Support Fibromyalgia Awareness!

UPDATE: New pain medication for me

Had a good appt. with the doc!! Trying a new pain medication in place of the morphine. Now trying fentanyl patches. Like quit smoking patches but for pain. Wear them for 3 days then change it. It's 80-100 times stronger than morphine!! Maybe I'll get my life back again! The last year has been absolute hell!!!!! Thanks for everyone that's been so supportive. Cross your fingers this works!

11 Tips for Living With Chronic Pain

1. Learn deep breathing or meditation to help with chronic pain.

Deep breathing and meditation are techniques that help your body relax, which eases pain. Tension and tightness seep from muscles as they receive a quiet message to relax.

Although there are many to meditate, the soothing power of repetition is at the heart of some forms of meditation. Focusing on the breath, ignoring thoughts, and repeating a word or phrase -- a mantra -- causes the body to relax. While you can learn meditation on your own, it helps to take a class.

Recommended Related to Pain Management

Chronic Pain: Does Vitamin D Help?

Not getting enough vitamin D in your system may be linked to chronic pain. Over the past 10 years, several researchers have found an association between extremely low vitamin D levels and chronic, general pain that doesn’t respond to treatment. Many Americans are running low on vitamin D. A study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in 2009 showed that vitamin D levels have plummeted among all U.S. ages, races, and ethnic groups over the past two decades. But does not having enough vitamin...

Deep breathing is also a relaxation technique. Find a quiet location, a comfortable body position, and block out distracting thoughts. Then, imagine a spot just below your navel. Breathe into that spot, filling your abdomen with air. Let the air fill you from the abdomen up, then let it out, like deflating a balloon.

2. Reduce stress in your life. Stress intensifies chronic pain.

Negative feelings like depression, anxiety, stress, and anger can increase the body's sensitivity to pain. By learning to take control of stress, you may find some relief from chronic pain.

Several techniques can help reduce stress and promote relaxation. Listening to soothing, calming music can lift your mood -- and make living with chronic pain more bearable. There are even specially designed relaxation tapes or CDs for this. Mental imagery relaxation (also called guided imagery) is a form of mental escape that can help you feel peaceful. It involves creating calming, peaceful images in your mind. Progressive muscle relaxation is another technique that promotes relaxation.

3. Boost chronic pain relief with the natural endorphins from exercise.

Endorphins are brain chemicals that help improve your mood while also blocking pain signals. Exercise has another pain-reducing effect -- it strengthens muscles, helping prevent re-injury and further pain. Plus, exercise can help keep your weight down, reduce heart disease risk, and control blood sugar levels -- especially important if you have diabetes. Ask your doctor for an exercise routine that is right for you. If you have certain health conditions, like diabetic neuropathy, you will need to be careful about the types of activities you engage in; your doctor can advise you on the best physical activities for you.

4. Cut back on alcohol, which can worsen sleep problems.

Pain makes sleep difficult, and alcohol can make sleep problems worse. If you're living with chronic pain, drinking less or no alcohol can improve your quality of life.

5. Join a support group. Meet others living with chronic pain.

When you're with people who have chronic pain and understand what you're going through, you feel less alone. You also benefit from their wisdom in coping with the pain.

Also, consider meeting with a mental health professional. Anyone can develop depression if they're living with chronic pain. Getting counseling can help you learn to cope better and help you avoid negative thoughts that make pain worse -- so you have a healthier attitude. Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

6. Don't smoke. It can worsen chronic pain.

Smoking can worsen painful circulation problems and increase risk of heart disease and cancer.

7. Track your pain level and activities every day.

To effectively treat your pain, your doctor needs to know how you've been feeling between visits. Keeping a log or journal of your daily "pain score" will help you track your pain. At the end of each day, note your pain level on the 1 to 10 pain scale. Also, note what activities you did that day. Take this log book to every doctor visit -- to give your doctor a good understanding of how you're living with chronic pain and your physical functioning level.

My link to free pain diary:
http://www.docstoc.com/docs/30680755/Pain-Diary-Worksheet

And a second one:
http://www.painknowledge.org/physiciantools/PALogB698/PainandActivityLog_B698_FINAL.pdf

8. Learn biofeedback to decrease pain severity.

Through biofeedback, it's possible to consciously control various body functions. It may sound like science fiction, but there is good evidence that biofeedback works -- and that it's not hard to master.

