Fibro Fog… Tired of Being Tired

January 18, 2012 By admin 1 Comment

It seems that no matter how much sleep I get I still suffer thru my day just wanting to lay down and nap. But, if I lay down I know it won’t help me so I don’t. And I also know if I lay down, then I will get nothing done on my full plate of things to do every day.

Do you or someone you know suffer daily with Fibro?
Here is a great informative article on WebMD about Fibro and Fatigue.

This has helped shed some light on my questions of why..

Persistent and chronic fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of fibromyalgia, second only to the deep muscle pain and body aches. But unlike normal fatigue, the feelings of fatigue, weakness, and exhaustion that come with fibromyalgia can often lead to unending social isolation, even depression.

What Is Fatigue With Fibromyalgia?

Fatigue with fibromyalgia is described as crippling, exhausting, and flu-like. You may experience fatigue on arising, even after hours of bed rest. And many people with fibromyalgia have disturbances in deep-level or restful sleep, so the fatigue they feel is not easy to treat.

The fatigue with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) often coincides with mood disturbances, anxiety, or depression. People with fibromyalgia may describe their sleep as unrefreshing or light. Some people with fibromyalgia have pain and achiness around the joints in the neck, shoulder, back, and hips. This makes it even more difficult to sleep and worsens their daytime feelings of sleepiness and fatigue.

Experts theorize that there are similarities between fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, which is a condition primarily characterized by ongoing, debilitating fatigue. Often, people with fibromyalgia describe the fatigue they feel as “brain fatigue.” They report a total loss of energy and difficulty concentrating, a condition called “fibro fog.”

What Are the Other Symptoms of Fibromyalgia?

In addition to chronic fatigue, symptoms of fibromyalgia include:

abdominal pain
anxiety and depression
chronic headaches
dryness in mouth, nose, and eyes
hypersensitivity to cold and/or heat
inability to concentrate (called “fibro fog”)
incontinence
irritable bowel syndrome
numbness or tingling in the fingers and feet
painful menstrual cramps
painful trigger points
poor circulation in hands and feet (Raynaud’s phenomenon)
restless legs syndrome
stiffness

Fibromyalgia can cause signs and feelings similar to what people experience with osteoarthritis, bursitis, and tendinitis. But unlike the localized pain with bursitis or tendinitis, the feelings of pain and stiffness with fibromyalgia are widespread.

Do Daytime Naps Help Fatigue With Fibromyalgia?

On good days, the fatigue with fibromyalgia may be tolerable with daytime napping. However, on bad days, when fibromyalgia symptoms flare, dealing with fatigue is quite difficult for both individuals with fibromyalgia and their loved ones. Even multiple rest periods throughout the day fail to provide relief from the chronic achiness, fatigue, and exhaustion.

How Can I Get Help With Fibromyalgia Fatigue?

Coping with the symptoms of fibromyalgia is difficult at best. And managing the chronic fatigue of fibromyalgia takes great effort and planning. You may feel like others don’t believe you when you are forced to cancel family gatherings or luncheons with friends because of the chronic fatigue with fibromyalgia. That’s why planning your schedule without making too many commitments may be helpful, especially when fibromyalgia symptoms flare.

Most fibromyalgia experts recommend talking to others about your specific fibromyalgia symptoms. Then, they will know your fibromyalgia is real — not something you’ve made up in your head. In fact, asking for help from your family, friends, employer, or coworkers is important. When you have help, you are better able to make it through the day, even with the limited energy you feel.

What Does Stress Have to Do With Fibromyalgia and Fatigue?

Reducing stress may give you a sense of control with fibromyalgia. Some experts believe that when people with fibromyalgia reduce their level of stress, they also experience a reduction in fatigue and anxiety. In addition, their sleep becomes more restful.

Can I Continue to Work With Fibromyalgia and Fatigue?

People with fibromyalgia who are able to work outside the home say they experience great stress on the job. Some say they fear they may be let go and be replaced by healthier, more qualified workers. Others are concerned because they are not able to perform the way they used to. Employers also report concern over the output of chronically ill patients. They cite reduced productivity, increased absenteeism, poor work quality, and increased workplace accidents. But if you stay mentally and physically able to handle your job responsibilities, you can continue to be a productive employee, even with fibromyalgia and fatigue.

