Finding the Balance in Fibromyalgia

Hey everyone, I’m back again and will be doing regular posts from now on. Coming up on here soon will be an article about how healthy eating and exercise can help many Fibromyalgia symptoms. I hope you all are doing well, I apologize for my vanishing for so long. Life has just been a little crazy the past few months. Remember to check out my other Fibro blog, Fibromyalgia Confessions, and even submit a confession or two of your own.

Love,
A.

Currently the exact cause of fibromyalgia is unknown. There are a few connections Doctors have made regarding the onset of Fibromyalgia. One of the most prominent ones is the connection with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It’s estimated that over 50% of people with Fibromyalgia had PTSD prior to the onset of Fibromyalgia. This suggests that there is a connection between trauma or severe stress and Fibromyalgia.

The PTSD varies from patient to patient. There are cases of abuse, war, and death. PTSD is an anxiety disorder that is a reaction to a traumatic event. There have been studies that show evidence of PTSD actually changing the way the brain functions. The thought is that these changes in the brain could cause Fibromyalgia, as Fibro is thought to be caused by a brain function issue.

It’s proven that treating the PTSD can help lessen the symptoms of Fibromyalgia. PTSD, like Fibro, is incurable and simply must be treated indefinitely. It’s thought to be helpful to see a counselor or psychiatrist and to be put on some sort of anti-depressant or anti-psychotic.

All of this is also more of a reason to keep your life at a low stress level. The more emotional strain you’re under, the worse your Fibro will be. Ever notice that when you get really upset a flare-up often follows? This is something that is common in a large number of Fibromyalgia patients. So, do your best to stay calm, learn to relax, don’t worry so much, and de-stress often.

Love,
A.

I wanted to apologize for not updating in so long. Life got a little crazy for me a few months ago. My husband and I split up and I basically had to rebuild my life from scratch. That’s hard enough and as you all know Fibro just makes everything so much more difficult. I’m planning on starting regular updates again this week. I hope all of you are doing well. It’s almost springtime! Almost an end to those winter blues and extra bad flare-ups from the bad weather!

Love,
A.

Depression is common in Fibromyalgia patients. Some patients have some form of depression before their diagnosis and many patients develop depression due to their diagnosis. As a Fibromyalgiac, I know it’s hard not to get down sometimes-especially if you’re already prone to being depressed.

The winter months are approaching and with them comes daylight savings time and less and less sunny days. In a lot of you, this will lead to seasonal depression. Lack of sunlight causes melatonin production to become imbalanced in the body. This causes sleep disturbance, feelings of depression, moodiness, etc. Personally, I’ve had seasonal depression all my life. At first I didn’t even understand what was happening to me. But, as I learned more about it I started to find little things that helped control my symptoms and I’d like to share those things with all of you.

-The first thing is, try and get as much sunlight as you can. Get up earlier, open the blinds, and go outside in the sun at least once a day.
-Take vitamin D supplements*-this will help replace the vitamin D you are losing from lack of sunlight.
-Make sure you keep exercising. Even though it’s harder to keep up physical activity in winter due to bad weather and increased pain it’s still important. Exercise not only helps fibro pain but it also helps the body produce Serotonin and Norepinephrine-the hormones you need to be happy.
-Take melatonin supplements.* Melatonin is a chemical in the body that is produced while we sleep; it is also one of the chemicals that helps us sleep. Lack of sunlight can disrupt the melatonin cycle. The idea behind taking melatonin is to fix your sleep/melatonin production cycle. Your body needs to know when it should have more melatonin and when it should have less.

I’m not saying that these things will cure your seasonal depression but they definitely can help alleviate your symptoms. The worst thing you can do is do nothing. These things aren’t meant to replace any anti-depressants you may be on, if you do take an anti-depressant use these tricks in addition to your medication.

Many people, especially those who are prone to Depression or those who live in areas where winters are long/harsh may develop serious Seasonal Depression (Which is technically called Seasonal Affective Disorder, by the way, but I never use that term-Sorry.) If your Seasonal Depression is to the point that it is causing serious disruptions in your day to day life you should see a Dr. You could possibly need medication or light therapy.

*Before taking any vitamin supplement check with your Dr to make sure they’re safe for you to take. Also, check with your pharmacist to make sure they won’t react badly with any medications you may be on.

Love,
A.

I’m so sorry I haven’t been posting a lot of stuff on here lately. I’ve been in kind of a funk with winter coming and all. I’m going to start posting more frequently though! Also, thank you to everyone who messaged me and let me know the kinds of things they’d like to see on here. It was really helpful!

Love,
A.

Tell me what you want, I need some suggestions! Anything related to fibro; living with it, medication, treatments, Drs, research progress, tips and tricks, etc.

Put it in my ask: www.fibromyalgiabalance.tumblr.com/ask

Love,
A.

It’s good to look at longer and different lists of Fibromyalgia symptoms. It’s all part of getting to know your Fibromyalgia. You may be having symptoms that you didn’t even know had a connection to Fibro; I know that I STILL learn new symptoms after a few years of reading symptom lists and keeping logs of them all. This is a fairly good list, not as extensive as some but still a good one. If you have a good Fibromyalgia symptom list, I’d love to see it and post it. Leave it in my ask box and let me know where it came from so I can give credit!