Here's how it works: You wear sensors that let you "hear" or "see" certain bodily functions like pulse, digestion, body temperature, and muscle tension. The squiggly lines and/or beeps on the attached monitors reflect what's going on inside your body. Then you learn to control those squiggles and beeps. After a few sessions, your mind has trained your biological system to learn the skills.

9. Get a massage for chronic pain relief.

Massage can help reduce stress and relieve tension -- and is being used by people living with all sorts of chronic pain, including back and neck pain.

10. Eat a healthy diet if you're living with chronic pain.

A well-balanced diet is important in many ways -- aiding your digestive process, reducing heart disease risk, keeping weight under control, and improving blood sugar levels. To eat a low-fat, low-sodium diet, choose from these: fresh fruits and vegetables; cooked dried beans and peas; whole-grain breads and cereals; low-fat cheese, milk, and yogurt; and lean meats.

11. Find ways to distract yourself from pain so you enjoy life more.

When you focus on pain, it makes it worse rather than better. Instead, find something you like doing -- an activity that keeps you busy and thinking about things besides your pain. You might not be able to avoid pain, but you can take control of your life.

http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/11-tips-for-living-with-chronic-pain

Fibromyalgia song - Let Me Live Fully

Fibromyalgia Network sent this out, unknown artist really, TheYerMoma and a very awesome song!! Read the lyrics too! This girl rocks!! Also an unlisted video, only available if u have the link. 

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hFDh3qLXGw

Let Me Live Fully
I may look alright but the pain 
the struggles inside they're all inside
this life ain't life
nothing seems right
I'm alive on the out
but I'm dying inside
stuck in the middle
I'm halfway there
so hard to handle cuz I'm so scared
halfway between 
life and death
let me live fully or put me to rest 
oh, pain
leave me alone
oh, pain 
my body's not your home
I don't wanna be
trapped inside myself
I keep reachin out but
no one seems to help
this pain is so physical
but on the outside it's so invisible
you don't know, your could never understand
what I do though cuz
your weren't dealt my hand
it doesn't matter
what you do
whatever i am
so are you
oh, pain 
leave me alone
oh, pain
my body's not your home
so many symptoms
so much pain
i go to sleep and wake up to do it again
whats it like to feel free
Wish I was someone else buy i'm stuck being me
tired of feeling hurt
what did I do
is this what I deserve
halfway between life and death
let me live fully or 
put me to rest
oh, pain
leave me alone
oh, pain
my body's not your home
not your home

Getting the root of Fibromyalgia

Getting to the Root of Fibromyalgia 
by Janis Leibold, Assistant Editor, Fibromyalgia Network Posted: October 28, 2011 


While many researchers are studying blood and urine of fibromyalgia patients to determine if mineral abnormalities exist, one team from Korea is taking a novel approach by going directly the root of the problem.* Their study of trace elements in hair samples shows fibromyalgia patients have lower levels of important minerals compared to healthy adults. Using 44 women with fibromyalgia and 122 healthy controls, the researchers snipped hairs from the tops of heads, very close to the roots, to perform their analysis. Like crime scene investigators, the research team led by Nam-Seok Joo, M.D., carefully selected patients and controls who had similar characteristics related to age, body mass, and lifestyle habits. Women with other illnesses that could possibly influence their hair sample were excluded from the study. All the participants, averaging 44 years of age, had to refrain from using hair gels, or applying any type of chemical processing (such as coloring or perms) at least two weeks before the snip. The clean hair analysis showed fibromyalgia patients had significantly lower levels of calcium, magnesium, copper, iron, and manganese. Many other minerals, such as chromium, selenium, potassium, phosphorous, sodium, and zinc, did not differ between the patients and controls. Previous reports looking at mineral status in fibromyalgia patients have been very mixed and often conflicting. Joo points to the inherent problem of these prior studies that sampled blood or urine. The body is made to adapt to changing demands, such that many minerals are robbed from the bones to maintain sufficient blood levels. And alterations in the urine may not say much about the level of mineral storage in the bones or other tissues. However, hair analysis should provide a more accurate picture of the body’s overall mineral status. So what exactly does it mean to be low in the five minerals identified by Joo? More studies are needed, but Joo points out that several reports have shown that fibromyalgia patients lack the necessary antioxidants to neutralize reactive chemicals that can interfere with cellular functions. This, in turn, leads to an oxidative stress environment and could account for symptoms involving muscles spasms and cramps, fatigue, neuromuscular weakness, and insomnia. “Several studies have explored the relationship between fibromyalgia patients and oxidative stress. Still other studies investigated elemental composition of patients, but they surveyed only blood and urine samples,” reported Joo. “The latter studies, while potentially useful, overlooked the mineral content of hair. The hair mineral assay is a good method to explore the mineral status at the cellular level.” While it is not practical to start taking a whole barrage of expensive mineral supplements, fibromyalgia patients should consider taking a daily broad-spectrum multivitamin and mineral supplement that contains 100 percent of the essential nutrients including iron. 


