The Fatigue of Fibromyalgia
By MountainGem, 20th Feb 2012 | Follow this author
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Posted in WikinutHealthGeneral HealthDiseases & Infections
Commercials seem to focus on the pain of Fibromyalgia. There are so many other conditions that come under the umbrella that is Fibro. One of the worst for me is the constant fatigue.
So Much More Than Pain
It is 7:00 AM and I am exhausted. Yes, I slept last night. A little bit. You see, I have Fibromyalgia and one of the symptoms that comes along with this frustrating condition is the overwhelming fatigue that never seems to get better.
The commercials on television all focus on the pain of fibro and yes that is the symptom that drives most of us to seek help from our doctors, but as I think back over the history of my illness, I remember the fatigue as being one of my first symptoms. I was an RN in my other life. I was working long hours and was on my feet for most of those hours. I remember when this all first started I would wake up some mornings so tired I just couldn’t go in to work. I would call in sick and spend the entire day in bed, sleeping. I would worry that I wouldn’t be able to sleep that night, but that never happened. I was always able to go to sleep in the evening with my husband and sleep the entire night through. This was not normal for me and was the first clue that something was wrong.
I spent seven years going to doctors before I got the diagnosis of Fibromyalgia. I was told to lose weight and my pain would get better. I did. I lost over 60 pounds. My pain has not gotten any better. If anything, it has slowly gotten worse, but then again, they say fibro is not a progressive condition. Hmmm. I was told to start exercising and that would help. I have and I do feel better when I exercise, but honestly, it hasn’t made the pain or fatigue any better. I watch what I eat and try to eat a fairly healthy diet and really do feel better when I am eating healthy but the pain is the same and the fatigue seems to be no different. I know I am doing all I can to help me be better and there are some symptoms of this condition that really do benefit from these changes. It is just too bad it isn’t the fatigue or the pain.
The docs tell us that the reason we fibro sufferers have this fatigue is because something is wrong with our brains. We don’t go into the restorative REM sleep and stay there like everyone else. Without this REM sleep, we don’t get that all important deep sleep that we need to restore and repair our bodies. This helps explain why we are so darn tired all the time and why nothing seems to help make that fatigue go away. If we cannot get that all important REM sleep that we need we are going to be tired. Tired, frustrated, moody, and much more sensitive to pain than the average person.
I still have days in which I am unable to do anything but stay in bed and sleep. My body rebels and I have to sleep. There is no pill that helps. Only spending most of a 24 hour period sleeping seems to help in any way for a few days. Sleep is a very precious commodity around here. I seem to have no problem falling asleep, but then I wake up very easily and have a very hard time going back to sleep. Any noise will wake me right up and keep me awake for a while. If I am having a lot of pain during the night, this causes problems as well. It is a circle of pain, fatigue, and despair.
I know from reading message boards online that my struggles with fatigue are not unique. So many people out there have the same complaints and are not getting the help we need from our doctors. Honestly, I think most docs out there don’t have a clue how to treat fibromyalgia and the host of symptoms that come along with it. So I am facing another day tired and grouchy, hating the way I feel but unsure of what to do about it. I have cried rivers of tears over this but of course, that hasn’t helped anything.
I am writing these articles to try to educate those of you who don’t have fibro. It is so much more than just pain.
Comments
20th Feb 2012 (#)
wow, yes you have shared with others a deeper understanding of what it is like to have the problem of Fibromyalgia.
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20th Feb 2012 (#)
You know what hon, I remember 22 years ago when they said I was just a lazy and bored housewife, it was all in my head and crap like that. Then I did find a doctor that gave me my dx (18 years ago) of chronic myofascial pain syndrome. Then it changed from a syndrome (fibro sadly is still listed as a syndrome) to not a syndrome in 2003 I think it was. Come to find out it was a disease in the first place, go flippin figure. They say (same with fribro) it is not progressive, I say bite me, yes it sure as hell is! Also they use to say, exercise the pain away, just this last year, they said no, if you have CMP you should give your muscles time to heal. Hell, I could have told them that, 23 years back! Excuse my anger but, hon it makes me so mad. If you do not flippin know about something, be honest with us and at least say so, okay doc. Then y'all both can work out what works 'for you' because, fibro and CMP hit us all differently, it just depends. One of the best things I do to help me is, massage therapy, taking it easy, NO STRESS (sure, easier said than done, I hear ya) and relaxing techniques that I have found have worked for me. I do take a very small dose of drugs and have for some years now but, I also have turned away a lot. The key is, do what works for you hon. Oh those 4 hours of straight sleep we all long for, sorry you do not get them. I seldom do but, I do at times. Also remember, being in pain is also very tiring, in itself. You are in my thoughts and prayers. May you have pain free days from now on. As always, thank you for sharing.:)
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20th Feb 2012 (#)
I am so sorry I have taken up so much of your space.:)
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20th Feb 2012 (#)
Denise,
Please don't ever apologise for sharing what you go through. I think hearing these things helps others, too. That's why I write about my situation...just trying to help someone else.
