“Open your heart to your suffering”, Toni Bernhard There can be little doubt that those of us with fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue have challenges that have forced us to live life differently than those who have ‘health privilege’. Often thought of as malingering, hypochondriac, weak, attention-seeking, depressed people we often live in quiet desperation. By now we recognize that we have developed these conditions because of an over-stimulated nervous system that cannot sustain itself in a healthy manner…
Fibromyalgia Flares
Understand Fibromyalgia flares, their symptoms, common triggers, and effective strategies to manage and reduce flare-ups for a better quality of life.
Fibromyalgia and Panic Attacks: Cognitive and Somatic Sensitization
“If you are experiencing strange symptoms that no one seems to be able to explain, they could be arising from a traumatic reaction to a past event that you may not even remember”, Peter A. Levine Two words that are now often coined in conjunction with fibromyalgia are cognitive sensitization and somatic sensitization. I have been exploring the research in this direction for the past couple of years and have recently had another ‘aha’ moment.…
Suffering From Fibromyalgia Or Fighting It: The Choice Is Yours
Having Fibromyalgia is like a roller coaster ride. Most days I just don’t know how I am going to feel. I try to have a positive mindset and I find it helps when I’m around others with a positive mindset as well. However, I realized that not everyone wants to hear or see positivity right now. Frankly, I can understand that – I use to feel that way too. I started to realize I have…
The Weight of Fibromyalgia on My Body and Soul
Fibromyalgia is such a complex condition. It affects you physically, cognitively and emotionally. Sometimes, if forces us to change who we are or suffer the consequences. This is where I have a hard time because I have dreams and goals and I’m not ready to give them up. Today I woke up feeling the weight of fibromyalgia on my body and my soul. Getting Out Of Bed Most people hate getting up in the morning.…
How To Re-Create Your Life After A Fibromyalgia Diagnosis
We talk a lot about how fibromyalgia affects women but did you know that men can have it too? I want to introduce you to Ted Hutchinson, That Gaming Dad! We had a really good conversation about everything from getting diagnosed, living with fibromyalgia as a man, and advocating for our community. He not only tells us how much harder it is to get diagnosed as a man but how to re-create your life after…
Finding The Humor In Fibromyalgia
Meet Jessica Hooten, she is a fibromyalgia warrior who chooses to find the silver lining about her diagnosis. In this video, she tells us all about how she was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, treatments she has tried, and how she handles getting through each day. Secret: She does it by finding the humor in fibromyalgia. Search For A Fibromyalgia Doctor Jessica, like many of us, has had sleep issues. She has been to a rheumatologist and…
Pituitary Adenoma What is Your Fibromyalgia Hiding?
You never want to hear your doctor say, “your brain MRI came back abnormal.” The fear and panic that go through your body at this moment are overwhelming. My MRI revealed a pituitary adenoma. I know there are so many of you out there that have gone through this same situation and know just how I felt. For those that have never experienced this, I have written this article to spread awareness. What is a…
Vicki’s Story An Example of Trauma and Fibromyalgia
This is a guest post from a fellow Fibromyalgia Warrior. Vicki tells us her journey with her mental health issues. In addition, we learn how hard it is to get diagnosed when you have fibromyalgia and then get appropriate treatment. Vicki tells us how the trauma in her life has exasperated her fibromyalgia and other ailments. Vicki’s Road to fibromyalgia diagnosis I was diagnosed almost a year and a half ago; after a year and…
8 Ways To Control Your Itchy Fibromyalgia Rash
Fibro-Rash! Is this really a thing you ask? Yes, apparently it is a thing. If you have trouble with any kind of rash all over your body and you have Fibromyalgia, you could also have Fibro-Rash. I just visited my dermatologist because my rheumatologist wanted me to rule out psoriatic arthritis. I have had itchy skin for many years and just thought it was my dry skin. It turns out that it is really folliculitis,…
Fibromyalgia and Family Stress
Most of you know that I have been taking care of my grandparents and mom because of their illnesses and elderly needs. What you may not know is that my grandmother has passed. She was 94. This post will not be like my regular posts because I’m still dealing with a lot of stress so I will be streaming my emotions in this piece. It has taken me some time to write about this because…