Mineral levels (average) Healthy Controls Fibromyalgia Patients 

• Calcium 1,093 mcg 775 mcg 
• Magnesium 72 mcg 52 mcg 
• Copper 40 mcg 28 mcg 
• Iron 7.1 mcg 5.9 mcg 
• Manganese 190 ng/g 140 ng/g  

Life is too short to be anything but happy!!

The General Well-Being Scale

I came across this while wondering the web, thought it would be a nice item to share with you all. Hope you enjoy! Leave some feedback if you can. Thanks everyone!

The General Well-Being Scale Worksheet

Alternative Therapies for Fibromyalgia

Herbs and Supplements for Fibro Pain

At some point during your fibromyalgia treatment, you may decide to try a complementary or alternative fibromyalgia treatment. Herbal remedies and dietary supplements are some of the many complementary and alternative treatments people use to relieve the symptoms of fibromyalgia.

Herbs and supplements as fibromyalgia treatments may not work for everyone, although some people find them very effective. If you decide to try an herb or supplement as a fibromyalgia treatment, be sure to talk with your doctor first to make sure it’s safe for you. Even though they're often labeled as "natural" products, herbs and supplements can cause serious side effects and interact with other drugs you may already be taking. Unlike drugs, herbs and supplements don’t have to receive FDA approval for safety or effectiveness before they can be sold.  In addition to talking with your doctor, it’s important to learn as much as you can about any alternative therapy before using one.

Although studies about the effectiveness of herbs and supplements are limited and overall evidence has been inconclusive, researchers are beginning to research them more. Some small studies have been promising, but many study results have been mixed.

Research is ongoing, but here are just a few of the herbs and supplements that may be helpful in treating fibromyalgia symptoms:

Anthocyanidin. This supplement is a type of flavonoid found in red-blue fruits like red cherries, blueberries, raspberries, and purple grapes that has been used to treat other types of chronic diseases. In one small study of people with fibromyalgia, researchers found that anthocyanidins helped improve participants’ quality of sleep. Researchers found no improvement in the patients’ pain or fatigue. The side effects were minor, but included nausea, indigestion, and nasal congestion.

Capsaicin. Capsaicin is an extract of chili peppers that is applied to the skin in a cream. In a small study, capsaicin was found to significantly relieve tenderness in patients with fibromyalgia. However, it didn’t help improve pain or quality of sleep. The only side effect was a slight stinging or burning on the skin.

Magnesium and malic acid supplements. Some studies have found that people who have fibromyalgia have too little of a substance called ATP in their body. ATP is a substance that helps provide energy to your body and muscles. Some researchers believe a lack of ATP may cause the muscle pain associated with fibromyalgia. Because magnesium and malic acid help the body produce ATP, taking these supplements may help increase ATP levels and decrease pain.

SAM-e (S-Anenosylmethionine). SAM-e is a substance that occurs naturally in the body. It has been studied in many clinical trials over the past 20 years in patients who have joint pain and osteoarthritis. These studies have found that SAM-e may be as effective in relieving pain as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and aspirin. SAM-e is used as a drug in Europe, where many of these studies have been done. One U.S. study in patients with osteoarthritis found that SAM-e reduced pain and improved joint function as effectively as Celebrex, a type of NSAID. In addition, new research has found that SAM-e may also help reduce the symptoms of depression, another common fibromyalgia symptom. SAM-e may interact with some medications for depression, so be sure to talk with your doctor about drug interactions before trying it. Other reported side effects include upset stomach and dizziness.

