In flare up again. So again, thinking about triggers and about how to respond to flares. I posted before about exercise and stress and I'm still convinced that regular, moderate exercise, rest and relaxation and a healthy diet are excellent ways to manage fibro. But, they don't seem to help me once the flare starts and it feels like an unstoppable downward spiral. Having been feeling great for a few weeks, I was gutted when I started flaring up again a week or so ago. And, knowing it was coming, feeling it, hasn't helped me stop it. The meds haven't helped. My exercise hasn't helped and nor has my healthy diet, nor my many expensive supplements. Maybe I just have to accept it and wait for the next few weeks of feeling good, but I really wish I knew how to pre-empt the flare and stop it, especially when I can almost see it coming.
I found this article, which touches on these things interesting, although it's not new so most of you have already seen it.
[Edited by Admin] [Link removed as per guidelines]
I like the way it explains the stress - fibro link. It says: "Fibromyalgia research has shown the importance of specific endocrine glands and the hormones they release with the overall neurotransmitter balance of the body. The 3 endocrine glands that Fibro patients should be most interested in are the Adrenals, Pituitary and Hypothalamus. This is better known as the HPA axis and is directly related to the secretion of numerous chemicals that control the transmission of nerve impulses along with many other bodily functions. When stress throws these glands into an imbalance the result is often severe dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system causing an array of symptoms. This is the main connection between stress and Fibromyalgia and why the stress component needs to be addressed." [Edited by Admin] [To add quote source] (Dr Mark 2010, Fibrocarecenter)
Most importantly I like the fact that she considers ways of interrupting that stress response (and even describes it as a downward spiral - this is how I've always envisioned it), e.g. "A light easy walk for 20 minutes can also help to reduce stress and help reverse the downward spiral caused by a cascading imbalance of neurochemicals. Even the simplest act of playing soothing music throughout the day can help reduce stress. Other stress reducing techniques should also be considered and can greatly help keep your stress hormones under control".
So even though I feel rotten today, maybe, if the weather is nice, I will get back out on my bike again tomorrow to try and correct this chemical imbalance.
If any of you have figured out how to catch a fibro flare up before it has taken control of your body, please tell me your secret!
Blessings everyone x
How many of you manage to work with Fibro?
