, CFS/FMS. In cases of Fibromyalgia I look for a physical exam that finds and documents tender points. In Chronic Fatigue Syndrome cases I also normally like to see that a Tilt Table Test has been done. 3) Are the Client’s Complaints Typical For Someone Who Suffers With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and/or Fibromyalgia? By now I can usually tell by interviewing a prospective client if his/her complaints are typical. The client’s medical records should show documented symptoms. Without this documentation, the diagnoses of CFS/FMS may be subject to disbelief by Social Security. 4) Was the Client Treated With Physical Therapy and/or Pain Medication? I like to show an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) that my client has tried whatever treatment is available for his/her condition. Whether this is a series of physical therapy appointments, narcotic pain medications or even non-traditional treatments like biofeedback or acupuncture. I feel that the severity of my client’s condition will be supported by the fact that he/she has tried everything to find relief. 5) Has the Client Consulted or Been Treated by a Psychiatrist or Therapist? Because I do not want an ALJ to attempt to say that Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Fibromyalgia are "mental disorders" I like to show the ALJ that my client is either seeking treatment for depression or anxiety or has had these conditions ruled out by a mental health specialist and are still suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and/or Fibromyalgia. | About The Author
Sheri R. Abrams, is an Attorney who practices Social Security Disability Law in Virginia, DC and Maryland. Ms. Abrams graduated from the George Washington University Law School and the Boston University School of Management. For more information please see Ms. Abrams's web site at http://www.sheriabrams.com.
sheri@sheriabrams.com |
Title: Living with Chronic Illness & Disorders: Are You a Survivor?
Author: C. Bailey-Lloyd/LadyCamelot
Article:
"Once upon a time, I was a vibrant, youthful teenager..."
My First Encounter
During my first pregnancy, I had contracted chicken pox from my young nephews and niece. Though it made for an irritable time in my initial trimester, I hadn't given it much aforethought. In the last part of my pregnancy, I noticed some weakness in my legs and arms, but naturally assumed it was part of the gestational effects.
It was after I gave birth, that I began having more frequent physical difficulties, but again, attributed these nuisances to normal post-partum effects. As time progressed, I began losing balance & coordination; and even dropped everyday household items such as glasses, keys, and other things as well. I had finally had enough when my rib cage began to feel broken and I couldn't stand the pain any longer. Over a decade later, and after numerous doctor visits, MRI's and multiple lab tests; I was finally diagnosed with Fibromyalgia.
What is Fibromyalgia? Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain illness that can cause musculoskeletal pain in various areas of the body, is characterized by fatigue, and is often associated with Restless Leg Syndrome, migraine and rheumatism to name a few. Additionally, attacks of fibromyalgia seem to spontaneously come and go.
At first, I was treated with multiple 'pain aids' that did help with the pain, but made me even more tired than I was before I took the medicines. Eventually, I went off the medications and focused on my work and simply 'ignored' the illness. I figured if I had to live with it, I might as well accept it.
What I Didn't Know
What I didn't realize was that Fibromyalgia can weaken a person so much that sometimes, individuals can be more quickly injured or more prone to other conditions than those without Fibromyalgia. That's when I experienced my first real encounter with its lethal effects. While at work, I wasn't doing anything too terribly physical. However, it was the day in and day out repetitions of physical labor that not only added to my condition but wrecked further havoc on me as well - and left me susceptible to injury.
On the Job Injury
There I was, performing my normal work activities when, 'Ouch!' and 'Oh my God!' entered my mouth. The pain was excruciating. Numbing and impairing. With a simple maneuver, I was incapacitated. Pain and tingling numbness ran down my right side. It was unbearable. Not only that, I could barely make it to the office because I had to drag my right leg to get to where I needed to be.
When I got to the hospital, I was told that "...you sprained your back..." That was it. No MRI s, just a quick once-over to tell me that all my pain, my lack of feeling - according to workers compensation' doctors - was merely a 'sprained back.'
I knew I had fibromyalgia, but it had NEVER acted in this sense. Not because I was 'weak,' but because my right side had gone totally numb. It was frustrating to say the least. Nearly 9 months after my injury, and even working on light-duty while taking heavy pain killers, doctors FINALLY found that my right shoulder had been subluxated (dislocated) and scheduled me for surgery. After the surgery, I went through months of agonizing physical therapy to get my right arm back into its proper range of motion. But the numbness, the back pain and the lack of feeling in my legs still came and went without any signs of remorse.