Love,
A.

1. PAIN- in the muscle: often described as aching, burning, throbbing, gnawing, shooting, tingling. Almost always exacerbated by exercise and may or may not be present at rest. Can be migratory and differing from day to day.

2. FATIGUE- From feeling tired to exhausted and requiring rest periods during the day.

3. SLEEP DISTURBANCE- not being able to fall asleep and or able to stay asleep. Unrefreshing sleep patterns ” feels like I haven’t slept.”

4. PARESTHESIA- numbness or tingling. ( non dermatomal)

5. DEPRESSION- most often reactive as with chronic pain condition.

6. ANXIETY- may include panic attacks.

7. PERSONALITY CHANGES- usually a worsening of a previous tendency.

8. MOOD SWINGS

9. SUBJECTIVE SWELLING OF EXTREMITIES- i.e. feels swollen but no-one can find anything.

10. HEADACHES- tension and or migraine.

11. COGNITIVE FUNCTION PROBLEMS: calculation difficulties, memory disturbances, spatial disorientation, difficulty with concentration, short
term memory loss.

12. FREQUENT UNUSUAL NIGHTMARES- or being unable to dream.

13. DYSTONIA- stiff muscles due to involuntary contracture. Difficulty in moving tongue to speak.

14. FREQUENTLY SAYING WRONG WORDS

15. BURNING SENSATIONS

16. LIGHT HEADEDNESS- “Fibro Fog”, spaced out, cloudy.

17. MORNING STIFFNESS

18. EASY BRUISING

19. MILD BUTTERFLY RASH- (LUPUS TYPE) May be photo sensitive.

20. NEUROGENIC INFLAMMATION- rashes, may be severe itching. NI causes the symptoms and signs of Dermatographia.

21. DISEQUILIBRIUM- Vertigo

22. MUSCLE WEAKNESS- variable with no “objective” abnormality to formal testing.

23. SCIATICA- like pain

24. PHOTOPHOBIA- Intolerance of bright lights.

25. ALTERATION OF TASTE, SMELL and HEARING.

26. LOW FREQUENCY, SENSORINEURAL HEARING LOSS.

27. DECRESED PAINFUL SOUND THRESHOLD.

28. TINNITUS- ringing in the ears.

29. OCCASIONAL EXAGGERATED NYSTAGMUS- involuntary rapid movementof the eye ball.

30. CHANGES IN VISUAL ACUITY- impaired function of the smooth muscle used for focus as well as skeletal muscles for tracking.

31. INTOLERANCE OF ALCOHOL

32. ENHANCEMENT OF MEDICATION SIDE EFFECTS

33. INTOLERANCE OF PREVIOUSLY TOLERATED MEDICATIONS

34. WEIGHT CHANGES- usually gained due to the lack of exercise through pain and or tricyclic antidepressants

35. RESTLESS LEGS

36. HEIGHTENED AWARENESS- of symptoms of HYPOGLYCEMIA 9 when blood sugar falls)

37. POSSIBLE CARBOHYDRATE INTOLERANCE

38. SYMPTOMS OF IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME (I.B.S.)

39. HEARTBURN- secondary to I.B.S.

40. SUB-NORMAL TEMPERATURE

41. NIGHT SWEATS.

42. SENSITIVE TO TEMPERATURE EXTREMES

43. HEART PALPITATIONS

44. BREATHING DIFFICULTIES

45. HEART MURMUR-Mitral Valve Prolapse appears to be more symptomatic in FM than normal.

46. IMPOTENCE- reactive and occasionally.

47. SEVERE PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME

48. FREQUENT VAGINAL YEAST INFECTIONS.

49. MUSCLE SPASM- twitching.

50. NON-CARDIAC CHEST PAIN- which may simulate cardiac disorder.

51. PELVIC PAIN.

52. ABDOMINAL WALL PAIN.

53. DRY EYES AND MOUTH.

54. TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT DISORDER- usually due to abnormal muscle tone.

55. RAYNAUD’S- like symptoms.

56. CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME-possible related condition.

57. HAIR LOSS-secondary to psychological stress from FM.

58. VULVODYNIA- Vulvar discomfort or pain, burning, stinging and irritation.

59. PLANTAR ARCH-or heel pain. Exacerbated in FM.

This list of symptoms has been correlated by the Arthritis Foundation S.A.

(Source: healingwell.com)

Try your very best not to run into things, fall down, etc.

I know, that probably seems like common sense but it’s extra important for us. You know how when you run into something it hurts 10,000x more than it would for a normal person? Well, running into something or falling down can irritate our nerves and muscles causing a flare up.

So, of course it seems simple; Be careful, don’t get hurt. The problem with that is the fact that Fibromyalgia also comes with bad balance and sometimes dizziness. This means we have to be WAY more careful than other people when it comes to moving around.

Love,
A.