Symptoms of fibromyalgia may wax and wane over time. You may, however, continue to experience muscle pain and fatigue. That doesn’t mean there is nothing you can do. Here are actions you can take to help keep fatigue at bay:

If your employer will allow it, put a cot in your office or workroom. Then allow yourself to take rest periods throughout the day, especially when symptoms flare and you are fatigued.
Try to allow more time during the day to complete your responsibilities.
Budget your time carefully to avoid procrastinating. Procrastination can increase your stress level when deadlines come around.
Make daily “To Do” lists to remind yourself of the responsibilities you need to complete.
Limit outside commitments on work days.
Ask for help from coworkers when pain and fatigue are overwhelming. Pay them back with your assistance on days you feel better.
Take periodic breaks to avoid getting overly tired or stressed during busy workdays.
Listen to music during your workday to help keep your stress levels minimal.
Talk to your doctor about medications for fibromyalgia that may help improve sleep and ease fatigue.

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Fibromyalgia Pain

August 10, 2011 By admin 1 Comment

Whether you are experiencing painful tender points, deep muscle pain, chronic headaches, unending back pain, or neck pain, you know how fibromyalgia feels. People with fibromyalgia experience pain in ways no one else can really understand.

But what is pain? What causes it? Is fibromyalgia pain acute (short term) or chronic (long term)? And what impact does fibromyalgia pain have on every part of your life?

What Is Pain?

Pain is an uncomfortable feeling in your body that warns you something is wrong. While this feeling is the body’s way of alerting your brain that there is a problem, after it goes on for weeks or even months, pain becomes a part of your very existence. At that point, not only is pain a symptom that something is wrong, but pain becomes the disease itself.

What Is Fibromyalgia-Related Pain?

Fibromyalgia-related pain is pain that causes you to ache all over. You may have painful “trigger points,” places on your body that hurt no matter what medication you take. Your muscles may feel like they have been overworked or pulled even though you haven’t exercised. Sometimes, your muscles will twitch. Other times they will burn or ache with deep stabbing pain. Some patients with fibromyalgia have pain and achiness around the joints in their neck, shoulders, back, and hips. This kind of pain makes it difficult to sleep or exercise.

How Does the Brain Perceive Pain?

There are roughly 20 different kids of nerve endings in your skin that tell you if something is hot, cold, or painful. These nerve endings convert mechanical, thermal, or chemical energy into electrical signals that convey information to the brain and spinal cord — also known as the central nervous system or CNS. These signals travel to areas of your CNS where you perceive the stimuli as the painful sensations you actually feel — sensations such as searing, burning, pounding, or throbbing.

Research suggests that the pain associated with fibromyalgia is caused by a “glitch” in the way the body processes pain. This glitch results in a hypersensitivity to stimuli that normally are not painful. According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), research has shown that people with fibromyalgia have reduced blood flow to parts of the brain that normally help the body deal with pain.

Is Fibromyalgia Pain Acute or Chronic?

Acute pain comes on suddenly and can be severe. For instance, think about how suddenly your back can ache after you’ve bent down to lift a heavy package or a child. Yet, in more than 80% of cases, acute pain goes away in about two weeks. It runs its course and disappears as the problem is relieved. If your pain from a strained muscle lasts only a few days or weeks, it is considered acute.

Chronic pain is pain that lasts much longer than someone would normally expect based on the original problem or injury. When pain becomes chronic, our bodies react in several ways. Chronic pain may be associated with abnormalities in brain hormones, low energy, mood disorders, muscle pain, and impaired mental and physical performance. As neurochemical changes in your body increase your sensitivity to pain, the chronic pain worsens. You begin to have pain in other parts of the body that do not normally hurt.

What Are Fibromyalgia’s Tender Points?

Tender points are localized areas of tenderness around joints — not the joints themselves — that hurt when pressed. Tender points are not areas of deep pain. Instead, they are superficial areas seemingly under the surface of the skin, such as over the elbow or shoulder. A correct diagnosis of fibromyalgia is based on a person having 11 or more out of a possible 18 tender points.

How Does the Chronic Pain of Fibromyalgia Impact Lives?

