“Living With Fibromyalgia” is the first feature-length film about fibromyalgia, providing an honest, personal, and practical look at how to live with this chronic pain condition through profiles of seven patients and interviews with fibromyalgia experts. It’s told by the daughter of a fibromyalgia patient. It has been called a “milestone” for the fibromyalgia community and a “must-see” for fibromyalgia patients and those who love them by the President of the National Fibromyalgia Association …

Fibromyalgia is a mysterious disorder of unknown cause characterized by widespread pain, abnormal pain processing, sleep disturbance, fatigue and often psychological distress. According to the CDC, fibromyalgia affects an estimated 5 million adults. Dr. Sean Mackey, assistant professor of anesthesia at the Stanford University Medical Center, discusses our current understanding of this cryptic disorder: its pathology, diagnosis and treatment.

Muscle spasms are part and parcel of many fibromyalgia sufferers symptoms and can occur at any time. So, what can be done to treat muscle spasms and fibromyalgia?

Spasms can occur anywhere in the body, but usually they will be in the back, buttocks and legs. There are a number of theories as to why these spasms occur; one offers the opinion that it may be due to a reduced blood flow and therefore the muscle tissues are short on oxygen. Another suggests that perhaps spasms in the muscles are caused by a reflex reaction. One theory looks at a possible genetic link where fibromyalgia sufferers are susceptible to small tears in the muscle fibers.

Either way these spasms can make sitting for prolonged periods difficult and can interrupt sleep.

When a muscle on either side of the neck is subjected to spasm, a headache will usually occur on one side of the head. This put pressures on the nerves in the neck, affecting those specific nerves that are connected to the stomach, which is why you can feel nauseous.

Those episodes of one-sided headaches are not normally migraines, because they usually don’t involve just one side of the head. One of the common fibromyalgia side effects is a headache accompanied by pains in the neck, shoulders and upper portion of the back.

Treatment for muscle spasms

Try some gentle stretching exercises at home to ease muscle spasms. By keeping the muscles supple and moving you’ll increase the blood flow and encourage healing. If you are unsure about what exercises to do speak to your doctor or make and appointment with a Physical therapist that has experience of dealing with fibromyalgia sufferers.

Regular massage and hot compressions can also work in relieving pain in the muscles. Try and keep your muscles warm as the cold can trigger muscle spasms. Wear layers that are easy to take on and off and always carry a sweater or coat to pull round your shoulders.

Acupuncture is another natural option that has proven helpful for a number of fibromyalgia patients, especially when the muscle spasms are centered on the trigger points as these correlate to some of the common acupuncture sites.

Continue reading for more information about reducing muscle spasms and to sign up for the free fibromyalgia newsletter at the end of the article.
Topical creams aimed at reducing muscle spasms have also shown some good results. Look for ones that contain MSM (Methyl Sulfonyl Methane). MSM is naturally found in most plants and is found in high concentrations in the body in the skin, joints, nails and hair. Like most things the amount we retain reduces as we age leading to breakdown of tissues, fatigue and increased physical stress.

MSM has important anti-inflammatory properties that include an analgesic quality that reduces pain impulses, it increases the blood supply, softens scars and most importantly reduces muscle spasms.

When MSM is applied topically via a cream on the effected muscle the active ingredients penetrate the skin and get into the blood stream quickly and get to work on the painful muscle quickly. You can also take MSM as a supplement for long term relief.

Although MSM is not a drug, but a dietary supplement it would still be advisable to consult your doctor about taking to relieve muscle spasms and fibromyalgia symptoms.

By: Jane Thompson

About the Author:

Can i use Fibromyalgia as a disability reason not to work?

I have fibromyalgia. I was wondering how I can get people to understand what it does to me. No one seems to understand how it makes me feel and some of the people don’t even believe me that I am in pain. What do I do?

Weight gain is a major concern for many fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) sufferers. The weight they gain adds insult to injury meaning it is already tough enough for these FMS sufferers to be in so much discomfort from their fibromyalgia, now they have to battle with weight gain on top of their other symptoms.

Many fibro sufferers typically have Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS for short, which is a condition associated with fibromyalgia. Because of their irritated bowels, most sufferers have to limit, watch or restrict their consumption of food especially during an acute IBS flare-up. Even with their restricted diets, these fibromyalgia and IBS sufferers’ still gain weight. Simply put, even if they are not eating much, they still gain weight.

This scenario becomes very baffling to them. Many of these sufferers try every a weight-loss plan or fibromyalgia diet; there is with the hope that they will lose weight. Often times they do lose weight for a short period of time but end up gaining it back after a few months.

Here are some of the reasons why fibromyalgia syndrome sufferers gain weight:

· Fibromyalgia sufferers are typically under a lot of stress. Increased stress leads to the excess release of the stress hormone cortisol. Elevated cortisol levels contribute to fat storage.

· Most fibromyalgia sufferers do not sleep well. By not getting enough deep sleep, our bodies do not produce enough of another hormone called; growth hormone. Growth hormone stimulates our muscle tone, burns fat and improves insulin sensitivity. Without optimal amounts of growth hormone, our body will have a tendency to store fat.

· Some fibro sufferers do not eat enough food throughout the course of the day. When a sufferer doesn’t eat enough, their metabolism will slow down and muscle weight (muscle tone) will decrease but body fat won’t. This is because muscle tone regulates metabolism. Increased muscle tone means a higher metabolism and a higher metabolism means the more calories one will burn, even at rest. This will help you keep your weight under control. This is also why it is important to perform a basic exercise program.

· Some fibro sufferers eat too much “junk food.” Eating sugary snacks (mostly because they are convenient) will spike your blood sugar, which will cause your body to release insulin. These insulin “spikes” will signal your body to store more fat in the body.

· Weight gain or water retention are side-effects from many of the fibromyalgia medications that sufferers are taking.

· Many FMS sufferers do not exercise enough (if at all) because of constant pain or chronic fatigue. This will obviously decrease your metabolism and contribute to weight gain.

By: Dr. Mike Swierczynski

About the Author:

Healing Fibromyalgia – Filmed by Whitney Martin Family cures fibromyalgia through alternative and natural healing methods. This is a university film project that was filmed and put together over the first part of 2008. We are currently working on expanding our vision of healing and happiness through our blog at cagefreefamily.com — Please Visit if you get the chance.

I have Fibromyalgia and have been on a roller coaster ride of prescription drugs. I’m sick of it. It’s been a couple years, and I’m still not feeling any better. I still hurt like H**L, but I really am sick of being treated like a guinea pig!!! I’m ready to try some natural remedies. I take Elavil for the psychological aspects of the disorder. I don’t want to be one of those people who says, “oh I feel fine” and then quits the meds, but I don’t want to be reliant on any drugs.

I have fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis and my legs and feet burn from pain. I have tried many different shoes and they work for awhile and then stop. I would like some input from others on the most cushioned shoes both casual, sport and dress.

WINNER OF THE PANDORA ADVOCACY CONTEST 2007 The story of a young girl named Holly Fraser, who has to endure a life with the incurable disease Fibromyalgia. more info can be found at www.diagnosesupport.com http ©2005 elfling productions www.elfling.co.uk