Most people with fibromyalgia realize that it seems like your whole system is unbalanced and it is. Studies have shown that most people with fibro have IBS, many have hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia or both, and most are generally deficient in one or more vitamins and minerals. Combine that with insomnia, not getting enough exercise, the inability to digest properly and failure to remove toxins and it is no wonder the imbalance seems impossible to correct.

Any fibromyalgia treatment has to start with a program of helping the body overcome this imbalance and it must start with your diet. Changing lifestyle and diet habits seems to be the most difficult obstacle for fibro patients to overcome.

It is easy to understand when it seems like your body is starving for energy and is screaming for you to feed it what it needs most for energy, carbs or sugar but that is exactly what is keeping this imbalance in place.
Refined carbs and sugar are damaging your liver, pancreas, brain and adrenals. They are also acidic, forcing your body to regulate ph levels however it can, even if it means leaching calcium from your bones to combat acidity. They also contribute to and cause overgrowths of yeast and mold.

How?

Normally the liver controls blood sugar levels. It makes sugar from stores inside the liver and releases it as needed in a carefully regulated way. Eating excessive sugar or refined carbs can overwhelm this control system and then the liver must dump the excess into the systemic circulation. This results in high blood sugar which damages blood vessels.

Then the pancreas comes in to play by releasing insulin to control these overwhelming blood sugar levels. It does this by shunting the sugar into fat, you will actually create more fat to store sugar which is your body's way of protecting itself. Then a rebound effect can happen when your pancreas releases too much insulin to control excess sugar and your blood sugar drops too low. This is also damaging because then the energy supply to all tissues is impaired. This is hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia often leads to diabetes.

Subconsciously you may eat to alleviate these symptoms of low blood sugar which is your body's natural way of protecting itself but this just leads to a roller coaster effect of rising and falling blood sugars which soon spirals out of control.

Another effective way the liver may react to low blood sugar is to convert short chain fatty acids into glucose.

When the liver and pancreas can't regulate blood sugar properly and sugar levels drop too low the brain begins to panic so to speak because the brain survives on blood sugar, this causes an adrenalin reaction to bring the sugar back up and if it happens at night it wakes you up preventing deep sleep which you need to heal.

This can wreak havoc with the adrenals as your blood sugar dips throughout the day and night. Fibro patients often have low cortisol levels and adrenal fatigue. Simply put your adrenal glands become exhausted.

Next the damaged or fatigued liver or pancreas can not create the needed enzymes for digestion. This leads to or worsens IBS and an inability to digest foods properly.

The inability to digest can cause diarrhea, constipation, IBS.
Also the inability to digest proteins leads to problems which create more of an inability to digest because you need protein and the proper digestion of protein to create enzymes needed for digestion. So this becomes yet another imbalance in fibromyalgia that creates another endless loop of malfunction.

The important role played by amino acids is also reduced. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. Proteins when digested properly break down into amino acids. These amino acids are involved in creating enzymes, the growth, repair and maintenance of body tissues, balancing blood sugar, digesting food, the proper functioning of the immune system and the production of hormones.
Your body will actually begin to break down your intestines if it isn't getting the amino acids it needs to function.

Proteins are needed to heal and for a functioning immune system. With the breakdown of the immune system due to an inability to digest proteins you can not fight off yeast, molds, viruses and bacteria. Yeast and mold, bacteria and viruses often afflict fibromyalgia patients more than the general population and this burdens an already overworked immune system even more.

With an inability to digest foods you are not going to properly absorb vitamins and minerals and this along with the diarrhea leads to malnutrition. You also need the proteins and amino acids to carry the vitamins and minerals to your cells.

You need a healthy liver and blood vessels to clear your body of toxins and deliver oxygen to your cells.

Fluid and electrolyte imbalances are also created due to diarrhea.

In addition there may also be hormonal imbalances.

The body will do whatever it takes to control blood sugar, fluid imbalances and ph levels, if it didn't, you would die.

This in the simplest terms describes the overwhelming job that is placed on your body due to the many imbalances involved in fibromyalgia.

What can you do to stop this cascade of imbalances?

a€¢ Lower carb higher protein diet

Most doctors recommend this for fibro. There is a known endocrine disorder with fibro and while doctors don't exactly know how this correlation works, they know it exists.

Make it easy on yourself. Don't even try complicated diet plans that seem like an extra job. Incorporate lower carb higher protein into YOUR lifestyle.

Don't bother counting carbs, just eliminate sugar and white flour and if you can't do it seven days a week do it six days a week, if you can't do it six days a week start with five days a week.

If you still can't eliminate them this way, then try this, divide your plate into fourths, one half is covered with non starchy vegetables, one fourth with meat or fish and one fourth with carbs. If you are making pasta for dinner start with a salad with lemon and olive oil. This will help activate digestive juices in your stomach. Have four meatballs instead of two and less pasta and no bread.

If you must have bread look for the smallest rolls possible or just half a slice. Some doctors recommend whole grain instead of white but others say no to any grains for hypoglycemia and IBS. I believe if you take digestive enzymes whole grains shouldn't be a problem for either but they are still carbs so limit them.

