Managing Coping
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome are two disorders that share a number of symptoms and are thus commonly confused with one another. Fibromyalgia is a syndrome characterized by chronic pain. Many people who suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome also report pain as one of their symptoms. Similarly, patients who are diagnosed with fibromyalgia often list fatigue as a common symptom.
Fibromyalgia and Pregnancy
Pregnancy is commonly characterized by swelling, fatigue, and disturbed sleep patterns. These difficulties are made even worse by the presence of fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes pain, fatigue and unrestful sleep. It is more common in women than in men, and for some women, the symptoms of the condition first arise during pregnancy.
Fibromyalgia Diagnosis
In order to meet the research criteria for the diagnosis of fibromyalgia, a patient must experience both of these symptoms for at least three months. However, as these symptoms are difficult to classify, some healthcare providers often diagnose the illness without meeting these strict criteria.
Maintaining a Positive Attitude: Ten Strategies
“Have a positive attitude.” How many times have we heard that one? While our emotions can not cause fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome, they no doubt affect our symptoms. But how can we maintain good thoughts when our bodies feel so lousy? This challenge, of course, does not pertain exclusively to chronic illness, but to any time when things do not go as we wish.
Ten Tips on Living with Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Fibromyalgia presents a daily struggle. Here are some tips–in no particular order–that have made my life easier and even downright fun.
What is Paintracking?
Paintracking is not about dwelling on your pain — to the contrary! It is an approach to help provide individualized information that increases your control over your condition and your life. “Paintracking,” or studying your body’s responses, helps increase the number and duration of pain-free times.
Managing Flare-Ups
The dreaded fibro-flare can strike us at any moment – seemingly out of the blue; however, with a little detective work we can usually, but not always, determine the cause. It is important to be aware of what causes our symptoms to flare up in order to avoid them whenever possible.
Subduing The Fibro Monster
The majority of patients suffering with Fibromyalgia have spent numerous years, trekking from doctor to doctor, searching for answers. As each doctor declared he could find no basis for your symptoms you may well have thought you were going crazy. The longer the search continued the more likely you were to believe they were right.
Fighting Fibro-Fog
Fibro-fog is not a psychological condition, requiring psychiatric care, but rather the direct result of sleep deprivation and other contributing factors. It is also not the result of Alzheimer’s Disease, Dementia, or other conditions that cause deterioration of brain functions. It can however be extremely scary and frustrating, for FMers who are not aware of its causes, the newly diagnosed, and even those of us who do understand, but still struggle with its implications.
Coping with Heat and Humidity
Do the lazy days of summer feel more like hazy days of fog and pain? Does your discomfort level escalate proportionately to the heat and humidity? You are definitely not alone as many Fmers say they feel much worse in either very hot, or very cold weather. Often, resulting in a flare (worsening of symptoms) as temperatures rise.
Accepting the Unacceptable
Accepting any chronic illness, like fibromyalgia, can be a struggle for many of us. How you navigate the process of coming to terms with your own diagnosis may depend on your outlook on life in general – whether you are an optimist, pessimist – eternal optimist, or back-slider (somewhere in between).