St. John’s wort. This herb may not help with your fibromyalgia pain, but it may help ease the depression that many people with fibromyalgia experience. Studies have shown that St. John’s wort may help improve mood and reduce the insomnia and anxiety common to depression. Some studies have found St. John’s wort as effective in treating mild to moderate depression as antidepressant drugs. However, it may not be as effective in treating more severe depression. St. John’s wort can interact with many other medications, so be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before using it.

Valerian. Some researchers believe valerian root may help with sleep and ease fibromyalgia pain. One small study showed that people who took valerian for 28 days reported better sleep and an improvement in their general quality of life.

Vitamin D supplements. Well-known for supporting bone strength and bone health, vitamin D is also being studied for its use in treating other conditions, including fibromyalgia. Some small studies showed that people with fibromyalgia were more likely to be deficient in vitamin D. Other studies have shown that there is no connection. Vitamin D is generally safe in recommended amounts for most people and rarely causes side effects when taken in recommended amounts.

WebMD Medical Reference

Reviewed By Louise Chang, MD

Magnesium Malate - Soothes Muscles by Supporting Energy Production

My new life with Magnesium Malate

I started taking a new supplement this week. I know it's been only a week and I didn't expect this to work at all, but the first couple days, I wondered why I had SO much energy. Then I remembered that I was taking the new supplement Magnesium Malate. (Malate aka Malic Acid) Once I realized this, I was so excited, but wanted to make sure it wasn't just lucky coincidence. By day 7 now, I'm very impressed. I know it's still a little early to tell, but like I said, I'm impressed. The energy I have found is something I haven't seen in over 4 years! So in my eyes, even if it only lasts a week, I'm thankful, but let's hope this continues. I also read that you should up the dosage slowly so I'm still on the lowest dosage. 1 tablet per day. The bottle says 1-3 per day. The internet dosage information is all over the place. So I will just follow the directions on the bottle. I will keep you updated. Until then, here's more info about this supplement. 

Here's some basic info about Magnesium Malate: 

Magnesium Malate is a compound of magnesium and malic acid, clinically shown to soothe and energize muscle cells. Malic acid is a natural fruit acid that is present in most cells in the body and is an important component of numerous enzymes key to ATP synthesis and energy production. Therefore, magnesium malate may be helpful in those suffering from fatigue due to fibromyalgia.


Magnesium is an essential mineral in over 300 enzymatic reactions in metabolism. These reactions include those involved in the Krebs cycle (one of the body's main energy production processes), energy storage, the breakdown of fatty acids, protein synthesis, DNA metabolism, neurotransmitter activity, and hormone regulation. Magnesium is stored primarily in the bones and plays a role in the absorption of calcium by the bones.

Shopping around:

Also you really want to shop around for this item as prices really vary a lot and I highly recommend buying them as one supplement, not two separate.

Here's where I found the best price at the time they had a $10 off deal: http://www.medcohealthstore.com/vitamins-supplements/minerals/magnesium/source-naturals-magnesium-malate-1250mg-tablets-90-ea-138736

and one other site that is more well know but prices were higher: http://www.drugstore.com/search/search_results.asp?N=0&Ntx=mode%2Bmatchallpartial&Ntk=All&srchtree=1&Ntt=magnesium+malate&Go.x=0&Go.y=0

and one more: http://www.energeticnutrition.com/source_naturals/Magnesium-Malate.html

Here are some more links to more information about Magnesium Malate that are very helpful. I didn't want this article to get too long. 



http://www.livestrong.com/article/531142-the-dosage-of-magnesium-malate-for-fibromyalgia/


http://www.smartbodyz.com/Magnesium-Malate-Ingredients-Dose.htm


http://www.ehow.com/about_6529483_magnesium-malate-fibromyalgia.html


http://laura-owens.suite101.com/trigger-point-therapy-to-relieve-chronic-pain-a75812

Here's the data and facts behind it all

Fibromyalgia Pain: Magnesium and Malic Acid

Research Finds Taking Both Supplements Together Is More Effective

Laura Owens

Contributing Writer

While magnesium can reduce pain in some fibromyalgia patients, not everyone with FMS has low levels of magnesium. Yet research indicates that taking adequate doses of magnesium in combination with malic acid over an extended period of time can significantly reduce the muscle and soft tissue pain associated with fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia and Muscle Energy Disruption

It's unclear how or if these two elements work synergistically, yet magnesium and malic acid are both key components in how energy is produced and transported within the cells of the muscles. Evidence suggests that one cause of fibromyalgia pain is local hypoxia in the muscles (low oxygen) which contributes to muscle tissue breakdown.

