Fingernail symptoms and fibro

Oddly enough, people with fibromyalgia tend not to have the "half moons" at the base of their fingernails, with the exception of the thumbs. Another indicator with fingernails is if they have brittle, vertical ridges.

Swollen glands and fatigue

If you find that you have swollen glands on a fairly regular basis, have your doctor check you for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). This often occurs right alongside a case of fibromyalgia. Many people suffer from both, but often one or the other goes undiagnosed.

Comfort strategies

Fibromites tend to swell slightly over the course of the day, so that clothing that feels good when we first put them on may be tight and uncomfortable by day´s end. Keep this in mind when selecting clothing, and find things that don´t constrict. Avoid underwire bras and look for something called a bralette or bralet, if you are female.

Dressing for bed

When dressing for bed - a place where comfort is of the utmost importance, because we really need a good sleep - don´t wear heavy flannels because if you get too hot you´ll wake and may even interrupt sleep to take them off. Instead wear something mid-weight in a natural, breathable fabric. Or go light and make certain you have several layers of bed clothing - sheet, light blanker, heavy blanket - that will help you control body temperature.

Writing difficulty-cognitive

One cause of handwriting difficulty is cognitive – it´s common for people with FMS to transpose letters when writing and typing – an acquired dyslexia that makes it even harder to write legibly and sensibly. Try to stick to the computer if at all possible, because your days handwritten things can get so full of cross outs before you finally get all the letters in the right order, that your hand is then too tired to write legibly.

Clogged hair follicles

If you find that your scalp is itchy, and then when you scratch you seem to come away with tiny "scabs" under your fingernails then you probably have clogged hair follicles. The scabs are actually little plugs of hardened oil. Jojoba oil is a miracle worker here. You can apply it straight, let it sit for a while and shampoo out. Or just use a shampoo that already contains it. If you can´t find that, you can add a tablespoon to your favorite regular shampoo – just make sure to shake well before using.

Feeling like you´ve become stupid

Fibrofog does not mean that you have lost any mental ability. You can still think and reason as well as ever, and if you took an IQ test chances are that your score will not have gone down. It simply means that you have problems with your short term memory. Think back to grade school – a long term memory – and chances are good that you remember a lot.

Restless Legs

Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) is common with fibro. Your legs feel tense and almost painful, and the need to keep moving them trying to find a comfortable position is intense – except you rarely manage to find that position. Many doctors prescribe quinine tablets for this – but a bottle of quinine water – the stuff you use to mix a vodka and tonic – will work in a pinch. Take a few swigs as soon as you feel the sensation coming on and you may even be able to head it off.

Loss of interest in sex

Basically, most people with fibro experience a loss of interest in sex. This really isn´t surprising – very few people have a lot of libido when they ache and hurt and are exhausted, and when the problem is a chronic one, for which there is little relief. To make things worse – sex can hurt because it does involve stress on our connective tissues. You must make sure that your partner understands this, and doesn´t blame himself or herself.

Middle of the night medicines

Keep a carafe of water, and pain or other medications that you might need during the night, right by the bed. Often you can just barely wake, take the required pill, and lie right back down without disturbing your sleep too badly. It is far preferable to waking yourself to climb out of bed. Meds that are often needed in the night could include those for restless legs, indigestion, allergies and/or pain.

Triggers without trauma

While most people can point to some significant trauma that triggered the onset of severe fibromyalgia symptoms, some people cannot trace things back to any specific occurrence. This isn´t unusual, as sometimes the problem is triggered by prolonged stress instead of an acute episode of some kind. Being able to point to a specific trigger can be helpful psychologically, as it may explain to you why you found yourself suddenly suffering from pain and fatigue – but not finding a trigger does not mean that you don´t really have fibromyalgia.

It´s not Alzheimer´s!

Many people who realize that their memory seems to be failing them become desperately afraid that they are getting Alzheimer´s disease. The bright spot is that if you know your memory is failing then it´s not Alzheimer´s. That very awareness is a hopeful sign that is is "just" common fibrofog - something you can learn to cope with.

Set priorities

Set priorities. Look at all the things you think you need to do. Must they be done? Which are crucial? Which can be put off? Which are just you being hypercritical or perfectionist? Do what MUST be done - and ask for help if you need it.

Avoid cramps - keep moving

Don't remain in one position too long. It is easy to get hooked on web surfing and remain in your chair for hours. That makes for aches. Make yourself change positions, or, better yet, get up and move a bit every 20 minutes or so. Some people use one of those large rubber inflatable exercise balls as a desk chair - they can bounce and get light aerobic exercise while seated, at the same time avoiding stiffness and encouraging better posture.

A little positive introspection

Make lists. Write down everything you like about yourself. List all the things you like to do and can still indulge in. If you´re depressed make lists of what depresses you. Take that out when you are in a good time and see if you can do anything about those things. And make lists of things you enjoy doing. When you´re depressed you´ll forget those - so take out that list, select one thing - and DO it!

Journaling

Keep a journal to write out your thoughts and feelings. You know people will get weary of listening if you try to express them out loud, but they do need an outlet for you to express them. But even more important, a journal may help you to pinpoint the types of situations that cause stress for you – and may also help you to pinpoint what types of stress lead to physical problems for you.

Use humor to cope

There is humor in fibrofog, so learn to enjoy it. Example: "Fibrofog is great. You can buy one book and read it repeatedly and still keep being surprised." Being able to laugh at yourself will help others to deal with your lapses as well. Brushing your teeth with a tube of polysporin will seem funny in a few days. Honest.

Dress in layers

Dress in layers. Fibromites all have broken internal thermostats. We can be hot and sweating when everyone else is shivering, or freezing as they are opening windows due to the heat. Start with something light and layer a jacket-type blouse or tunic over that and then keep a sweater or sweater coat handy and just peel things on and off as needed.

What is Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a relatively recent term for a common rheumatic disease that was previouly called soft tissue rheumatisem, fibrositis, or nonarticular rheumatism. Some statistics claim 3 to 6 million Americans are affected. Women may be affected four times more often than men. Fibromyalgia attacks the soft tissue- the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Fibromyalgia is pain all over your body with a positive painful announcement on up to 18 specific points used to help diagnose the condition. It can mimic many other medical problems – everything from allergies to chronic fatigue syndrome, lupus, multiple sclerosis and more. Your doctor should not only check to see that you have the tender points that are the one indisputable hallmark of fibromyalgia, but also do blood tests to eliminate other possibilities.
MSM, organic sulfur, cannot cure this major painful condition. But MSM is an excellent source of safe and substantial relief. This great benefit comes from MSM´s pain reducing, anti-inflammatory, and increased blood-supply properties.