Top Five Tips When Facing Fibromyalgia

My Top 5 pieces of advice for helping tackle fibro, for the newly diagnosed as well as the chronic sufferers:

(I know, these sound very simplistic, but these are what gets me through and are the BIGGEST factors in helping me!)

1. 2 Books: FibroWhyalgia & How To Be Sick -- they helped me get mental clarity, calmness and strength to tackle the fibro (amazon.com)

2.  www.chronicbabe.com - check out the forums, this is the BEST place for constant doses of positivity and support and advice from others with similar issues!

3. Yoga &/or Massage! The gentle stretching is AMAZING for my body, and helps me sleep. Yoga is a gentle form of exercise that really, really helps with my fibro if I keep up with it (twice a week); I also get a massage 1-2 times a month, it has similar effects as yoga, muscle stretching and relaxing, cleansing and revitalizing.

4. Write a Letter for close Friends & Family - Here is a link to one I wrote when I was diagnosed. I sent it to close F&F, I felt like it helped explain things that are complicated to explain, and I wanted them to know what I was going through and that I really needed their support, and this told them exactly what they could do to help me. Please feel free to copy this and make it your own! http://adayinthelifeoffibro.blogspot.com/p/my-letter.html

5. Supplements & Fresh Foods - look into some that can help - Magnesium, Ginger... many others. They take longer to start to work, but are all natural, and have no side effects, and most are available at your local drugstore inexpensive! Keep to all healthy - eating too! No chemicals or additives - fresh fruits, veggies etc!

BONUS: Aim for a balanced life!

I heart my massages!

I get a massage 1-2 times a month, and this has REALLY helped my fibro pains and my overall health. Here are more benefits for getting massages:

http://www.qualityhealth.com/featured-article-segment?fa=104427&rf=45458&mc=&ct=43594

1. Less anxiety and depression
2. Lower levels of pain (!!!!! -- yes! Has helped with my fibro and migraines!)
3. Better immune function
4. Easier cancer treatment
5. Lower blood pressure
6. Deeper sleep
7. Better athletic performancec
8. Higher self-esteem
9. Increased growth for babies

Top 10 Things I've Done to Help My Fibro

Since my diagnosis 16 months ago I feel I have made HUGE strides in dealing with my fibromyalgia. I am not going to lie, it has taken a lot of strength and perseverance and dedication to get myself to this point. And, it is not something that happened overnight, it has been a winding, wandering, struggling yet rewarding process. I am content with where I am now and how I feel, and I am happy and enjoying life again. It is indeed, a different kind of life. And I am a different kind of me, but I am still me. And, as ironic as it may sound, I am actually in a lot of respects a healthier me, as I have made changes in my lifestyle which would improve anyone's health, and has indeed improved my fibro and my own overall health. I have been reflecting on the biggest factors in making me feel better and in getting myself to this point, so I wanted to list them here:

1. Yoga and Meditation: twice a week/3 hours weekly

2. Massage and Postural Alignment Therapy: 1-2 times a month

3. Supplements: I've done a LOT of research and discovered what works for me, my body (and my budget!)

4. Reduced Chemicals I am Exposed to in Health Products: More natural body soap, shampoos, toothpastes and body lotions

5. Eat Healthier/Reduced Chemicals Exposed to in Foods: More fresh foods, less preservatives and food additives and chemicals; familiarized myself with anti-fibro and anti-inflammatory foods

6. Drink Plenty of Water Each Day: I just plain feel better when I do!

7. Learned My Limitations and Relax as Needed: Don't over exert myself, pace myself, I am less of my old "type-A" self :) and I am ok with that, I like relaxing!

8. Surrounded Myself with Positive, Supportive Friends and Family: Shared what I am going though via my letter, and found great online forums like ChronicBabe!

9. Researched and Read and Informed Myself: My favs: FibroWHYalgia by Sue Ingebretson, and How To Be Sick, by Toni Bernhard

10. Made Getting Good Sleep a Main Priority: Worked with my doctor via a sleep clinic, meds and supplements and yoga

I hope this helps! Please share what changes you have made that help you feel better!

Massage Therapist for Fibro in South Florida

Yolanda Vargas, LMT
ORIGINS THERAPEUTICS MASSAGE THERAPY
(954) 661-6169
Coral Springs, FL

I Highly Recommend her if you have fibro and live in South Florida!

Learn more about her and her practice here:
http://www.mindovermatterhealthandfitness.com/massage_therapy.htm
Tel: (954) 661-6169  Tel: (954) 661-6(954)169

WebMD's Best Alternative Treatments for Fibromyalgia

For the full article, click here:

http://www.webmd.com/fibromyalgia/features/alternative-treatments-for-fibromyalgia?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Excerpts:

Supplements including:
- Sam-e (I am taking and yes it improves my mood, and probably contributes to helping with pain and sleep too)
- Melatonin (I have tried. eh.)
- Magnesium (yes, I am taking and it makes me feel better, Ultra-Mag)
- 5-HTP (next on my list to try)
- Acupuncture (also next on my list to try, I have read several articles on how this has helped with fibro, migraines, sleep, arthritis etc. I am very intrigued)
- Massage (yes, once or twice a month, soft massages, good for my overall well being :)

“It would be great if we could just give people a pill to fix their fibromyalgia,” says Mark J. Pellegrino, MD, of Ohio Pain and Rehabilitation Specialists and author of 13 books on fibromyalgia. “But there’s no magic pill. A balanced approach is important.”

For some people with fibromyalgia, that balanced approach includes trying complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in addition to medication, exercise, and physical therapy.
There hasn’t been a lot of formal research on the effectiveness of alternative treatments for fibromyalgia. But many people with fibromyalgia and some doctors believe some alternative treatments can help ease pain, fatigue, and other symptoms, especially when combined with conventional approaches.

Pellegrino, who has fibromyalgia and is a physician speaker for pharmaceutical companies that make medications used to treat fibromyalgia, considers the “three pillars of treatment” to be medicine, physical therapy, and supplements. He says that some supplements, along with other treatments and lifestyle changes, have helped his patients experience less pain, more energy, and better sleep.

“When it comes to supplements, we’re learning more and more,” he tells WebMD. “But unlike drugs, we don’t have rigorous research. It’s important for a person with fibromyalgia to work with a doctor who is knowledgeable about supplements.”

Massage for Fibromyalgia

http://altmedicine.about.com/od/fibromyalgia/a/fibromyalgia_massage.htm?nl=1

Some studies have shown that massage on a regular basis can have neurological, psychological and reflexive effects to help reduce depression, ease inflammation and pain, lessen stress and tension, promote relaxation, increase muscular relaxation, mobilize fluids and eliminate toxins and even help with sleep. Studies have also shown it to stimulate the release of endorphins and increase serotonin levels and lower blood pressure. Touch has a long history of being a natural, essential component of healing and health maintenance and can help increase positive well-being.

I make it a point to go to Massage Envy (they are located all over the U.S.) once a month for a massage. I have found several therapists there who are familiar with helping trea fibro. I am able to tolerate a light massage and I can feel the benefits of it in helping me unwind, de-stress, refresh my muscles, and I feel it helps get toxins out of my muscles. I love it.

FIbromyalgia Knee Pains

I am still curious about my fibro knee pains, since that was my first symptom when everything started. I found this article, saying that sometimes in fibro the knee pain can actually be referred pain coming from knots in the muscles in your back, hips or thighs. Interesting!

I am going to print this article and take it with me next for my next massage, maybe they can target those areas on me.

Does anyone else experience severe pain in their knees with their fibromyalgia?