Magnesium activates the most important enzyme in the body, ATP (adenosine triphosphate) an energy molecule produced within a component of cells called the mitochondria, the body's "energy furnace." About 20 percent of the body's production of ATP is located in the brain. As a result, diminished levels can reduce the brain's cognitive functions, a common problem in people with fibromyalgia.

Magnesium is needed in the production of serotonin, a brain neurotransmitter involved in the perception of pain. Serotonin levels have been shown to be significantly lower in people with fibromyalgia. Magnesium is one of the many co-factors needed to release and bind serotonin in the brain to provide balanced mental functioning.

Magnesium deficiency increases a chemical in the body called substance P, a neurotransmitter and protein found in the brain and spinal cord. People with fibromyalgia have abnormally high levels of substance P. Substance P serves as a pain messenger and is associated with inflammatory processes in the joints. Excess levels can cause pain signals to be sent to the brain even when there is no actual injury or illness.

Malic Acid and Fibromyalgia Pain

Malic acid is an organic substance found in fruits (particularly apples) and plants.

Malic acid is involved in the production of energy in the body. It plays a role in the molecules involved in controlling mitochondrial, energy production, within the cells. Malic acid provides greater stamina and endurance in muscle cells.

Malic acid is particularly useful in helping remove aluminum from the body. Aluminum toxicity is thought to be one contributor to fibromyalgia symptoms. While magnesium also helps block the toxic affects of aluminum, malic acid may be even more effective.

Studies On Magnesium and Malic Acid To Reduce Fibromyalgia Pain

In a 1992 study 15 fibromylagia patients received an oral dose of 1200-2400 mg of malate (malic acid) and 300-600 mg of magnesium over a four and 8 week period. Patients reported a reduction in pain across a tender point index (TPI). Six subjects felt an improvement in 48 hours.

During another study conducted in 1995, researchers gave 24 subjects with fibromyalgia a "Supermalic" low tablet with 50 mg magnesium and 200mg malic acid. Scientists measured pain levels through patient self-assessment and the tender point index. Results showed that the low dose, short term trial was not effective to reduce fibromyalgia pain. However, higher doses over an extended duration significantly reduced subjects' pain.

Magnesium Malate Dosage and Side Effects

Magnesium Malate has been shown to be the most effective form of magnesium to reduce fibromyalgia pain. The recommended dose is 1,500 mg, although people should adjust their dose according to their pain level and side effects.

Side effects with extended use may include headache, muscular pain, and mild gastrointestinal symptoms. The most common side effect is loose stools. Should this occur people should decrease their next dose by 50%.

Resource:
http://laura-owens.suite101.com/ 

Today on Dr. Oz- Chronic Pain

DR. OZ “WHY YOUR DOCTOR THINKS YOU’RE CRAZY! IS YOUR CHRONIC PAIN A DISEASE?”
There is a growing epidemic your doctor may be ignoring. Your Pain: When To Worry

Learn to think about pain like a doctor. These four rules can help to uncover the root of your problem and find effective treatment. Today’s audience is filled with people afflicted with chronic pain as Dr. Oz helps to shed some light on the groundbreaking research proving its existence.

Audience members Hilary (Chalfont, PA), Jacqueline (Montclair, NJ) and Shelia (Hillsborough, NJ), who all suffer from severe chronic pain, share their emotional stories, and how their primary practitioners told them there is nothing wrong with them, and try and make them believe this pain is all in their head. Chronic pain sufferer and woman’s health advocate Dr. Donnica Moore teams up with Dr. Oz, Dr. Sean Mackey member of The Institute of Medicine Committee that released the ground breaking findings on chronic pain. Dr. Julie Silver Physiatrist, who specializes in pain management to disclose the best multi-dimensional treatment for chronic pain.

Dr. Oz today talked about chronic pain, your doctor thinks it’s in your head: your doctor isn’t telling you something and Dr. oz said a lot of doctor’s are going to be really angry after todays show. Plus Dr. Oz shares the worst and best treatments for your pain. Plus Dr. Oz’s 4 critical questions you need to ask your doctor about pain.