If you still must have an occasional dessert then make it cheesecake (a sliver) or get a diabetic cookbook and learn how to make lower sugar/carb desserts and meals.

Watch the rice and potatoes also. And some fruits also have too much sugar like bananas, limit fruit when you are starting, stick to low glycemic fruits.
Eat whole fruits, the fiber is good for you. No fruit juice whatsoever, it is too high in sugar.

No sugar but if you must, Stevia or Agave Nectar in your coffee or tea and limit this to one cup a day. There is also a new stevia out called Truvia. This might be worth checking into. Absolutely no aspartame or Splenda or any sugar substitutes other than stevia. Herbal teas are also good because they don't need much sweetening to be flavorful.

Learn the glycemic indexes of foods. Learn what complex carbs (the ones you should be eating) are.

Little or no processed food. Refined food may very well be the culprit in many of your ills. By the time refined food is cooked and gets to your plate there are practically no enzymes left in it for digestion.

Eat raw foods as much as possible.

Drink plenty of water, add a little lemon to it. Lemon water with distilled or spring water is good for your liver. It will also help you create stomach acids needed for digestion.

Eat only good oils. Cold pressed olive oil is best. Good fats slow the release of glucose.

Eat breakfast (a must), it will help to stabilize your blood sugars throughout the whole day.

Learn what your daily intake of protein should be based on your weight.
Try adding whey protein to your daily meal plans. The kind that weightbuilders use is the best. It is easily digested and gives you extra protein that you may not be getting. Add to milk and drink one glass in the morning and it will give you stable protein for energy. It is also low in sugars. Drink another in the afternoon if you have a mid afternoon slump and drink one before bed, it will create tryptophan which will help you sleep and the proteins can also work to give extra healing while you are sleeping.
If you don't like the whey protein then eat an egg for breakfast and drink extra milk. If you can't tolerate milk then use lactose digestion aids/enzymes.
Eat smaller and more meals throughout the day. Three meals and two snacks daily. Make the snacks higher in protein. A good one is peanut butter on whole wheat crackers.

In short you must do whatever it takes to stabilize your blood sugars. This will give you energy, help your depression, stop your insomnia and help you sleep better. It will also help greatly with your pain.

I have heard people with fibro say that they have tried diet and it doesn't work. Or they are reluctant to even try. It isn't going to work overnight or even in a few days. It will take anywhere from two to six weeks just to get your blood sugar stabilized and then it will take months for the healing to occur. You didn't reach this state overnight, you are not going to get over it in a couple of days but I can guarantee you will absolutely feel better and you will notice improvements in a short time that will make you want to stick to it. And if you fall off the wagon occasionally don't use it as an excuse to give up, just get back on and try again.

Also note that the diet is lower carb higher protein, don't go overboard and severely restrict carb intake or signifcantly increase protein intake if you feel you are meeting the daily requirements for protein for your weight, gender and age.

If you have access to a glucose meter and know how to use it, check your blood sugar levels yourself throughout the day.

See an endocrinolgist to get a complete blood sugar work up. Get checked for hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, diabetes, all of it. If your blood sugars are not normal they will probably recommend a dietitian to help create a diet plan for you, in addition to insulin or other medications if needed.

See your doctor and ask to have your adrenal and liver function tested.

a€¢ Use digestive and systemic enzymes. Look for a good formula with Betaine and Pepsin in the digestive, take before meals to help digest food, especially proteins which are the hardest to digest. Papaya Enzymes are also good for digesting proteins.
a€¢ Use probiotics. A good formula with at least five beneficial bacteria.
a€¢ Use EFA's Essential Fatty Acids. They will help regulate glucose. Take before a meal.
a€¢ If IBS does not improve with digestive enzymes try peppermint gels in addition. Drink peppermint tea. If this doesn't help get tested for SIBO (small intestinal bacteria overgrowth). You may need antibiotics.
a€¢ Try a blood sugar formula but be careful to read ingredients, you don't want to lower insulin just help stabilize it.
a€¢ Milk Thistle is good for the liver.
a€¢ Licorice is good for the adrenals but check side effects and drug interactions. Some people should not take licorice. Look for other supplements that are good for adrenal fatigue.
a€¢ A good multi-vitamin is a must. Look for high quality, higher concentrations at first since you are not absorbing well until your digestion improves.
a€¢ Amino Acids supplements may also help you to heal.
a€¢ Research all vitamins and supplements before taking. Some cause dangerous side effects and interactions if you are not meant to take them.
a€¢ Keep a food diary. Learn what foods cause diarrhea or fatigue or any of the symptoms of hypoglycemia or blood sugar problems for you. Everyone is different.
a€¢ Exercise. Go for a walk after meals. This will greatly help to stabilize and normalize blood sugars. It will also help stimulate normal bowel functions.

Remember you must change your lifestyle and diet. You really have no choice if you want to heal.

Supplements are needed and help a great deal to support your overwhelmed body on its way to healthful balance, they help with many functions that your body is just unable to do on it's own for the time being but there aren't enough supplements in the world to replace the millions of functions that a healthy body does naturally and brilliantly.