Fibromyalgia’s chronic pain seems unending. The ongoing headaches, neck pain, aching joints, and painful tender points prevent sleep, causing you to awaken frequently at night. The chronic sleep disorder of fibromyalgia results in increased achiness, morning stiffness, and daytime fatigue. While you want to exercise and be active, you may suffer with foot pain, hip pain, knee pain, or other painful joints. All of these make it next to impossible to exercise with friends or to play with your kids or grandkids.

The constant pain causes more irritation and difficulty dealing with others, including family members, friends, and people at work. For women with fibromyalgia who must take care of family members and work full-time, coping with pain is a challenge. If there is undiagnosed pain and no effective treatment or medication for the fibromyalgia, the overwhelming feelings can lead to irritability, exhaustion, anxiety, social isolation, and depression.

How Can I Get Relief for Undiagnosed Fibromyalgia Pain?

Talk to your doctor about your symptoms of fibromyalgia, including the body aches, aching joints, painful tender points, and fatigue. With a multifaceted program of effective drugs, alternative therapies, psychotherapy, and mind/body remedies, you should be able to find good relief of symptoms and reclaim your active life again.

From WEB MD

Filed Under: fibro, fibromyalgia Tagged With: Chronic Pain, Fibro Pain, Fibro Tender Points

Fibro ~ 12 Tips to Cope

August 3, 2011 By admin 5 Comments

If you have fibro or know of someone who does… read on ~

12 Tips for Coping With Fibromyalgia

De-Stress

Stress may trigger fibromyalgia symptoms. Minimizing stress can improve your quality of life. Some proven stress busters are yoga, exercise, sleep, and meditation. Breathing deeply and exhaling slowly can also help. Or keep in mind activities that you enjoy or that make you feel better. When stress strikes, do one or two of them.

Jot It Down

If “fibro fog” is hurting your focus or memory, keep a pen and paper handy. Make to-do and even “to say” lists — to help you remember topics you want to talk to your spouse or family about. Keep shopping lists, friends’ names, and important phone numbers and addresses in a notebook that you carry with you.

Exercise Regularly

Regular, low-intensity exercise, such as walking or warm-water exercise, is one of the best treatments for fibromyalgia. It helps decrease pain and stiffness, reduce stress, and may increase your sense of control over your fibromyalgia. You may also sleep better. Talk to your doctor or a physical therapist about a good exercise program for you.

Do Some Serious Soaking

Soaking in a warm bath or hot tub can relax tense muscles, reduce pain, and help you move more easily. If it’s difficult for you to get in and out of the tub, try a sauna or put a stool in the shower so you can sit and let the water do its work. Moist heat may increase endorphins, which block pain signals, and help you sleep more soundly.

Reach for Decaf

Caffeine may compound stress, both physically and psychologically. It stimulates the heart and central nervous system, and can increase nervousness, anxiety, and insomnia. So decaffeinate to de-stress. For better sleep at night avoid caffeine from the late afternoon on. Watch out for caffeine in chocolate, coffee, and some soft drinks and teas.

Take Some “Me Time” Every Day

Fibromyalgia can pose unique health challenges and make life complicated. So make time for yourself every day as a part of your treatment. Lose yourself in a hobby, put on some music, rest — whatever makes you feel good. It may bring more balance to your life, help you fight stress, and boost your energy for the things you need to do.

Make Work Life Better

Is work leaving you exhausted and in pain? Design a flexible plan that works for you and your boss. Ask about working from home part-time, or setting your hours for earlier or later in the day so you can be more productive. At the office, rearrange your workspace for comfort and easy accessibility. A telephone headset, keyboard tray, or other products may help put less stress on your body.

Talk About It

Fibromyalgia puts stress on you and those around you. Communication is critical. Don’t try to always put on a happy face. Your loved ones need to know what makes your symptoms worse. Plan talks for your best time of day. Try focusing on one issue and look for solutions. And don’t be afraid to ask for help — from friends, others with fibromyalgia, or a counselor.

Just Say No

Fibromyalgia is sometimes called an “invisible illness” — you can look fine but feel bad. People may forget that you need to prioritize and pace yourself. When weighing activities, favors, or invitations consider if they will keep you from the rest, exercise, or relaxation you need to feel well. It’s OK to simply say “no.” And stick to it.