Dr. Oz started off this segment of the show saying a lot of doctor’s are going to be really angry about what he’s talking about today. Millions of people have been suffering from chronic pain and doctor’s haven’t been taking us seriously. There is ground breaking new science proving that chronic pain is real, it’s a disease and it’s not something you’re making up.

Dr. Oz spoke with one woman in the audience who has complained of back pain and leg pain and her doctor told her to go home and have more sex with her husband and that it would help with her pain and then proceeded to show her positions that might work.

Dr. Oz said he was Peed off and said it frustrates him that it’s hard for one to get proper treatment for pain and in his opinion doctor’s do think you are crazy, they think the pain is all in your head. There are 4 reasons why doctors won’t be able to help you with chronic pain like they should.

Why You Doctor Thinks You’re Crazy

1. Doctor’s Can’t See Your Pain – If they can’t see your pain it doesn’t exist

2. Doctor’s Don’t Have Pain Management Training

3. Doctor’s Think You’re Out To Score Some Drugs

4. You’re A Woman – Dr. Moore said male doctor’s treat female patients differently.

We can now call chronic pain a disease according to the new study released, the pain itself is a disease just like diabetes, heart disease and the like says Oz. Dr. Mackay said this study is now validating what chronic pain sufferers in the audience have been saying.

Dr. Oz 4 Questions To Find The Right Pain Specialist

Next we moved on the the 4 questions you need to ask to find a doctor to treat your chronic pain:

• How Much Pain Management Training Do You Have?
• What Is Your Approach?
• How Long Before I Begin To See Results?
• How Much Will It Cost

4 Rules

Dr. Silver is the author of You Can Heal Yourself and an award-winning book from the American Cancer Society titled What Helped Get Me Through: Cancer Survivors Share Wisdom and Hope, here is what she says about When to Worry About Your Pain.

Learning to treat pain effectively takes years. As a medical doctor who specializes in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R), I have extensive training in treating pain. Doctors who specialize in PM&R are formally called physiatrists and are sometimes informally referred to as pain doctors.

One of the first things we learn is when to worry about pain. Since we are taught to treat so many different kinds of pain, we need to know when to sound an alarm about a patient’s condition and how to act to treat them most effectively. If you’ve been experiencing pain, it’s important that you learn to think like a pain doctor. While these “rules” about when to worry certainly do not cover every person and every situation, they are important to know to get to the source of your problem.

How to Think Like a Pain Doctor

1. Two-Week Rule 
Any pain that lasts for more than two weeks should be checked out. A lot of people think that new pain means that they have cancer. In fact, most new pain is due to bones, joints, nerves and other musculoskeletal structures. Many doctors use the two-week rule because a lot of musculoskeletal pain will resolve within a two-week period. Also, a two-week delay in diagnosis is very unlikely to change someone’s prognosis if the pain is due to cancer. Though the two-week rule applies to most pain, there are times when doctors ignore this rule and become immediately concerned (See Rules 2, 3 and 4).

2. Acute-Trauma Rule 
Doctors should immediately check all pain associated with acute trauma, such as a car accident or fall off a ladder. Usually, people aren’t overly worried that cancer is causing their pain if they have trauma that results in immediate or even slightly delayed pain. However, all pain associated with trauma necessitates an evaluation; this includes a physical examination and possible imaging tests such as x-rays or MRIs.

3. Worst Pain of My Life Rule
Doctors should be alarmed at any new and severe pain that a patient reports. It’s not unusual for a patient to actually say, “This is the worst pain I’ve ever experienced!” Often, the “worst pain of my life” is not cancer, but may be the result of something serious, such as a heart attack, appendicitis or ruptured blood vessel (aneurysm). If the pain is severe but chronic and has been worked up previously, then the “alarm bells” ring less vigorously.

4. I Can’t Sleep Rule
Doctors should be concerned about any pain that awakens a patient at night. Sometimes, night pain is more serious than pain that occurs during the day with normal activities. This is because, usually, when you rest, pain improves. Pain that doesn’t improve with rest is sometimes worrisome. However, resting too much with chronic pain leads to weakness and more pain. If you have chronic pain, try and alternate rest with activity to stay strong and keep your overall pain levels down. Cancer pain is one type of pain that often doesn’t improve with rest and will awaken people at night. However, it’s important to know that a lot of musculoskeletal pain problems will bother patients at night. Hip bursitis or shoulder tendinitis can often keep a patient awake if they lie on the affected side and put pressure on the injured part of the body. It’s important not to make assumptions about what is causing night pain, and to identify the cause and treat it appropriately.

