Laughter and Fibromyalgia

• Laughter reduces pain and allows us to tolerate discomfort. It is not clear whether laughter is just a diversionary tactic to help us forget our pain or if it is due to a chemical change and an increase in endorphins, but researchers have time and again documented lowered pain responses in patients treated with humor therapy. It is also thought that a good hearty laugh that brings you to tears removes toxic substances that build up in our bodies during periods of emotional stress.
• Laughter improves brain function and reduces stress. Laughter stimulates both sides of the brain to enhance learning. It eases muscle tension and psychological stress, which keeps the brain alert and allows people to retain more information. Laughter is a great way to combat fibrofog.
• Laughter aids in better relaxation and improved sleep. The focus on the benefits of laughter really began with Norman Cousin’s memoir, Anatomy of an Illness. Cousins, who was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, a painful spine condition, found that a diet of comedies, like Marx Brothers films and episodes of Candid Camera, helped him feel better. He said that ten minutes of laughter allowed him two hours of pain-free sleep.
• Laughter helps your immune system carry out its natural functions. Laughter moves lymph fluid around your body simply by the convulsions you experience during the process of laughing; so it boosts immune system function and helps clear out old, dead waste products from organs and tissues. Your lymph system doesn’t have a separate pump; your body needs to move around to properly circulate lymph fluid so that your immune system can carry out its natural functions. Laughter is a great way to support that.

Read full post at Fibro Haven

Magnesium Deficiency and Fibro

Did you know that simple old mineral magnesium is essential to the functioning of almost every organ in the body? It is important in nerve signals that cause muscles to relax and contract. This is one of my major symptoms - the muscles in my legs always feel tense and I cannot relax them except in warm water. Do you have this problem? 

Researchers are now saying that magnesium deficiency may actually be involved in the development of fibromyalgia! How simple is it to take one magnesium tablet a day. When magnesium has been deficient for a long time it can cause restless leg syndrome, muscle weakness, muscle spasms an anxiety.

What got me interested is that I had a hair sample analysis taken by my homeopathic doctor and of all the hundreds of things they tested (and all my medical conditions) the only deficiency was magnesium.

Off to take my magnesium supplement right now. 
Oh and just found a really great way of getting magnesium if the thought of taking more tablets is not appealing: Ancient Minerals Magnesium Oil. It sounds really good as the most concentrated way of getting magnesium through the skin. I am going to order some right now and I will let you know how I go with it. I will continue to take my supplement as well.

Read more about magnesium including food sources and RDA

Causes of magnesium deficiency.

At the end of the day...

At the end of the day, we can endure much more than we think we can.  Frida Kahlo

Frida Kahlo

No one really knows if Frida had fibro or not but she did suffer from chronic pain. Read more about Frida and her pain journey.

Is this fibro treatment controversial or am I behind the times?

New Stem Cell Treatment for Fibromyalgia

The treatment performed is a breakthrough medical procedure where Stem Cells (cellular building blocks) are usually administered intravenously and subcutaneously (under the skin) in Fibromyalgia patients. The whole procedure takes approximately one hour and has no known negative side effects. Find out what happens next at their website Stem Cell Of America or watch the following videos and see what you think.

Before you get too excited please read the following great article I found when researching this topic (and believe me I have only just begun to research it) from the Australian Stem Cell Centre

I am considering going overseas for an unproven stem cell treatment. What questions should I ask? 

If you have watched to the end of the embedded video you will see the mother mention "their trying to stop Dr Rada or say that he's a terrible doctor....."

(I am not sure if this is the correct spelling of Dr Rada.)

RESOURCES FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION INTO STEM CELLS:
The Canadian Stem Cell Network has prepared a series of information on specific diseases and how these relate to stem cell research.
The International Society for Stem Cell Research has prepared a Patient Handbook on Stem Cell Therapies.

Do you allow yourself to ask for support?

What does support look like to you?

Let’s face it, there are moments, days, weeks even when we are in need of support and simply don’t ask. Something gets in our way – pride, fear, avoidance – so we suffer and struggle through on our own, likely prolonging our misery. And then to complicate our misery even more we grumble to ourselves and complain that no one understands, no one cares. Sound familiar?
I know for myself, one of the hardest things in this world for me to do is to ask for help. And yet I still wonder and get frustrated when I feel I am misunderstood. It is a vicious little circle that I create for myself. I start with “Nothing to see here. No, I don’t need help, I am fine, I can manage this all on my own.” And then immediately jump to “Am I invisible? Can’t you see how I am suffering? You must not know me at all if you cannot see I am in need here.” Thus creating the perfect Lose/Lose scenario. No one wins, least of all me.
Read the full story at Fibro Haven

Poor sleep is not a significant predictor of fibromyalgia pain intensity and duration

Science Daily reported this on April 23, 2012:  Patients coping with the complex pain disorder fibromyalgia often have difficulty sleeping, and a new study published in The Journal of Pain reports that despite the negative quality of life implications, poor sleep is not a significant predictor of fibromyalgia pain intensity and duration.
The authors noted that the effects of impaired sleep, such as fatigue and inactivity, may play more significant roles in clinical pain than measures of sleep duration or insomnia.
Read full report at Science Daily.