Make Your Bedroom a Sleep Sanctuary

If you’re not getting enough rest, set the mood in your bedroom for sleep. Reserve your bed for sleeping, and keep the room dark, quiet, cool, and distraction-free. Keep regular sleep hours and ban your computer and late- night TV watching. Instead, wind down with relaxing music or a warm bath.

Keep a Daily Journal

Keeping track of events, activities, symptoms, and mood changes can help you take charge of your fibromyalgia. It may make you aware of when symptoms start and, over time, what may be triggering them. Then you can work to eliminate triggers or learn coping strategies to lessen their impact.

Join a Support Group

Support groups can play an important part in the lives of people with a chronic illness. Whether in person or online, they offer a safe place to talk with others who may share your frustrations and concerns. Support groups provide emotional support, information, and tips for coping. Contact the Arthritis Foundation to find one in your area.

From WebMD

Filed Under: fibro, fibromyalgia Tagged With: fibromyalgia, tips for coping with fibro

Say Good Morning with These Stretches

June 8, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

7 Stretches That Will Take You from Tired to Bright-Eyed

Instead of repeatedly hitting that snooze button, roll out of bed and do these easy yoga moves – they’re a great stretching workout for women

Why is it that we torture ourselves by hitting “snooze” multiple times every, single, day?

Does it really make us feel more awake after we get those measly 10 additional minutes of sleep? And are we actually even sleeping quality sleep when we know that darn beep, beep, beep … is going to go off at any second? We think no.

That’s why we’re here to suggest a new approach. Why not take these 10 precious minutes and do something more productive with them, something like a quick, easy yoga routine — a perfect stretching workout for women — that will help you look and feel great every day.

We sat down with Kimberly Fowler, owner of YAS Fitness Centers and author of “The No Om Zone” and asked her to create a mini yoga series that would help wake you up, put pep in your step and sharpen your mind. This combination of moves will get your body going by working out kinks, getting your blood flowing and it’ll give you precious time for yourself — to help you set your intentions for the day.

The best part is, you don’t need a mat, snazzy workout clothes or anything. Just you, the floor and these poses that you’ll aim to hold for 45 seconds to one minute each.

So are you ready to try this — tomorrow? We are. It’s sure to be much less annoying to our partners who may not have the same affinity for that darn snooze button.

See the yoga stretching moves that’ll kick off your day — now. By Kristen Oldham Giordani

Breathe

Get your mind going and blood flowing by taking a few quality breaths.

• Sit on the floor in a comfortable crossed leg position.

• Take a deep breath in through your nose — hold it for a few moments and breathe out through your mouth.

• Do this three times.

Neck rolls

Warm up your neck (an area that’s often stiff in the morning) and get your brain going by doing a few neck circles.

• Still sitting in a crossed leg position, roll your neck slowly one direction a few times.

• Reverse directions and do a few more neck rolls.

Mountain pose

Start to wake up a bit more and center yourself with this pose.

• Stand up straight with your hips tucked underneath you, feet together.

• Let your arms hang at your sides.

• Spread out your toes and feel the floor beneath you with all four corners of your feet.

Bonus stretch: Reach your arms above your head and stretch one arm toward the ceiling and repeat with the other arm.

Downward dog

Warm up and stretch your shoulders with this pose.

• Start on your hands and knees. Hands should be shoulder-distance apart with palms flat on the floor.

• Bend your knees, engage your abs, and pull yourself back into what looks like an inverted V. Feet should be shoulder-distance apart.

• Try to reach your heels to the floor and your butt up toward the ceiling.

• Relax your neck.

Seated forward bend

Warm up and stretch your lower back gently with this pose.

• From Downward Dog, come back down to your hands and knees and sit back onto your bottom.

• Stretch your legs out in front of you.

• Hinge forward from your hips reaching for your calves or toes. Bend your knees slightly — it is morning and you’re likely a bit tight.

• Release your neck so your head hangs.

Easy spinal twist

Release your lower back (another area that’s often tight in the morning) with this pose.

• Lay flat on your back, bring both knees into your chest.

• Hold your left knee into your chest leaving your right leg straight on the floor.