Note: While not every fibromyalgia patient has all of the above symptoms there has been some research to suggest a link between IBS and varying degrees of hypoglycemia or reactive hypoglycemia. Studies indicate that up to 80% of fibromyalgia patients suffer from IBS. There have also been conclusive studies demonstrating abnormal adrenal function in fibromyalgia patients.

Some studies indicate that fibromyalgia patients have higher degrees of blood sugar problems such as hypoglycemia, diabetes, insulin resistance and pre diabetes than the general population. Many fibromyalgia patients experience fibroglycemia, both high and low blood sugars.

You are the best judge of your fibro symptoms and what treatments might be of benefit to you, as always discuss all of your treatments with your doctor and inform them of all alternative treatments and products that you use.

Mary Ferrari is webmaster of www.fibrosmart.com an alternative health site featuring articles, newsletters, products and more related to successful alternative treatments for fibromyalgia. "I have been pain/symptom free from fibromyalgia since 2008 and have helped many people who wish to overcome their symptoms using non pharmaceutical supplements and treatments."

Fibromyalgia is a painful, complex and perplexing medical condition. It is a complex disease in which both genetics and environmental causes play a role.Fibromyalgia is characterized by muscle pain, fatigue, lack of energy, poor sleep, headaches, impaired memory or concentration, dizziness, bowel complaints, anxiety and depression.  Fibromyalgia is more prevalent in women of childbearing age. The worst part about fibromyalgia is the pain is not localized to specific joints.

Symptoms Of Chronic Fatigue Fibromyalgia

There are many people who suffer from the symptoms of chronic fatigue fibromyalgia but because it is not a well known disease many of these people do not realize that they have it. When the symptoms of chronic fatigue fibromyalgia first appear they are usually little more than a minor annoyance that may come and go for several years before they intensify. When these symptoms become unbearable those who suffer them are forced to miss work, family events and seek relief with frequent visits to their doctor.  

Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome share many common features in addition to pain and fatigue there may be symptoms of trouble sleeping or sleep disturbances, recurrent on going depression, morning stiffness, headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, painful menstrual periods, numbness or tingling of the extremities, restless legs syndrome, temperature sensitivity, light sensitivity, cognitive and memory problems (sometimes referred to as "fibro fog"), lassitude and post exertional fatigue or a variety of other symptoms.  

Seeking relief from the symptoms of chronic fatigue fibromyalgia can be frustrating. Relocating to a warmer climate or finding a job that does not require lots of energy are two ways in which one can reduce the symptoms of this condition. Reducing stress in daily life is one of the best ways to alleviate the symptoms as well. Another known way to deal with the symptoms of chronic fatigue fibromyalgia is eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly.  

Treatments Of Chronic Fatigue Fibromyalgia

Simply put, chronic fatigue syndrome is the condition wherein a person suffers from prolonged fatigue that cannot be associated to a definite cause. Hearing you have chronic fatigue fibromyalgia is not the best news you could hope for, but there are treatments to help and other therapies that can help give you some peace from the pain and discomfort of this disorder. I hope that once the medical community reaches more of a consensus as to what exactly fibromyalgia is, they may in turn come up with more accurate diagnostics for it and eventually better treatments as well.

While the cause of chronic fatigue syndrome is not known, herbal remedies are becoming more and more popular as an effective form of alternative therapy. Nutritional supplements that may help are Vitamin B6 (in the form of pyridoxine hydrocholoride) to reduce platelet stickiness, Vitamin E (400 to 800 IU) daily for some days before and after flying, and Pinokinase, a compound made from fermented extracts of pine bark and soybeans that has shown to be very effective in preventing clots.

The one factor that remains the same is the idea that anyone who suffers from chronic fatigue fibromyalgia will have to make lifestyle changes if they are to effectively deal with the disorder. Exercise and massage can be an effective way to loosen muscles and decrease soreness.

Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

Increased sensitivity to pain is the main symptom of fibromyalgia. However fibromyalgia syndrome and additional chronic pain diseases form a cluster of overlapping symptoms. It is also observed by medical personnel that patients suffering from the pain and fatigue in muscles and tendons of fibromyalgia will display symptoms of related disorders. A doctor familiar with fibromyalgia should make the diagnosis. This list of symptoms of fibromyalgia are for your reference only.

Not all of these symptoms of fibromyalgia will occur in all patients. Common symptoms of fibromyalgia include:

Temperomandibular Joint pain and stiffness

Widespread Pain with Morning Stiffness

Fatigue

Myofascial Pain

Muscle Twitches

Problems with breathing

Chronic Headaches

Vision Problems

Nausea

Sleep Disorders

Weight Gain

Dizziness

Cold Symptoms

Chemical Sensitivity

Memory or cognitive issues

Skin Complaints

Chest Symptoms

Anxiety and depression

Herbal Remedies For Fibromyalgia

Depression

St. John's wort is a natural antidepressant and affects the adrenal gland hormones to help relieve stress. St. John's wort works on the nerves and relieves sharp nerve pains. It also has antiviral attributes. Choose a standardized extract containing 0.3 percent hypericin and take 300 milligrams three times daily. (Caution: Do not take if you are taking prescription antidepressants.)

