Fibromyalgia: Feeling the Funk

lifewithfibro.blogspot.com

When the funk hits..
And you feel like nothing is worth it..
Remember..its just a funk..
The beat will stop at some point..
And life will go back to normal..

Through out my journey with fibromyalgia, I have learned to deal with the "hills and valleys". There are times I could go for months leading a very normal pain-free life then the funk hits...and you feel like you are now in a valley. The funk can be triggered by an illness flare or extreme mental stress. 

Feeling the funk..
It starts with a serious fatigue episode.
Sometimes it starts with serious migraines or deep muscle pain.
Then the brain fog and memory burden (when its an uphill task to remember simple things).
Then the episodes of pain.. On and off and all over.
It can last anything from a week to a month straight on. 

Sometimes it's confusing, with bouts of flu-like symptoms, fevers, chills, high white blood cell count as if i have an infection... 

Gastric issues, nausea, lack of appetite... Just being weird and sickly at the same time yet there is nothing visibly wrong.

The funk is usually unpredictable but it can be anticipated. After a highly stressful episode like an illness or an inter-relational conflict, you can anticipate some funk. The sooner you start dealing with it, the sooner it will lift. Do not rush the process though. Let it run its course as you employ the coping mechanisms listed below.

Coping in the funk.. 

°Eat well..
Most times during a fibro funk, I experience severe appetite loss.
This can cause you to be extremely fatigued and experience weakness.
This makes everything worse.. The pain and brain fog seem to tripple when my appetite is down.
I have a food journal and set reminders on my phone to alert me every couple of hours to have a meal/snack. (supplements come in handy... A meal replacement shake helps keep the nutrition balanced).

°Nutritional supplements
I have learned to stay on top of my nutritional supplements game especially during a flare "funk".
~B vitamins help in stabilizing the neuro pathways and this has a co-relation with sensitivity to pain.
- Magnesium is very handy in helping cope with sensitivity to pain.
- Zinc helps boost immunity so you are less susceptible to opportunistic infections, especially if eating is a problem.
- Protein shakes/mass gain/meal replacement shakes help in maintaining your nutritional levels even if for some reason you cannot eat. A tasty milkshake or smoothie or even ice popsicle will help provide nutritional comfort food when you need it.

°Take time off and relax..
Despite the tight schedules we all have, take some time off and relax.
A fibro flare "funk" can cause you to feel more burdened in life, especially if you have a lot going on.
- Relax even if for just 15 minutes a day. Listen to uplifting material and avoid depressive music or literature. Fill your mind with positivity and light.

-. Relaxation techniques help with coping with the funk mentally.
- If you exercise you can reduce the intensity or give it a break. This reduces the physical burden your body has to carry.
-Take advantage of your free time and relax. Switch off your phone and just zone off. 

°Manage the pain..
- You can see your GP for short term pain therapies that you can use to manage the pain.
- If possible get a deep tissue massage to help relax the muscles.
- Whenever you can, get a good sleep.
Its normal to experience insomnia during a funk. Before bed, a good self massage or stretch can help induce sleep. Avoid sleeping pills - unless you haven't slept for 2 days or more. 

°You are not depressed..
A fibro funk can leave someone feeling emotionally tired or feeling the weight of the world.
Remember, you are not depressed. This is a physical issue that will go away with proper management.
Your physician may prescribe medicine to help combat depression but remember..fibromyalgia and the ailments that affect your neuro-pathways are closely related.
You are not dealing with depression.
You are dealing with a flare up. It will definately cause more stress. Remember the relaxation techniques and rest as much as possible.

°You are not lazy..

Also, you are not lazy. A week off from normal routine should not make you feel bad or guilty about not being your best..you are already doing the best you can.

Most of all, stick to routine as much as possible. Go to work even if its half day. Go to class. Perform your chores even if you are much slower than usual. 

www.iainclaridge.co.uk

°You need to keep on moving..

A sedentary lifestyle makes everything.worse. Keep moving. You are much closer to recovery when you stick to your plan..even if you took a day off. Make up for it the next day.
The moment you toss your plans out of the window you will have a harder time picking up the pieces once the funk lifts.You will end up with a form of atrophy.. And that, will make your days worse..

