Coping With fibromyalgia? Why You Should Take a Tape Recorder to Your Next Doctor’s Visit

Coping with fibromyalgia is hard enough without having to deal with the insult of cognitive impairment that many sufferers experience. This symptom, not-so-affectionately dubbed “fibro fog” by many who deal with it daily, can wreak havoc with your work life, your relationships, your self-esteem — and, if you’re not careful, with your medical care.

One way to adjust to a symptom like fibro fog is to avoid its impact altogether. That is why I often advise fibromyalgia patients to bring one of two things with them to each and every doctor’s appointment: a tape recorder, or a good friend. Of the two choices, I recommend a tape recorder most of all, since a friend can’t always be with you when you need to recall a key piece of advice.

Another benefit of recording your doctor’s visits is that it leaves you free to concentrate on the conversation, instead of struggling to keep up with your doctor’s advice and make notes at the same time.

Such task-juggling will invariably cause you to forget a key question, a new symptom, or some other crucial piece of information you needed to bring to your doctor’s attention.

Small cassette recorders can be purchased from most office supply stores for under . You don’t need a fancy digital version — the regular kind that take small cassettes will do nicely. Simply load a fresh cassette before your appointment, and press “record.”

It’s always a good idea to ask the doctor’s permission before recording the visit. The vast majority of physicians will have no problem at all with you recording their words and your conversation, especially if you explain that you have trouble remembering details on occasion, and this will help you implement their advice more effectively.

Once you leave the doctor’s office, remember to label your cassette with the date and name of your doctor (especially if you see more than one physician for your medical care, as many of us with fibromyalgia do).

Then review the tape when it’s still fresh in your mind. Now you can make notes, pausing the tape as necessary to give yourself time to jot items down completely.

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Fibro-Ease (120 tablets) is now FIBRO-EASE MULTI: A multi vitamin has been added to the product to make it an even more effective and advanced product for Fibromyalgia sufferers. Fibro Ease Multi is now a complete, highly specialized vitamin/mineral formula designed for patients who suffer with Muscle Pain, Muscle Tenderness, Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue.* (120 tablets)
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Giving and Getting Respect – How to Improve Your Relationship With Your Fibro-Treating Doctor

fibromyalgia patients are unfortunately facing an increasingly vocal minority of suspicion and disbelief about their very-real illness. Most often this message comes from anonymous or faceless “scientists” or “researchers” questioned by the media, which reports on the “controversy” with breathless intrigue and florid language. Such “doubts” are easy for most of us to dismiss — they don’t affect us as individuals, our lives, our symptoms, or our pain management and treatment options. 

But there’s a more insidious form of opposition we can sometimes face. It can happen to anybody with any chronic illness, and fibromyalgia sufferers are not immune. This opposition comes in the form of a difficult doctor. 

Many of us have had experience with arrogant physicians and surgeons. Often, the reputation is warranted but just as often, a relationship with a medical provider goes south because both parties come into it with preconceived ideas and suspicions about the other.

When the ”difficult doctor” happens to be your primary treating physician, then that’s a problem. Fortunately, it’s one that can often be solved with a little effort. 

Respect Your Doctor’s Education and Experience

When your relationship with your doctor has grown sour because of his or her arrogance, whether it’s truly arrogance or your perception of behavior that’s caused by other factors, the last thing you want to hear is “respect your doctor.” 

Nor do I advocate blind obedience to the almighty M.D. Such faith might have been the norm in days gone by, but today’s it’s rather silly to abdicate all responsibility for your health. Most responsible physicians want their patients to be involved in their health care.

(If yours doesn’t, that’s a big clue that you should perhaps start looking for a new doctor.)

What I am suggesting is this: mutual respect is required for any healthy working relationship. In order to expect it from your doctor, you’ll have to offer it first. 

If you find it difficult to respect your doctor personally, then consider respecting the education, time, and effort she has put in to becoming a physician. Your doctor went to school for a long time before he was even allowed to call himself a doctor. That was followed by years of interning and residency, and possibly a long board certification process as well.

No, doctors are not “gods” — no matter what some may secretly believe!  But they are human beings with a certain amount of expertise, and thus entitled to a modicum of respect, at the very least.

Then, too, consider this: how would you react if someone began an argument with you in a confrontational, accusatory tone? When that person began dismissing your opinions and getting very defensive, how do you think you’d feel about continuing the discussion with him or her?

