I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 1999. All of the tender points were there. All 18. Such a treat. It sure explained a lot. The fatigue, the pain, the fog. Ouch.
Somehow, I seem to have been blessed with what I call "fibromyalgia light." I can still work 40 hours a week. The pain rarely makes me need a day off. And the pain has been somewhat relieved by a big 'ol dose of Cymbalta. What a blessing that is.
Fibromyalgia is fickle. Things you can do one day you can't do a couple of days later. Fibro may not hit you directly after or even the day after. Oh no. It has to wait and sneak up on you.
Fibromyalgia is not just physical problems either. Some people experience "fibro fog" and have difficulty concentrating. Now there's a tough one if you're trying to work outside the home or even sit down and crochet. Now what number comes after 4?
Fibromyalgia has some symptoms that may surprise you. Sensitivity to light is one. Like those with arthritis, we mighty fibromites can also forecast the weather. I call it geosensitivity. It's my only superpower.
No one's experience with fibormyalgia is the same. Different treatments work for different people. And there are associated disorders as well that must be addressed. Many people also have migraines. Depression often is found in patients.
Although I won't have a clear answer until mid-June, I suspect myofascial pain is also at work in my body. This is a deep pain in the fascia. Lots of people with fibro have this also. Knots develop in tender points that are not directly related to fibromyalgia. Press lightly on one and you'll feel pain. You'll probably also feel pain in another area in the body. This is referred pain and very nasty. I have a couple of spots that, if I touch them, I automatically flinch. It's better some days than others. When it flares up, I just don't want to move
Due to the pain of excersise, weight gain and the associated health effects are present in many patients. You even begin to fear exercise. Ironically, exercise is one thing that can also alleviate the pain. Further, Hypermobility in joints can be present. This further limits the types of exercise a patient may be able to do safely. I have the hypermobility and if one more person says I should swim, I may explode. Due to the freedom one feels in the water, hyperflexion is a natural response. Hypermobility and swimming are not a good mix.
Fibromyalgia sucks. I survive and thrive quite well. Others don't. If you know someone with fibromyalgia, give them a gentle hug this month and learn more about it. It helps us to know someone cares and "gets it."
Meanwhile, in Soviet Russia
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1 comment:
You don't have to deal with fibromyalgia forever. Chiropractors can figure out how to treat your condition through effective spinal manipulation therapy.
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