Fatigue

Siberian ginseng can help improve the fatigue associated with fibromyalgia. Choose a extract containing 0.5 percent eleutheroside E and take 100 milligrams twice daily, one-half hour before breakfast and lunch. After two weeks, you can gradually elevate the dosage as needed. After six weeks, do not take for one week, then resume taking thre herb for another six weeks.

Improve Immune System

Cayenne, echinacea, goldenseal, astralagus, myrrh and chaparral enhance the immune system and improve circulation. Combine them as a tea, Their taste may be improved by adding the solution to juice. Teas brewed from dandelion, burdock root, and red clover improve symptoms by boosting immune function, and acting as an agent to cleanse the bloodstream. Combine or alternate these herbal teas, and drink 4 to 6 cups daily. Garlic is useful as a bodily detox agent and to boost immune system function. Take 5,000 mcg of standardized allicin three times daily. Kyolic, aged garlic is preferred.

General Reversal of Fibromyalgia Symptoms

Calendula taken orally in high doses has the effect of alleviating the symptoms of fibromyalgia. A combination of sheep sorrel, burdock, Turkish rhubarb and slippery elm, all have shown to improve fibromyalgia symptoms. Ginkgo biloba improves brain function and circulation.

Reduce Pain and Inflamation

Devil's claw root is used to treat rheumatic disorders and is a natural anti- inflammatory. Take one 400 mg devil's claw root tablet daily.

Willow bark has anti-inflammatory properties and functions as a painkiller.

Turmeric helps to reduce pain and inflammation. Take 400 to 500 milligrams three times daily.

Dong quai is good for varying muscle and joint pains, especially if the pain is worse in damp weather. Take 1 capsule daily. This remedy is for women only.

Dandelion lowers the intensity and frequency of pain. It also improves connective tissue condition. Take 1 tbsp. juice or 1 cup tea twice daily for four to six weeks.

Topical applications of cayenne (capsicum) powder mixed with wintergreen oil can help relieve muscle pain. Use 1 part cayenne powder to 3 parts wintergreen oil. Cayenne can also be taken orally, in capsule form.

Pine-bark and grape-seed extracts are natural anti-inflammatories that help to ease pain. Take 50 milligrams of either two to three times daily.

Ginger Tea. Ginger is a good alternative to aspirin to relieve pain. Steep 1 teaspoon of the grated root in 8 ounces of hot water for 10 minutes. Strain. Honey can improve the taste of ginger tea. Alternatively, take 1,000 to 2,000 milligrams of powdered ginger a day in capsule form with food.

Insomnia

Passion flower, valerian and hops teas have sedating and muscle-relaxing attributes.

Skullcap and valerian root improve sleep.

One of the effects of sleep deprivation is a chronic and painful condition called Fibromyalgia. This condition affects the joints and muscles in the body and is more prevalent in females than in males with a ratio of 9:1 according to the College of Rheumatology. It is more prevalent in females in the 20 - 50 age groups although it is thought the symptoms are present from childhood.

Fibromyalgia affects about 3-6% of the world's population. The pain associated with Fibromyalgia generally affects the neck, buttocks, shoulders, arms, the upper back and chest. Pain is extremely personal and one person's pain is not necessarily the same for an additional, however all of these in addition to the effects of sleep deprivation cannot be uncomplicated. So far there's no cure; even so the excellent news is that Fibromyalgia doesn't appear to be life threatening or a progressive disease.

The pain causes a prickling and throbbing achiness within the muscle and may be so unbearable as to cause endless chronic effects of sleep deprivation. Fibromyalgia sufferers also report forgetfulness and other neurological problems on the other hand the main complain is the effects of sleep deprivation that people have to live with. Some individuals also suffer from depression, anxiety, chronic fatigue and stiffness within the joints and tendons.

Other issues associated with Fibromyalgia and effects of sleep deprivation is a chronic abdominal pain usually referred to as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or spastic colon. Some individuals also have skin disorders, headaches, facial twitching and symptoms of hypoglycemia. The effects of sleep deprivation can bring about anxiety, lack of energy, irritability and difficulty performing day to day activities.

The American Medical Association only recently recognized Fibromyalgia as a medical condition even though it has been around since the 1800s. Although Fibromyalgia flare ups differ from those of rheumatoid arthritis, medication utilized by rheumatoid arthritis patients are also helpful for Fibromyalgia sufferers. These medications include Advil, Acenomenofen (Tylenol), and Neproxine (Aleve) which are anti-inflammatory.

Massage has been helpful throughout flare-ups as it improves circulation and eases tension in the muscles and supply comfort. Massage also helps to enhance the effects of sleep deprivation and allow sufferers to sleep better at night. One caution though isn't to have a massage if you are on medication as this can trigger side effects from the tissues and muscle being massaged. It's best to check together with your physician.

