Thursday, July 28, 2011

Bats crowding out your belfry, dizziness in FM and CFS/ME

This blog is based on my original answer to “How do you treat dizziness in fibromyalgia and CFS/ME?” as fibromyalgia expert at ShareCare.com

View other answered questions on my profile at
http://sharecare.com/user/celeste-Cooper


First, you must find out what is causing your dizziness. Dizziness is a symptoms and can be caused by many conditions, but in FM and CFS/ME the major culprits are hypothyroidism, Nuerally Mediated Hypotension (NMH) or Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia (POTS). The presence of myofascial trigger points, causing chronic myofascial pain, located in muscles next to vital organs and blood vessels can also cause dizziness.

Therefore, you must first identify the cause of your dizziness to know how it is best treated. The treatment for all of the disorders I just suggested is different. Equally important is to rule out other conditions such as hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), insulin resistance, impending stroke, etc. Dizziness can be a symptom of many things.

Report this to your doctor and discuss the possibilities of the presence of these conditions, there are tests that can be done. Once any life threatening cause has been ruled out, be sure to check for myofascial trigger points in the area. They can be easily felt by a trained examiner, and treated. Myofascial Pain is present in most if not all FM patients, and many CFS/ME patients have said they suspect them too.

You can read more about all of this in our book, direct links at www.thesethree.com.

Harmony and Hope, Celeste

All blogs, posts and answers are based on the work in Integrative Therapies for Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Myofascial Pain: The Mind-Body Connection by Celeste Cooper, RN, and Jeff Miller, PhD. 2010, Vermont: Healing Arts press

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

How do I manage fibromyalgia on a daily basis?

This question is based on my original answer as fibromyalgia expert at ShareCare.com. View other answered questions on my profile at
http://sharecare.com/user/celeste

Managing fibromyalgia is multidimensional.

Having helpful tools and knowing what to report to your doctor is important. Having a guide to keep us on track is helpful. Also helpful are having terms to describe your pain, understanding what the doctor needs to know about your health history, and knowing how to communicate with your doctor or healthcare provider. Keeping a medication log, a symptoms inventory sheet, evaluation of treatments and medications, etc. are all important to the patient with FM. (All available in our book).


But, there are other aspects to managing fibromyalgia too, such as learning about what fibromyalgia is, developing communication skills with others, and accepting through journaling. It is also important to learn diversion skills to take your mind away from the pain and fatigue. You can learn to do this on your own, develop new hobbies in-line with your new life, or if you need more help like I did, therapy and biofeedback.

There are many therapies and therapists helpful in managing FM. Our book has a complete list with definitions, the types of therapies and treating physicians, and how to find the right therapy and therapist for you.

Managing FM is a 24/7 job. Explaining it in just a few paragraphs is difficult. I started our book as a way of my personal coping. It started with one entry in my journal, “write a book.” Later I was joined by my then therapist and I believe we have a comprehensive guide to managing FM. You are welcome to see the contents at http://www.thesethree.com/fibromyalgia/fibromyalgia-book-content.php

All blogs, posts and answers are based on the work in Integrative Therapies for Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Myofascial Pain: The Mind-Body Connection by Celeste Cooper, RN, and Jeff Miller, PhD. 2010, Vermont: Healing Arts press

Monday, July 18, 2011

Can pregnancy cause fibromyalgia?

This question is based on my original answer as fibromyalgia expert at ShareCare.
View other answered questions on my profile at
http://sharecare.com/user/celeste-Cooper

Most of what I have to say about pregnancy and fibromyalgia is from a personal view and anecdotal one.

I did have very difficult pregnancies with severe prolonged morning sickness. However, I doubt that pregnancy was the cause of my FM, I suspect the FM was why I had difficult pregnancies, as I had the comorbid conditions then, Raynaud’s, IBS, migraine, frequent UTI’s,migraines since age 16, etc.

I have heard others say they had great difficulty and needed some assistance after the birth, because lifting caused great pain. I believe that since we now know myofascial trigger points play a role in peripheral mediated pain in FM, that it is important for you to identify any now and treat them.

I had difficulty with my left hip going out with pregnancy, and I suspect it was related to trigger points in the area that were aggravated by the weight of the baby. Knowing these things might help you avoid some of these experiences.

So my answer is we suspect that physical or emotional trauma is a trigger to FM, and pregnancy definitely puts a strain on the physical. It could be a trigger, though not a cause, men have FM too.

Here are two links you might find helpful, one from a scientific aspect, the other from a social one.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21284491
http://fibromyagiablog.blogspot.com/

As always, Harmony and Hope, Celeste

All blogs, posts and answers are based on the work in Integrative Therapies for Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Myofascial Pain: The Mind-Body Connection by Celeste Cooper, RN, and Jeff Miller, PhD. 2010, Vermont: Healing Arts press

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Are there alternative treatments for fibromyalgia?

This question is based on my original answer as fibromyalgia expert at ShareCare.

View other answered questions on my profile at

http://www.sharecare.com/user/celeste-cooper

Research suggests that many, most, possibly all FM patients also have chronic myofascial pain from myofascial trigger points.

