March 26

25 comments

What’s Stopping You from Healing from Fibromyalgia?

By Sue Ingebretson

March 26, 2013

anxiety, beginning, chronic illness, compound interest, Exercise, Facebook, Fear, FibroWHYalgia, Healing, new program, Nutrition, savings, success, survey

WHAT’S STOPPING YOU FROM HEALING FROM FIBROMYALGIA?

What's Stopping You from Healing from Fibromyalgia?
Stop Fibromyalgia Healing

It’s time – yet again – for another “survey says” post! As always, I admire those of you who’ve responded to my Facebook survey questions and am amazed at your candor and honesty. You can always join in the conversation HERE.

And, if you haven’t had a chance, be sure to read the last Facebook survey post on The Most Annoying Fibromyalgia Symptom Ever!

For this current survey, I asked this question: “What’s stopping you from getting better? What roadblock is the hardest for you to get over?”

You answered loud and clear. Actually, you were loud – but not so clear. It comes as no surprise, but there’s a lot of conflicted thinking out there in fibroworld!

What I was looking for, was what one thing keeps you from starting a new treatment program. Most of you express a desire to create a new health routine (i.e., eating better, starting to exercise, etc.), but few actually put a plan into action.

So … what’s stopping you?

Like everything with fibromyalgia (and chronic illness) – it’s never just one thing. Here’s what you had to say:

Symptoms such as depression, fatigue, and pain topped the list.

Some of you pointed out your deep frustration with how these and other symptoms affect you.

I’m afraid of the pain that follows activity.”

Cooking and eating right takes too much time.”

I want to start a new walking program, but I’m too tired.”

I’m starting a new eating program. I hope to feel better.

Do you know what I “hear” (and read into) in all of your responses? Fear and anxiety. I remember feeling that way, too, and I feel your pain!

Here’s what I think. Fibromyalgia (or whatever collection of chronic conditions you personally experience) has “taught” you that there are consequences to every action. Every time you’ve tried something new in the past, you were shown right away (by increased symptoms) that it didn’t work. Once this message is taken in as fact – then it’s a rule by which all activity is measured.

Now, imagine this scenario. Consider a child who’s taught to save a portion of every week’s allowance and put it in the bank. She’s encouraged to review her statements, and anticipate how much she can expect to save over time. She soon learns by repetition, to experience the “magic” of compound interest (that’s the result of earning interest upon interest). It takes a pragmatic consistency to experience these exciting results, but it’s amazing how just a little effort – over a long period of time – can blossom into something fruitful.

Now, imagine the same scenario (where the child is taught the same principle), but this time she’s given the initial basic instruction with no details and no follow-up support. She’s given no guidance or encouragement to carry out a long-range plan. She sees a bit of money going into her bank account and is disappointed right away. She gets frustrated at the slow rate of return, and quickly decides to close the account and spend her money on something wise – like downloading music to her iPod.

This isn’t a tortoise and the hare story, it’s just plain logic. Any positive activity –over time – will build on itself with compounding results. Any positive activity that’s done once in a while (or just once) can’t possibly grow into something amazing. It’s not the giant steps you take that matter – it’s the little ones done with consistency.

Baby Steps to Health and Healing Fibromyalgia

Beginning a new health regimen – any health regimen – is a long-range plan. Keep in mind that there will be many changes along the way, but the goal is simply forward motion. Be kind to yourself. No harsh judgments allowed (they thwart progress).

Getting healthy – and staying healthy – is a life-long endeavor.

Do you have support? Do you have a plan? Do you know what you’d like to try? Do you have any idea of how to begin?

We’ll discuss these and many other applicable topics in future posts. There’s always more to say. I’ll be addressing topics such as how to begin a fitness program and how to begin a healthier nutrition program.

But for now, I look forward to carrying on this conversation here. Leave a comment below and tell me your roadblocks, frustrations, and plans!

