FM Attitude Adjustment

The invisible disease

Fibromyalgia is sometimes known as the invisible disease. We don´t look sick. People find it difficult to understand that we really are sick and not just making excuses. You need to anticipate this, and the reactions that people will give you when you say no to things you don´t feel able to do. Your true friends will understand; the others don´t matter. And you must learn to say no or you will run the risk of causing a flare-up of your symptoms.

The neutral sleep position

The best position for sleep for fibromyalgia sufferers is a modified fetal position. Instead of curling completely up, curl up on your side, but only about half way, so that your back is comfortable and your legs are slightly bent.

Tips from LifeTips

Fibromyalgia Tips

Therapy for trigger point pain

Pain from TrPs can be reduced by short period of rest, which will help to avoid strain and extra irritation. Slow, steady passive stretching of involved muscles, especially when under a warm shower or bath which, because of the bath´s tendency to relax those muscles, will loosen the contractions. Moist heat over the trigger point can also provide some relief, as can cold packs on the pain reference zone (the area where the pain is felt as opposed to the Trigger point which is sending the pain signal). Massage is also helpful.

Fibromyalgia Tip -- 5/10/08

Fibromyalgia Tips

Temperature discomfort

Fibro patients can be abnormally sensitive to cold or hot weather. They are often cold when others are hot, or hot when most people are comfortable – and can also have chills while sweating. Dressing in layers seems to be the best way to deal with this, as you can always take something off or put something on until you reach relative comfort.

Learning acceptance

Accepting fibromyalgia is similar to coping with the death of a loved one. It starts with denial. As happy as we were to get a diagnosis at last, we start thinking that maybe it´s wrong. This can´t be the way it´s going to be from now on! We all go through it – although not everyone's experience is identical. But we need to move forward, accept what is there and then take positive actions to make it better.

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Fibromyalgia Tips -- 3/23/2007

Tissue over-growth

If you find that you are getting ingrown hair, fibroids or adhesions – or even heavy, splitting cuticles – then you are seeing the results of tissue overgrowth, which is a typical FMS symptom. Ingrown hairs can and need to be treated with antibiotics or lanced if infected. Adhesions can lead to a lot of discomfort, but corrective surgery can actually lead to even more adhesions. Modern laser surgery techniques like the laparoscopy have improved on this to some extent.

Fibro diagnosis

Disbelieving doctors

Many doctors simply refuse to believe that fibromyalgia exists, or instead use it as a catchall term for anyone with aches and pains that he or she is unable to diagnose. If you have been tested by your doctor, and haven´t got a diagnosis yet, or if your doctor blames your symptoms on depression, you may have one of the disbelievers. Try another doctor – preferably a rheumatologist – to get a genuine diagnosis.

Fibromyalgia Tips--An easy cleaning system

Fibromyalgia Tips

An easy cleaning system

The Fly Lady system for housecleaning calls for first eliminating all unnecessary clutter, then spending small 15 minutes chunks of time each day tending to problem spots. After 15 minutes, you rest. If you feel up to it, do another 15 minutes. Even on bad days, most of us can do anything for about 15 minutes. http://www.flylady.net will guide you through an easy system for maintaining a home with ease -- honest. Many people have tried it when they felt that their houses had gone beyond redemption and found that it really worked.