Friday, March 14, 2014

Fibromyalgia foibles

I have been taking my time to deal with fibromyalgia as it is somewhat complicated. Its not easily understood by most people - as it can have many differing symptoms - all of which have one thing in common: PAIN.

My husband knows that he doesn't understand fibromyalgia either and he wants to. He signed us up for a community education course at a local school on fibromyalgia. Originally only he was going but then it turned out both of us were going. I mean I should probably learn as much as possible about one of my many ailments. I know how to spell and pronounce it but there is obviously a lot more.

We went to the class. As expected it was basically a local practitioner shilling for clients. What was interesting is that she is a certified acupuncturist, Chinese herbalist and a practitioner in Western  medicine so she combined both schools of treatment. She also could explain the fibro pain points to my husband so he understood more.

Some of her information was  a little dated but she did offer some options and thoughts about differing triggers for fibromyalgia - such as major stress. I said how about a cancer diagnosis? She thought that was a possibility.... See, cancer is the gift that keeps on giving.

Coincidentally, I received an email from the National Pain Foundation for a survey on "Do fibromyalgia medications work?" Of course it included Lyrica and I completed it and signed up for their newsletter. I mean I should be in their fan club considering on how much time I spend in pain even though I am on so many medications.

The NPF is different than the American Pain Foundation which is different from the American Chronic Pain Foundation which even has a local support group. But then there is even the National Fibromyalgia Association.

But I still need to educate myself. My husband did learn a lot at class. But still I have to deal with my fibro... and the fibro fog that comes with the pain.

1 comment:

Naz said...

You are in my prayers.Our family is battling the cancer too.
http://familyfightingcancer.wordpress.com/

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