Shocking Discovery
By the time I had went through my rehabilitation, my employer 'let me go' because I was obviously unable to work. I attempted to go back to work as an office manager for a wonderful & understanding employer, (I figured it was light work.) and performed fairly well for a few months. Suddenly, I was in a hospital emergency room - this time, I came out in a wheelchair. Not only did MRI tests confirm I had a herniated disc at the C-3/4, but I also had a spinal lesion myelopathy at the C-1/2. Strange that workers compensation doctors couldn't find it, but numerous MRI tests this time, confirmed it.
After seeing a few, reputable Neurologists, I was additionally diagnosed with Transverse Myelitis(TM) and a 'bulging disc' (herniated disc). This explained why I had been encountering all these unrelated physical problems.
Giving Up
I guess when I first sat in my wheelchair, I instinctively gave in to my physical condition. Why bother living anymore, I thought. I couldn't function properly and felt like a complete invalid. How was I going to make my household payments? How was I going to care for my two, then elementary schoolers? How was I even going to live? While all these thoughts ran through my mind, I was becoming an emotional wreck.
Because of my health, I was taking so many medicines that I couldn't tell if I was coming or going. I would take one medicine for this, one for that, one to counteract the effects of another, and another to counteract the effects of a different one...and so on. And thanks to all of these wonderful conventional medicines, I returned to the hospital because one of them nearly killed me. It was then that I knew I had to find a different way.
Starting Over
Going against medical advisement, I literally stopped all of my prescribed medicines at once. I became acquainted with the International Disability Coalition and got into band, strengthening exercises and virtually re-taught myself how to walk - without the help of any medical professional. I also incorporated a 'mind-over-matter' attitude that I believe, enabled me to step out of the wheelchair and back into life.
It's been about 3 years now, and I still live daily with back, neck, shoulder and sciatic nerve pain. I sporadically suffer relapses where I can't walk, or I can't move my arms or hands. BUT, I am no longer a walking or wheelchair-bound zombie. I swim and practice water exercises when the weather is warm to build muscle strength. And there are still times when my pain gets the better of me and I still go through emotional ups and downs. And like most conditions, they flare up more often with cold weather, emotional and physical stress, and lack of rest. BUT I am alive today, I am a survivor, and though I may have fibromyalgia, Transverse Myelitis, migraine, disc herniation, and restless leg syndrome - these disorders do NOT have me.
In Closing
Living with my chronic disorders and illness has taught me to be more patient...more loving...more giving. I now share my home with not only my human family, but have adopted several rescue dogs - who I also compliment for adding so much love and compassion to my emotional wellbeing. And so long as there is a purpose on this earth for me to exist, I will attempt to make the most of it. Every hour. Every day.
Living with Chronic Illness & Disorders: Are You a Survivor?
Copyright 5/2005 - All Rights Reserved by C. Bailey-Lloyd aka LadyCamelot
About the author:
C. Bailey-Lloyd aka.LadyCamelot Public Relations Director & Staff Writer for Holistic Junction - Your Source for information on Massage Therapy Schools, Holistic Practitioners, Alternative Health, Insightful literature and more!
Web Master's Comment:
Due to my own experience, I am a firm believer in that prolonged stress is one of the triggering mechanisms for anyone who is predisposed to the symptoms of fibromyalgia. I came across this article by Lisa Branigan who is addressing the business community, but has many suggestions and recommendations about handling stress that can help those of us with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.