    1. Nothing is stopping me now. I have discovered a nutritional product that has decreased my symptoms by 75%. I hope others can find the relief I have by ensuring good nutrition with a supplement that is truly absorbable.

      Kristen L

  1. Well there is no cure.
    Moving can help keep you strong but it is certainly no cure. It hurts more to move than lie still, but when we do try and move we get a huge correction of “oh no you don’t” “or my leg or arm feels so weak (like 500 pounds each to move) that it’s a huge effort to the point of exhaustion just to walk to the kitchen get a bowl and spoon, and milk, then forget about standing and opening the cereal package. I’m done for, so how the hell am I supposed to exercise enough to gain the strength back to begin this so called “healing” or at least to feel better?? I feel it’s a viscous painful circle and going no where. But I want to be stronger!!!
    That is what is stopping me from being stronger, there is no cure. I will soon not be able to move at all if I don’t begin to move and figure out a way to do this.

    1. Val – I appreciate your input very much. I heard you say (twice) that there is no cure. You are definitely correct. There is no cure. However, there are many, many steps that can be taken to lessen the pain, to increase energy, and to improve (if not eliminate) the host of symptoms that many deal with day in and day out. I hear your frustration. As I started my own fitness routine (along with eating better, etc.), I hit many roadblocks and found myself wondering if I was getting any better. All I can say, is that from my experience (and from the experience of many others that I know) it does get better. Let me know how I can support you.

  2. By virtue of the fact that for many who suffer from Fibro there is almost always something else that piggy-backs along with it, making diagnosis and treatment almost impossible. This is both painful and frustrating. Masked symptoms can lead both patient and doctor in many directions at once with little to show for the effort. More, depending upon environmental toxins, some patents find themselves combating both the known and the unknown for months at a time. For many, autoimmune difficulties not only open them up to criticism from the many, particularly healthier siblings, but also allow them to be susceptible to everything that sails down the pike. There is no easy road to travel here. And, like I was told years and years ago, “Fibromyalgia won’t kill you but you are going to wish it had.” No truer words have ever been spoken, especially after this past winter!

  3. I have no support here. My husband trys to understand,but forgets I have this condition. Because I always go above and beyond. I have friends who say they have Fibro.,but why am I the only one who is in pain.?

    I also have compounded conditions to deal with. I have disc problems in my neck and osteo in other places. Last summer I fell off my bike trying to excercise and keep moving. OMG the pain and recovery are still an issue.

    Because of my condition, it took way longer to recover. My wrist healed great,then I got shoulder problems I’m still in therapy for and it is 9mons. Then when my wrist healed well enough to grip the handle bars I rode my bike again. Fell in a sandy area. I live in Florida,lots of sand here! Ended up having a severe hip contusion. that has lasted over two months.! I pulled all the ligaments and tendons on both sides of my inner thigh area. I rather have had triplets!

    Needles to say,everyone is so used to me doing “normal” things everyday-they wonder why I’m cranky.

    If I didn’t have all the other conditions to deal with I would be fine. I have tinitus,that’s a rotten thing to live with too. I have lost hearing in my right ear and my left is slightly better. I’m only 62 yrs. old I don’t believe I am like this,when I was always in gymnastics,biking,dancing,climbing hills and dales. It is not depressing to me as more frustrating.

    I had to give up my nursing career and also my floral design career. It is hard to get through sometimes,but I will not give in. I kick my own butt every day!

    I know there are people who have it worst then me,but my husband and I just retired and I want to do things. Mornings are the worst. So my faith keeps me going,I do have the support of my Church family. they are awesome.

    I hope and pray other people with this condition can find a happy,full life for them selves.

    Blesssings

    1. Elaine — thanks so much for submitting your honest and open feelings here! You do have support with us, and I’m glad you’ve also found support in your church and your community. Often, we find it hardest to get support from those closest to us (spouses, family, etc.). That’s frustrating. Another thing that’s common is to compare ourselves to others. We feel we have more pain or less pain or get more done or get less done than others. It takes a bit of re-working our thought patterns, but its helpful to get to the place where we no longer look to others for our “validation.” You’re doing exactly what you need to do for YOU. And … that’s enough. Again, thanks so much for your lovely comment.

