Posts from — December 2008

Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue readers Listen up! Read Dr. Mark Shaw’s Suggestions in the December posts! He is sooo RIGHT and it’s GOOD to read this coming from a doctor!  Trickster I applaud You!  Who would disagree with a cardiac doctor prescribing a medication for someone who has had a heart attack 20 years ago and is told by the doctor to continue taking this medication for the remainder of their life!  

In the diagnosis of Fibromyalgia and CFS, medication is usually the first treatment for these syndromes. The difference is with Fibro and CFS the class of medication is not defined as well as with a heart condition. What works for one and not the other is a  huge circus arena of medications. 

This is one reason why Fm and CFS sufferer’s  MUST take control of their treatment options!  EXERCISE (this can mean simple stretching) AND DIET does play a CRUCIAL role in strengthening the body. As Trickster mentioned, You BET IT HURTS!  TEARS are a regular senario!  Due to the extreme pain leading to COMPLETE exhaustion, a Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue sufferer as a rule, cannot jump up after exercising and go on with the remainder of the day as if all is fine. Because it’s not!  We are HURTING!  The medication helps to a degree to relieve the pain but it limits one’s activity big time!  Not to mention the concentration level! 

What I MUST repeat is your body NEEDS the exercise!  Start a program if you have not done so already! As for me, I would rather feel the pain than not feel anything at all!  The pain tells me I am alive and still have a chance!  Keep your HOPE up!  My Dear Friends, take control of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome!

You can be a SURVIVOR!  I CARE ABOUT YOU!  So do so many others you don’t even know!  You are not alone!  We suffer and survive together! We are FM Survivors!  Go ahead and take your medication when you need it.  For me it’s daily! But also get stretching/exercising now. One day at a time! 

This is my Care Tip for today…because I CARE!

Your Fibro Friend,

Cheryl

Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Sufferer’s

Did You Know:

• In Japan, Thailand and China 90% of the populations lack the enzyme necessary to digest dairy produce. It appears in the west we have evolved a specific enzyme in response to the amount of dairy produce we consume. Could it be that we are not meant to consume a product meant for young calves that need to grow at a colossal rate in order to avoid being eaten by prey?

• The Eskimos had absolute zero incidence of heart disease or cancer until the 1940’s they adopted western diets containing wheat and dairy.

• Almost 15% of the populations may be intolerant to a complex protein molecule which is very difficult to break down and is found in wheat and to a lesser extent in other grains.

Long term consumption of these foods appear to be affecting the digestive system of CFS and Fibromyalgia patients and is creating situations where there is increased permeability of the gut wall, thereby allowing partially digested food to enter the blood stream.

*permission to publish granted by Dr. Mark Shaw

Hi Fibromyalgia and CFS Friends,

Today’s Care Tip:

Before I roll out of bed each day I follow a short exercise routine that helps with flexibility. The following are the first 3. Hope it will help make your day better.  If you leave comments that you’d like more exercises I will definitely provide you more that may help. 

1) I wiggle my toes and feet slowly and welcome them to the new day.

2) While lying on my back with both knees bent, I cross one leg over the other at the knee. Then push the back right leg against the front left leg to the right forcing the front leg to feel a stretch.  I change legs and push to the left.  I have been doing this for over a year and every day it’s like starting all over again.  The pain is constant. The legs are tight. But performing this stretch each day really does flex my legs.

3) While lying on my back with both legs bent I suck in my stomach and press my back gently down into the bed.  Hold for the count of 10 while breathing evenly in through the nose and out through the mouth. I can only do 5 or these exercises. This helps the abdominal muscles more than you’d believe.

Your Friend,

Cheryl