I’m a Nurse With Fibromyalgia. Here’s What I Wish Frustrated Patients Knew.

by Julia Nelson When I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, the rheumatologist (who I never saw again) told me fibromyalgia was related to being a perfectionist, and I needed to exercise. And that was it. That was all that his many years of training and experience could bring him to say. When I told a family member (who…

Heavy Sweating in Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

by Julia Nelson “I have a problem—unexplained excessive sweating, like just stepping out of the shower, hair dripping wet, clothes soaked! … It has put a big damper on my lifestyle.” “My limbs get so cold and painful … and yet my face will be sweating from the heat inside.” “What exactly causes the excessive sweating?…

Evidence of Nerve Damage in About Half of Fibromyalgia Patients

by Julia Nelson Summary:About half of a small group of patients with fibromyalgia — a common syndrome that causes chronic pain and other symptoms — was found to have damage to nerve fibers in their skin and other evidence of a disease called small-fiber polyneuropathy (SFPN). Unlike fibromyalgia, SFPN has a clear pathology and is known…

How to Deal With Fibromyalgia Rash and Skin Problems

by Julia Nelson Dealing With Fibromyalgia Rash Often when we think about fibromyalgia, we think of muscle pain, fatigue, sleep problems, digestive complaints and mood issues. However, many fibromyalgia sufferers also deal with rashes and other skin changes, which can be distressing and uncomfortable. Fibromyalgia and Skin Problems As many as 50 – 80 percent of individuals…

The Part of Life With Fibromyalgia I Haven’t Told You About

by Julia Nelson I’m a fairly open person when it comes to physical and mental illness, but I can also be very reserved, especially about my chronic pain and fatigue. It’s not because I don’t want to share about what’s going on with me, but because I don’t want people to think I’m a “whiner” or “attention seeker.”…

What Causes the Fibromyalgia Burning Sensation?

by Julia Nelson Do you ever feel like your bones are on fire? What about the top of your leg or your back, maybe even under the skin? Some fibromyalgia patients feel like lava is being pumped through their veins rather than blood. They might even have a burning sensation in their brain, which is hard…

Fibromyalgia Symptoms Checklist

by Julia Nelson Getting diagnosed with fibromyalgia is usually a difficult process, even though it’s now easier than it used to be. It can be challenging to find a doctor who will take your concerns seriously. And fibromyalgia is sometimes called “the great mimic” because so many illnesses have similar symptoms. Wondering if you might have…

First Signs of Fibromyalgia: Early Signs and Symptoms

by Julia Nelson If you are struggling with pain, you may be thinking about whether or not you struggle with a disease known as fibromyalgia. So what are the first signs of fibromyalgia? This disease has a number of different symptoms, and because of this, it’s important for us to try and understand what the first signs…

What is Occipital Neuralgia? How Is It Related To Fibromyalgia?

by Julia Nelson One of the worst things about fibromyalgia, besides the chronic pain and fatigue, has to be the way that people who suffer from fibromyalgia are at risk of so many other conditions like autoimmune diseases and especially, chronic headaches. It’s estimated that up to forty percent of people with fibromyalgia suffer from migraines or…

Main Fibromyalgia Causes In Women That No One Knows Yet

by Julia Nelson Women are far more likely than men to get Fibromyalgia Causes —a disease that causes pain and tender points throughout the body. Between 80 and 90 percent of people who are diagnosed with this condition are women, according to the National Institutes of Health. The reason for this gender inequality may have to…