Did You Know That Fibromyalgia Weakens The Immune System?

How Fibromyalgia Weakens the Immune System

If you have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, you know that the pain and fatigue associated with the condition can be overwhelming. However, did you know that Fibromyalgia can also weaken your immune system, leaving you more vulnerable to illnesses and infections? In this blog post, we'll explore how Fibromyalgia impacts your immune system and what you can do to protect yourself.

What is Fibromyalgia?

Most of you reading this, already know what Fibromyalgia is.  Most of you that's reading this, live with fibro.  For those that are new to the word, or new to the diagnosis though, I'm going to add just a few little facts.  

Fibromyalgia is a disorder that causes chronic pain and fatigue. It is estimated that about 10 million people in the United States are living with Fibromyalgia, the majority of them being women. Fibromyalgia is often associated with depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. It is also linked to sleep disturbances .....oh, don't even get me started on THAT little comorbidity of fibro.  It's my biggest monster that I face with my fibro lol .... headaches, cognitive memory delays (commonly referrred to as "fibro fog") and other physical problems.

Fibromyalgia is a complex condition, and the exact cause is unknown. It is thought to be related to a misfiring of the central nervous system, which can lead to heightened sensitivity to pain, fatigue, and other symptoms.  All of the "unknowns" about Fibromyalgia, is what pushes me to read, research, and ADVOCATE for more research.  WE deserve answers.  WE deserve a cure.  WE deserve at the very least, a concrete universal treatment plan, that works for everyone!  

Now that we have that all out of the way, let's move on and talk about Fibro and the immune system.  

How Fibromyalgia Affects the Immune System

Fibromyalgia can weaken your immune system in several ways. One is that it can lead to an imbalance in the body's hormones, which can cause a weakened immune system. Additionally, people with Fibromyalgia often experience depression, anxiety, and stress, which can further weaken the immune system. Finally, the chronic fatigue associated with Fibromyalgia can make it difficult to get enough sleep, which is essential for a healthy immune system.

This weakened immune system can leave people with Fibromyalgia more vulnerable to illnesses and infections. People with Fibromyalgia may find themselves coming down with colds and other illnesses more often than other people and may also find that their symptoms last longer.

What You Can Do to Protect Yourself

While Fibromyalgia can weaken your immune system, there are steps you can take to protect yourself. First and foremost, it's important to get enough sleep. This can be difficult for people with Fibromyalgia, but try to stick to a regular sleep schedule and make sure you're getting at least seven to eight hours of sleep each night. It's also important to eat a healthy, balanced diet and get regular exercise.

In addition, there are some supplements that may help to boost your immunity, such as Vitamin C, Vitamin D, and probiotics. Finally, if your doctor recommends it, you may want to consider taking an immune-boosting medication to help protect your body from illnesses and infections.

Takeaway

Fibromyalgia can weaken your immune system, leaving you more vulnerable to illnesses and infections. However, there are steps you can take to protect yourself, such as getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and taking immune-boosting supplements. With the right care and self-management, you can help keep your immune system strong and protect yourself from illnesses.

It's been a long 12 years for me since I was first diagnosed, and I can still clearly remember how scared I was.  Then how sad I was.  Then how angry I was.  I can almost even still "feel" my heart racing not understanding how I could have something there wasn't a cure for.  Something that they didn't even have a solid treatment plan for, that works for everyone!  Allowing myself to still "feel" what I felt in those first few days, weeks, hours, is what still pushes me forward for all of us.  People shouldn't have to feel that way.  To this day, not enough people (medical professionals included here, for sure!) really know what Fibromyalgia is, or how it truly affects those of us that live with it.  We need to do better, to educate more people on it.

Conclusion

I had to take a break from blogging for a few years, to work on myself.  Those of you who've been around here for years, know a lot of what I've been through.  Finally, after being separated 12 years now, I should be a divorced woman!  I'm just waiting on a judges signature and the final order to arrive by certified mail!  For those of you new to TFF, yes I had a scumbag for a husband who used my diagnosis as an excuse to walk out saying that he couldn't deal with the stress that MY lifetime illness would cause him.  

