My Life with Fibro & Bladder Issues

I thought I might include a Fibromyalgia page , do the surfing for you, if you are curious as to what it is . I have had fibro for many years. I originally thought it showed up in my late 20's, with a diagnosis at 40, but now after much research I have suspicions that I actually had it all through my teens as well. 


There are days this disorder make it very hard to function, but there is a drive in me to keep going to not sit around and let it take over my life. But I will admit there are days when I am so tired of feeling 80 when I am in my 40s. Other days it is not so bad. I can deal with it, manage it. there is NEVER a day there is not a symptom, but there are actually great days, at least on my scale of things and those days are true blessings and I am so very grateful for them!!! 


I do what I can to stay upbeat, motivated and proactive in my care... and I do my best to keep it homeopathic and natural. Sometimes that is ill viewed upon, but it is the path I have chosen to follow. Not that I do not believe that others should follow my same path if they feel or find the more more standard  western medical paths are working. It is very hard to do though, staying positive etc. but all I can do is take it in baby steps.  I am a fighter though, and so that is one reason why I walk, a lot. Walking hurts too at times, but at least it keeps me mobile, because if I did not walk , it would get to the point where I could not...I know that day may come, but I do my best to put it off for as long as I can. I know I over do it daily, but again that is the fighter in me. I simply refuse to lay down and let it take over. I have come close many times and well that is when the feeling of wanting it over with appears, I will do all it takes to avoid that... I do not have time, nor desire to have a pity party... life is too short! 


Here is a lot of info from two sites, but also a couple of links if you are interested.
http://chronicfatigue.about.com/od/whatisfibromyalgia/a/fibrosymptoms.htm
http://www.nfra.net/fibromyalgia_symptom.php

Fibromyalgia (pronounced fy-bro-my-AL-ja) is a common and complex chronic pain disorder that affects people physically, mentally and socially. Fibromyalgia is a syndrome rather than a disease. Unlike a disease, which is a medical condition with a specific cause or causes and recognizable signs and symptoms, a syndrome is a collection of signs, symptoms, and medical problems that tend to occur together but are not related to a specific, identifiable cause.


Fibromyalgia, which has also been referred to as fibromyalgia syndrome, fibromyositis and fibrositis, is characterized by chronic widespread pain, multiple tender points, abnormal pain processing, sleep disturbances, fatigue and often psychological distress. For those with severe symptoms, fibromyalgia can be extremely debilitating and interfere with basic daily activities.

FIBROMYALGIA SYMPTOMS CHECKLIST

General Fibromyalgia Symptoms

• Delayed reactions to physical exertion or stressful events
• Other family members with fibromyalgia (genetic predisposition)
• Sweats
• Unexplained weight gain or loss
• Cravings for carbohydrate and chocolate
• Headaches & migraines
• Vision changes, including rapidly worsening vision

Muscle & Tissue-Related Fibromyalgia Symptoms

• Pain that ranges from mild to severe, and may move around the body (See The 7 Types of Fibromyalgia Pain)
• Morning stiffness
• Muscle twitches
• Diffuse swelling
• Fibrocystic (lumpy, tender) breasts (as an overlapping condition)

Sinus & Allergy-Related Fibromyalgia Symptoms

• Allergies
• Post nasal drip
• Runny nose
• Mold & yeast sensitivity
• Shortness of breath
• Earaches & itchy ears
• Ringing ears (tinitis)
• Thick secretions

Sleep-Related Fibromyalgia Symptoms

• Light and/or broken sleep pattern with unrefreshing sleep
• Fatigue
• Sleep starts (falling sensations)
• Twitchy muscles at night
• Teeth grinding (bruxism)

Reproductive Fibromyalgia Symptoms

• Menstrual problems
• PMS (as an overlapping condition)
• Loss of libido
• Impotence

Abdominal & Digestive Fibromyalgia Symptoms

• Bloating & nausea
• Abdominal cramps
• Pelvic pain
• Irritable bowel syndrome (as an overlapping condition)
• Urinary frequency

