Fibromyalgia.. the silent sufferer.. Review on Dealing with Fybromyalgia

I will try to recall all I wrote and tried to publish on this topic.  I shared a great deal which somehow got kicked out before I could submit it.

Fibromyalgia What is this debilitating condition that many people suffer from yet little is known about it?

I have been a sufferer since my two little ones were toddling around.  (They are now 11 and 12).  I have learned that it is a stress related condition which affects both men and women but mostly women of childbearing age.

In my case, it started at a time in my life when I was very stressed, was taking care of two little ones at home, and times were very difficult.  I recall feeling very stressed and overwhelmed and developing first tightness in my neck.  It gradually moved down to lower back pain, and hip pain.  There are 18 distinct tender points throughout the body that practitioners test to see if one might be a candidate for this condition.  I passed with flying colors.

Fibromyalgia can affect people in many degrees, minor to major symptoms.  I fall somewhere in between. I have my good and bad days, but mostly moderate pain.  A lot depends on the weather, what cycle of the month I'm in, my diet, if I've exercised that day, and probably the biggest factor is how much stress was in my day.  Rest is crucial.  If there is no rest, there is no relief.

I also take anti-inflammatories, tylenol and vitamins.  I use heat therapy, get regular massage, reflexology and occasionally accupuncture.  Stretching is a big part of my day, breathing and exercise.  There is great stress at my job and I'd very much like to switch careers someday to something more relaxed, like massage for instance, but for now I do the best I can to not get worked up as much as possible, or I pay a dear price.

I will end this now in case I lose it again.  Fibromyalgia is no fun to live with, but with proper care, can be manageable.