You've been told, "You have Fibromyalgia. Learn to live with it."

What an insult!

First you have some nebulous illness that's hard to diagnose, hard to treat, and hard to live with on a daily basis because of the pain and other tough symptoms. Then someone tells you that there is little he/she can do for you and you'll have to suffer!

Wow! Was there ever a better time to wish that someone could walk in your shoes for a day, a week or a month?

Probably not. Unfortunately, you're the one in your shoes and not only do your feet probably ache, but your whole body hurts, too.

Maybe you've heard that people with Fibromyalgia can be affected by their diet and maybe you haven't. Everyday evidence suggests that many people react "symptom-wise" to what they eat (ingest).

Here is one example:

If you've experienced trouble in getting a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia, you're not alone. Let's look at 3 reasons why.

1) Not all medical professionals can easily diagnose Fibromyalgia.

The truth be told, this illness should not be that confusing, but it often is. Specific diagnosis criteria available to any medical professional can lead to a definitive diagnosis. Either your symptoms merit them or they don't. After taking a careful medical history and doing a thorough exam, a doctor should be able to make a diagnosis for or against Fibromyalgia.

Pain feels dangerous, doesn't it? It certainly doesn't feel friendly or make you think of going out and having fun.

Well, maybe not, but dangerous? That may not be the best way to view pain.

One time a friend advised me to get close to my pain if I wanted better control of it. I thought that peculiar, because all I wanted to do was run away from constant body pain!

If you suspect that you're suffering with Fibromyalgia or a health expert has diagnosed you with this problem, don't despair. Yes, it's tough, but it's not impossible to live a good life.

Now, people who are in severe pain this minute may have just felt the hair rise up on the back of their neck, but consider these points for a moment:

Fibromyalgia Syndrome is not a terminal condition. Some people get over it and go on with their lives. Some people (many people) keep suffering. Other people get worse and watch their health decline further.

Fibromyalgia Syndrome is not a terminal condition. Some people get over it and go on with their lives. Some people keep suffering. Others get worse and watch their health decline further.

If Fibromyalgia (as a disease/illness entity) does not kill anyone (meaning it's not terminal), why do so many people never get better?

What do you need to know to have a good chance of improving your life--and maybe--recovering?

Fibromyalgia Syndrome is not a terminal condition. Some people get over it and go on with their lives. Some people keep suffering. Others get worse and watch their health decline further.

Okay, What is Critical to Know?

Anyone who has Fibromyalgia (FMS) knows that getting sleep is both a major pain and one of the most important factors in regaining and maintaining your health.

Recently I was looking through "But You Don't Look Sick" and found an incredible article on sleeping and mattresses.

May it give give you a little more info for those all important "sleeping" decisions.

Click here for the link.

(PS- If you not a member of "But You Don't Look Sick" and you want to be, go to their home page and check it out.)

Have a happy day and restful night,
Cinda Crawford, host of the Health Matters Show

I've been telling people about Leaky Gut Syndrome and all of the problems associated with the gut/digestive/Immune System link in the body for years. Almost without fail, the person I'm talking to gets this glazed over look in their eyes. Why?

I've often wondered, but my best guess is that they don't have enough information to relate to what I'm saying. They don't understand the unequivocal and vital importance of what it means to maintain a healthy digestive tract.

Certainly many of us with Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome have had digestive upsets (sometimes to the point of making us totally dysfunctional!), but what happens when it goes beyond just a stomach upset?

I invite you to click the link to Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum's, Leaky Gut Documented in Fibromyalgia, article in his newletter.

Before you talk about Fibromyalgia (FMS), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS, CFIDS or ME) and brain fog, you need to explore what is meant by the term brain fog. The complaint is common to both illnesses. If we learn more about it, it won't seem like such an unsolvable puzzle.

BRAIN FOG:
1. feeling like you're in a mental fog;


2. Inability to think clearly

If that describes you, you're not alone.

In the last blog entry on this subject, August 8th, we looked at the general definition of brain fog and some of the body systems that might be involved with the condition.

A. Brain
That's obvious, but never more so than when you're suffering with it not working well.

B. Digestive System
That's not obvious, but it's important. If the Digestive System is not functioning up to par, your body is not able to manufacture the food source ingredients to keep it going at full tilt. If some parts of what your body requires are missing, other system may fall into being dysfunctional also, because of lack of necessary nourishment.

C. Lymph Drainage System
If your body's ability to handle lymph fluid becomes sluggish, you won't have peak energy. You may feel full, generally off and unable to move freely or at will. If your lymph drainage gets so slow that it's essentially non-functional, this can have an impact on other body systems (i.e. Immune System) and further impair your body functionality.

D. Immune System.
This one is the big, hairy monster because many components of the body depend on the Immune System. When it is really non-functional, you're in trouble.

E. Sleep System
This can add to your problems if you're sleeping poorly. The body needs good sleep to heal!

So what kind of suggestions does this lead us to?

Brain fog does not have to be a permanent symptom. Do everything you can to bolster your body (body, mind and spirit) and give you a chance to recover and really heal.

*Note:To pick up more tips of how to feel better, check the blog heading, Getting Well and ELT Healing Protocol.

Thanks,
Cinda Crawford, host of the Health Matters Show