Be Aware of What You’re Teaching Your Physician About You

While it’s important to keep your cool when speaking with your doctor, and to use a courteous, respectful tone, it’s also important not to inadvertently teach your doctor to abuse your good nature. If things get out of hand – if the doctor says something inappropriate, for instance, or begins to dismiss you before the discussion is through – you’re going to have to speak up.

For some folks, this is no problem. But for many of us, speaking up in this situation is downright scary. If you feel you might want to run and hide, or avoid the conflict altogether, it’s best to spend some time with a friend or family member roleplaying this scenario before the doctor’s visit. This will give you some practice thinking on your feet, and simultaneously getting comfortable standing up for yourself in difficult situations.

Then, if the worst does happen, you can pull yourself up straighter, adopt your “I’m serious and you’d best listen” face, and say:

“Respectfully, doctor, if you cannot take my symptoms seriously, I will be forced to take my medical files and find a physician who is more equipped to treat my case.”
“Doctor, I have no problem having a healthy discussion, even if we disagree. But I will not be spoken to condescendingly, and I will not be dismissed. If it happens again, I will leave and I will take my files with me to find a doctor who knows how to communicate respectfully with patients.”
“Excuse me, I’m not finished yet. I’d prefer to discuss these concerns with you now.”

One word of caution: if you issue an ultimatum (as the first two examples do), you must be prepared to follow through with it.

The bottom line is this: It’s your body, your money, and your life. You are entitled to be treated with respect and to have your concerns taken seriously by your treating physician. You owe him nothing more than respect and payment for services rendered. That’s it.  If he isn’t willing to live up to his end of the bargain, you have no choice but to find a more honorable doctor.

fibromyalgia Diet
fibromyalgia is a syndrome that has a wide collection of symptoms including intense muscle pain, fatigue, cognitive and memory problems, among others. There is no known cause or an established treatment to this disorder, but there have been several techniques that researchers say could alleviate or suppress its symptoms.

One of the methods that many people turn to in order to relieve its symptoms is avoiding intake of food that may aggravate its effects. However, there really is no exact formula or diet that has been proven to effectively counter the effects of fibromyalgia for all fibromyalgia patients. People may respond to this technique differently. What may work for one might not work for another; this is because fibromyalgia is a complex condition and may be accompanied by secondary condition such as gluten intolerance, gout, and restless legs syndrome. Eating a diet that would inhibit the development of a possible secondary condition would then relieve the pain and fatigue that fibromyalgia brings.

Several studies have shown that there are certain types of food that a person suffering from this disorder should avoid. While there really is no guarantee that this will truly work for you, the success that a significant number of people have had with this method will make it at least worth considering.

Some of the foods that should be avoided are aspartame a food sweetener that is said to increase pain, as it stimulates the nerve pathways in our nervous system that acts as a pain receptor. Food additives such as MSG or monosodium glutamate, which is found in many processed foods, can also intensify pain and has the same effects as aspartame. Caffeine, which is present in coffee, tea, colas, and chocolate actually adds to the fatigue that fibromyalgia causes, as it has a long and deep sedative effect.

Avoiding the foods mentioned above may help many people cope with this disorder, but it is also good to exercise regularly in order to strengthen your muscles and keep them healthy. This will also go a long way in battling fibromyalgia as you will have a stronger immune system and a boost of energy that naturally comes with light, low pressure exercise.

Keeping a positive outlook is definitely better than moping around and feeling helpless. Fibromyalgia can be a debilitating illness that may change completely, but its effects can be lessened. There are many self help techniques and books written by sufferers themselves that will help you cope with the changes and will teach you the ways of overcoming this obstacle, and living a full and active life.

Fibromyalgia and Muscle Pain, Revised Edition: What Causes It, How It Feels and What To Do About It (Thorsons Health Series)
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Natural Treatments For fibromyalgia

fibromyalgia is a condition that can cause aches and pains all over the body from head to toe. It mainly causes pain in joints and bones, but it can also cause pain in the muscles. fibromyalgia can effects both men in women mainly above the age of 50, but it can also effect in younger years if server trauma was present

Or possibly even illness. People living with fibromyalgia do not have to live in pain or take prescription drugs to help treat their condition if they do not want to. There are several natural remedies out there that can help treat and ease the pain and discomfort of fibromyalgia.

