I know how you feel. Diet is a huge part of feeling better. NO chocolate, very low carbs, no sugar, no aspartame, no alcohol, no caffeine. Also, swimming helps. I get massages which makes a huge difference. When I would have a flair up, I wanted a grilled cheese sandwich so bad. Then found out, that was the worse thing I could eat. No carbs during a flair up. Anxiety at night totally keeps me up. Warm baths & chamomille tea helps. Taking 1/2 of a benadryl helps also.
There is a doctor in Renton Washington that has a 3 part Youtube video. Really good information. He has MRI pictures showing the differences in our brain. He talks about how MRI is a Central Nervous System condition. That people with Fibro brain's are shrinking and he believes that Fibro is a progressive condition. If you go on Youtube and search under Fibromyalgia it will bring him up. Worth watching. It gave me hope. It also validated how I have been feeling.
I don't know if this is the time to bring this up, (I am new to this site), but has anyone tried Medical Marijuana? Just a thought.
Hope this helps. I am in level 8-9 pain everyday. Sometimes I can't walk due to muscle weakness. I have terrible muscle spasms. The bottom of my feet hurt so bad sometimes.....then it goes away. Now I am getting a rash on my arms. It seems like there are new symptoms all the time. I wish, I could wake up one day and not be in terrible pain.
Also, the other thing I wanted to mention is that I read somewhere or heard on the doctor's video that they think Fibro is caused by major trauma to the body. Car accident, fall, etc. Also, mental trauma - abuse, etc. The doc from Renton said that their studies show that a lot of Fibro suffers have cervical compression. It really is worth watching his video.
Sorry I have rambled on and on. I am a massage therapist and have been through so much (cervical and lumbar 2-level fusion, ear surgery, internal damage from car accident...blah blah blah) that it feels good to be able to help others with the info I have accumulated.
I was told that fibro is also due to the heavy metal and toxins in our body. I did some research and then bought (on Amazon) an ionization foot bath. It has helped me a lot. Naturopathic doctors do this in their offices also. You can't believe the slime and flecs of stuff that come into the water. It is dark brown and very slimey. We will never be toxin free but if I can reduce the heavy metals in my system and get my body to a pH balance...it will make a difference. Celantro also helps remove the heavy metals in our system.
Hi Kallee, there was a discussion on some time ago about medical marijuana. You could probably do a search and find the whole thread. I would try it in an instant but it is not legal in my state and I think is only legal in 15 or so states and then each state has different restrictions on how much you can have in your possession, etc. if you get some, have a few to,es for me. LOL
I have had a lot of surgeries, and 3 of them have been emergency, life-threatening surgery. I believe this was part of my trauma. Plus, I told the dr to put me out before I went into the op room, he didn’t, I panicked, went into shock, tried to get off the table and was put out. The dr later told me he was afraid I was to weak to be knocked ot prior to go in, and he made a mistake. All I do now is tell that story and I am immediately knocked out.
I also had to drop out of Wake Forest University to have surgery and go to a college closer to home- Lenoir-Rhyne. I was not happy. I have had a lot of disappointment because of my health.
I have even forgotten doctor's appts. . . and since I am always taking the same prescriptions I try to get away with appts. but my doctor says he needs help and wants me to see the psychiatrist. . . every time she changes a medicine I have to see her a couple of times or she will not give me a refill. . . I am also supposed to see a therapist but I get away with it - at least for a year or so! I used to have fun shopping - now not even that - and if I can get a ride to an appt. - fine with me! I drive only between 1-5 miles. . . What helps me is that I really love my back yard - palm trees, etc. - pool - I can look out from my bedroom and see the greens and the sky. . . I love the inside as well but it is always a mess - three adult children and a grandchild live with me but no one wants to do much - my son mops and sweeps. . . One time I had a flare up when I could not even hold a cup of coffee with my hand/s. . . my hands hurt a lot. . . I believe we should never lose hope and see the blessings surrounding us. . . we must take care of ourselves - no one will. . . sometimes I cannot even take care of myself. . . but each day I live is a miracle. . . I have so many blessings around me. . . I STILL WONDER MANY TIMES WHY I AM FEELING LIKE THIS. . . MY FAMILY JUST DOESN'T UNDERSTAND! THANK YOU FOR YOUR SHARINGS AND SUPPORT - GENTLE HUGS - IRMA
Hi Kallee, there was a discussion on some time ago about medical marijuana. You could probably do a search and find the whole thread. I would try it in an instant but it is not legal in my state and I think is only legal in 15 or so states and then each state has different restrictions on how much you can have in your possession, etc. if you get some, have a few to,es for me. LOL
My doctor just prescribed nuvigil two days ago and for the first time since I don't know when I didn't feel like sleeping all day. I drove my DH to his dr apt today 45 min drive and I had practicably stopped driving : )
Two of my holistic doctors told me the same thing. They told me that they've been seeing more people with serious chronic illnesses. My kinesiology doctor informed me that gluten sensitivity is the #1 cause of most illnesses.
I thought it was strange because people used to eat wheat for centuries but why are we getting sick now? He said because of the genetic modifications. That makes sense. I grew up in Japan where soy is part of daily diet but I became sensitive to soy since I moved here. I don't know too many people who don't have allergy, food sensitivities, IBS, acid reflux, diabetes, high-blood pressure, weight problem, etc. I also know a lot of people who's had cancer. When I was growing up in Japan, many of the modern diseases including diabetes and cancer was very rare. Now, it is very common and I believe that the western diet is a major contributer. I didn't even know anything about PMS, either! I started having PMS after I moved to US.
I believe that environmental toxin overload causes FM. When I have a detox foot bath, I immediately feel lighter and pain is decreased. The problem is that we are constantly exposed to toxins everywhere, so I need to keep detoxing all the time and it is costly. I spend most of my income on my medical treatments and I still don't have enough to get what I need.
Thanks for the info on the ionizing foot bath! I didn't know I could buy one. I get a detox foot bath at my kinesiology doctor's office and it really makes a big difference. I think theirs is more expensive and has a lot of functions to get different types of toxins from various parts of body.
Anyway, it would be great to have something! I used to take hot bath with epsom salts which also serves as a detox but it drains a lot of energy to soak entire body and the bathtub is not comfortable for the neck.
Hi Irma! Thanks for posting, I imagine typing is very painful for you! Your yard sounds idealic! You have a good son, one of the hardest things to do is to vacuum, sweep, mop, at least for me! Hubby has a gal come in for 2 hours a week and do the floors, best present he could ever give me!
Hope you are getting some relief, and while we're wishing, a little more help! Good hearing from you!
Thank you, SK! Your words/support mean tons to me. . . and you have a great husband! My husband runs to his work (salary based with JPL/NASA) - He comes home when I am asleep and leaves before I get up. . . he handles difficult situations with family this way. . . He also travels at least one third of the year - Spain, Australia, etc. - where they have the huge antennas! My oldest daughter thinks that I do not go out because I am not honest with my doctor and tell it like it is. . . I don't think they will be able to accept I am sick any time soon. . . She resents me because I miss "special" occasions - I have three grandchildren with her - the oldest is 4, the youngest 9 months (crawling). . . Take good care of yourself and thank you so much for all your support - for your care and compassion. . . gentle hugs - Irma
Fibro Chou....My holistic doctors said same thing about toxins and gluten intolerance. It's becoming so obvious in society that it can't be ignored or swept under the rug anymore.
I wanted to go way back in time to see what references could tell me how grains/gluten products were consumed. I found this link, it is based on biblical references, that would defintiely be way back in time....the grains were different and had less gluten and were prepared in a different way. Not alot of meat consumption either.