As long as you follow your doctor's orders, take your medications as directed and get a lot of exercise, Fibromyalgia is manageable. In addition, you need to follow correct diet and nutrition, consisting of plenty of fruits, vegetables, drink plenty of water and prevent foods that will trigger flare-ups specially chemically treated or processed foods. Even though the brain is smart, it might be trained enough to induce sleep and eliminate the effects of sleep deprivation.

People today with fibromyalgia need to watch out for other conditions which can happen due to the quantity of constant pain and the effects of sleep deprivation. Psychological problems, like agitation, panic attacks, irritability, hostility, aggressiveness, impulsivity and extreme hyperactivity and thoughts of suicide, are some of the things which caregivers must be aware of.

Fibromyalgia is characterized by chronic widespread pain and heightened sensitivity to pressure. Other primary symptoms are fatigue, sleeping issues, and stiffness in the joints.

Some people may also have difficulty with swallowing and bowel and bladder abnormalities. Fibromyalgia remains unexplained by medicine at this point and can affect men, women and children of all ages.

People with fibromyalgia often have very disturbed sleep according to Doris Cope, MD, director of Pain Management at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

She has concluded that even if they sleep for more than 10 hours a night, they still don't feel rested. Research shows that fibromyalgia brings an automatic arousal in brain during sleep. The frequency of disruptions keeps the important restorative processes from happening at all.

Outgrowth hormone is mainly produced during sleep. Without restorative sleep growth muscles won't heal and neurotransmitters remain depleted.. The lack of a proper night's sleep makes people with fibromyalgia wake up feeling un-rested and fatigued.

The result is that the body cannot recuperate from a day's stress. This will overwhelm the system and create an exaggerated sensitivity to pain. The pain is often widespread. The sleep problems can cause anxiety, depression, fatigue, and memory problems.

The insomnia can take many forms. Whether it is trouble falling asleep or trouble  waking up too often during the night, the results are miserable. Trouble getting back to sleep if woken up and waking up far too early in the morning are also symptoms of insomnia for fibromyalsia patients.

Medications have been shown to enhance sleep while relieving pain but a lifestyle change will help sleep come more naturally.

10 Secrets for Better Sleep with Fibromyalgia

Creating a comfortable zone at home is one the most important keys to better sleep, whether you have this illness or not. It's all about getting calm at bedtime and trying to stay that way.

These 10 tips will help you sleep better:

1. Take  a soothing warm bath in the evening before bed. You can bring candles or whatever makes you most calm.

2. Use aromatherapy. Our sense of smell has the power to transform our emotions. Lavender has a very calming and therapeutic effect.  

3. Give relief to painful tender spots with a self massage device or tennis ball.

4. Do yoga and stretch to relax your muscles and get you breathing very deeply and slowly. Your breath is very important in any pain management.

5. Listen to calming music. Even if you prefer not-so-calming music, try putting on some something that doesn't over stimulate you.  

6. Meditate to get a handle on intrusive thoughts and tension. Meditating in general helps to alleviate anxiety. Anxiety will often arise before a person tries to fall asleep especially if they are experiencing prolonged insomnia. Meditation before sleep will get you to focus on deep breathing and help to evade intrusive thinking.

7. Sleep in a very dark room. If you find them comfortable, try an eye mask.

8. Keep the room your are sleeping in as quiet and constant as possible or try a white-noise machine.

9. Make sure the room temperature is comfortable. If the temperature doesn't remain constant, it could make it very difficult to get comfortable.  

10. Avoid foods that contain caffeine and high sugar content.

Following these tips can help people suffering from pain with fibromyalgia to fall asleep and sleep through the night.

How can you have chronic pain and fatigue and NOT be depressed?  All people - healthy or not - struggle every day with the stress of raising a family, their jobs, financial troubles, family illness and yes, death & taxes. You've got to get the kids to school on time, pay the bills, go to work (if you can work), clean the house, feed the pets, water the lawn, pick up the kids, take them to soccer, piano lessons, make dinner, make the kids do their chores (good luck) and you have to do all this AND MORE with debilitating pain, fatigue, migraines, IBS, TMJ, RLS, etc.  Just thinking about it is depressing!

Fibromyalgia sufferers are often misdiagnosed with anxiety disorders and depression, implying that it's a€œall in your heada€, but research has consistently proven that Fibromyalgia is not a form of depression or hypochondria. Anxiety and depression do CO-EXIST with FM & treatment is important because both can make FM worse and interfere with symptom management.

From my own experience, I can tell you how easy it is to let it get the best of you.  There were days when I just got into bed in my dark room I called a€œthe cavea€ and isolated myself from my family and friends.  I avoided leaving the house unless I just absolutely had to and when I did, all I could think about was getting home and crawling into bed.  The more depressed I got, the more pain I had.  The more pain I had, the more depressed I got!

I had anxiety attacks and the stress of a bad financial situation was more than I could handle - or so I thought.  There were times when I wondered how in the world I was going to make through the next day - How much longer can I deal with this?  I felt hopeless, helpless and worthless.  My self-image was horrible and my confidence level was nonexistent.  I was ashamed.