(Atrophy; (of body tissue or an organ) waste away, typically due to the degeneration of cells, or become vestigial during evolution. Or, the gradual decline in effectiveness or vigor due to underuse or neglect)

More reads:

※  Chronic fatigue syndrome
※  INFLAMMATION: A SMALL PEEK AT WHAT MAKES US FEEL PAIN
※  About Fibromyalgia: What on earth is FIBROMYALGIA?
※  Mental illness: what is it?
※  Depression: Is it really genetic?
※   Sleep deprivation

Prescription drugs, OTC drugs and those in between

Difference between prescription-only drugs, drugs you can buy over the counter (OTC)  and all those in between (it's a blurred line).

***please note, drugs means substances that are classified as medicine by the pharmaceutical boards and sold as such, and are meant to heal or bring about relief, NOT supplements or herbs....or joints****

Prescription drugs are those drugs which you CANNOT purchase without a written doctor's recommendation, nor can you get a refill without the written recommendation.
On the other hand, OTC (over-the-counter) drugs are those which you may purchase without a written recommendation. These include pain killers, cough syrups, fever medicine and the like.

Prescription drugs are usually defined by the medical board/pharmaceutical and poisons board of a particular country. Most countries usually share the same rules when declaring prescription medicine, although what may be strictly prescription in one country, may be OTC in another eg opiate painkillers like Syndol or Betapyn.

Most of the rules that dictate the availability of a drug usually hover around the issues of drug dependency, as well as possible side effects of the drug. A good example is Cytotec (misoprostol), which should never be sold without a prescription. The drug is indicated for treatment of advanced stomach ulcers, but a side effect is labour induction, thus miscarriage. Such a drug may be life-threatening even with a single dose if used unknowingly/unwisely by an expectant lady, therefore the physician who prescribes it must be fully aware of the patient's health and reproductive status (ie, pregnancy.. or not).
Most OTC drugs pose a very small risk unless a very large dose is used at once, and its impossible to obtain such doses (unless you run a registered clinic!!). Some of these drugs pose dependency risks when used over a long while. The dependency issues are however mild and can be overcome once the drug use is discontinued. These include cough syrups with opiates eg codeine. However, most of these drugs are usually costly, so it would be hard to form a habit due to the prices.

When planning to travel abroad, always carry your supply of medicine; if you are on prescription drugs, get a refill before traveling. Otherwise, if you are on short term treatment eg allergy or use eye-drops, also be sure to purchase before traveling. This is because some of the drugs may be unavailable in emergency cases, unless you check-in to the casualty department of a local hospital, which may be costly and time-consuming.
Till next time, much love,,

This is Serenity!!

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HEADACHES: migraines, cluster headaches and what they are about.

One of my main motivations behind the blog is my health.
I happen to suffer from migraines that are mild and periodically strong. Some episodes last a few hours, some can take up to five days non-stop, and your week is like a zombie trance. What are these that plague us so?

Headache pain results from signals interacting between the brain, blood vessels, and surrounding nerves. During a headache, specific nerves of the blood vessels and head muscles are activated and send pain signals to the brain. It's not clear, however, why these signals are activated in the first place.

Types of headaches:
There are about 150 types of headaches, some mild, others severe, others chronic and some, one time affair.
Their triggers and treatments will vary. The most common types of headaches are:

Tension headaches: Also called chronic daily headaches or chronic non-progressive headaches, tension headaches are the most common type of headaches among adults and adolescents. These muscle contraction headaches cause mild to moderate pain and come and go over a prolonged period of time.
Many tension headaches take time todevelop following physical or emotional stress but can last for hours, or even days.
This headache tends to form as a result of muscle contraction, and is commonly felt as a band behind the eyes and across the forehead, but the pain can be located anywhere in the head, including on the side or at the back.
It can be accompanied by feeling generally unwell.

Aneurysm : You will experience a sudden, "thunderclap" of pain. This pain can mimic a migraine or cluster headache and can be accompanied by a stiff neck, double vision, and loss of consciousness. Get immediate, urgent medical assistance.