  4. MY LOWER CASE P IS BROKEN. MY PROBLEM IS TO FOLD. I HAVE A RARE TYPE OF MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY THAT EFFECTS MY SWALLOWING, CAUSES MY EYELIDS DROOP, & WEAKNESS IN MY ARMS & LEGS. THE MD IS PROGRESSIVE. I JUST TURNED 50 AND HAVE HAD FIBRO FOR 18 YEARS & IT HAS BEEN PRETTY WELL CONTROLLED. THEY MIMIC EACH OTHER SO WELL & IT DRIVES ME CRAZY @ TIMES. I AM 100 % DISABLED NOW. I WAS AN R.N. FOR 23YRS. & WAS ABLE TO WORK 12 HOUR SHIFTS WITH FIBRO BUT NOW THE MD PROGRESSED AND SO ON. I ALSO HAVE PLANTAR FIBROMAS IN THE ARCHES OF BOTH FEET. THEY R THE SIZE OF ACRONS. I USE A COMPOUNDED CREAM THAT HELPS SOME WITH THE PAIN. WE HAVE A POOL & THAT HELPS ME TO BE ACTIVE. THIS YEAR IN FLORIDA THE WEATHER HAS BEEN COLD SO THE POOL WILL TAKE FOREVER TO WARM UP. I USED TO COMPETE IN TRIATHLONS & HAD A HARLEY. THE HARDEST PART FOR ME IS LOOKING BACK @ MY LIFE & IT MAKES SO SAD. THAT BEING SAID I LOOK @ OUR WOUNDED WARRIORS, HOLD MY CHIN UP & STAY IN THE NOW…THERE ARE MANY IN THIS WORLD THAT HAVE OVERCOME MORE THAN I COULD EVER IMAGINE. THANKS FOR READING.

  5. Sue,
    I was wondering what you know about adrenal fatigue and FM? I was wondering on the coritisol level with the Adrenal fatigue and weight gain. Have you heard of anyone that is also taking Isocort?
    Thanks for any comments.

    1. Anita — I’m glad you asked this question! Adrenal insufficiency is definitely linked to developing chronic conditions (including fibromyalgia). Yes, cortisol levels are impacted by the foundational issues that are the core of fibromyalgia and weight gain is one aspect of that. I’m currently working on writing a protocol / program to address this common issue. Stay tuned for more information on this program as we hope to release it in a few months. And, by the way, I don’t have any personal experience with the product, Isocort. I believe it’s an herbal supplement to assist with thyroid function (also indicated by adrenal issues). Like so many products, some may benefit, while others do not. If you find it beneficial, please let us know!

  6. Wow, I had no idea about the Facebook polls, I don’t see them. Nor did I have an idea about this blog. I just saw it on my news feed because I follow the A-Z Challenge blog. Anyway, I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia a long time ago. 15 years maybe. I think it was a mis-diagnosis.

    What is stopping me from healing? Well, I have no medical care because of health insurance (I went to “free” clinics, but no help there), so I really do not know what is safe to do and what is not, especially since I developed new, debilitating symptoms about 4 years ago, despite being told that fibro does not get worse over time.

    1. Alexandra — thanks so much for joining in the conversation here! I simply do “unofficial” surveys on my facebook page now and then. You can always join in the conversation at http://www.Facebook.com/FibroWHYalgia. We chat here about solutions we’ve found for healing — as we’re each so different. I’m so glad you’ve found us and I look forward to hearing what you have to say!