Have you ever felt that way?  I hope not, but IF YOU HAVE, there is a way to get out of the pit of depression and anxiety!  You can become a productive member of your family and society as a whole.  It's not easy, but what choice do you have?  You know you don't want to live like this forever.

I always hated the idea of therapy!  First of all, the effort it would take for me to get out of the house was a big factor.  Secondly, I didn't want to tell all my pitiful story to a stranger and I wasn't even sure I'd be believed when it came to the Fibromyalgia part.  There are still some mental health professionals that believe FM is psychological rather than physiological.  I didn't want to hear it. 

About a year ago, my son needed therapy for depression and anger issues.  I took him to several professionals and one suggested (in front of my son) that he could cure my Fibromyalgia because it was more emotional & psychological stress than a physical problem.  The next day, we went to another therapist.  I didn't trust him to help my son if he was going to say that to me.  We finally found one that fit our family since we would all take part in my son's therapy.  It didn't take me or the therapist long to discover I needed help, too.  He saw right through me! 

Therapy has changed my life in so many ways and with an understanding professional to guide me, I have taken back the control I had given up to Fibromyalgia.  He helped me see my value, my positive traits and taught me how to cope with my pain, stress, anxiety and depression.  Talking about it with an objective party is also a way of healing emotional scars and it was a relief to just lay it all out there!  He also recommended a new anti-depressant to my doctor which has helped me a lot. 

Perception is everything.  I perceived myself a certain way and became exactly that. 

My father was recently diagnosed with small cell lung cancer - he never smoked.  It is the rarer form of lung cancer that is fast-acting and incurable.  I was devastated when I heard the news!  My dad is my hero and my rock - life without him is something I can't even fathom.  I really lost it for a while, but with counseling, I am finding my own way to cope.  I'm still have bad days, but I am trying to work through them in a more healthy way.  The woman I was two years ago would have gone back to her cave and never come out.

There many medications, supplements & herbs out there that can help.  Talk to your doctor about which ones might work for you and always double check for interactions and side effects!  I have a lot of information about prescription drugs alternatives, therapies and other resources on my website that might be of help.

Don't be afraid to take that first step and find a good mental health professional!  It truly is worth it.  I am now a functioning a€œFibromytea€ and though, I still have pain and other issues, I can get through them one day at a time.  If I can do it, YOU can, too!

More articles on this topic to come!

Copyright (c) 2010 Fibromyalgia Network

By Kristin Thorson

Nearly 100,000 veterans of the first Gulf War have chronic musculoskeletal pain that significantly impairs their function. It's been more than 15 years since these dedicated veterans with Gulf War Illness (GWI) returned from the war and their symptoms persist without a valid explanation.

Dane B. Cook, Ph.D., at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, says that only a "dearth of experimental research directed at pain" has been conducted in GWI, but he suggests that "insight can be gained from research on civilians with fibromyalgia." Cook says that there are some differences between the Gulf veterans with chronic pain and people with fibromyalgia. Most predominately, GWI tends to occur in men exposed to the chemically harsh environment of war while those with fibromyalgia are mostly women whose symptom onset is highly variable but not war-related. What causes or triggers the onset of these two conditions may differ, but what sustains the pain in GWI and fibromyalgia may be very similar processes, according to a series of experiments by Cook.1

Brief and vigorous exercise in healthy young individuals is known to lead to reduced pain sensitivity, often referred to as the "runner's high". However, the opposite occurred in people with fibromyalgia who were asked to ride 30 minutes on a stationary bicycle.2 Cook proposed that veterans with GWI who also had widespread pain similar to fibromyalgia would rate a 30-minute bout of submaximal bicycling exercise as more intense, more painful, and would be more sensitive to pain stimuli when compared to healthy veterans who also served in the first Persian Gulf war. Both groups were physically fit when they were deployed, but upon their return, the GWI group had many unexplained symptoms, including widespread pain.

The recruitment of male research participants who served in the first Persian Gulf war was based on whether they had widespread pain that could not be explained by another illness (such as rheumatoid arthritis). Veterans with regional pain and injuries were also excluded from the study along with rheumatoid arthritis and similar diseases. Eleven participants were classified as having GWI with unexplained widespread pain and 16 met the criteria for the healthy controls.

"Despite exercising at a lower power output, Gulf veterans with chronic musculoskeletal pain still became more sensitive to experimental pain stimuli postexercise," states Cook and colleagues. Leg muscle-pain intensity ratings increased throughout the exercise bout in both groups, but the GWI group with chronic widespread pain reported higher pain ratings that ramped up at a faster rate than the healthy group.

"A significant number of military personnel are no longer able to perform their duties due to multiple symptoms including pain, fatigue, and cognitive troubles," writes Cook. He emphasizes that pain is just one of three factors describing GWI, but considering the lack of experimental data on this condition, Cook adds, "we modeled the design of the present study on similar research conducted in fibromyalgia." The reasons for this are rather straightforward. Psychophysical testing of experimental pain in fibromyalgia has provided strong evidence of abnormal pain processing and now establishes a foundation for future studies that are likely to produce more evidence of abnormal functioning in GWI.

