Fibromyalgia

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What To Do When Pain Takes Over…

by 11 Comments
Feb
05
2011
camus

Desperate times call for desperate measures. Sometimes, Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Sydrome have me beaten so far down that I cannot even imagine continuing the fight. Yet I know giving up is not an option, so I have to keep coming up with more and more tools in order to cope in these moments of vicious agony/bleak and dreary moods. My illnesses keep getting worse and worse, so I am always expanding this section of my life.  My pain doctor deserted me the other day, so now I will have to cope with the fact that I currently do not have a medication prescribing physician.  I know that EVERY girl/guy on here has had moments in their illness when it is completely overwhelming. So I'm polling the group - what do you do when things get too bad??  Here's what I do: Let myself cry until there are tissues everywhere and I have a swollen face. If possible, order takeout.  Cooking on my poor painful knees is not a treat. SOME kind of pain-easer. Music. Being by myself, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: CFS, Fibromyalgia Tagged With: , , , ,

Fibromyalgia and Men

by 9 Comments
Jan
12
2011
fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia breaks apart lives.  This we know. The lives of men with Fibromyalgia are affected in a different, but equally severe manner when compared to women with the syndrome.  As an illness that affects less than 10% of men in United States, Fibromyalgia leaves many males feeling especially inadequate about the state of their body and their role in the world.  Women can at least find a support group of other female sufferers (such as the "spoonies" on Twitter [which includes men but they are scarce!]), while men (including several in my family), get pushed to the side, as they feel like they don't belong, and never find reasonable treatment for their illness. More women than men have Fibromyalgia, as having estrogen reduces the pain threshold (according to WebMD).  But men need to realize that this illness will benefit from their support.  There is still a slanted bias that this illness is based on mental health, which is partially true as it is neurochemical, but not … [Read more...]

Filed Under: CFS, Fibromyalgia

Social Media and its Effect on Chronic Illness!

by 13 Comments
Dec
15
2010
we-stick-together

People question me all the time as to why I love Twitter so much.  To them it seems like a huge waste of time, as they would rather cultivate their relationships in person.  As much as I love my in-person relationships, there is something magical about finding your own place in the world (especially if you are a rare breed!). I am a huge fan of social media, and this is a fairly new development.  I have been keeping my own blog for about two years now, which has allowed me to dip my toes into an Internet full of people suffering with the same illnesses as myself (Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome).  As time went on, more and more people were reading and commenting on my blog, and giving me fantastic ideas regarding how to live in a world of pain, in addition to making me feel less alone in the world. I was promoting my blog through Facebook when I decided to dip my feet into Twitter in the hopes of further exposure.  I started and I've never been able to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: CFS, Fibromyalgia Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Gifts Ideas for those with Fibromyalgia and CFS!

by 24 Comments
Nov
11
2010
TREE

Since Christmas is coming up (or any holidays you celebrate!), I thought I would write an article on great gifts for people who are suffering from Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome.  We have slightly different needs, so tailored presents are MUCH appreciated! Super comfortable pajamas!  Many people with these illnesses have excessive skin pain, where it seems like even the air hurts (including myself!).  Try to get something in a cotton/modal combination - this is a great example: http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3146013?origin=category&resultback=600. Slippers/a robe/a blanket (or some combination thereof!).  Most Fibro and CFIDS patients are always cold or hot.  When cold, a little extra protection is needed.  Again, look for the softest and warmest materials you can find.  I have two robes, several pairs of slippers, and a leopard print snuggie (which I totally recommend haha)! This is a pricey one, but an iPod Touch.  I can't even … [Read more...]

Filed Under: CFS, Fibromyalgia Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Ignorance and Insensitivity where do you draw the line?

by 15 Comments
Oct
25
2010
Blog5

(This blog entry is a fan picked topic…thank you Nicole Bergreen!) Nicole, had shared with me that during her most recent hospitalization, (#7 within 8 months) she had a CNA at the hospital tell her that if she believed in God and prayed hard enough her POTS and EDS would go away. SERIOUSLY? I understand that most people cannot grasp the gravity of such a devastating illness if they have never had to experience the symptoms. I also understand people want to lend comfort, and some people find comfort in religion or other ways. But the fact of the matter is that the CNA was completely out of line. For numerous reasons! The most obvious being, how does she know Nicole’s beliefs? Secondly, and most importantly, in her comment of “pray hard enough and it will go away” she is essentially saying that Nicole’s illnesses are not serious, and pretty much all in her head! I believe the line of ignorance was overstepped and this CNA landed squarely into the land of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: EDS, Fibromyalgia Tagged With: , , , ,