• Take a deep breath and bring your bent knee across your body toward the opposite side of the mat. Keep your shoulder blades on the floor.

• Look over your left shoulder.

• Hold for 45 seconds.

• Bring both knees into your chest and repeat on the opposite side.

Set your intention and close with child’s pose

Before you do your final stretch, take a few moments to think positively about your day ahead.

• Sit with your legs crossed, eyes closed and think about what you want to accomplish today. “I wake up every morning and do my empowering questions,” says Fowler. “I ask myself questions … [like] what do I need to get done, … what is my goal? Every day I can be distracted but I need to remind myself of [this],” she says. She’s been doing this for 18 plus years, so we’ll take her word on it when she says it truly works.

• To get into your final pose, kneel on the floor with your knees together and sit back on your heels.

• Bend forward resting your upper body on your thighs.

• Bring your arms alongside your body.

• Let your forehead rest on the floor.

• Hold for 45 seconds.

I love Yoga and being that I have Fibromyalgia I use Yoga moves to help heal my body when I am in pain. Not that it takes away my pain, but it does lessen it. Stretching the body brings oxygen into the muscles and relaxes them. Breathing also helps move good vibes thru your mind and body Enjoy

Living Smart Girl ~ A Healthy Way to an Organic You ~

Sheila

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Filed Under: fibro, fitness tips, total beauty, yoga

Living With Chronic Illness ~ Tips

February 8, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Living with a chronic illness is never easy. It is painful and tasking, both physically and emotionally. For those who struggle with fibromyalgia or cancer, recovery and coping can be trying. But with the right kind of diet, you can boost your immune system, speed your recovery, and maintain a balanced and tasty dietary lifestyle. Be sure to try peaches, soursop, and prunes.

Peaches

Peaches, members of the rose family, are a great source of potassium. Potassium helps our bodies to achieve balances in electrolyte and fluid levels. It increases our metabolisms and improves healthy muscle contraction and nerve signaling, possibly offering relief to fibromyalgia patients. Peaches help to fight cancer through their high levels of vitamin A and C. They are full of beta carotene, an antioxidant that can also lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer, and improve the look of skin.

Soursop

Also known as the gaviola or the Guaynabo, the soursop may be capable of attacking and eliminating cancer cells. High in fructose, potassium, fiber, and vitamins C, B1, and B2, soursop is delicious in smoothies and of course, as a natural fruit source. According to studies performed by the American Cancer Institute, those suffering from pancreatic cancer, colon cancer, neoplasm, and mesothelioma symptoms have seen cancer cells disappear without the negative side effects of traditional treatment of chemotherapy.

Prunes

Prunes may be one of the best sources for beta carotene antioxidants. These antioxidants function by neutralizing cell’s free radicals. Free radicals, or oxidants, are responsible for oxidation in the cells. This is a process similar to the rusting of metal, and causes heart disease, cancer, and many other ailments. The antioxidants in prunes balance free radicals, thus preventing or lessening the risk and effects of cancer and other illnesses.

Keep in mind that a fruity diet should never supersede your doctor’s orders and recommendations. Speak with your doctor about adding the right fruits to your diet. Fibromyalgia and cancer don’t have to hold you down forever. If you keep healthy fruits like prunes, soursop, and peaches nearby, you may be even closer to success than you thought.

Article Written by Krista Peterson

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Filed Under: fibro, krista peterson

Living With Chronic Illness ~ Tips

February 8, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Peaches

Soursop

Prunes

Article Written by Krista Peterson

Living Smart Girl ~ A Healthy Way to an Organic You ~

Filed Under: fibro, krista peterson

Creating A Treatment Plan ~ Fibro

January 26, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Fibromyalgia is a complicated medical disorder. It has no specific causes and no known cure. Yet for those who have it — as many as one in 50 Americans — the chronic pain, fatigue, and psychological strain of fibromyalgia are all too clear.

Fibromyalgia symptoms are treatable, however. Many experts believe the best treatment is a multifaceted approach that combines medication with lifestyle changes and alternative treatments.