Based on findings in fibromyalgia, the present study suggests a failure of the pain regulatory system in the spinal cord. This would be expected to lead to increases in naturally occurring muscle pain during exercise and exaggerated central nervous system sensitivity following exercise. Repetitive stimulation of the painful sensory receptors in the peripheral muscles during physical exertion is likely the mechanism by which the chronic musculoskeletal pain is maintained in GWI. This is a similar phenomenon observed in a predominantly female population of fibromyalgia patients.

"Exercise research in chronic muscle-pain patients has brought an interesting paradox to light," writes Cook. "Acute exercise appears to exacerbate pain while chronic exercise can reduce pain and improve other symptoms associated with chronic pain."

Last year at the American Pain Society meeting, Cook demonstrated that mild bicycling at an easy level of resistance produced improvements in pain for people with fibromyalgia. More recently, Kevin Fontaine, M.D., of Johns Hopkins University, showed that a prescription for 30 minutes of "lifestyle physical activity," or LPA, up to five days per week significantly reduced pain and improved overall function compared to a group of fibromyalgia patients who attended a series of educational sessions. Daytime fatigue scores and mood remained unchanged for both groups.3

The subjects in the LPA group were instructed to incorporate five to seven bouts of additional daily activities, such as walking, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, housework, gardening, or anything else that gets them moving for a few minutes. The level or intensity of the activity should increase breathing demands but not so much that a person cannot hold a conversation. Initially, the patients began at 15 minutes per day of LPA and worked to 30 minutes by the fifth week (i.e., increasing 5 minutes per week). All subjects wore a waist-mounted pedometer to record the number of steps they took each day and to determine if patients were following instructions.

Before the study, fibromyalgia patients averaged 3,800 steps per day. At the end of the 12-week study, the LPA group increased to an average of 5,800 steps per day, representing a 54 percent increase. Unlike most treatment interventions involving exercise, the dropout rate for the LPA group was small (13 percent) and it was the same as the education group used as a comparison.

"One thing seems clear from the fibromyalgia literature," writes Fontaine, "people with fibromyalgia have difficulty adhering to exercise. Indeed, in fibromyalgia clinical exercise trials dropout rates often nearly exceed 30 percent, suggesting that developing exercise interventions that can be sustained is perhaps as important a goal as finding the particular interventions that produce optimal benefits."

1. Cook DB, et al. J Pain March 23 [Epub ahead of print] 2010.
2. Vierck CJ, et al. J Pain 2:334-344, 2001.
3. Fontaine KR, et al. March 30 Arthritis Care Ther 12(2):R55 [Epub ahead of print] 2010.

Is there really a cure for fibromyalgia and cfs? There are definitely products out there that help combat the pain and treat the problem. 'Ac Joint and Muscle Support Cream' is one such a product. Also you could use 'Vivarol', 'Freederm Joint Support Supplements' or 'Joint and Muscle Support Liquid Formula'

We are going to take a closer look at all of these medications that treat CFS and fibromyalgia.

Vivarol is an effective natural medicine that is used for the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome and Fibromyalgia syndrome. Patients with these syndromes suffer from unexplained fatigue, sleeplessness, muscle and joint pains. Fibromyalgia patients have multi tender points in neck, shoulders, spine and hips along with morning stiffness, irritable bowel syndrome and anxiety, among others.

Vivarol is a nano-engineered to product that contains molecular nutrients, helping as an effective remedy in these cases. It contains various natural and effective ingredients in a unique single formulation. The ingredients include Aloe barbadensis extract, Tragacanth gum, Beta-glucan, Arabinogalactan, Glucosamine sulfate, Ghatti gum, Guar gum, Fucose, Mannose and Glucose glycans. Each of these ingredients has various beneficial actions.

Vivarol is prepared to restore proper brain, neurotransmitter and cellular health throughout the body. It acts at bio-cellular levels; thereby, resulting pain relieving actions. Vivarol restores normal cellular energy and sense of wellness. It enhances neuron efficiency and repairs cellular energy production centers. Also it protects immune system and helps in improving mental stamina. Moreover, Vivarol lengthens and relaxes muscles while relieving lower and backaches.

Coming to some similar natural medicines, AC joint and muscle support cream is said to be effective in relieving joint pains by lubricating joints for longtime. It rebuilds the damaged cartilage at the affected site. Freederm joint support supplements are used as a remedy for various kinds of joint pains.

Joint and muscle support liquid formula is a lemon flavored product that is taken orally by mixing with water or juice. It is supposed to deliver the essential nutrients to maintain healthy muscle and joint function at a dose of 1 oz per day.

Though there are various products Vivarol has many beneficial effects over others. The ingredients of Vivarol not only reduce joint pains but also help in maintaining proper health of the body in many ways. Glucose glycans enhance brain functioning by improving calcium absorption. Mannose helps in countering infections and improving excretory system. Fucose improves brain and nerve function.

Guar gum improves digestion and subsides irritable bowel syndrome. Its soluble fibers can help improving cardio vascular functioning. Ghatti gum provides calcium, magnesium and potassium that are necessary for healthy muscle function. Glucosamine sulfate helps in proper formation of joints and cartilage, while enhancing muscle elasticity.

