April 2, 2007
Don’t Assume - New Symptoms May Not Be FM
One of the problems of having a chronic disease…is that when some new symptom arises, it’s easy to assume that your chronic disease is just revealing itself in a new way and you’re feeling worse because of it. Not necessarily true! Get that new symptom checked out.
You could have low thyroid hormone, which can throw off your system, make you feel lousy, and even affect your fingernails and hair. Parathyroid gland problems are also common in middle-aged women and can manifest themselves as high blood-calcium levels, which can aggravate or cause osteoporosis and sometimes interfere with proper kidney function. The hormonal and other changes of perimenopause (which can go on for years) may affect the way you feel in many ways.
Ask your doctor about blood tests to screen out problems that can be treated more easily than FM. Get those regular well-woman exams, mammograms, cholesterol tests, blood pressure tests, eye exams, dental exams, bone scans, even that colonoscopy if you’re 50 or older. Of course these exams are expensive, unless you have good insurance or there’s a free program for some of them in your state, but well worth it if you can remove another layer of pain and misery and limit your struggles to those of your chronic illness, whether it’s FM or something else.
As for FM - as difficult as it is to get started, exercise has really helped me. My $50 treadmill, my TV, and I are best friends for 40 minutes a day and I hope we keep going till I’m not supposed to go any longer! My good wishes and prayers are with all of you who need to be able to get out of bed before you can consider a walk around the block - I know you’re not slackers, I have (literally) felt your pain, and I hope you have good, loving support and great doctors. Let’s all take care of our entire selves to the extent we can, and find some hope each day. - Lisa
___________________________ Juicing, Supplements and Spiritual Life
I have had Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, head injuries, Fibromyalgia, and arthritis for many years. I use alternative and western medicine. I have survived deep depression and many of the losses that go with the disease. I have made progress. For me the wonderful consequence of illness is that I have become more spiritual which, in turn, helped me become healthier. I changed my attitude about suffering. I changed my attitudes toward the illness. It is not a cross for me to bear. I became more responsible for my life. I expect to be fully well.
My next treatment plan, which I am implementing now, is a juicing diet, raw fresh vegetables and fish only. I eat 15 or more vegetables and fruits a day – juiced and raw. I eat fish at least 2 times a day. I supplement with raw honey containing royal jelly and with pharmaceutical grade salmon oil. This diet helps with the pain… It is not a cheap diet, but no more expensive that what most people are spending.
I eat a lot of salads using some organic and some non-organic products. (Some none organic stuff like apples can be used with a good vegetable soap and a scrubber brush.) I don't eat red meat because it takes too long to digest and most of us have digestion problems. Pork should not be eaten at all as it contains an enzyme that is not good for the body and it is very hard to digest. - Elizabeth
___________________________ Evening Primrose Oil and New Diet
I [am in South Africa and] don't have your availability to certain drugs and supplements, but I have discovered that evening primrose oil has helped with both the depression and pain, especially around 'that time of the month'. I take it about a week before a full moon and for a few days afterwards. It's worked for me. On the advice of a dietitian, I changed to a high protein, low carbohydrate diet and this has given me a lot of increased energy as well as some weight loss. – Ros
___________________________ Hesitant to Share
I'll try not to share info on alternative way to totally eliminate the pain of FM. I believe this is what I'm not to do. Please advise. This is an alternative product, not patent medication...or OTC drug, however I know of two ladies who've completely eliminated FM from their lives. Am very antsy about trying to help someone here...don't want to make anyone angry. – Jim
Note: We appreciate that you want to help. Individuals are welcome to share their own personal experience if something has helped them. However, because no single product or treatment plan works for everyone, we cannot allow anything to be promoted as a cure for FM or even as a promise to eliminate the pain. Nor can we allow anyone to promote a product they sell, for obvious conflict of interest reasons.
___________________________ The Pain Info Site I Like Best
…I would like to tell other readers about the pain site I utilize. I suffer from both CFS and FMS and I just love this site! It's http://www.painfoundation.org, and it is the home of the American Pain Foundation. The wonderful thing about this site is that is for all types of chronic pain and "invisible disabilities." There are message boards and chat rooms, and online "experts" as well.... This APF site has become my home, and the people there have become my family… - Patty
Note: We second your enthusiasm about the Pain Foundation site. See our recent articles on their “Downloadable Guide to Pain Treatment Options for Patients, Healthcare Providers, & Caregivers”, and their “Pain Management Trial Directory”, maintained in collaboration with CenterWatch.
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Disclaimer: This information has not been evaluated by the FDA. It is not meant to prevent, diagnose, treat, or cure any condition, illness, or disease. It is very important that you make no change in your healthcare plan or regimen without researching and discussing it in collaboration with your professional healthcare team.
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