You may need to work with your doctor, a physical therapist, and possibly others to tailor a treatment plan to your needs. Here’s how to get started.
Fibromyalgia Treatment: Start With a Diagnosis

Fibromyalgia is a syndrome– a collection of symptoms, rather than a specific disease. Some of the most recognizable fibromyalgia symptoms are:

* Widespread pain
* Severe fatigue
* Tender points on the body
* Anxiety or depression

There are no lab tests for fibromyalgia. Doctors diagnose it by considering criteria such as how long you’ve had pain and how widespread it is, and by ruling out other causes. This can be tricky, however, because symptoms associated with fibromyalgia can be caused by other conditions. So it’s best to see a doctor who is familiar with fibromyalgia.
Learn About Fibromyalgia Medications

Once you’ve been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, your doctor will talk to you about treatment options. Several types of medicines are used to help manage fibromyalgia symptoms such as pain and fatigue.

Three medications are FDA-approved to treat fibromyalgia:

* Cymbalta (duloxetine): a type of antidepressant called a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). Researchers aren’t sure how Cymbalta works in fibromyalgia, but they think that increasing levels of serotonin and norepinephrine help control and tamp down feelings of pain.
* Lyrica (pregabalin): Lyrica is a nerve pain and epilepsy drug. In people with fibromyalgia, it may help calm down overly sensitive nerve cells that send pain signals throughout the body. It has been effective in treating fibro pain.
* Savella (milnacipran): Savella is also an SNRI. While researchers aren’t exactly sure how it works, studies have shown that it helps relieve pain and reduce fatigue in people with fibromyalgia.

Antidepressants are also sometimes prescribed to help people manage fibromyalgia symptoms:

* Tricyclic antidepressants. By helping increase levels of the brain chemicals serotonin and norepinephrine, these medications may help relax painful muscles and enhance the body’s natural painkillers.
* Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Your doctor may prescribe one of these types of antidepressants by itself or in combination with a tricyclic antidepressant. SSRIs prevent serotonin from being reabsorbed in the brain. This may help ease pain and fatigue.

These medications are also sometimes prescribed for fibromyalgia:

* Local anesthetics. Injected into especially tender areas, anesthetics can provide some temporary relief, usually for no longer than three months.

Your Fibromyalgia Treatment Plan: Stay Active

Exercise is an important part of managing fibromyalgia symptoms. Staying physically active can relieve pain, stress, and anxiety.

The key is to start slowly. Begin with stretching and low-impact activities, such as walking, swimming or other water exercises, or bicycling. Low-impact aerobic exercises such as yoga, tai chi, or Pilates can also be helpful. If you want to increase the intensity of your exercise, talk with your doctor.

Whatever exercise you choose, focus on three areas: range of motion, aerobic, and strength training.
Physical Therapy for Fibromyalgia

Physical therapy can help you get control of your illness by focusing on what you can do to improve your situation, rather than on your chronic symptoms.

A physical therapist can show you how to get temporary relief from fibromyalgia pain and stiffness, get stronger, and improve your range of motion. And she can help you make little changes, such as practicing good posture, that help prevent painful flare-ups.
Alternative Treatments for Fibromyalgia

A number of popular fibromyalgia treatments fall outside the realm of mainstream medicine. In general, there hasn’t been extensive research on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), but anecdotal evidence suggests that some may work. Always talk with your doctor before starting any alternative treatment.

Popular alternative treatments include:

* Acupuncture. This ancient healing practice aims to increase blood flow and production of natural painkillers with thin needles inserted into the skin at strategic points on the body. Some studies report that acupuncture may help ease pain, anxiety, and fatigue.
* Massage therapy. This may help reduce muscle tension, ease pain in both muscles and soft tissue,improve range of motion, and boost production of natural painkillers.
* Chiropractic treatment. Based on spinal adjustments to reduce pain, this popular therapy may help relieve fibromyalgia symptoms.
* Supplements. A number of dietary and other supplements are touted as treatments aimed at relieving fibromyalgia symptoms. Some of the most popular for fibromyalgia include magnesium, melatonin, 5-HTP, and SAMe, which may affect serotonin levels. However, results of studies on these supplements are mixed. Be sure to talk with your doctor before taking any supplements. Some may have side effects and could react badly with medication you are taking.
* Herbs. As with supplements, scientific evidence for the effectiveness of herbs is mixed. A few studies have shown that St. John’s wort can be as effective as certain prescription medication for treating mild depression.