There is no doubt that pain is undertreated and that physicians and patients need to work together to find solutions. When someone tells me, “I’ve tried everything,” I often ask if he or she has had a consultation with a physiatrist. Often the answer is no. To find out more about doctors in your area who specialize in treating pain and helping people to function at the highest possible level, visit the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

Source: doctoroz.com

http://www.doctoroz.com/

It’s Time to Become Disability-Aware

A Different Normal

Living with a Chronic Condition

Richard C. Senelick, MD is a physician specializing in both neurology and the subspecialty of neurorehabilitation. He is the Medical Director ofHealthSouth RIOSA, The Rehabilitation Institute of San Antonio, and an associate clinical professor in the Department of Neurology at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. He has authored several books on stroke, spinal cord injuries, and brain injuries. Dr. Senelick is an expert in the WebMD Stroke Community.

Did you go see the movie Tropic Thunder?  Have you rented the movie, There’s Something About Mary? Both movies have scenes that generate laughs at the expense of the disabled. It may seem like “nit picking,” but had a different minority been similarly stereotyped, the outcry would have been much louder.  The disabled are a minority who still have a significant barrier to overcome. People rarely understand the simple fact that the disabled have the same desires, dreams and aspirations of able-bodied people.

I work every day with people who have disabilities.  I am the medical director of a rehabilitation hospital where I am surrounded by patients with brain injuries, missing limbs, severe deformities and impairments. This is my “normal” environment— one in which I am totally at ease and comfortable.  In fact, I have been doing this for so many years that I frequently don’t notice the alarm or discomfort of first time visitors.

By virtue of this familiarity, the assumption is that I have either learned or intuitively know how to interact appropriately with someone with a disability. In my world, it is the rare occasion where someone actually receives criticism or a comment related to something they said or did while interacting with a disabled individual.  But, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have produced large numbers of “wounded warriors” who have no qualms telling us what they want and how they want to be treated.  While caring for these young men and women, it has become apparent that it is time to “test” our own disability awareness and examine whether we act in an appropriate manner.

The difficulty here is that many people are simply not aware that even though their intentions are good, their words can come across as patronizing or insensitive. Below are a couple of common missteps in our interactions with the disabled.  See if these ring true and whether you need to reassess your approach.

Greetings: It is second nature to offer your arm and shake the hand of someone you have just met.  However, I have seen many people hesitate to shake the hand of a disabled person out of fear that the person is paralyzed or missing a limb.   Greetings come in a wide variety these days, from a fist bump to a high five.  Extend an arm in greeting and an individual will respond.  However, do not invade their personal space by assuming you can rub a shoulder or pat a knee without permission. Even in our increasingly casual society, it is not acceptable to call someone honey, sweetie, baby, sugar or – my least favorite current greeting — “dude.” A few years ago, I was a patient in the hospital and an aide asked me, “How you doin’, dude?”  If not for my wife’s restraining “not now” stare, I would have come unglued.

“You are so courageous”: I recently spoke with a young woman who told me, “I always make sure to tell people with disabilities whom I meet how courageous they are.”  The definition of courage is, “the mental or moral strength to withstand danger, fear or difficulty.” Yes, a soldier’s courageous act may have resulted in their injury, but now, they may feel afraid, anxious and depressed, and need someone to acknowledge and empathize with these emotions. It is not helpful for us to tell them they are courageous, for that sets an expectation that they must check their emotions at the door and show an “expected” strength at a time when they are barely coping.

“It could have been worse”: Don’t tell a disabled person how “lucky” they are or that it could have been worse.  It diminishes the importance of the event or illness.  Statements like this come off as judgmental about the impact of the injury on that individual.  If you had a stroke that left you with the ability to walk but you still had a paralyzed arm, would you feel lucky?

“I know how you feel”: You should avoid the use of phrases such as, “I know how you feel” or, “I can imagine what it must feel like.”  Unless you have the same or similar disability, you do not know how they feel.  It is better to say, “I have never had to sit in your chair nor walk in your shoes.  I hope that I never have to, but I will be here to help you get through this difficult time.” Empathy without sympathy.  Assistance without patronization.