My marriage ending though, was truly just the beginning of my life.  I just didn't know it at the time.  At the time, I was completely devestated.  Every single thing I've accomplished since then though, I never would have done had my marriage stayed intact.  I started pouring my entire soul into research of Fibromyalgia and writing about it.  I went to a vocational school and became a Nationally Certified Clinical Medical Assistant. I've been a contributing author to many online health magazines, and articles for the National Fibromyalgia Association.  I was interviewed by CNN and Everyday Health's Dr. Sanjay Gupta and a few articles were published as a result.  The issue of Teen Vogue that talked about Lady Gaga having Fibro, contains a quote from me within the article.  Healthline awarded me many years straight, as a top Fibromyalgia blogger.  I had a full RNY Gastric Bypass and lost well over 100 pounds. I've had my gallbladder removed, a hernia repair, and exploratory surgery. I had a breast reduction and lift to get rid of the extra skin from the weight loss.  I was on a television show on TLC.  Most of all though, I learned through rediscovering myself, that my purpose in this life is to help others.  Just like I had been through blogging.  I gained my self-esteem back after decades of mental abuse.

Through these past 12 years of reading and researching and talking to medical professionals I learned a lot.  I learned a lot of natural (meaning non-medication) ways to help myself deal with the pain and sicknesses I have.  Discovering my true life passion of wanting to help others, I've taken a lot of certification courses so that I can start helping others learn to take control of their lives back again,too.  I can only do so much, with just writing blog posts. I yearned to do more.  To be a bigger asset to those not only within the chronic pain/chronic fatigue community, but also within the LGBTQIA+ community.  I myself am heterosexual, but I have so SO many friends that are within the LGBTQIA+ community.  I have a "kid" (he was my youngest daughters BFF) that is homosexual, that I truly consider a son of mine.  -It doesn't take blood to make family, folks!  I've found that many homosexual and transgender people have sought me out, needing to talk.  Some needing assurance that it's OKAY to be themselves.  Some needing a little help with coming out.  Some, deal with chronic pain/chronic fatigue illnessess too, just like I do!  I have had so many people regardless of family style, age, sexual orientation, etc reach out to me asking for advice & help navigating this thing called life. 

So the certifications I've gained, and the techniques I've learned, are beneficial to just about anyone out there!  Daily, I use a combination of the techniques I've learned, to help me cope with my chronic pain and fatigue.  My stress and anxiety.  My self-esteem issues, and road rage haha! I really don't know how I lived without them. In all honesty, I wasn't living. I was pretty much stuck in the "flight or fight" mode all day every day. I was scared. I was in horrible pain.  I was angry and resentful.  I'm here today to tell you though, that I TOOK MY LIFE BACK!!  I'm here to help YOU take your life back, too!  You CAN do it!  

I'm currently accepting new clients, and all sessions are via Zoom.  I'm a certified meditation facilitator & coach, NLP Practioner, Emotional Intelligence Coach, LGBTQIA+ Ally & Coming Out Specialist, and Master Life Coach!  -I'm telling you all, combinations of all of these practices along with CBT has given me control over my life again.  Let me help YOU gain control of your life back too!

Contact me here through the blog, on FB at: My Facebook Page

On My Twitter Page

Or on My IG Page 

You can find a variety of pin boards, loads of recipes I used post-gastric bypass, inspirational quotes, etc on my Pinterest Page

As always, Never give up HOPE, because without HOPE you don't have anything! -And remember YOUR HAPPINESS MATTERS!! -Let's work together to build a better, happier, and healthier YOU!

Could You Pass The Rootbeer, Please?

Early this past Sunday morning, I woke up and was swallowing over and over to try and keep from throwing up.  Thank goodness that it's only about 4 giant leaps from the edge of my bed, to my toilet.  I moved quicker then I have in years!  I ended up grabbing the trash can and taking it back to my bed.  It's a kitchen sized can, 13 gallon.  It was the perfect height to match the top edge of my bed.  

From that moment on, all I did was hang my head over, with my eyes still shut, and got sick.  Over and over and over.  At 4:30pm Sunday afternoon I finally managed to crawl from my bed, to my computer chair.  I was only up for 3.5 hours before I had to go back to bed.  To say I was sick, was an understatement. Honestly, I laid on my side, crying, and telling myself that death may be a welcomed distraction willing myself not to vomit any more.  I couldn't remember when I'd ever been so sick.  I vomited so much, and so hard, that I lost my voice.  All I could do until today, was croak out a soft, raspy whisper.  Even yesterday when my parents called to make sure I was still alive see if I was feeling better, they couldn't make out what I was trying to say to them on the phone.

