When I was first diagnosed with fibromyalgia, one of the first questions I asked was about whether there were foods I should eat or avoid that would improve my symptoms. The initial response from my doctor was not really, then that there were a few things that could help (avoiding sugar, … [Read more...]
Treatment
These posts discuss various treatment options. Some options I have tried, others that have been suggested through various medical studies.
Distraction as Pain Reliever: 10 ways to distract yourself from pain
Distraction as Pain Relief: 10 Ways to Distract Yourself From Pain Whenever my TMJ doctor does trigger point injections on me, one of his nurses will gently tap on my shoulder or head on the opposite side from where the injection is going. It took me a couple of visits before I realized … [Read more...]
The Chronic Pain Scale: Communicating Your Chronic Pain
The Pain Scale and Chronic Pain This is the pain scale they have on the wall in the rooms at the hospital. This is a terrible pain scale on so many levels! But, for someone in chronic pain it's pretty much useless. The faces that go with it are just, well, humorous. 0 - No Hurt - A person … [Read more...]
PEMF for Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain
I've been using PEMF (Pulse Electromagnetic Frequency) to treat pain (both chronic and acute) for the last four years. PEMF has been used for over thirty years to treat many chronic illness symptoms and sources of chronic pain. Yet, I'd never even heard of this therapy until a few years ago - and … [Read more...]
My Story of Recovery from Fibromyalgia
It's been a decade since I became ill and was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I spent the first two years barely existing. Getting out of bed was a struggle. Thankfully, I did find some answers that helped me recover and return to a mostly normal life. My story of recovery from fibromyalgia Don't get … [Read more...]
Marijuana for Fibromyalgia: Does it work?
Does marijuana work for fibromyalgia? According to a Spanish study published in 2011 the answer is a resounding yes. But, those who have tried marijuana for fibromyalgia don't need a study to tell them that it works. In a survey of Fibromyalgia patients about their experience … [Read more...]
8 Tips for Dealing with Fibromyalgia
Over the years, I've had many people ask for my top tips for dealing with Fibromyalgia. These 7 tips are the tips I typically share. They are what has helped me. And, while the specifics will likely vary from individual to individual, the basics are the same and I hope you find these tips helpful … [Read more...]
Finding a pain management doctor
When you live with chronic pain, it's not uncommon to be referred to a pain management specialist - aka, a pain clinic. Depending on where you are sent you may find a helpful clinic with doctors who listen and provide an array of options to treat your pain. Or, you may find a clinic with one set … [Read more...]
How do we Communicate Pain?
While taking Nonverbal Communications, our first assignment was to review a scholarly article. Upon reading through our list of choices one caught my eye right away. The title: "How Do We Communicate Pain? A systematic Analysis of the Semantic Contribution of Co-Speech Gestures in … [Read more...]
8 Natural Treatments for Insomnia
Insomnia is one of the primary issues with many chronic illnesses, including fibromyalgia. I’ve lived with insomnia for most of the last decade and at time it’s felt like I’ve tried everything. Some studies show that sleep issues may be a cause as much as a symptom, when it comes to … [Read more...]
