I am in my 20^th year with Fibromyalgia.

Not that I am celebrating or anything of that sort. But I was reflecting back on how this disease began and how it changed my life…some for the better. Together with American Recall Center, we want to spread awareness about Fibromyalgia.

Is that even possible? That something so debilitating as Fibromyalgia could change me for the better?

I think so. Let me share how it started and where I am today. If you suffer with Fibro, or think you might, maybe this will be a help, and even an encouragement to you.

I’ve always tried to figure out the why and how of this sickness. They used to say it could be brought on by trauma and I wondered if a car crash I was involved in when I was 22 was the cause, or maybe contributed to it.

I have also blamed many of my health problems on the evil poison, aspartame. I did drink Diet Coke for about five years, although I have been clean for almost 15 years. I avoid that toxin like the plague. I know without a doubt that it has cost me some of my memory and I may never know what else it did to my body. Yes, I really do believe what I read about aspartame. Yes, I realize there are many things we ingest that are bad for us, this is just one thing I am sure is killing us and causing multiple health problems. I know many others that suffer with this same disease that also drank diet sodas and many other things that are laden with this poison.

My first noticeable symptom with Fibro was neck and shoulder pain, always feeling like I needed a good deep tissue massage. I just didn’t think much about it, I was too busy raising My Three Sons. But when my youngest was about 1 ½, I began having breathing problems. I felt as if I had an elephant sitting on my chest. I could not get a deep breath unless I really worked at it and I was breathing in and out with constant effort. My chest really hurt at times, I would even think maybe I was having a heart issue, except it seemed silly at 32 years of age. I was healthy otherwise, walking 2-3 miles each day and felt good…if only I could breathe!

The tests began and each one would come back normal.

I felt anything but normal.

I cannot even remember all of the tests that I had so long ago but I remember when they started testing my lungs that I thought maybe it was just all a nightmare and I would wake up one morning with it all gone. Back then, fibromyalgia was not easily diagnosed and those who understood it were few and far between. It was difficult to get someone to take you seriously.

One night I even ended up in the ER because the pain was so intense, I could not get any relief and I could not get my breath. The ER doctor suggested something to relax me, and implied, without coming out and saying it, that it was all in my head. I was devastated. How, and why, would I make something like this appear out of thin air?! Why would I want to feel this way?!

I refused the tranquilizer and went home feeling worse than when I came. Shortly after this I ended up in a doctor’s office where this wonderful man said I wasn’t crazy. That my symptoms matched something called Fibromyalgia. MayoClinic.org defines it this way:

“Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues. Researchers believe that fibromyalgia amplifies painful sensations by affecting the way your brain processes pain signals.

Symptoms sometimes begin after a physical trauma, surgery, infection or significant psychological stress. In other cases, symptoms gradually accumulate over time with no single triggering event.”

In my case, he said, I was not entering REM sleep, and had not for years. My body was reacting by constricting the muscles in my chest, causing the pain, discomfort and breathing difficulty. If I could begin sleeping deeper, he was sure those symptoms would cease.

He was correct. One night on a 10 mg dose of Elavil (amitriptyline) and I was fine! The breathing problems stopped and the pain in my chest was much better.

Over the years though other symptoms would come, some would go, good days and bad days alternated like the weather. Some years I was on more medication than others, but nothing seemed to take away the overwhelming fatigue and widespread muscle pain. There were a couple of times that I even seemed to go into remission. I would feel almost normal for months at a time, only to have it return with a vengeance.

Thankfully, today it is not looked down upon and you can get help. So many symptoms accompany Fibromyalgia, even though one might experience some and others entirely different issues. It affects so much of your body! Some symptoms include:

• Chronic muscle pain, muscle spasms, or tightness
• Moderate or severe fatigue and decreased energy
• Insomnia or waking up feeling just as tired as when you went to sleep
• Stiffness upon waking or after staying in one position for too long
• Difficulty remembering, concentrating, and performing simple mental tasks (“fibro fog”)
• Abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and constipation alternating with diarrhea (irritable bowel syndrome)
• Tension or migraine headaches
• Jaw and facial tenderness
• Sensitivity to one or more of the following: odors, noise, bright lights, medications, certain foods, and cold
• Feeling anxious or depressed
• Numbness or tingling in the face, arms, hands, legs, or feet
• Increase in urinary urgency or frequency (irritable bladder)
• Reduced tolerance for exercise and muscle pain after exercise
• A feeling of swelling (without actual swelling) in the hands and feet

I could relate to at least eleven of these fourteen symptoms. I couldn’t believe there was a connection! Exercise certainly helped; especially weight-lifting, or strength training. I don’t think it made me feel better but psychologically it was a benefit. I felt as if I was trying to fight it and of course, that is half the battle, the want to.

Do you suffer from Fibro? Do you struggle with getting out of bed some days, or most days? How about depression? Is that an area that is difficult for you? Many Fibro sufferers do have depression and it is easy to see why. The lack of sleep combined with all of the pain and fatigue would be enough to depress anyone. And if it comes upon you suddenly, it can seem as if your world has come to a halt.

If you do not have a doctor who specializes in Fibromyalgia…find one! Many Rheumatologists make that a priority just as much as the myriad of other diseases they treat. Search until you find one that takes you serious and then stick with him/her and give their treatments a chance to work for you.

What has helped me the most over the last 20 years?

Exercise whenever possible.  Walking was my favorite and as I mentioned, strength training. I also feel like water aerobics and swimming are very beneficial. I’ve joined the YMCA and participated in classes that focus on strength and recovery.

Less medication is best because of so many side effects. Yet we understand sometimes it is unavoidable.

Get plenty of rest! When my body screams for me to lay down I would usually have to oblige. It would help me get through the day.

Prayer. It isn’t last on the list…it IS the list. Without a doubt. Those days I couldn’t get out of bed I would ask the Lord to strengthen my mind along with my body. He always showed up. I may not understand the why even today but if I can help someone else by having gone through it myself, it is always worth it.

Have you purchased your copy of The Daniel Fast, A Devotional? Still going strong on Amazon in paperback and Kindle! Great for any fast, all year long devotional. Be blessed!

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