Stress In The Workplace
by: Lisa Branigan
According to the Australian Council of Trade Unions’ (A.C.T.U.) 1997 survey, fifty per cent of workers had suffered some form of stress at work in a 12-month period. The statistics in care professions were even higher, with the Department of Education and Training in Western Australia reporting in its 2002 Attitudes To Teaching Survey that seventy per cent of teachers identified workplace stress as a cause for concern in their teaching positions. Stress in the workplace is becoming a major concern for employers, managers and government agencies, owing to the Occupational Health and Safety legislations requiring employers to practice ‘duty of care’ by providing employees with safe working environments which also cover the psychological wellbeing of their staff. One of the costs, for employers, of work place stress is absenteeism, with the A.C.T.U. reporting that owing to stress, nearly fifty per cent of employees surveyed had taken time off work. Other negative effects were reductions in productivity, reduced profits, accidents, high rates of sickness, increased workers’ compensation claims and high staff turnover, requiring recruiting and training of replacement staff. While a certain amount of stress is needed to motivate individuals into action, prolonged stress can have a huge impact on overall health. More than two-thirds of visits to doctors’ surgeries are for stress-related illnesses. Stress has been linked to headaches, backaches, insomnia, anger, cramps, elevated blood pressure, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and lowered resistance to infection. For women, stress is a key factor in hormonal imbalances resulting in menstrual irregularities, PMS, fibroids, endometriosis and fertility problems. Stress can also be a factor in the development of almost all disease states including cancer and heart disease. Each profession has its own unique factors that may cause stress; below are some causes of stress that cross many professions: -
Increased workload -
Organizational changes -
Lack of recognition -
High demands -
Lack of support -
Personal and family issues -
Poor work organization -
Lack of training -
Long or difficult hours -
Inadequate staff numbers and resources -
Poor management communication -
Lack of control or input So what can be done to effectively manage workplace stress? Organizations can: -
Educate their employees to recognize the signs of stress. -
Where possible, give their employees the chance to be involved in decisions and actions that affect their jobs. -
Improve employer-employee communications. -
Provide employees with opportunities to socialize together. -
Be understanding of employees’ personal and family responsibilities. -
Ensure employee workloads suit their capabilities and resources (provide more training and resources if not). -
Provide support (internally or externally) for employees who have complex stress issues. Employees can reduce their overall stress by: -
Regularly exercising, as this releases ‘happy hormones’. -
Eating a healthy diet, as stress depletes vital nutrients. -
Getting adequate rest. -
Using tea and lunch breaks to read, listen to a relaxation CD or have a five-minute power-nap. -
If appropriate, playing relaxing music at work and burning aromatherapy oils. -
Being more organized. Get up earlier to have more time. -
Delegating responsibility where possible. Say no! -
Taking time out to laugh by telling someone a joke. Start a laughter group: by standing in a circle and all forcing a big laugh, it will soon become real! -
Avoiding caffeine and sugar. Although this may provide an instant lift it later depletes the body of energy and nutrients. -
Taking time to do things that bring enjoyment and pleasure. -
Making the work environment pleasurable. Have relaxing sounds in the form of music or a water fountain. Have enjoyable smells by burning candles or aromatherapy oils. Hang beautiful pictures or posters on the walls; have photos or flowers on the desk. -
Taking care of their overall health and wellbeing by practicing good self-care. Sometimes trying to implement change (even for the better) can itself cause stress and prevent a person remaining motivated. In this case it’s important to get support for your stress from a counselor, doctor, naturopath, friend, peer or life coach who specializes in stress issues. The benefits of a systematic and joint approach to reducing work stress are: The most important benefit in reducing workplace stress is that it will promote a pleasant work environment for all. About The Author
Lisa Branigan is a Stress and Energy Life Coach working with busy women who are stressed, tired and overwhelmed. Her coaching sessions provide women the necessary support, encouragement and understanding needed to create changes and bring balance to their life and health. Lisa is the publisher of "Life Solutions" a free monthly e-zine providing tips and information on self-care and wellbeing for women.
lisa@quantumcoaching.com.au
It seems as if I have been coming across more fibromyalgia articles that point to the probability that the symptoms of FMS can run in families and therefore seem to have a genetic link. Here is a link to an article that I came across today that helps support this theory. It's amazing how similar this woman's history of dealing with fibromyalgia is similar to mine [and I'm sure, many others also!].
Here Are Some Additional Articles on Wellness and Health Issues That May Pique Your Interest
The Fibro Help Network Believes Strongly in " Helping Others to Help Themselves". Here Are Some Great Articles on "Giving Back"
We thank Content Infusion for making the above articles available. Content Infusion is a free resource site that offers customizable, syndicated content to webmasters via HTML, Java Script, and XML RSS feeds.
 
More Fibromyalgia Articles Can Be Found Here
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