I know how it feels to feel like you are the only one out there with this crap.
Thanks for sharing.
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21st Feb 2012 (#)
I would like to link your page to one I am working on. It will not be out for a few weeks so, just answer here (I will check back) or use our new contact button and let me know if it is alright. I have done a few pages on the illness I live with and it is not that I am just *itching and a moaning, it is so others know they are not alone. Also we gain wisdom with time. Love it that you put your heart out there. My grandson left earlier after spending the night, I am in re-coop mode, the boy wears me down. LOL
Anyways, tomorrow I will tweet and facebook this article, when I get on to publish two new articles and network. I promise, 'you' reaching out and explaining what you live with, will help others, no doubt. Thank you. Bless you.:)
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21st Feb 2012 (#)
Sure Denise, you can link your page to mine.
All of us who deal with chronic pain issues have something we can help others with. Thanks for your support!!
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20th Feb 2012 (#)
As a person who works nearly twenty hours a day with four hours of sleep during the week (different on the weekend) I can tell you I have seen the above happen.
The thing to check on is the oxygen circulation as lack of oxygen lead to Sleep Apnea and that does prevent body repair and then cause problems wherein it could lead to death within sleep.
What you need is something called a CPAP machine to dialate the nostrils and provide oxygen thereby probably saving a life.
Lack of oxygen to the brain can also kill the brain cells thereby bringing about a lot of other ailments including cardio pulmonary disorders.
the best thing to do would be to go into a sleep lab and have the sleep pattern checked out and determine the level of the ailment and accordingly treat it as this can kill.
Have had family who have gone through this too.
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21st Feb 2012 (#)
Lady Alyanna,
This is what I love about sharing what I deal with :) There is so much information out there that isn't quite right and this is a prime example...
The sleep problems that we deal with have nothing to do with sleep apnea. I am well aware of sleep apnea. I am a registered nurse and my husband has sleep apnea. I know well the CPAP machine as he wore one for years. No, our sleep problems are not the same.
"Sleep disturbances are common in the majority of people with fibromyalgia. While people with fibromyalgia may not have difficulty falling asleep, their sleep is light and easily disturbed. Many awaken in the morning feeling exhausted and unrefreshed. These sleep disturbances may help create a constant state of fatigue.
During sleep, individuals with fibromyalgia are constantly interrupted by bursts of brain activity similar to the activity that occurs in the brain when they are awake. Tests in sleep labs done on individuals with fibromyalgia have shown that people with fibromyalgia experience interruptions in deep sleep. These interruptions limit the amount of time they spend in deep sleep. As a result, their body is unable to rejuvenate itself."
Taken from Webmd.com
It is in the brain itself where the sleep problems occur in someone with fibro. Like I stated in the article, We just do not get the REM sleep we need on a nightly basis to get the rest we need. It is not the same as with sleep apnea where the body is not getting the oxygen it needs.
But thanks so much for your comments and the chance to educate more people.
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21st Feb 2012 (#)
:)
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22nd Feb 2012 (#)
good message embedded.
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24th Feb 2012 (#)
Great share, thank you.
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27th Feb 2012 (#)
My heart goes out to you when I read this MountainGem because I too have had FMS for many years as I think I have mentioned in past correspondence. I have had mine over 20 plus years and though not so badly hit with the fatigue now, I still get the sleep deprivation, and the constantly aching painful muscles. I also have a very low drug thresh-hold so can only take soluble Asprin when it is severe, but I find this actually really effective to help reduce my pain levels. Although this condition was recognised in 2000, they still don't really understand it or how to deal with it. I can so relate to the frustration you feel concerning this my friend..I know it doesn't help, but you are not alone and I can empathise completely..
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