Jeanie's Daily Blog April 15th 2013

Fibromyalgia Some Questions Answered 

Every day my inbox contains questions about Fibromyalgia I always reply and help where I can.  I have to stress that I am not a medical professional.  I can only provide answers using my own experiences over the 8 years of living with the condition.  

I have picked out some of the most asked questions in the hope that the answers may help others who have just been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia.  Your doctor is the best person to talk to with your concerns and if he/she can't help they should refer you to someone who can.  

Question:  My cousin was recent diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and I think I may have it too.  I am exhausted the whole time and I am finding it difficult to find the energy to do my housework.  

Answer:  It is never a good idea to make assumptions about medical symptoms.  Just because a member of your family has been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia doesn't necessarily mean that you will have it too.  There could be a number of reasons why you are feeling exhausted.  Exhaustion plays a major part in the symptoms  of Fibromyalgia, but there are numerous other symptoms that go along with it.  Please visit your doctor and let them know how you are feeling.  I am sure that he/she will be able to find out the cause of your exhaustion.  

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Question:  I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia a year ago. I am now having difficulty remembering stuff.  It is becoming a huge problem and is affecting my work.  Sometimes I cannot even think of words for things and sometimes when I try to speak it comes out like I'm talking in a foreign language or something.  Is this a normal part of having Fibromyalgia or am I going nuts?

Answer:  Fibromyalgia does affect the way your brain works.  Short term memory can be affected. A lot of Fibromyalgia sufferers call this 'Fibro Fog'.  Your head can feel foggy and your concentration can also be affected.  I believe that  medication which is often used in the treatment of Fibromyalgia may also slow down your thought process.  However, as with all new symptoms, please don't dismiss it as being 'just' part of the Fibromyalgia Syndrome. Let your doctor know as soon as possible so that they can determine if you need a change of medication or if your symptoms really are related to Fibromyalgia.  

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Question:  Do you have any tips for dealing with restless legs at night?

Answer:   I think I have tried everything for this one. Hot baths, showers and walking about.  I thought I had cracked it with getting out of bed and exercising and massaging my legs.  It was heaven for two whole weeks.  I don't get restless legs too often now just once in a while.  I always make sure that if I am sitting I keep moving my legs around to give them excersice, nothing strenuous just gentle movements.  I noticed that the days when I sit around  a lot are the days when restless legs come in at night.   I also have a hot shower every night to relax my muscles and keep the circulation going.  Please note that every one is different and what works for one person may not work for others.  If you would like to share your tips for dealing with restless legs please feel free to share on this blog.

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Question:  What is the best medication to take for Fibromyalgia?

Answer:  I wish I knew.  This type of question I really can't answer.  There are different medications to suit individuals suffering from Fibromyalgia.  Many sufferers have other conditions which require medication, so the doctor has to be careful when making the decision to write a prescription.  I believe that in most cases of Fibromyalgia it is trial and error to find medication that will help give relief to some of the symptoms.  Once again I would say, have a chat with your medical professional to see which medication may be best for your circumstances.

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These are just a few of the questions I get asked on a regular basis.  I will share some more with you in future posts.  However, if you suffer from Fibromyalgia please feel free to share your experiences here with us.  It may help others to learn about this condition. 


My Top Ten Tips:

• If you are feeling exhausted, take a rest don't try and do anything.  Sometimes a short nap or lie a down can make a huge difference.   Sometimes you may have no choice but to rest.

• Don't set yourself up for disappointment by making plans or preparing lists of things to do.  Take each day as it comes and accept the things you cannot do. 

• Get some fresh air every day no matter what the weather is. Even if it is just going out in the garden for  ten minutes or sitting by an open window it will help you to cope with that hemmed in feeling.  

• Never be afraid to ask for help if you need it.  People are more understanding than you may think. 

• Stress is a big factor in causing Fibromyalgia flare ups. Speak to your doctor about it and ask for advice about dealing with stress.

• Get regular check ups for allergies, you may find that due to Fibromyalgia you may develop allergies.

• If you are going into hospital ensure that staff and doctors are made aware of your condition. Don't take it for granted that they already know.  The same applies for operations minor or otherwise.

• If you have any new symptoms don't assume that they are due to Fibromyalgia.  Report them to your doctor as soon as possible. 

• Learn to live life in the slow lane your body will love you for it.  It may be difficult to start with and it will be very frustrating, but it will benefit you in the long run.

• Learn to listen to your body, feel the differences and take note of what actions make it hurt more.  This may take a while to learn but once you learn how your body is reacting to Fibromyalgia you begin a new journey of discovering how to cope a little better.  

I hope this post has been helpful and if you wish to share your experience then please feel free to comment.  Living with Fibromyalgia will never be easy, but as we begin to understand this illness we can learn to cope more with the symptoms.