**In this case, surgery and blood pressure stabilization are the main treatments.

Migraines: The exact causes of migraines are unknown. A popular theory is that various triggers cause abnormal brain activity, which in turn causes changes in the blood vessels in the brain. This is called the neurovascular
theory. (my guess why migraine painkillers contain caffeine: to constrict the blood vessels..i stand corrected though)
Genetics plays a role in migraines and there are some forms of migraines that are associated with inherited abnormalities in certain parts of the brain.
Migraine pain is moderate to severe, often described as pounding, throbbing pain (like there is something drilling your head but you cannot touch it). Migraine headaches can last from four hours to three days and usually occur one to four times per month.
Migraines are associated with symptoms such as sensitivity to light, noise, or odors; nausea or vomiting;
loss of appetite; and stomach upset or abdominal pain.
stomach upset.
There are visual problems—called "aura"— such as seeing stars, flickering objects, and even loss of vision right before or during an attack. Some people will get panic attacks (like me) and some, a slight fever. The aura may occur a few minutes or an hour before an attack. Some migraines also cause numbness or weakness.
Migraines can be caused by reactions to food(eg dark chocolate, red wine), stressors, hormonal changes, an accident, and for some people, they are inherited.
Migraines require special attention, and you should
seek advice from your doctor, who can help you with medications and other methods to prevent migraines from occurring.
Also, with time, you can learn to detect the aura episodes and use medicine to prevent the migraine attack, or stop it before it becomes severe.
small percentage of migraines include recurrent (cyclic)
gastrointestinal symptoms, vomiting being the most common. Cyclic vomiting means that the symptoms occur on a regular basis, about once a month.
These types of migraines are sometimes called abdominal migraines.

Tumor induced headache: This is rare and if you have any suspicions that this is an issue, see your doctor immediately. Some symptoms of a brain tumor might include numbness or weakness of limbs, slurred speech, disturbed vision, epileptic fits, personality changes, or poor balance. It is rare for there to be no other symptom than a headache.

Cluster headaches: The least common but quite severe
primary headache, the pain of a cluster headache is intense and may be described as having a burning or piercing quality that is throbbing or constant.
The pain is so severe that most cluster headache sufferers cannot sit still and will often pace during an attack.
The pain is located behind one eye or in the eye region, without changing sides.
****The term "cluster headache" refers to headaches that have a characteristic grouping of attacks. (it's like they have a season in your head. During a cluster season you are in pain, then the season fades and you are fine - for a while).
Cluster headaches occur one to three times per day during a cluster period, which may last two weeks to three months. The headaches may disappear completely (go into "remission") for months or years, only to recur

Mixed headache syndrome: Also called transformed migraines, mixed headache syndrome is a combination of migraine and tension headaches. Both adults and children experience this type of headache.

Medication overuse headache (MOH): The third most widespread source of headaches is the medication overuse headache, or "rebound headache",
which stems from withdrawal symptoms from long-term use of pain relief medication (usually for tension headaches).
MOH headaches are treatable, just stop using the medication. The symptoms of an MOH headache are often similar to those of tension headaches.

Sinus headaches: Sinus headaches are associated with a deep and constant pain in the cheekbones, forehead, or bridge of the nose. The pain usually intensifies with sudden head movement or straining and usually occurs with other sinus symptoms, such as nasal discharge, feeling of fullness in the ears, fever, and facial swelling.

Acute headaches: these are headaches that occur suddenly and for the first time and have symptoms that subside after a relatively short period of time.
Acute headaches most commonly result in a visit to the
pediatrician's office and/or the emergency room. If there are no neurological signs or symptoms, the most common cause for acute headaches in children and adolescents is a respiratory or sinus infection.

Hormone headaches: Headaches in women are often associated with changing hormone levels that occur during menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. Chemically induced hormone changes, such as with birth control pills, also trigger headaches in some women.

Chronic progressive headaches: Also called traction or inflammatory headaches, chronic progressive headaches get worse and happen more often over time. These are the least common type of headache, accounting for less
than 5% of all headaches in adults and less than 2% of all headaches in kids.
Chronic progressive headaches may be the result of an illness or disorder of the brain or skull.

Allergy or food induced headache: With an allergy induced headache. you'll often have a runny nose and watery eyes as well as the headache, and the
headache can be generalized. It is often treated with anti-histamines.
And if you eat ice cream or drink a cold drink too quickly, you can induce a temporary "brainfreeze", or "ice cream headache" which is severe but passes quickly.

