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

Dec 08, 2011 in Fibromyalgia Symptoms

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.

Sherrie Sisk

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Fibromyalgia and Back Pain

Dec 05, 2011 in Fibromyalgia Treatment

fibromyalgia and Back Pain

fibromyalgia has only recently been used as a term to diagnose patients that suffer from a particular series of abnormalities revolving around chronic muscular irritation. This disorder has been found to be associated with a degenerating spine from neck to tailbone. Many sufferers experience severe back pain because muscle pain is one of the most common complaints of patients suffering with this disorder, which suggest there is a connection between fibromyalgia and back pain.

The treatment options for fibromyalgia and back pain range from holistic remedies to over the counter and prescription strength medications. Other forms of treatment include remedies applied to the area like electronic stimulation that can bring relief to sore muscles, ultrasound treatments and a combination of ice and hot packs. One of the most effective ways of reducing or even stopping your pain is an exercise regime consisting of low level exercise.

Pain

Pain is a description and not an entity, it is one of the ways our body tells us that something is wrong.

Pain increases stress levels which in turn increases the level of cortisol released into the body. Prolonged levels of cortisol in the bloodstream has been shown to have negative effects.

This can include impaired cognitive performance, suppressed thyroid function, blood sugar imbalances such as hyperglycaemia, decreased bone density, decrease in muscle tissue, higher blood pressure, lowered immunity and inflammatory responses in the body, thus lowering the pain threshold. This pain can lead to sleep problems, which can also lead to more pain.

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is by far the most complicated and misunderstood condition associated with chronic pain. The symptoms and resulting back pain vary in severity. It is cross-cultural, race, sex and age indiscriminate, however this chronic condition appears to primarily affect middle-aged women, although men and children can be diagnosed with the disorder as well. Fibromyalgia involves the muscles and soft tissue of the body, causing pain and discomfort in many areas at one time. Its sufferers have also been known to not get into the deepest phase of sleep, known as the delta stage, and therefore their muscles do not shut down and rest properly.

Most sufferers of this condition have found that a combination of treatments is more effective in alleviating their symptoms. Health experts are now approving the idea that small amounts of unprotected sun exposure can be health-friendly, especially for patients of fibromyalgia. Massage and whirlpool therapy can also be effective methods for relieving the discomfort. Medications for fibromyalgia and back pain can be found in herbal supplements, over the counter medications and prescriptions, and it can be a matter of trial and error until you find the best choices that bring the most relief. Glucosamine and MSM have both shown promise in the treatment of this condition, and there are numerous other vitamin and mineral supplements that you can try as well. Prescription medicine often entails an antidepressant that can be effective on the chronic pain as well as the psychological effects of fibromyalgia and back pain.

One of the best things you can do if you have fibromyalgia is exercise. Begin with stretching exercises and gentle movements such as pilates and yoga. The type of exercise you choose is up to you. It’s important that you start exercising and keep doing it. Exercise relieves much of the pain fibromyalgia causes. Some people even find that exercise makes all their pain go away. You will also feel better if you take some control over your own care and well-being.

About the Author

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How To Control Fibromyalgia Pain?

Nov 26, 2011 in Fibromyalgia Treatment

How To Control fibromyalgia Pain?

About 2 percent of people in the United States will suffer from  fibromyalgia. fibromyalgia is a condition that leads to fatigue and various painful, sensitive points on the muscles, ligaments, and tendons all over the body. The risk of developing the illness increases with the aging process and women have a higher risk of developing this disease. After a very serious physical trauma or an emotional trauma the signs of fibromyalgia start to figure out.

 

The majority of the time when someone is diagnosed, there appears to have been no trauma at all to cause the disease. What actually causes the illness is unknown and very hard for doctors to detect. However, some doctors believe that patients who develop the condition do so because of different factors. The first factor is a physical or even an emotional trauma that can cause stress to the body which in turn, causes it to become sensitive to pain.

 

The second factor could be serious illnesses or infections which may cause the condition.

And lastly, the condition may be inherited because the illness seems to be common among certain families. Finding the right treatment can be hard, but talking to a knowledgeable doctor can help guide with a good treatment plan.

 

There are several different ways to treat this condition including various medications and topical solutions that can be applied to the skin to soothe the pain Some patients respond well to physical therapy which includes exercise, chiropractic care, massage, sauna treatments as well as professional counseling to help with the mental difficulties of dealing with a long term illness.

While fibromyalgia can be difficult to treat, many patients can find relief by using a variety of treatment methods suggested by a doctor.

 

Meredith Lee writes about a variety of interesting topics for online readers including health and product info. Come visit the newest website at http://www.allergyfreebedding.net/ which can help people find their best deals on an allergy free comforter and more info about how to create a healthy bedroom environment.

