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!

Advocacy & Legal Help for People with Chronic Illness

http://www.advocacyforpatients.org/know_your_rights.html

There is a WEALTH of information on this website, and this book, written by a lawyer with a chronicillness, sounds great, I am going to purchase it!

I love that on their resources page one of the first links is for Chronic Babe! Awesome site and resource, too!!

Alternatives to NSAIDS for Pain

(NSAIDS: asprin, ibuprofen, aleeve, mobic)


Niacin (vitamin B3) may decrease the pain associated with osteoarthritis, especially in the knee. Dr. Abram Hoffer, author of Orthomolecular Medicine For Physicians, writes: "I suspect vitamin B3 is necessary for everyone for tissue repair, and that one of the earliest symptoms of deficiency is a decrease in the rate of repair."

Boswelia is one of the oldest herbs in Indian, Ayurvedic medicine. Studies show it to be a potent pain relieving, anti-inflammatory herbal remedy.

Bromelain, a protein-digesting enzyme derived from pineapple blocks inflammatory chemicals called kinins. It also digests excess fibrin, a chemical implicated in osteoarthritis, sciatica, ankylosing spondylitis, and scleroderma. There's considerable research (over 200 medical journal articles) on its effectiveness in treating a variety of inflammation driven illnesses.

Curcumin is a perennial plant found in eastern Asia and parts of India. It's a popular arthritis remedy in India and a powerful pain-relieving anti-inflammatory.

Devil's Claw is a perennial vine native to South Africa. It's a potent anti-inflammatory and pain reliever.

Fall in Love & Ease Pains :)

http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/pain/articles/2010/10/14/romantic-love-natures-painkiller.html

As a part of the dating world I love this article! :) I am looking forward to finding someone and falling in love :) And of course, easing my pains too! Super benefit!

Ginger & a Super Decongestant

"Natural remedies work, and that is why they are the most widely used medicines on earth."

Look at this, our friend ginger made the list of what to keep on hand for cold season! A ginger tea sounds good too to have on hand for fibro and cold season! (http://www.traditionalmedicinals.com/Ginger)

READ THE FULL ARTICLE: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2010/12/29/natural-remedies-cure-cold/?test=faces

I liked this one the best:

The super decongestant tea of all time
If your local natural food store has loose herbs, buy equal amounts of eucalyptus, hyssop and sage. Add equal amounts of the three herbs together. Put a teaspoon of the mixture into a tea strainer. Pour freshly boiled water over the herbs and let steep for three minutes. Strain and drink. I have found that when nothing else will provide decongestant relief, this remarkable tea will.

Super Fish Oil

I take fish oil as a part of my overall health regimine (and I am hoping it is also helping my fibro and cfs!)

I came across this article with a recommendation on a very good fish oil supplement brand to take:

http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/a-better-fish-oil-for-migraine/

Take a Survey & Help & Win!

The folks at WEGO Health are conducting a study about the use of smart phones, apps, computers, and games for health – and they want your opinions! I just took the survey and wanted to share it with all of you too!

To participate, just click on this link: http://svy.mk/i4iFbT.   You’ll take a 15-minute survey on how you use technology in your life and once you’re done you will automatically be entered into a drawing to win an iPad, one of three iPod Touches or one of 200 iTunes gift cards. The survey is open to everyone so pass it along to your friends, family, and community members!

Eating Out Gluten-Free

I have been debating a gluten-free diet lately, as I have read a lot on gluten and fibromyalgia. I was tested and I do not have celiac disease (a severe reaction to gluten) however it seems a lot of people have some level of intolerance to gluten.

One of the biggest challenges to me is eating out gluten-free, so once I can conquer this I think I head full on into trying a gluten-free diet and see how it helps my fibro and cfs. I have found a lot of restaurants who do post their gluten free menu items info, and I've listed some links below.

I have found a lot of information on eating out gluten free and wanted to share it here. I think my delving into a gluten-free diet is mostly about educating myself a great deal and being aware when eating out:

http://celiacdisease.about.com/od/socializingwithoutgluten/a/DiningOutLists.htm

This is great!  http://www.glutenfreeregistry.com/

So is this, but don't be scared at first is based in the UK, but there is a search function and includes North America/United States, and has plenty of restaurant info!:
http://www.gluten-free-onthego.com/

FIRST WATCH:
http://www.firstwatch.com/menu-gluten-free.htm

CHILI'S
http://www.chilis.com/EN/menu/Pages/home.aspx

CHICK-FIL-A
http://chick-fil-a.com/default.aspx#gluten

BOSTON MARKET
http://www.bostonmarket.com/restaurant?page=allergens

BONEFISH GRILL
http://www.bonefishgrill.com/our-menu/

WENDY'S
http://wendys.com/food/NutritionLanding.jsp

SUBWAY
http://www.subway.com/applications/NutritionInfo/index.aspx

How Much Do You Know About Fibromyalgia?

This is a GREAT quiz to learn more about fibro, it really covers the gamut of symptoms and info and is pretty thorough and informative. Share with friends and family to see how much they know, and perhaps teach them a little more about fibro along the way!

http://arthritis.about.com/library/quiz/blfibroknowledge.htm

For example, I knew that fibro is a syndrome and not a disease, but I wasn't clear on the difference, now I know:

Syndrome (collection of signs, symptoms, and medical problems that tend to occur together but are not related to a specific, identifiable cause.)

Disease (a medical condition with a specific cause and recognizable signs and symptoms.)

Also, I learned that "People with fibromyalgia have abnormal levels of a chemical which helps transmit pain signals to and from the brain. The chemical is known as substance P." I have never heard of this and really want to look into it further! Has anyone else heard of this substance P theory??

The Best Supplements for Fibro

This is a really good post, as an intor to taking supplements for fibromyalgia. She lists the reasons why someone may consider trying supplements and herbs, and the best ones to start with and why:

http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/5949/130504/fibromyalgia?ic=6042

- Magnesium (search my blog for magnesium, I have several other posts on this, I take it and has helped me lot with my sleep too)
- Malic Acid (I take this as well, and this is also found in green apples! Yay!)
- 5-HTP (I have not tried this but have read very good things about it. BE CAREFUL as this can sometimes interact with some prescriptions.)
- Vitamin D (I take this as well, for some reason fibromites have a deficiency in this vitamin)
- Sam-e (This has helped not just my mood but also my pain and joints, love it)
- Ginger (Yup, take this too, anti-inflammatory and good for energy so take in the morning)

What You Need to Know @ Supplements

This is excellent info on supplements:

http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/5949/130503/supplements?ic=6042

- they take time to work -- yes, they often take longer to take effect that meds, but the little to none side effects seem worth it to me!
- they can have side effects -- true, some do
- its possible to overdose
- supplements can interact with medications
- take as directed