Headache caused by pain, problems, or tension in another part of the body: Headaches can be caused by sinus blockage, a cold, a virus, or fever, coughing, physical exertion, hunger, eyestrain, strained neck or back muscles, arthritis, and by dental problems. In each case, it is essential to get your doctor's examination and advice, as you will probably need wider body treatment and not just a simple focus on the head region.
If you have to wear certain items regularly, such as goggles for swimming, or pull your hair back a lot for modeling or stage work, etc., these can cause headaches in their own right—often the symptoms will be relieved by removing the item or changing your hair styling method.

Accident induced headache :
If you involved in an accident in which your head receives a shock, bump, hit, or bang, you may develop a headache. Post-traumatic headaches can arise as the result of being
in an accident or traumatic situation—these can be extremely difficult to treat and may need the intervention of a specialist trained in psychology or psychiatry.

Like I said, they number up to 150, some general while others are due to specific injury or another issue.
Always consult your doctor if the symptoms persist or seem unusual.

Relieving painkillers can easily be accessed at your pharmacy, but be careful; over-dependence can lead to headaches again.

This is Serenity.

More reads...
Athletic Steroids: a.k.a Anabolic Androgenic Steroids
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Anabolic state, Catabolic state and your Weight

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INFLAMMATION: A SMALL PEEK AT WHAT MAKES US FEEL PAIN

www.inflammation2011.com

What Is  Inflammation?

Inflammation is a process in which the body's white blood cells and chemicals help protect us from infection and foreign substances such as bacteria and viruses. Inflammation is a protective response that serves to eliminate the initial cause of cell injury and to remove the consequences of such injury. The inflammatory process is closely intertwined with the process of repair.

In some diseases, however, the body's defense system (immune system) triggers an inflammatory response when there are no foreign substances to fight off.

In these diseases, called autoimmune diseases, the body's normally protective immune system causes damage to its own tissues. The body responds as if normal tissues are infected or somehow abnormal.

Types of Inflammation

Clinically, there are two main types of inflammation, active and chronic.

1. Active (acute) inflammation occurs on the time scale of hours to days and is characterized by the cardinal signs of inflammation; ie, redness (rubor), swelling (tumor), heat (calor) and pain (dolor). Acute inflammation represents an initial concentrated effort to eliminate an injurious agent.

2. Chronic inflammation occurs on the time scale of weeks to months and is characterized by the simultaneous presence of active inflammation, tissue destruction, and attempts at repair. Clinically, the process may be characterized by the loss of proper function of the tissue, but is often an asymptomatic, subclinical response.

www.raacupuncture.org

What Diseases Are Associated With Inflammation?

Some, but not all types of arthritis, are the result of misdirected inflammation.

Arthritis is a general term that describes inflammation in joints. Some types of
arthritis associated with inflammation include:

-Rheumatoid arthritis
-Psoriatic arthritis
-Gouty arthritis
-Systemic lupus erythematosus

The most common form of arthritis called osteoarthritis (also known asdegenerative arthritis) is a bit of a misnomer. It is not believed thatinflammation plays a major role in osteoarthritis. Other painful conditions of
the joints and musculoskeletal system that are not associated with inflammation include;
-fibromyalgia,
-low back pain, and
-muscular neck pain.

process of inflammation;;

INFLAMMATION

The inflammatory response (inflammation) occurs when tissues are injured by bacteria, trauma, toxins, heat, or any other cause. The damaged cells release chemicals including histamine, bradykinin, and prostaglandins.
These chemicals cause blood vessels to leak fluid into the tissues, causing swelling. This helps isolate the foreign substance from further contact with body tissues.
The chemicals also attract white blood cells called phagocytes that "eat" germs and dead or damaged cells. (This process is called phagocytosis.) Phagocytes eventually die. Pus is formed from a collection of dead tissue, dead bacteria, and live and dead phagocytes.
(source)

sources;
courses.washington.edu 
en.wikipedia.org
web.md
nlm.nif.org

More Reads;

Finding the new normal... 

BULKING UP AND BODY BUILDING: Muscle regeneration and the role proteins play

Cinnamon oil: Essential and infused oils

Fibromyalgia: Feeling the Funk

Chronic fatigue syndrom