We recently watched moving memorials for those who died on September 11, 2001.  Ten years later we have tens of thousands of soldiers who have unfortunately joined the 5.6 million Americans who have to live in wheelchairs.   Will we honor their “new normal” with appropriate social interactions and greetings? You may say, “Of course, I will.”  But I challenge you to go a step further and become a disability etiquette educator.  Spread awareness among your co-workers, your associates and your family. And, from time to time, it never hurts to look in the mirror.

Coping - Family Involvement

Expert advice from Leslie Epstein, M.S., MFCC

While only one person in a family may suffer from fibromyalgia the entire family is affected by it. Your family faces a troublesome time while learning to cope with the anxieties, fears and trauma produced by fibromyalgia. Thus, it is essential that the family become part of your therapeutic program. More explicitly, family support is crucial to the successful management of any chronic and painful condition.

A common problem for patients is disassociation, where a family member may want to deny that their is anything wrong with you. That family member seems to feel that if he/she pretends nothing serious exists, the illness and its problems will go away. This type of person rationalizes that "if their is nothing I can do (about my loved one having fibromyalgia), I may as well act as if nothing is wrong and go on living my own life." The patient, in turn, resents this apparent disinterest and interprets it incorrectly to mean that their family member does not care, creating added stress.

Open communication among family members is important. The family must learn to discuss all feelings that arise, including frustration, resentment and impatience. Expression must not be restricted. The patient should be comfortable discussing personal needs and feelings with the family, and the converse should also be true. In this connection, it is vital that changes in family roles and responsibilities be discussed openly in order to prevent repressed anger and resentment, since hostile family attitudes may cause a patient's symptoms to flare.

The difficulty seems to be in finding the best response at a particular time: empathy when the symptoms appear to be worse; support during times of fear and crisis; and allowing patient control in periods when they are feeling better. Thus, a good system of communication within your family is essential.

Finally, family members are not immune to depression. It is frustrating to watch people who are sick and in pain, and yet to have little control over their illness. This can anger family members, who typically are unwilling to vent their frustrations onto you for fear of inducing more stress and causing an exacerbation of your condition. Instead, the family member's anger turns inward, creating depression.

Maintaining Healthy Relationships with your spouse, partner, children, family, friends, and others. 20 experts in the field answer questions posed by fibromyalgia patients in this specially crafted, 20-page Special Issue: Explaining your limits to others Handling demands on your time Helping children understand your illness Enjoying intimacy in spite of your pain and fatigue Saying "No" without regrets Handling unwanted advice Controlling angry outbursts Don't let chronic illness interfere with your ties to family and friends. Get our Special issues on Relationships

Fibromyalgia Network

If you haven't subscribed to these guys (FM Network http://www.fmnetnews.com), I HIGHLY recommend it. They send out awesome newsletter's in the mail every other month. They do survey's from members and post results in there. Also every month there is an E-Newsletter that is as good or better than the print version. I've been with them for 6 years now. They also have an 800 # if you need ANYTHING you can call them. From references to good doctors, to just a shoulder to cry on. (BENEFITS: http://www.fmnetnews.com/about-benefits.php) I have 6 years worth of these newsletters collected and the articles 98% pertain to me. Which is hard to find. Here I'm going to give you some links and info about the company and what the website has to offer since the website is rather confusing.


Main Site: http://www.fmnetnews.com/index.php
Here you can sign up for free articles too and has a basic intro of what the newsletters are about.


Facebook Page: This may make more sense to us now days. Check it out! :D


Site Map: This helps clear up the confusion of the website and give you an idea what they are all about as well.


The Store: Finally, here's where you become a member, get your stuff and benefits. Just click "Click here to Join" Also they are always giving away some free stuff with membership too. So watch for those. 


Here's what I got free with mine, it costs $5 on the site now. This list is a little outdated now, but still an awesome reference!! If you'd like this emailed to you let me know by email. Email me here

FYI: Data did not fit on main page. If you go across the tabs at the top and look for "Resources/Downloads" and click that, go all the way to the bottom of the page and the Top 25 Fibromyalgia Medications and an E-Newsletter are posted there. If you want anything else for a preview before purchasing a membership, let me know with this email. Email me here

Fibromyalgia: Healing Begins

Fibromyalgia Effects My Entire Life