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Filed Under: fibro, fibromyalgia, treatment plan

Creating A Treatment Plan ~ Fibro

January 26, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Fibromyalgia symptoms are treatable, however. Many experts believe the best treatment is a multifaceted approach that combines medication with lifestyle changes and alternative treatments.

You may need to work with your doctor, a physical therapist, and possibly others to tailor a treatment plan to your needs. Here’s how to get started.
Fibromyalgia Treatment: Start With a Diagnosis

Fibromyalgia is a syndrome– a collection of symptoms, rather than a specific disease. Some of the most recognizable fibromyalgia symptoms are:

* Widespread pain
* Severe fatigue
* Tender points on the body
* Anxiety or depression

Three medications are FDA-approved to treat fibromyalgia:

Antidepressants are also sometimes prescribed to help people manage fibromyalgia symptoms:

These medications are also sometimes prescribed for fibromyalgia:

* Local anesthetics. Injected into especially tender areas, anesthetics can provide some temporary relief, usually for no longer than three months.

Your Fibromyalgia Treatment Plan: Stay Active

Exercise is an important part of managing fibromyalgia symptoms. Staying physically active can relieve pain, stress, and anxiety.

Whatever exercise you choose, focus on three areas: range of motion, aerobic, and strength training.
Physical Therapy for Fibromyalgia

Physical therapy can help you get control of your illness by focusing on what you can do to improve your situation, rather than on your chronic symptoms.

Popular alternative treatments include:

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Filed Under: fibro, fibromyalgia, treatment plan

Fibromyalgia and Sleep

January 11, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Are you having trouble sleeping because you have fibromyalgia? Most people with the disease complain of trouble sleeping. No matter how long they sleep, it is rarely restful. Here’s some information that can help you get a better night’s sleep.
What Sleep Problems Are Common With Fibromyalgia?

Sleep problems with fibromyalgia include insomnia or difficulty falling asleep as well as frequent awakening in which you become awake enough to remember them the next day. An even more common problem is awakenings that you don’t remember but that definitely interrupt your “deep” sleep. Also, other sleep disorders — such as restless legs syndrome and sleep apnea — may be associated with fibromyalgia.

People with fibromyalgia talk about waking up day after day feeling exhausted with no energy. Usually, they feel more tired in the morning, and many go back to sleep during the day to ease their fatigue. Also, it’s common for people with fibromyalgia to have great difficulty concentrating during the day, a condition called “fibro fog.”

Why Can’t I Sleep at Night With Fibromyalgia?

Some researchers believe it’s the constant pain of fibromyalgia that causes sleep interruptions. Others have found evidence that fibromyalgia may be related to an abnormality of deep sleep. Findings have shown abnormal brain waveforms in deep sleep with fibromyalgia patients. These patients tell of feeling “awake” or being in a shallow state of sleep throughout the night, instead of experiencing restful, deep- level sleep.

The problem with achieving only a shallow state of sleep is that, during deep-level sleep, your body repairs and replenishes itself. For example, studies show that people with fibromyalgia have a low level of a hormone called somatostatin. Somatostatin is produced during deep sleep and is vital for maintaining the health of muscle and other soft tissue. If the amount of deep sleep you get is reduced over a long period of time, your body may have less ability to “repair and replenish” energy as well.

What Stages of Sleep Are Important in Fibromyalgia?

People with fibromyalgia lack the deep, restorative level of sleep, called “non-rapid-eye-movement” (non-REM) sleep. Consequently, patients with fibromyalgia often wake in the morning without feeling fully rested. Some patients wake up with muscle aches or a sensation of muscle fatigue as if they had been “working out” all night.

Is Restless Legs Syndrome Related to Fibromyalgia?

Restless legs syndrome is a neurologic disorder characterized by an overwhelming urge to move the legs at rest. It’s true that restless legs syndrome is more common among those who have fibromyalgia.

There is treatment for restless legs syndrome, so talk to your doctor if you have this problem. Treatment may even help your fibromyalgia symptoms.

Are There Sleep Strategies to Help People With Fibromyalgia?