When we are stricken

When we are stricken and cannot bear our lives any longer, then a tree has something to say to us: Be still! Be still! Look at me! Life is not easy, life is not difficult. Those are childish thoughts. Let God speak within you, and your thoughts will grow silent. You are anxious because your path leads away from mother and home. But every step and every day lead you back again to the mother. Home is neither here nor there. Home is within you, or home is nowhere at all.  Hermann Hesse, in his book  'Bäume. Betrachtungen und Gedichte'

PHOTO: This photo presents an unique perspective, looking up one of the magnificent, ancient trees in Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest. Photo by Bill Lea, courtesy of National Scenic Byways Online (www.byways.org)

The causes of Fibromyalgia

DO YOU KNOW THIS FEELING OF STRESS?

The causes of Fibromyalgia are unknown, but many sufferers can trace it's onset to a significant increase in stress. Stress has both a mental and physical response in the body. The stress may be physical trauma to the body like a car accident, an illness or infection or surgery or emotional stress. Fibromyalgia often occurs together with other conditions including hypothyroidism, endometriosis, irritable bowel syndrome and Lyme disease.

Stress is thought to play a significant role in the development of Fibromyalgia. Apparently there is a high connection (approximately 42%) between the development of Fibro and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Stress is often described as a feeling of being overwhelmed, worried or run-down.  By definition, stress is any uncomfortable “emotional experience accompanied by predictable biochemical, physiological and behavioral changes.”mental, emotional, or physical strain or tension.

The strange thing is that Fibromyalgia then impacts on a persons mental and physical health, but it is unclear what exactly defines stress and whether or not stress is a cause, an effect, or the process connecting the two.

Remember your SELF: Sleep, Exercise, Leisure (something fun), and Food. I found this little suggestion at The Story on Stress

SOURCES:  KidsHealth  Seeking Alpha

Fibro news round up

Treating juvenile fibromyalgia By Jennifer Cerbasi

Published October 11, 2012 Fox News

 

Pain is associated with short leukocyte telomere length in women with fibromyalgia.

Hassett AL, Epel E, Clauw DJ, Harris RE, Harte SE, Kairys A, Buyske S, Williams DA. RESEARCH paper published American Pain Society, 13th October, 2012. Source: Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan, USA.

 

Premature-Aging Marker Linked to Fibromyalgia Pain

By Adrienne Dellwo, About.com Guide, October 15, 2012 Put above research into everyday language and explains what we can do about it. Thanks Adrienne.

Serenity required

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;...

Reinhold Niebuhr

Did Frida have Fibro?

At the end of the day, we can endure much more than we think we can.

- Frida Kahlo

Frida Kahlo de Rivera (1907- 1954) was a Mexican artist.  She suffered lifelong health problems, many of which derived from a 1925 vehicle accident. There is thinking she might have had Fibromyalgia as some of her self portraits, depict the emotional effects of her pain.

Frida Kahlo, Self-Portrait, The Broken Column, 1944.
Collection of Dolores Olmedo,
Mexico City.
Photo courtesy of petrus.agricola

On September 17, 1925, Kahlo was riding in a bus that collided with a trolley car. She suffered serious injuries as a result of the accident, including a broken spinal column, a broken collarbone, broken ribs, a broken pelvis, eleven fractures in her right leg, a crushed and dislocated right foot, and a dislocated shoulder. Also, an iron handrail pierced her abdomen and her uterus, compromising her reproductive capacity.
The accident left her in a great deal of pain while she spent three months recovering in a full body cast. Although she recovered from her injuries and eventually regained her ability to walk, she had relapses of extreme pain for the remainder of her life. The pain was intense and often left her confined to a hospital or bedridden for months at a time. She had as many as thirty-five operations as a result of the accident, mainly on her back, her right leg, and her right foot. The injuries also prevented Kahlo from having a child because of the medical complications and permanent damage. Though she conceived three times, all her pregnancies had to be terminated. Frida Festival

Can you imagine enduring all of this? I personally think the trauma of her accident and subsequent medical procedures caused the pain she endured but many people, with chronic pain of many kinds, like to use her as their strong mentor because of her bravery in taking her pain and transforming it into paintings. She presented herself as an image of strength and defiance in her public life and she will always be glorified for this.

