Fibromyalgia & C.F.I.D.S.: Bright Hope for Managing FMS & CFIDS
By award-winning author and stress-relief expert Susie Mantell
Fibromyalgia Syndrome,(FMS) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) are often stressful, discouraging, frustrating and misunderstood conditions that are increasingly diagnosed. CFS is also referred to as Chronic Fatigues & Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS). For a long time mostly integrative practitioners seemed to acknowledge them while many allopathic (traditional western) physicians denied the existence of either. As they began to see the constellation of vague and diffuse symptoms over and over, eventually FMS actually became a fairly common "catch-all" diagnosis among M.D.'s for people with generalized and persistent flu-like aches, overall malaise and depression, sometimes including cluttered "fibro-fog" thinking, and 18 very specific "tender points" that are very painful when pressed.
While I am not a physician, I have had considerable experience with FMS over the years, so I will share a few non-medical observations and hope that some of these things, along with your own professional health care regimen, practices, meds etc. might be helpful.
Patterns Observed by Some
- More often presents in women, and over 30, though not always.
- Widely thought to include a sleep-disorder-related phenomenon where one wakes frequently, spends too much time in alpha brain activity, and awakens feeling sluggish, achey and unrested.
- Likely exacerbated by stress.
- Many diagnosed with Gulf War Syndrome manifest FMS symptoms.
- Episodic in nature, with periods of apparent remission.
- Possible bowel/sinus connection to the FMS flare-ups.
- Sometimes onset follows physical or emotional trauma or sudden hormonal change.
- CFIDS sufferers often test positive for FMS but the reverse is not necessarily true. br>
- Sometimes accompanied by, or confused with, Lyme Disease, arthritis etc.
- Personality is often "perfectionistic,"with especially high expectations.
- Many have allergies and environmental sensitivities.
My personal sense is that Fibromyalgia Syndrome is a constellation of musculoskeletal symptoms that seem to occur in different people for different reasons, with a broad range of severity, and it seems to be episodic in nature. There may be a digestive correlation for some and/or autoimmune/allergy aspects. The following have been found to ease some people's symptoms and perhaps even improve quality of life over time.
It is easy to become inwardly focused and demoralized when feeling unwell. Many have found extraordinary relief from symptoms of FMS and CFIDS and gone back to live active, happy lives simply by making the following lifestyle modifications. As always, be sure to check with your own health care professionals before making changes that could in any way effect your health and well-being:
-Eliminate sugar, caffeine and alcohol entirely for a trial of 2-4 weeks.
-Drink at least 8 glasses of bottled or purified water daily
-Eat fiber, green leafy vegetables, small amounts of ground flax seeds, and generally keep bowels moving regularly. Note: Chinese medicine draws a relationship between a healthy digestive system and sinuses. Interestingly, both can have implications in FMS.
- READ ABOUT: "Leaky Gut Syndrome" and see if anything about it makes sense to you.
-Exercise moderately and stretch daily, in the water if you can, as close to daily as possible. There is a very fine line and too much can lead to a flare, but too little cause stiffness etc.
-Have massage weekly
-Breathe mindfully, deeply, pleasurably
-Listen to you body. Rest when you begin to get tired, then get up and move on with your day. Rest every hour if you must. Your body will tell you when it needs to rest. It may also say, "Okay, get up again now and do one thing--then rest again." You will know. Being productive even in a small way often lifts our spirits.
-Get good, restful sleep. Barbiturates, can block authentic restorative sleep levels in which growth hormone is secreted, muscle tears repaired, etc.
-See a licensed health care professional with expertise in FMS and CFIDS and ask about nutritional/herbal supplements and/or Serotonin boosters that may be appropriate.
-Try counseling with a skilled therapist you like and trust and who "gets it"
-Share with a few good friends how you are really doing, so they can support, distract you, and remind you of what might be helpful.
-Pursue interests that are fun, and completely unrelated to your health.
-Daily meditation--(I listen to my own "Your Present"A Half-Hour of Peace" audio when I need to relax, can't sleep, and when I am achey)
-Clear out unhealthy thoughts, behaviors and people-----reduce stress in any way you can.
-Replace those things with dreams, activities and people who fit more
-Not everyone can, but I know people who have changed careers or routines altogether to create the next chapter of life that brings them joy and satisfaction, and allows for lifestyle modifications that support their wellness. .
-Explore dance, yoga, body work, meditative practices, art, etc.
- Think positive! And hang around with others who do! Many people who have had FMS or CFIDS live happy, active lives again and find manageable ways to avoid, cope with and move through the very difficult days!
BOOK SUGGESTION: Much has been written on this complicated and little-understood phenomenon. Take a look at "Reversing Fibromyalgia"- Joe M. Elrod, Ph.D. Dr. Elrod write about this disorder with all it's vague and sometimes subtle, often miserable symptoms, in a way many do not. He offers some practical, realistic suggestions especially regarding nutrition, exercise, (How much exercise is beneficial? How much is too much?) and nutritional supplements. I notice he hasn't included the supplement Sam-e, which has gotten a lot of buzz and by some, but all these matters should be determined with your health care professionals.) I notice too that his subsequent wellness writing is quite religious in nature. This may or may not be your cup of tea but I don't recall that in Reversing Fibromyalgia. I do see enough in this book that is practical and useful that if you are suffering the misery of FMS, it's at least worth a look to see if it might help you.
NOTE: SEE MORE ITEMS THIS SECTION OF COPING WITH PAIN, DEPRESSION ETC.
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Award-winning stress-relief expert Susie Mantell ...is the author of the deeply soothing relaxation CD, "Your Present: A Half-Hour of Peace,� clinically approved for symptoms associated with stress and sleeplessness, depression and grief, anxiety, P.T.S.D., Fibromyalgia, caregiver stress, cancer, pain, divorce and addiction recovery. Featured in The Los Angeles Times, NBC, ABC, CBS-TV, Town & Country, The American Pain Society, Hazelden and The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, listeners include The Mayo Clinic, Memorial Sloan-Kettering, The Betty Ford Center, V.A. Hospitals,and Canyon Ranch (#1 Spa.) Customizing stress-reduction for Fortune 500 companies, distinguished hospitals and spas, Mantell has facilitated thousands in relieving health-related, work-related, chronic or traumatic stress. Her multi-sensory, mind-body techniques appear in national media, medical and corporate publications. Susie Mantell's Stress-Relief & Wellness Tips are intended as an adjunct to, not a substitute for, professional health care. Order �Your Present: A Half-Hour of Peace� and find more of Mantell�s stress-relief tips at www.relaxintuit.com