Cognitive/Neurological Fibromyalgia Symptoms

• Difficulty speaking known words, other language impairments (dysphasia)
• Directional disorientation
• Poor balance and coordination
• Paresthesias in the upper limbs (tingling or burning sensations)
• Loss of ability to distinguish some shades of colors
• Short-term memory impairment
• Confusion
• Trouble concentrating
• Staring into space before brain "kicks in"
• Inability to recognize familiar surroundings

Sensory Fibromyalgia Symptoms

• Sensitivity to odors
• Sensitivity to pressure changes, temperature & humidity
• Sensitivity to light
• Sensitivity to noise
• Night driving difficulty
• Sensory overload

Emotional Fibromyalgia Symptoms

• Panic attacks
• Depression (as an overlapping condition)
• Tendency to cry easily
• Free-floating anxiety (not associated with situation or object)
• Mood swings
• Unaccountable irritability

Heart-Related Fibromyalgia Symptoms

• Mitral valve prolapse (as an overlapping condition)
• Rapid, fluttery, irregular heartbeat
• Pain that mimics heart attack, frequently from costochondritis (as an overlapping condition)

Skin, Hair & Nail-Related Fibromyalgia Symptoms

• Pronounced nail ridges
• Nails that curve under
• Mottled skin
• Bruising or scaring easily
• Hair loss (temporary)
• Tissue overgrowth (non-cancerous tumors called lipomas, ingrown hairs, heavy and splitting cuticles, adhesions)

Miscellaneous Fibromyalgia Symptoms

• Hemorrhoids
• Nose bleeds

Causes:

• Recent research has suggested a genetic component. The disorder is often seen in families, among siblings or mothers and their children.
• Fibromyalgia often occurs following a physical trauma, such as an acute illness or injury, which may act as a “trigger” in the development of the disorder.
• Increasing attention is being devoted to the central nervous system as the underlying mechanism of FM. Recent studies have suggested that FM patients have generalized disturbance in pain processing and an amplified response to stimuli that would not ordinarily be painful in healthy individuals.

Treatment:

• Since there is no known cure for FM, treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and improving function.
• A variety of prescription medications are often used to reduce pain levels and improve sleep. On June 21, 2007, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Lyrica (pregabalin) as the first drug to treat fibromyalgia. Cymbalta (duloxetine HCl) was approved in June 2008; and Savella (milnacipran HCl) was approved in January 2009.
• Alternative therapies, such as massage, myofasical release, acupuncture, chiropractic, herbal supplements and yoga, can be effective tools in managing FM symptoms.
• Increasing rest, pacing activities, reducing stress, practicing relaxation and improving nutrition can help minimize symptoms and improve quality of life.

Bladder issues.... A couple of years ago , as I have mentioned on my blog at the time, I had a series of pretty bad re-occurring UTI's ... or so I thought. Well some were and others, after cultures showed no bacteria and it is suggested that I may have I.C.  Interstitial Cystitis . Now let me say right off the top, I have not had formal testing to determine if this is indeed what was wrong with me and my bladder. I did have many of the symptoms... I also had symptoms of acute urine retention and over active bladder, and I still have the latter. The doctor I was seeing merely has suggested that I.C. seemed likely. He also suggested the fibroids or cysts maybe the root of it all, that they could be blocking my being able to fully empty my bladder and that could cause retained urine to cause infections and the even the ones that seem like UTIS but are not. (*** see update) I had already started to be proactive and add to my homeopathic regime as described in the book by Catherine M. Simone ALONG THE HEALING PATH ... and thank goodness it seemed to be help a great deal I am glad to say. I pray I never go through another "flair" as IC patients call it, and what I call it as well,  but I do my best to not live in fear of what could happen an hour from now or a year from now as far as my health.. it is ever changing. I will keep you updated on this page as I learn more.  LINKS... I.C. Help information  I.C. Hope information  ** Update... Through following many of the suggested home self treatments in the books mentioned above I have managed to not only regain most of my bladder health, but perhaps improve upon what it was prior to all the issues. Having had surgery for fibroids, a total hysterectomy on April 17th 2014 , I still get flairs now and again, but nothing like it was and it passes in a day or two.