Self Portrait Very Ugly 1933
oil on canvas

 
I never paint dreams or nightmares. I paint my own reality.  Frida Kahlo


REFERENCES: 
The Diary of Frida Kahlo: An Intimate Self-Portrait by Carlos Fuentes
Frida Kahlo 1907-1954: Pain and Passion by Andrea Kettenmann
The History Show on RTE Radio 1, Sunday 17 April 2011
Smithsonian Magazine

WARNING WARNING MAJOR FIBRO FLARE!

Where does it hurt ? I asked the lady next to me this morning at hydrotherapy. "From the top of my head to my toes."  That is how I feel, so please have a look at any old posts that may interest you until I can post again:
ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS FOR FIBROMYALGIA
Traditional Chinese Medicine and Fibromyalgia
Ayurvedic Treatment for Fibromyalgia?
Why Omega 3 is so important
Guaifenesin Protocol
Yoga improves Fibromyalgia symptoms
Nutrition-Based Approach to helping relieve symptoms of Fibromyalgia
Homoeopathy effective in fibromyalgia
Magnesium
Did acupuncture help your fibromyalgia?
THE SCIENCE BEHIND FIBROMYALGIA
Fibromyalgia & Chronic Myofascial Pain Syndrome
Measuring symptoms - new Fibromyalgia Diagnostic Criteria
Accelerated Brain Gray Matter Loss in Fibromyalgia
Groundbreaking study widens treatment options for fibromyalgia
New Approach to Treating Fibromyalgia by Addressing Sleep Problems

But as many people with fibro know it is very annoying when you are doing mostly all of the treatments on this list and you get hit for 6 by the old fibro monster again.
I none of these post are what you are looking for you could visit Fibro Bloggers Directory where over 60 people with fibro tell it like it is.

Fibromyalgia and Depression

Many studies link fibromyalgia and depression. Apparently 30 percent of people have depression at the time of their diagnosis with fibromyalgia. (I don't know how these statistics are arrived at), about 20 to 70 percent of people with fibromyalgia also have depression according to which report you read!

Recently the doctor told me I was depressed, after asking me a series of questions, and then asked if I wanted extra help. I said no as it is just part of the down ride of living in chronic pain. Eventually, or even daily, I do go up again!
I always wonder if depression is part of fibromyalgia, just like the pain, or if depression comes because of the pain.

Signs of depression with chronic pain may include:

• low energy
• difficulty concentrating
• difficulty making decisions
• feeling of hopeless or irritable
• loss of interest in things normally enjoyed
• feeling sad
• worrying or anxious feelings

So what is the link between fibromyalgia and depression?
I am sure there are many theories and here is one of them.
"Ninety-five percent of people with fibro have low thyroid function and 100 percent of them have low adrenal function — and both conditions can cause depression and anxiety." Pamela W. Smith, MD, MPH 
Vitamin D deficiency, low cortisol levels and sleep problems are also considered contributing factors according to Dr. Smith. She recommends testing to see if a deficiency or health condition could be bringing depression to the surface in fibromyalgia.

RESOURCES:
A.Aguglia, V. Salvi, G. Maina, I. Rossetto, and E. Aguglia, Fibromyalgia syndrome and depressive symptoms: comorbidity and clinical correlates, Journal of Affective Disorders, 2010
V. Maletic and C. L. Raison, Neurobiology of depression, fibromyalgia and neuropathic pain, Frontiers in Bioscience, 2009

An anti-inflammatory diet for fibromyalgia

How many times have we heard of the value of omega-3? This is because it has an anti inflammatory effect on the body, meaning it reduces inflammation.  Many people believe that it is inflammation that increases as we age and causes many chronic conditions.
Other things that are anti inflammatory are:

• All fruits and vegetables except the nightshade family - egg plant, peppers, potatoes, tomatoes,  - which should be avoided in all inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and fibromyalgia
•  A low fat diet, reducing saturated fat by eating less butter, cream, high-fat cheese and fatty meats,
• A high protein diet
• Reducing Wheat and other grains especially refined carbohydrates such as white flour and white pasta. Many people are gluten sensitive and should not eat wheat, barley, rye or oats.
• Reducing or eliminating sugar
• Reducing refined and processed foods such as chips

SO WHAT CAN I EAT ON AN ANTI INFLAMMATORY DIET?
Fruit and vegetables (except nightshades)
Fish especially sardines, salmon
Eggs
Nuts especially almonds, cashews and walnuts
Flaxseeds and other seeds like pepitas and sunflower seeds
Extra-virgin olive oil
Whole grains such as brown rice
All beans and legumes such as lentils and split peas
Yoghurt
Seaweeds
Soy foods such as tofu, tempeh and soy milk

PHOTO: Appetizer: salmon, yoghurt dip on wholegrain crispbread.
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