Establishing better sleep hygiene is vital in managing the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Improving your sleep may help decrease your pain, fatigue, and “fibro fog.” Try the following strategies and see if they help your sleep. In addition, ask your doctor about a sleeping pill that’s safe and effective to get your body back on a restful sleep regimen.

* Sleep only as much as needed to feel refreshed and healthy the following day, not more. Curtailing the time in bed seems to solidify sleep. Excessively long times in bed seem related to fragmented and shallow sleep.
* Keep a sleep diary. Write down how you slept each night and triggers that may have interfered with your sleep. Reviewing your notes over several weeks may give you insight into your sleep problems.
* Have a regular time to wake up each morning. A regular arousal time helps strengthen circadian cycling and leads to regular times of sleep onset.
* Use relaxation therapies. A gentle massage, deep breathing, and other relaxation techniques are all generally considered beneficial to managing fibromyalgia and boosting restful sleep.
* Exercise regularly (but avoid exercising three hours before bedtime). Exercise may exert its beneficial effect by promoting a deep level of sleep (non-REM sleep).
* Sound-attenuated bedrooms may help those who must sleep close to noise. Occasional loud noises — for example, aircraft flyovers — disturb sleep even in people who are not awakened and cannot remember them in the morning.
* Avoid daytime naps. Napping in the afternoon interferes with nighttime sleep.
* Keep the temperature in your room cool. An excessively warm room disturbs sleep.
* Hunger may disturb sleep; a light snack of carbohydrates may help sleep.
* Avoid caffeine or alcohol in the evening. They both disturb sleep.

Can Medicine Help Me Sleep With Fibromyalgia?

The most effective medications in the treatment of fibromyalgia have been the tricyclic antidepressants, medications traditionally used in treating depression. In treating fibromyalgia, tricyclic antidepressants — such as Elavil and Anafranil — are taken at bedtime in doses that are a fraction of those used for treating depression. Tricyclic antidepressants appear to reduce fatigue, relieve muscle pain and spasm, and promote deep restorative sleep in patients with fibromyalgia. Scientists believe that tricyclics work by modulating nerve transmitter chemicals in the brain, including serotonin.

WEBMD *

Living Smart Girl ~ A Healthy Way to an Organic You ~

Filed Under: fibro, fibromyalgia, sleep

Fibromyalgia and Sleep

January 11, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Why Can’t I Sleep at Night With Fibromyalgia?

What Stages of Sleep Are Important in Fibromyalgia?

Is Restless Legs Syndrome Related to Fibromyalgia?

There is treatment for restless legs syndrome, so talk to your doctor if you have this problem. Treatment may even help your fibromyalgia symptoms.

Are There Sleep Strategies to Help People With Fibromyalgia?

Can Medicine Help Me Sleep With Fibromyalgia?

WEBMD *

Living Smart Girl ~ A Healthy Way to an Organic You ~

Filed Under: fibro, fibromyalgia, sleep

What Is Fatigue With Fibromyalgia?

What Are the Other Symptoms of Fibromyalgia?

Do Daytime Naps Help Fatigue With Fibromyalgia?

How Can I Get Help With Fibromyalgia Fatigue?

What Does Stress Have to Do With Fibromyalgia and Fatigue?

Can I Continue to Work With Fibromyalgia and Fatigue?

What Is Pain?

What Is Fibromyalgia-Related Pain?

How Does the Brain Perceive Pain?

Is Fibromyalgia Pain Acute or Chronic?

What Are Fibromyalgia’s Tender Points?

How Does the Chronic Pain of Fibromyalgia Impact Lives?

How Can I Get Relief for Undiagnosed Fibromyalgia Pain?

12 Tips for Coping With Fibromyalgia

De-Stress

Jot It Down

Exercise Regularly

Do Some Serious Soaking

Reach for Decaf

Take Some “Me Time” Every Day

Make Work Life Better

Talk About It

Just Say No

Make Your Bedroom a Sleep Sanctuary

Keep a Daily Journal

Join a Support Group

7 Stretches That Will Take You from Tired to Bright-Eyed

Instead of repeatedly hitting that snooze button, roll out of bed and do these easy yoga moves – they’re a great stretching workout for women

Breathe

Neck rolls

Mountain pose

Downward dog

Seated forward bend

Easy spinal twist

Set your intention and close with child’s pose

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