Trigger points are knotted up muscle fibers in a taut (tight) band of muscle. They are EASILY felt unless behind bone or other muscles, or the band of muscle affected is too tight. They shorten the affected muscle and cause dysfunction and refer pain and other symptoms, such as nerve pain if next to a nerve, in a specific pattern that is consistent among all patients. This is not new to me, evidence has shown for a while that many patients with FM also have MTrPs and is why myofascial pain is included in our book, Integrative Therapies for Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Myofascial Pain: The Mind-Body Connection by Celeste Cooper, RN and Jeff Miller, PhD. These MTrPs are peripheral pain generators that lend to central nervous system sensitization keeping the FM brain in wind-up.

Treatments for myofascial trigger points include some traditional therapies and alternative treatments:

•Trigger point injection
•Trigger point pressure therapy
•Self Treatment of trigger points (The value of the theracane and tennis balls)
•Active Release Therapy (preformed by some physical therapists and chiropractors)
•Trigger point massage therapy (See the National Association of Myofascial Trigger Point therapists, http://myofascialtherapy.org
•Massage therapy by someone specifically trained in treatment of myofascial trigger points
•Botox injections is being used for the treatment of MTrPs and those that cause migraine. More studies are indicated for treating chronic myofascial pain (CMP/MPS). Due to the need to locate and treat the primary trigger point, not just the active TrP, may make this a less successful option. Because of the many TrPs involved in CMP with FM, it would require toxic doses to treat appropriately. And, FM patient have many sensitivities.


Chapter four, of , Integrative Therapies for Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Myofascial Pain: The Mind-Body Connection, “ My Body is Matter and it Matters,” covers understanding and treating chronic pain, trigger point therapies, body work, different therapies, how to find the right therapist, implications of diet, and the do’s and don’ts of exercise.

Harmony and Hope, Celeste


Available at Inner Traditions Bear and Company, publisher, and all major outlets. http://store.innertraditions.com/Product.jmdx;jsessionid=84DFDF90E93A65CE4B1D02D54D979C9E?action=displayDetail&id=3723&searchString=978-1-59477-323-5

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Does someone with fibromyalgia need more exercise?

This question is based on my original answer as fibromyalgia expert at ShareCare.

View other answered questions on my profile at
http://sharecare.com/user/celeste-Cooper
More exercise is not the answser to managing fibromyalgia when compared to the population at large. It is the type and amount of exercise that is important.

The motto is always, start low and go slow. Generally, therapists that do not truly understand FM will ask you to do more than you should. When you exercise a muscle with myofascial trigger points present (see http://www.thesethree.com/cmp/myofascial-trigger-point.php ) it will cause rebound of the trigger point (TrP). This causes further shortening and dysfunction of the muscle, increased pain, and activation of latent trigger points which will then cause pain which may be well away from the primary TrP. These referral patterns are consistent among all patients.

Many, most, and possibly all FM patients have chronic myofascial pain from myofascial trigger points. Treatment is necessary for exercise to be successful. Once they are treated, gentle stretching and aerobic exercise is imperative to help prevent the reoccurrence, and prevent increased centralization of pain. Unfortunately in FM, the triggers for development of TrPs are different from someone with a traumatic injury. In FM it may only take a chill to activate myofascial trigger points.

If exercising causes more pain, you are less likely to stick with it.

All blogs, posts and answers are based on the work in Integrative Therapies for Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Myofascial Pain: The Mind-Body Connection by Celeste Cooper, RN, and Jeff Miller, PhD. 2010, Vermont: Healing Arts press

Available at Inner Traditions Bear and Company, publisher, and all major outlets. http://store.innertraditions.com/Product.jmdx;jsessionid=84DFDF90E93A65CE4B1D02D54D979C9E?action=displayDetail&id=3723&searchString=978-1-59477-323-5

Friday, July 1, 2011

Can fibromyalgia or CFS/ME cause depression?

This question is based on my original answer as fibromyalgia expert at ShareCare.

View other answered questions on my profile at
http://sharecare.com/user/celeste-cooper

Depression can result from the losses associated with having FM and/or CFS/ME; it is not a psychological disorder, but feeling blue and even possibly isolated are a common. We are grieving a loss, not only of our previous functioning, but personal relationships, as well.

Having chronic daily pain and fatigue and the other conditions that accompany FM and CFS/ME are perpetuators to depression.

Acceptance is the first step to managing any chronic illness, but can be difficult. If you are not getting the support you need see a counselor that is experienced in helping people with chronic pain. My co-author started out as my therapist.
It is important to see a counselor that is experienced in helping people with chronic pain. My co-author started out as my therapist.
The right therapist is:

• Highly personal, a connection both nurturing and challenging.
• Highly empathic and not limited by your current perceptions.
• One that uses various therapeutic approaches
• Actively engaged with your therapy.
• One you feel connected to, as well as challenged.
• Never takes advantage of a client, financially, emotionally, or sexually

Other sections of Integrative Therapies for Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Myofascial Pain: The Mind-Body Connection discuss various therapeutic approaches, such as visualization, biofeedback, cognitive behavioral therapy, hypnosis, and affirmations.

Harmony and Hope, Celeste

Celeste's Website

Celeste's Website
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