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Doctor says Fibro HAS to come from something.... interesting treatment

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Posted 12/15/2010 11:22 PM (GMT 0)
Okay, so I wasn't sure how else to word the subject line but..... I have been pondering what the Rheumy said (the one who diagnosed me in Nov.) He was trying to get me to think about what could have caused my Fibro because he firmly believes that if you treat the thing that caused it in the first place, then you can help decrease your Fibro symptoms. I don't really understand that though. For me, it could be a number of things. And what it if it just from stress? It's not like I can just not have stress anymore. I do know I have a bulging disc, so he was saying if I stretch my back and work my core muscles it shoudl help with Fibro. I don't know if I agree with that. Yes, working my core could help my back but what does that have to do with Fibro?? I wish I could strengthen my core but stomach exercises hurt my neck and stuff on my hands like the plank hurt my hands... i do what i can though.... plus I have muscle seperation and loose skin that was confirmed by a plastic surgeon, so I have been contemplating getting a tummy tuck. i also have an umbilical hernia.... so maybe the surgery would help my core some, although I feel crazy for even thinking about doing that since I have Fibro now.... the last time I had a consult was before I had all this pain. Anyway, just wanted to find out if your doctors have said the same thing and keep pushing you to figure out what caused your Fibro??
Posted 12/15/2010 11:35 PM (GMT 0)
Bridget,

Well, no. Mine just says they don't know what causes it. But he does encourage me to exercise more, up to but excluding running. I'm lucky to walk around the block most days, though I get quite a bit of moving in just around the house, shopping, etc. I'd sure LIKE to be able to do more, but every time I try it backfires, big-time.

It's an interesting idea, though...

Debbie
Posted 12/15/2010 11:41 PM (GMT 0)
Most of the doctors that are studying this illness think it's a neurological problem.  I wish it could be as easy as your doctor thinks. 

 

Below is a link from Fibro 101 and some of the doctors that have been studying fibro do some explanations of what is believed to be happening. 

 

http://www.fmnetnews.com/basics-news-archives-respond.php

 

Sherrine

Posted 12/16/2010 12:27 AM (GMT 0)
My rheumatologist and my pain doc got me started on exercises - PT - and it helped. It's worse again after I stopped doing the exercises after a couple of surgeries.

There are core exercises you can do without straining the tummy. Side leg lifts might work. There are lots with explanations and pictures online if you search fibromyalgia exercises or core strengthening exercises. There should be some upper body ones and stretches too. You might need to buy some stretch bands, but mostly you don't need any equipment. These help with back pain by strengthening the muscles.

Swimming could be possible for you too.

If your doc wants you to exercise it's a good idea for him to give you a Rx for PT. Even one or two sessions can teach you what to do on your own. I was given a booklet of pictures along with 1 session to make sure I would do the exercises right. That was as good as the several sessions I've had prescribed by my spine doc. Just don't do anything you feel hurts you!

I find doing a few minutes of exercising and stretching while watching the AM news, after my pain meds and morning coffee, gives me better relief from some of the pain and also from stress than just meds alone. After I've done something for me, I can get on with my day a little better.
Posted 12/16/2010 1:49 AM (GMT 0)
Don't work any core muscles. You need to correct your posture doing stretches and putting your head back in it's natural alignment. Forward head posture can cause severe physical pain and can be the cause of fibromyalgia in many people.

Working on correcting posture is not a one time thing when you are in severe pain. You will need to do the stretching a few times a day and over time it will turn the pain sensors off. Also during this process get massages to remove any all trigger points/muscle knots from your muscles.

To correct posture: stand straight, roll shoulders back, pretend you have a helium balloon on both sides if your breasts and let it pull you up. As you are doing this push your chin down and back. Do this and hold 10 seconds 3x a few times a day.

You have to get your body back in it's correct alignment and pains will dissapear over time. Continue this even after you get better.

As far as your stress find time each day to lay down for a few minutes and breath slowly and deeply in and out thinking about relaxing yourself and muscles.

Good luck!
Posted 12/16/2010 1:52 AM (GMT 0)
Btw, walking is great exercise! Once you have corrected posture and pain starts to leave your body start working on strengthening your body.
Posted 12/16/2010 4:55 PM (GMT 0)
Halls, you bring up a good point about posture. Here I am sitting hunched over in front of the computer. I do want to try and work on my core too. Before I started with the Fibro pain I was in the gym almost every day doing different pilate moves, like planks, etc. (although that still didn't help the muscle seperation, only surgery can help that) Doing things on my side woudl be good because my neck is so sensitive now.
I used to go to a chiropractor but it made me feel worse every time. And i tried a massage once and it put me in a BIG flare... and she even used VERY gentle touch! I think I am really sensitive to touch. Even having one of my kids gently lean against me hurts too much and i have to ask them to scoot over.
I agree, walking is good but it makes me light headed if it's anything more than just a stroll. Esepecially when it's warm as I am super sensitive to heat. I have found a recumbant bike to be the best of for me and we just bought one for me to have at our new house once we move (this SAt.!)
Thanks all for your replies. I just thought it was interesting what he said but didn't quite make sense for the all over Fibro pain, although I do know exercise does help. But he was saying treating ANY cause would help.... he even said very rarely some people get it from cancer, so if you treat cancer it treats the Fibro.... Huh?! I don't get that. He was just making me feel frustrated because how can I know FOR SURE exactly what caused it?
I don't know if I will go back to this guy much anyway. i mainly went to him to get diagnosed. He was a little rude to me too the second time I saw him. I didn't understand. The first time he was really nice and spent an hour with me. The second time around, I didn't expect a lot of time with him but still I had my list of questions and he acted perturbed that i expected him to take the time to answer them! oh well, I guess that is what we have this board for!
Posted 12/16/2010 4:56 PM (GMT 0)
also, I have to admit, I am a terrible swimmer. i never really learned the correct way to swim, so that would be too much work for me. I do enjoy being in the water though.
Posted 12/16/2010 7:02 PM (GMT 0)
Clueless doctors! Notice with a small d.
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