  7. Great article thank you –
    That cycle of pain is unbearable. I endured it and eventually with the help of cortisone and strong painkillers. It is a wonder drug and not expensive at all. It was great to break the cycle of pain.
    Isocort sounds like it could have cortisone in it ..
    I do think and feel that in my instance that I was attacked by FM beacuse of stress about various things. Meditation helped. Surrendering sometimes to the pain helped.
    Wounded warriors – my heart goes out to you … may the time come, soon, that FM leaves you …

    1. Susan – for many of us, FM began in a period of our lives shadowed with major stress and/or an injury. I’m so glad you’ve found relief through meditation and mindset shifts as that’s VERY important. Bless you!

  8. Hi, everyone. I just now found this website and I am so grateful! I’m just finishing up a pain management course through Kaiser; it will be ending next week. I just wanted to share that when I started my first class, I was so ready and desperate for something to help me (taking 7 rx pills in the morning and same in the pm) but I found it triggering me like crazy because this Fibromyalgia is so completely absorbing for us! It is such a mental battle each day to get through each hour, each minute. I am pretty sure I have cried in each class, a 6-week course, 2 days a week, 2 and 1/2 hours a day. It includes a doctor teaching us about the physical changes that happen to us, the mental changes, the battle we have to take on to fight the “stinkin thinkin”, the practical changes we can make to prevent us from taking on more pain (I have so many mental tools now that I would have never had before), we meet with nutritionists, yoga instructors, physical therapists, therapists, pain doctors….if anyone out there has Kaiser and doesn’t know about this program (like I didn’t for 3 years and endured all kinds of pain and being in bed for weeks on end, ask your primary care provider to be referred to it and you will NOT regret it!)….if anyone has any questions I will be more than happy to answer anything. But I really wanted to encourage you all, that this is not for wussies, and this is not made up, that this takes years and years to get used to, that you have to grieve your old self and get used to the new you and start enjoying new things but — I wasted so much time in pain and fighting off so many things and have lost so much personally because it does effect your everything and it is not your fault! Keep on fighting, keep on keepin on, keep on movin the best you can, force yourself to laugh even when you don’t want to, force yourself to love others even when you don’t want to, force yourself to keep researching for you and loving yourself! Don’t ever give up! With much love to you all! Genesee *rhymes with Tennessee 🙂

    1. Genesee — thanks so much for commenting and providing valuable information for the fibromyalgia community!

    2. Hi, I would love to go to a program like that. You are so right. You really need to kind of grieve your old self almost you know? Because you know that person is never coming back. It is so hard having this. Everything changes. Your whole life. I’m so glad I have found this site. I really need guidance. I have had this horrendous illness for five years now and even with my fabulous family as my support. I still feel like I’m going to just break down and lose it. I need help to fix me. This fibro has got the best of me lately 🙁

      1. Sue – I’m glad you’ve found this site and I hope you’re able to peruse the many other posts here. My goal is to provide informative and encouraging information to this community and feel free to contact me here any time.

  9. Hi,

    I was diagnosed with FM in the summer of 2011. It seemed to hit ‘like a ton of bricks’….almost overnight. I just hurt all over. I continued to work 12 hour night shifts as an RN but by November of the same year, I went out on disability. What I find the hardest is that nobody can understand that you are in pain….because ‘you don’t look like you’re in pain’. If I had a dollar for everytime I wanted to say “I wish you could walk a mile in my shoes”, I would be a rich lady. As an RN of 30 years, I was of the school of that the diagnosis of FM was given as a ‘last ditch diagnosis’. Unfortunately, most of the people I work with seem to think the same way. I have finally gotten into a pain clinic at our local hospital after waiting a year (I live in Canada and because our healthcare is free….there are long waiting times, unfortunately)

    1. Colleen – I’m so sorry you’re dealing with the emotional and physical burden of your condition. It perhaps helps to share your feelings here as others can relate. Please feel free to comment, post, and review other offerings here.

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"True Healing requires a combination of healthy nutrition, healthy body movements, and emotional wellness. This is what I call the Restoration Trio" ~ Sue Ingebretson