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How Ultram Treats Fibromyalgia Pain

Nov 12, 2011 in Fibromyalgia Treatment

How Ultram Treats fibromyalgia Pain

fibromyalgia is a condition that affects millions of Americans, and it is one disease that has more mystery to it than almost any other. As it stands right now, there is no one specific way to even diagnose fibromyalgia, and this is one of the reasons that it is so hard to diagnose. But the American College of Rehumatology has stated that fibromyalgia is a condition that can be classified by having widespread body pain for a period of at least three months, in at least eleven of eighteen designated areas. What this says is that despite how difficult it is to diagnose this disease, plain and simple, fibromyalgia is painful. Here we will talk more about what fibromyalgia is, its symptoms, and how to treat it effectively.

Because of the mystery behind this condition, identifying the specific cause is vary difficult. It has been said that fibromyalgia may have something to do with a certain brain chemical that is present in spinal fluid, and that fibromyalgia patients have more of this substance than the average person.

Because of this excess substance, the brain responds to pain signals faster, and amplifies this pain as it spreads through the body. Sleep disturbances as this pain works its way through the system is one of the most common symptoms of fibromyalgia, and in some cases, this sleep disturbance may actually make the problem worse as brain signals are interfered with.

Besides sleep disruption, pain is the most common symptom of fibromyalgia. Pain is generally described as all over body pain, and often occurs when pressure is applied to the joint areas affected, such as the knees, hips, back of the head, elbows, or even the neck. Because of the chronic pain associated with this condition, fatigue also is a primary symptom, as patients are not getting adequate sleep, and are exhausted from chronic pain. The back, neck, and shoulders are common areas affected, and as a result, headaches may be a result of fibromyalgia as well. In addition, an increased sensitivity to smells, touch, noise or lights may be experienced as well.

Can fibromyalgia be treated? Yes it can, but because of the mystery behind this disease, there is no one official cure. The FDA has approved a number of medications for the treatment of fibromyalgia, once it has been officially diagnosed. But because this condition is so difficult to diagnose in the first place, and is a lengthy process in itself, treatment for pain is often the first step. Today many treatments for pain are provided to fibromyalgia patients, but addiction to pain killers can quickly become a side effect. Treatments that offer a low addictive potential and combat the location of pain are often the best methods to begin treating fibromyalgia.

Ultram is being used more and more often as a treatment of choice for those suffering with chronic pain conditions. The reason for this is that it falls into an opiod class for pain killers, but is much less addictive than some stronger and more narcotic pain medications. Fibromyalgia patients have enough going on that addiction is the last thing they need. If you are struggling with chronic pain that you think might be fibromyalgia, talk to your doctor about Ultram, and get relief fast.

If professional writers like John Scott really help you learn more about things going on in the world, http://www.onlinemedsearch.com/articles/how-ultram-treats-fibromyalgia.html will definitely give you enough food for thought on many interesting topics.

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Fibromyalgia Myths

Nov 06, 2011 in What Is Fibromyalgia?

fibromyalgia Myths
fibromyalgia myths are about as ubiquitous as fibromyalgia symptoms themselves. There are so many unknowns in fibromyalgia, how can one tell “fibromyalgia facts” from fiction? Here’s a simple list of fibromyalgia myths, with the facts to distinguish between what is true, and what’s false.

Right now In America there are more than 6 million people of all ages suffering from fibromyalgia. In essence, two out of every 100 Americans you meet has it. 80% to 90% of them are women, which is why some call this a “women’s disease”.

Research also shows that when diagnosed with this disease, there is a strong likelihood that the person has a family member that has also been diagnosed with it. This denotes that there may be genetic factors in fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia is a familiar word today. Television and magazine advertisements flood our airwaves and glossy pages, heightening public awareness. Some promise cures, while others just proclaim aid in alleviating certain symptoms. Well, fourteen years ago, this was certainly not the case.

the director of the National Databank for Rheumatic Diseases and the lead author of the 1990 paper that first defined the diagnostic guidelines for fibromyalgia, says he has become cynical and discouraged about the diagnosis. He now considers the condition a physical response to stress, depression, and economic and social anxiety.

Even after numerous tests with your doctor, do they say “we can’t find anything wrong?” You are not alone. Six million Americans suffer from the effects of fibromyalgia. But the sad fact is most of them have been told they’re crazy, lazy, or just depressed.

The name fibromyalgia, introduced by Muhammad Yunus MD and his colleagues in 1981, literally means pain in the muscles and tissue. No ethnic group seems any more likely to have fibromyalgia;however women develop it approximately 8 times more often than do men. While the medical community does not yet understand the pathology underlying fibromyalgia, more and more information about this condition is becoming known.

The second myth of this affliction is that you can medicate it away. I have seen literally hundreds of women who were medicated into oblivion, to the point where they appeared drunk. The main problem was that they still felt the pain, even though they were full of pain pills and muscle relaxers. There is no silver bullet, no magic pill to fix this problem.

In fact, many of the current health recommendations are causing an increase in health problems. Several leading health researchers point to the fact that these recommendations are often driven by certain industries who have vested interests; namely profits, at stake.

As a former student of natural therapies, and having now been involved in the health & fitness industry for over 14 years, it is my intention to shed some light on 10 of the most common health myths – as controversial as they may be!

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