"Stress exacerbates pain in the everyday lives of women with fibromyalgia syndrome" - I believe that anyone who lives with fibromyalgia or cares about someone with fibromyalgia could tell you that stress increases pain in fibromyalgia. I know it does for me, and for every person with … [Read more...]
Movie Review: Cake starring Jennifer Aniston
Cake: A story of chronic pain, depression, & grief When the movie Cake first came out in 2014 the chronic pain community was buzzing about the story and Jennifer Aniston’s portrayal of a woman living with chronic pain. However, the reviews seemed a bit mixed. Some I read loved it and others … [Read more...]
The Vagus Nerve Hypothesis for Fibromyalgia and CFS
The Vagus Nerve Hypothesis is an interesting look at what might be causing the main symptoms of CFS and Fibromyalgia. The hypothesis states: "While the sensory vagus nerve normally signals the body to rest when it senses a peripheral infection, that fatigue signal is pathologically exaggerated when … [Read more...]
10 Ways to be Happier Despite Chronic Illness
10 Ways to be Happy Despite Chronic Illness Stress creates anxiety, anxiety increases pain, pain increases stress. Stress, anxiety, and pain decrease happiness. It’s the circle we live in when we live with chronic illness, but it doesn’t have to be. It’s so easy for me to get caught in that … [Read more...]
Does Napping Help Fibromyalgia Symptoms?
Many of us with fibromyalgia rely on napping to give us a little extra energy to get through the day. Personally, I'm one of those that can't nap. It's a rare day that I manage to fall asleep during the daytime. I won't say it never happens, but it's not a common occurrence and most of the time when … [Read more...]
Quality of life for patients with fibromyalgia
A "functional somatic symptom" is a symptom without an adequate medical explanation. When you have several of those linked together they called "functional somatic syndrome". A group of symptoms without an adequate medical explanation - Sound familiar? It should. Because if you have … [Read more...]
Frequency of Migraines in Fibromyalgia Patients #MAHM
Every so often a study comes out that just leaves me saying "well duh!" and I'm sure I'm not alone. This week I read one of those studies. I thought it was common knowledge that there was higher frequency of migraines in Fibromyalgia patients, that Migraine is a co-morbidity of Fibromyalgia. … [Read more...]
Time to stop surviving
I died at the age of 34. I was dead for three years but no one buried me. I'm thankful for that, because at the age of 37 I came back to life. Too often we spend our lives just surviving, just waiting for tomorrow. It's time to stop surviving and start living. My friend Jessica over at … [Read more...]
How Physical Therapy can Help Fibromyalgia
How Physical Therapy for Fibromyalgia Can Improve Chronic Pain and Fatigue sponsored post by Sarah Ross Fibromyalgia, like other chronic pain conditions, can cause severe limitations in your quality of life. You might find yourself planning your days around your pain, or even canceling important … [Read more...]
Surviving Fibromyalgia: How I #defypain
Today is Fibromyalgia Awareness Day (May 12, in case you are coming to this post later), and I thought it was an appropriate day to share a post on how I #defypain and how I'm Surviving Fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is characterized by widespread chronic pain, and while I may look healthy, and … [Read more...]