Arabinogalactan not only maintains healthy digestive flora but also balances serum cholesterol. Moreover, Tragacanth gum and Beta-glucan improves immune system. Finally, Aloe barbadensis extract aids in relieving pain and forming healthy cells. Hence, the diversity of benefits available from Vivarol makes it the most preferred product.

Copyright (c) 2007 Hailey Harris

Differences Between Fibromyalgia and Myofascial Pain

Fibromyalgia and Myofascial Pain are syndromes that are closely related but have a few differences that are worth discussing. Knowing the two syndromes and their respective symptoms can help aid in the healing process. Knowing the differences between the two syndromes will also help you know what to expect in the course of the syndrome and how to best go about treating the symptoms.

Fibromyalgia is a syndrome that affects mostly women. It is non-joint rheumatism that has widespread pain and fatigue associated with it. Muscular aching and stiffness are common symptoms of this condition as well as what are termed trigger points. Trigger points in fibromyalgia are located in the neck, back and extremities and are tender when touched or pressed. Sleep disturbance is another main symptom of Fibromyalgia and contributes to the fatigue that accompanies this syndrome.

There are other symptoms of Fibromyalgia that include:

As Fibromyalgia (FM) sufferers we are often made to feel like our pain is a€œall in your heada€, but research has consistently proven that Fibromyalgia is not a form of depression or hypochondria. IT IS REAL!  However, there is a connection between FM and other chronic pain conditions to depression and anxiety.  Treatment is important because both can make FM worse and interfere with symptom management.

There is some debate by medical and mental professionals about what causes what.  The a€œWhat came first?  The chicken or the egga€ debate translates into a€œWhat came first?  The chronic pain or the depression?a€  TRUE Fibromyalgia experts, researchers and others know that the chronic pain of FM & overlapping conditions leads to depression and anxiety. 

Fibromyalgia is a common condition in which a person suffers from chronic musculoskeletal pain. There are points called tender points, sometimes all over the body, and these tender and painful points are used as part of the diagnosis of FM. Individuals with FM may also be more susceptible to pain in general. Whenever the tender points are simply touched, they can send sharp pain impulses. Many Fibromyalgia sufferers experience pain all over and some experience pain only in specific regions. It can involve the muscles and the joints. Sometimes, there is so much pain that it is hard to pinpoint exactly where the pain originates.  Fibromyalgia is often accompanied by other overlapping conditions such as chronic myofascial pain (CMP), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), restless legs syndrome (RLS), migraine & tension headaches, interstitial cystitis (IC), mitral valve prolapse (MVP), cognitive dysfunction, depression, anxiety and more.  The symptoms of Fibromyalgia, alone, are wide-ranging and debilitating.  Do they really think that depression and anxiety is the CAUSE for ALL of the above?

Depression is a mental illness characterized by feelings of profound sadness and lack of interest in enjoyable activities. It is a constant low mood that interferes with the ability to function and appreciate things in life. It may cause a wide range of symptoms, both physical and emotional. It can last for weeks, months, or years. People with depression rarely recover without treatment and if you have Fibromyalgia, you may have to fight it for the rest of your life.

Anxiety is a normal state of apprehension, tension, and uneasiness in response to a real or perceived threat.  Although anxiety is considered a normal response to temporary periods of stress or uncertain situations, prolonged, intense, periods of anxiety may indicate an anxiety disorder. Other indicators of an anxiety disorder are anxiety that occurs without an external threat and anxiety that impairs daily functioning.

What can cause depression & anxiety?  Stressful life events, chronic stress, low self-esteem, imbalances in brain chemicals and hormones, lack of control over circumstances (helplessness and hopelessness), negative thought patterns and beliefs, chronic pain, chronic physical or mental illness, including thyroid disease & headaches can ALL cause both.  Little or no social  and familial support can be a main factor in depression for FM patients. Family history of depression & anxiety can also be a factor.

Lack of quality sleep is also believed to have an influence on depression.  Since FM & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients tend to have insomnia and/or other sleep disorders, it stands to reason that poor sleep can lead to depression.

There is a wide variety of medications, vitamins, minerals, herbs and therapies that can help ease the impact of pain, anxiety and depression.  With so many out there, you and your doctor may have to go through the process of trial and error to find what works best for you!

Exercise is not only good for FM, it is also highly beneficial for depression and anxiety.  Recent studies suggest exercise can change your brain chemistry. Exercising can boost your level of serotonin, a brain chemical that is effects mood and pain perception. It can also stimulate the production of endorphins, natural painkillers that can give you an overall feeling of well-being.

Exercise is a great for stress, too. It relieves muscle tension and it gets the heart rate up. The combination makes us more relaxed and alert, which helps us deal with our problems in a calmer and more controlled way.

There are several other methods you can use to combat stress, including: meditation, deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, mental imagery relaxation, relaxation to music, biofeedback, counseling - to help you recognize and release stress. 

You can learn more about this topic, medications, supplements, alternative therapies and more at my website AND I will be writing more articles - so check back here!