We would like to expand a bit on the subjects of Fibromyalgia Nutrition [ fibromyalgia diet ] and Self Tolerance.

Fibromyalgia Nutrition or following a fibromyalgia diet as a therapy for FM can be very helpful in ridding one's body of toxins, counteracting reactions to stress, and restoring nutrients which have been robbed from the body. Nutritional therapy's common approaches may include the use of mineral/vitamin supplements to combat the effects of stress, replace deficiencies, and prop up the immune system.

It is common for those with FM to be instructed by fibromyalgia medical specialists or nutritionists to follow a fibromyalgia nutrition protocol diet avoiding caffeine and alcohol and to limit one's intake of sugar. These substances have been shown to affect the muscles and stress the system.

The person with FM should not take on a more sophisticated fibromyalgia nutritional program including diet, cleaning of toxins, and supplementation without conferring with his or her doctor or fibromyalgia medical specialist.

As we stressed in the section on personal fibromyalgia, due to the uniqueness of each person with fibromyalgia, certain specially designed programs that may work well for one person with FM, may be entirely wrong or even disastrous for the next person.

Those with fibromyalgia should also be constantly aware of the number of unproven "miracle" diets and supplements that can be found advertised for people with fibromyalgia. These programs and their claims should be thoroughly investigated before they are used. Once again, it is important to confer with your physician or fibromyalgia medical specialist because some foods and supplements can cause serious side effects when mixed with certain medications.

Self Tolerance can not be overlooked in its importance to those with FM. As I can personally attest to, it can be extremely easy for we as persons with fibromyalgia to be "over the top" hard on ourselves, if you catch my drift. Once we realize that we can no longer accomplish all that we once did, we can become self critical and disparage ourselves with our "self talk".

We can be surrounded by family and friends who don't believe in fibromyalgia, and we can start to wonder if the fibromyalgia is just a figment of our imagination and is somehow "our fault." We can easily feel guilty when we require and ask for help from our friends and family, and if we have to say no and let them down when asked to partake in social outings.

Anyone with FM, especially those newly diagnosed, must understand that having fibromyalgia is not their fault. Fibromyalgia is a medically recognized, legitimate condition. This disorder takes a great deal of courage and energy to be able to adjust to it. It is a full time job finding treatments that work well without trying to waste little precious energy on guilt and doubt.

Stay positive and "keep the faith and keep the old chin up!"

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Due to the fact that the cause of fibromyalgia is not yet fully understood, it is important for anyone who has been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia to take a whole body/mind approach to the treatment of its symptoms.

Emotional stress may not cause the disease but it can contribute to its side effects and will certainly prohibit the success of any treatment.

Poor physical health will obviously exacerbate the problems associated with the syndrome and it is vitally important for patients to do everything they can to relax their tight muscles, reduce emotional stress, establish and maintain regular soft tissue movement and make every effort to establish good sleeping habits.

Let's go over a list of things to do to feel better now and during your whole life.

Exercise: Regular daily exercise is key in regulating the growth hormone that maintains good muscle and soft tissue health and in assisting deep sleep, and is a vital part of treating Fibromyalgia's symptoms.

Since one of the major complaints of sufferers of Fibromyalgia is exhaustion, exercise is key in helping to induce deep sleep and limit restlessness.

Also important is regular gentle stretching of stiff muscles and ligaments, to aid in their movement and loosen contracted muscles.

Stretching is also an important sleep aid.

Be aware of your limitations: Overdoing exercise or even rigorous daily tasks will actually make your muscles contract, the opposite of what you want to accomplish, so start slowly.

Your exercise should be vigorous enough to accelerate your heart rate, heat up your muscles and increase your oxygen intake and it must be sustained long enough to be beneficial.

Your ultimate goal should be 30 minutes of aerobic exercise (or more if you feel up to it) every single day.

Yes, daily, because exercise above anything else will help you to sleep, and sleep is paramount to alleviating the symptoms of FM.

Patients should stick to low- or no-impact aerobics such as brisk walking, bicycling (or stationery biking), treadmills, stair climbers and elliptical walking machines, any of which are available at most gyms.

Setting goals: Getting to your fitness goal will take as long as your body and common sense allow.

For some this regimen will begin with walk around the block; listen to your body and don't push it beyond its limits.

You should first consult with your doctor before embarking on your new fitness plan and even have him/her help you put one together that fits how you live.

Stretching: Stretching exercises are very helpful in decreasing muscle stiffness and pain.

When fibromyalgia patients have been immobile for long periods, for example in bed at night or after sitting at a desk all day, their muscles tend to get stiff and painful.

Stretching exercises and heat can be particularly helpful in alleviating these symptoms.

There are videotapes available specifically designed for FM patients to help you do your stretches correctly and achieve maximum benefit.

Check your local bookseller or look online.

Make Sleep a Priority: This is perhaps the most important component of treating your Fibromyalgia.

It is important to try to maintain a regular sleep schedule, going to bed and waking at the same time.

This schedule will help assist you in falling and staying asleep and feeling rested in the morning.

If you have a partner who snores or a dog that barks or children who make noise early in the morning before you've had a chance to get a full night's sleep (and remember that a full night's sleep varies from person to person, from 6-12 hours a night), measures should be taken to make your sleep environment as peaceful and quiet as possible.

Wear an eye mask to block out ALL light and ear plugs to block out all sound.

Do not drink any beverages with caffeine at least four [4] hours before bed time.

Try to adjust the temperature of your sleeping environment so that you don't awaken stiff from being too cold or groggy from sleeping in an overheated room.

Avoid Stress: "How can I avoid stress?"

What this involves is making yourself a priority when the need arises.

Do not hang around people or in situations that make you feel bad, avoid situations that you find make you uncomfortable, don't take on more than you can handle.

Muscle stimulation: Specific electrical stimulation, or electro therapy, of nerves and muscles can be effective in relieving muscle tension and pain.

A number of medications are used to treat fibromyalgia and depend primarily on the symptoms you display and your body's reactions.

Any of these medications can be used to induce sleep but they can cause unwanted side effects in some people, so it is important to share your concerns or reactions with your doctor before and during treatment.

As with any medicine, however, even herbal medicines should be investigated with the same caution and care you would use with any drug.

Some patients have reported that certain foods, such as fatty, fried or sugary types, seem to invite or worsen fibromyalgia symptoms.

Fibromyalgia patients should probably give up caffeine completely because even a small amount consumed in the morning can cause sleep disturbance.

What has been your experience?

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