WHAT IS FIBROMYALGIA?
The definition is: Chronic widespread pain, fatigue, un-refreshed
sleep, cognitive and affective complains. (Taken from Mayo Clinic Fibro class).
There is no known cause for Fibromyalgia. Some people get it
while others do not. Researchers have found that many of those with Fibromyalgia
have gone through an intense trauma. It is also found that Fibromyalgia hits
people that are perfectionists, go-getters, and caregivers. Why these types of people? Because these
people push themselves and do not know how to take care of their own bodies.
Stress is a big factor in Fibromyalgia. Think of a pulse
rate chart. A normal person’s stress is pulsed up and down sometimes more up
and sometimes more down. A Fibromyalgia person who has the same stress responds
always above and sometimes beyond the normal persons pulse rate. Always higher
and higher. (This does not mean that people with Fibromyalgia are weaker, by no
means. People with Fibromyalgia are more than likely clueless as to how to
rest, relax, and take care of their own bodies.) Stress will signal the
physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavior aspects of a person. If a
fibromyalgia person’s stress is extremely high it will affect what they think,
say, and even do.
It is interesting to note that much of this stress plays a
big part in the brain. There is a chemical imbalance in the brain that is
causing the body to feel pain or even stressed. During our class at Mayo they
used an example of someone pricking their finger with a needle. A normal person
will feel that pain but then the pain will go away after a few seconds. For a
fibromyalgia person when they prick their finger the pain will double and they
will feel as if the needle went straight through the finger. There is something
in our brain cells imbalanced, a message is being sent to our bodies even
though it may not be the right message.
The brain is an interesting thing.
For example: Remember when you first started driving? All
those things you learned in Drivers Ed would come running through your mind as
you stopped, turned, and looked at all those road signs. The more you drove the
easier it became. It eventually became a habit, something you just did and did
not have to think about. When a person stops driving for a long period in time
they will find that it is hard to remember how to drive. For when a person
stops using parts of their brain the brain takes that as a sign that that part
of the brain is not needed to work.
Weird huh? So when I stop using the learning and action part
of my brain, it, in a sense goes on strike. For when one tries to learn
something, they find it very difficult because they haven’t used that part of
their brain in a long time. That is why for many fibromyalgia patients they
struggle with getting back to a new norm. They have lived life in a survival
mode, a flight or fight expectancy. Especially for those with fibromyalgia
that have spent days and years going to doctors and lying in bed all day. Those
patients struggle to jump back into a new norm of life.
That is why moderation is a big key aspect into the life of
a fibromyalgia person getting better. It is also why doctors have created a
self-management tool chart to help people get back to a normal lifestyle.
What are the self management tools?
Imagine a pie chart. A pie chart cut into 14 pieces. Each
piece is significant into helping a person get back to a new norm. With each
piece taken in moderation, a person will overcome the life that they live now.
(Even if you are reading this and do not have fibromyalgia or an illness. These
things are good for a healthy human’s soul.)
The pieces of the pie are:
~Positive Thinking
~ Decreased symptom Focus
~Relaxation
~Stress Management
~Moderation
~Time Management
~Nutrition
~Exercise
~Spirituality
~Leisure/Fun
~Humor
~Socialization
~Communication
~Sleep Hygiene
All of these need to be a part of a person’s life, even
healthy people struggle with at least a few of these. Those with fibromyalgia struggle
the most with sleep, relaxation, and stress.
Stress is another factor but to keep this blog short I will
just say that the two things that will help are Gentle Yoga and Tai Chi Qugong.
These are relaxation techniques to help a person become less stressed. Deep breathing is an important element in reducing stress.
They say that medication helps with the pain for
fibromyalgia as well. But the nurses and doctors at Mayo encouraged us to try
the Self-Management Tools and not go on medication if possible.
So here it is. Some of the main things I learned at Mayo
Clinic that I hope may be helpful for you!
If you are a fibromyalgia patient, I hope you are able to
overcome and work hard to get back to a new norm.
If you are reading this knowing nothing about fibromyalgia I
hope you were able to learn something.
Take note: For family
and friends that know someone with fibromyalgia. Please, help your friend and
loved one. Do the self management tools alongside them. Encourage them. Don’t
ask how they are feeling; instead ask how you can pray for them or how you can
help them that day. This is the most beneficial way to help those with fibromyalgia.
God bless you and remember God is good, all the time!
Much love to all who read!
*All helpful information was taken from my class at Mayo
Clinic. J