The Dichotomy of Chronic Illness

by 19 Comments
Oct
22
2010

Having an illness without a cure is a situation filled with dichotomy.  You want to get better, but most of the time you can't get better. You try things that you think will make you improve, and sometimes they make you worse.  It's hard on the head (to say the least!). This is a glimpse into my story. At first, my doctors told me that I was crazy and that no such thing exists (especially regarding Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome...).  I got referred to a psychiatrist, and can literally say that I have taken nearly every anti-depressant, anti-epileptic, and anti-psychotic on the market.  Most of these drugs make me incredibly sick, and there is a marked decrease in bodily functioning from this point in my life forward.  Alas, there is nothing I can do about that time period but leave it in the past, and continue the struggle. Eventually, doctors and specialists came to terms that this behavior had been lasting for years and years and that more and more tests were … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Brain Tumors, CFS, Fibromyalgia

The Invisible Illness Fight (Like A Girl!)

by 9 Comments
Sep
14
2010
invisible illness

I always wonder who will win this fight. ME VS. INVISIBLE ILLNESSES. I'm not going to lie - invisible illnesses seem to have the upper hand right now.  But, this fight has been long and is hopefully nowhere near over! I know I need to start a different treatment regimen.  Sadly, as someone who suffers from Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS), every single time I place a pill in my mouth, I risk the unthinkable. I've become desperate at this stage.  I will try just about anything these days so that I can feel partially human again.  I miss the days where I could afford to be picky regarding my medication. My touch, vision, and hearing are now all so hypersensitive, I can hardly stand it.  I have no sense of smell and virtually no sense of taste. The fight isn't over invisible illnesses.  Not by a long shot.  I have  my eye on you, even if most of the world remains blind.  I will FIGHT LIKE A GIRL. Most of the population has at least one type of invisible … [Read more...]

Filed Under: CFS, Fibromyalgia Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Book Review/Tour: How To Be Sick by Toni Bernhard

by 11 Comments
Sep
04
2010
How To Be Sick Book Review

I know that everything brought forth to this website is supposed to be original material, but I have stumbled upon something so great, that it needs to be shared with as many people as physically possible. As a result, here is the virtual book tour with Toni Bernhard - regarding her AMAZING book - How To Be Sick. VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR I am oh so pleased to bring Toni Bernhard's virtual book tour to my blog!!  Toni has been a friend to myself and this blog for a long time now, and she is just as wise as she is wonderful.  I am working my way through the book right now, and even though it pains me to hear how she got sick, it comforts me to know that I am not alone in my fight with this crippling illness.  By merging the beautiful teachings of Buddhism and the issues of the chronically ill and their caregivers, Toni has managed to produce a book that is going to be a great comfort to the all of those dealing with sickness (directly or indirectly).  HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Q: How … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Book Reviews, CFS, Fibromyalgia

Dealing With Naysayers

by 19 Comments
Aug
26
2010
Keep Fighting Girls!

Today my feelings were hurt as a result of another person's actions towards my illnesses.  This is fairly common in my world, much to my dismay. You see...a large portion of the common public still view Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome as forms of mental distress. Some have been known to call them the 'yuppie flu'.  There are still medical practitioners behind on the research who believe similar things, which has led me to spend most of my life with a psychiatrist, with absolutely no pain management. I have lost friends as a result of not being able to act like a 'normal' 23 year old female (which is apparently bars, partying, malls, and the like? - I probably just need new friends haha).  I have lost boyfriends, who have determined I am too high maintenance.  I have family who choose not to speak of the illnesses, and instead just look right through me. I am a firm believer in harnessing your demons, and Fibromyalgia, Myofascial Pain Syndrome, and ME/CFS haunt … [Read more...]

Filed Under: CFS, Fibromyalgia Tagged With: , , , , ,

Fibromyalgia and CFS – An Introduction

by 24 Comments
Jul
29
2010
Fibromyalgia and CFS - An Introduction

Being as I am a new phenomenon to many of you (!), I figure I should at least introduce myself and what I plan to be writing about for The Fight Like A Girl Club. My name is Annie Martin.  I am 23 years old.  I have been mysteriously ill since roughly 13 years of age.  Over the past ten years, I have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Myofascial Pain Syndrome – as well as Celiac Disease, Asthma, general autoimmune attacks, and multiple mental health issues. But enough about me, I’m here to give you the all the goodies (and not-so-goodies) about the first two controversial, misunderstood illnesses.  Also, I personally like to call the latter ME/CFS – as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome sounds as though the person afflicted is just lazy and wants to take a nap...which is not the case at all. Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) – An Introduction A)     It sucks. B)     At least it isn’t fatal. C)     It … [Read more...]

Filed Under: CFS, Fibromyalgia Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,