One of the very best natural treatments to use to help alternatively treat fibromyalia is a proper diet consisting of a lot fresh veggies and fruits. Veggies and fruits contain antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, and fluids that help hydrated, nourish, and protect our joints, muscles, organs, and whole entire body from illness, inflammation, and pain both inside and out. It is also important to drink lots of water each day to keep our bodies well hydrated so they do not become achy and in great pain.

Another great alternative way to treat fibromyalgia is by doing low impact exercise such as yoga. Yoga helps relieve stress and inflammation in the body which also helps reduce pain and body aches. Yoga helps stretch out the muscles, joints, tissues, and ligaments in our bodies gently and effectively. Stretching out body’s helps keep our bodies lose and pain free instead of all tight, stiff, and achy. It also helps keep our immune systems working their best so they can fight off illnesses and infections that might be causing the fibromyalgia in the first place. Simply doing yoga also helps maintain a healthy weight and keeps our blood flowing properly so we can have good circulation throughout our bodies. If our blood isn’t flowing properly in our bodies they can become cold and stiff causing aches and pains all over our body.

Another important way to naturally treat fibromyalgia is getting a good nights rest. If our bodies don’t get the proper rest they need they tend to become weak, achy, ill, and fatigued. If you seem to have trouble falling asleep at night become your health condition is keeping you up trying taking an herbal remedy called valerian root. It is a natural sedative that helps naturally relaxing the body and mind so you can fall asleep easily and comfortably. Another herbal remedy to use when trying to get to sleep is chamomile tea. Chamomile tea is very relaxing and soothing to sip on before bedtime and it helps calm the mind and the body right down while hydrating it so it doesn’t become dehydrated causing your body to be in even more pain.

One of the best ways to relieve immediate fibromyalgia pain is by using and massaging arnica gel right into the area of your body that hurts, or better yet find a massage therapy place that will use arnica gel or oil on you during a massage. The arnica gel or oil helps relieve joint, muscles, and ligament aches and pains while relieving the inflammation because it contains thymol which is a derivative. Arnica gel can even help speed the healing of bruises, wounds, sprains, and broken bones.

The other way I know of to treat and relieve fibromyalgia is by soaking in hot sea salt baths. Warm sea salt baths help relax the muscles, joints, tissues, and ligaments in the body naturally. They even help relieve stress and calm your mind so you can simply relax. Warm sea salt baths help relieve pain and body aches. They can even relieve body chills which can sometimes cause pains all over the body. A simple 30 minute or hour bath can do the trick when it comes to relieving your fibromyalgia.

There are many alternative ways out there to treat fibromayalgia pain, but at least you have a handful of them now too try. I hope those of you suffering from fibromyalgia can find some relief with some of these natural treats.

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How to Overcome Fatigue And Restore Performance

Training your body is not an easy task. It needs skills, attitude and perseverance. And in order for you to keep on track, you need to overcome fatigue and build strong endurance.

Take for example the 2011 CrossFit Games. The game involves ten tough fitness domains. Thus, CrossFit athletes have to train so hard and do intensive workouts just to keep up with the grueling competition in the game.

This is why many of our CrossFit athletes prefer to take Nutrient Enhanced Sports Beverages. These drinks aim to help the athlete maintain electrolyte balance and to rehydrate. Some of these beverages include Isostar, Powerade, and of course – Gatorade.

But did you know that there’s another great and refreshing way to restore performance?

It’s called “PROGENEX Recovery”.

Manufactured by Progenex Dairy Bioactives, the health drink can help athletes achieve their training goals. But not only does this product helps restore performance, it also have a great taste!

PROGENEX Recovery consists of a concentrated bioactive sequence. This formula resets the cause of muscle fatigue at the cellular levels in hours. That is why many elite athletes consider Recovery as one of their most valuable “Trade Secrets”.

But unlike other sports beverages, the real key to Recovery’s effectiveness is Promorphogen. This ingredient is a high quality whey growth factor extract that has been hydrolyzed through a proprietary enzymatic process. With Promorphogen, protein substances can be easily absorbed inside the body thereby promoting a much faster recovery.

So if you are into CrossFit or any other sport game, PROGENEX Recovery will definitely help you lead the way!