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Living With Fibromyalgia

Before I really knew what fibromyalgia was, I read about the Spoon Theory. The Spoon Theory is the story of a woman who was trying to explain her condition to a friend while they were out at a restaurant. Using a handful of spoons to represent energy, the woman with fibromyalgia explained how everything costs one “spoon” — even getting up and getting dressed. When you run out of spoons, there’s nothing you can do but rest. A person with fibromyalgia has to save their spoons for things that are really important… or save things for days when they have … Continue reading →

Fibromyalgia: Symptoms

Pain is the main symptom of fibromyalgia, but the condition comes with many other symptoms. Women typically feel muscle pain throughout the body or at certain points; men with fibromyalgia often feel pain in the face and at points around the body. The pain can rage from mild to severe. Severe pain can limit work, social activities, and everyday tasks. It may feel like a burning, gnawing, throbbing, stabbing, or aching sensation. The onset of pain may be gradual, and the pain may be worst when a person is trying to relax. The pain may seem less intense during activity. … Continue reading →

Fibromyalgia: Overview

Fibromyalgia means “pain of the muscles and other fibrous tissue”. It is a chronic disorder of the muscles, ligaments, tendons, and other soft tissue. Many people who suffer from fibromyalgia compare it to a persistent flu; the main symptoms are pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and tender points around the body. The symptoms can increase in severity at different times of the day, during weather changes, and during different activities. Other names for fibromyalgia include: fibromyositis, fibrositis, muscular rheumatism, chronic muscle pain syndrome, and musculoskeletal pain syndrome. Terms that end in -it is (indication inflammation) are inaccurate, as inflammation does not … Continue reading →

What is a TENS Unit?

One option for managing pain is a TENS unit. TENS stands for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation… a scary name (electrical what now?) for a helpful therapy. How it works, in brief: electrodes are stuck to the skin in the area where a patient is experiencing pain. The TENS unit delivers an electrical current to the skin and tissues. Intensity of the current can vary; users generally report feeling tingling or pins and needles in the area. Why it works: experts believe that the electrical current disrupts the pain by giving a different sensation to the skin and tissues. The current … Continue reading →

What Are Invisible Illnesses?

“But you don’t look/act sick.” Have you heard these words or said them to a friend? Visible illnesses and conditions are easy to spot because the person may use a device like crutches or braces to assist in movement. They may limp, have an unusual posture, or make expressions of pain (physically or vocally) when they move. An invisible illness comes with few (if any) outward signs most (if not all) of the time. Some examples of invisible illness include: Asthma Depression Chronic pain Fibromyalgia Heart disease Diabetes Seizure disorders Osteoporosis Many people think of illness in terms of short-term … Continue reading →