So, we've all heard this talk about spoons.  Most of us have read The Spoon Theory (which is wonderful, btw) and understand that we only have so many spoons each and every day to work with.  With the roasting hot sweating, then chilling, then vomiting, then groaning, then having my hip or shoulder start hurting from laying in bed so long so I'd have to slowly move while demanding praying that movement didn't make me vomit anymore, my spoons were gone.  Quickly.  My spoons for Monday were also gone.  In the blink of an eye.  Pretty much I've figured out, my spoons for this entire WEEK are gone. 

Today is the first day that I've felt slightly human again.  Good news, right?!  Well, I thought it would be good news, but no.  Now, I've been fighting a headache (possibly a sinus headache) the entire day and night.  It starts getting late and my crappy insomnia rears it's ugly head.  My neck and shoulders are throbbing.  I walked out to the kitchen to get a glass of ice water, and my mid-back had me blinking back tears of joy pain all the way back to my computer chair.  -Don't forget, my computer chair is the only seat I have in this entire house that doesn't kill my back to sit in.  My knees make me cuss under my breath holler a loud "OUCH" every time I stand.  The front of my upper legs, are throbbing with pain. I just took two Tramadol pain pills, and two Tylenol.  I also took 100mg of Amitriptyline.  Why am I whining and complaining telling you all this?  I'm telling you all this, because I'm sick of it.  Come on, I couldn't have ONE dang day and night where I didn't hurt so bad that I could lose my mind scream?

Same crap, different day.  Horrible pain flare.  Horrible insomnia flare.  I can't lie, I have had a few days here and there since April where I wasn't in excruciating, mind blowing, blood curling pain, but I've had a ton of flares, that last and last before getting a break.  Insomnia, on the other hand, has been a horrible, vile, viscous monster since April.  Every night, I sit here so tired I could literally cry.  I sit here in pain.  I take 100mg of Amitriptyline then sit and wait for it to ever kick in so that I may get a few hours of sleep.  I take the tramadol and most of the time either Tylenol or Ibuprofen in addition, then sit and pray that it at least dulls some of the deep muscular and joint aches and pains, so that I can fall asleep when the Amitriptyline kicks in. My fibro fog has been so bad this week, that I've forgotten my daytime meds two or three times.  I'm just sick to death of it all!  I feel like all I do is eat pills, sit and wait, pray they work.

Do you want to know something else that pisses me off makes me mad?  No matter what it is that someone in my household gets, I get it a hundred-million-trillion times worse then they do.  If one of my kids has a mild cold, I get bronchitis.  If one of my kids gets bronchitis, I get pneumonia.  No joke.  I sick so much easier, and so much worse, then anyone around me.  I swear, every time that I go somewhere that's super crowded I get sick.  It doesn't matter how many times I wash my hands.  It doesn't matter how many gallons bottles of hand sanitizer I use, I get sick.  A week ago Saturday we went to Fort Rapids Resort and Indoor Water Park.  We left for home Sunday, late afternoon.  One week later, this past early Sunday a.m. is when I started vomiting from some nasty bug.  

This 3am bs crap?  Yeah, it's 3am when I'm lucky, has got to stop.  I know that's part of my problem.  Did you realize insomnia lowers your immune system?  Yep, it's true. It really does.  If you do a google search on the topic, you'll get more information about it then you'd ever believe you could.  Just for a quick reference though, check out THIS link for some information on it from The Mayo Clinic.  Did you also know that studies have proven that insomnia causes depression?  Check out THIS article from CBS News.  

Now that I'm done whining like a 2 year old about my miserable, crappy life, I'll go on to a more upbeat, positive approach.  EDUCATION IS KEY!  May is Fibromyalgia Awareness Month, but September is Chronic Pain Awareness Month and anyone with Fibromyalgia knows that chronic pain is a huge part of their daily lives.  Having all these "awareness" months honestly seems like a big ole bottle of hog wash to me. If you're going to advocate and try to spread awareness, why in the heck would you just do it one month out of the year? Hmm ....something to think about, isn't it?  If we don't educate the community, the health care workers, the politicians, the pharmaceutical companies, our own FAMILIES & FRIENDS, then how will change ever come about?  We have to stand up and make everyone understand what it's like to live just one week; heck just one day, in our lives.  If anyone knows of a church or a company, an organization or a conference, or even a community, that would be interested in being educated about living with chronic pain & fatigue from a patients view, please send them to me.  I wish I could present my chronic pain seminar somewhere every single weekend.  Even if I had to crawl to the front due to a pain flare, I assure you I'd be there anyway!  Also, if you know of any person, group, business, or organization that would be willing to donate to my chronic pain seminar fund, please give them THIS link.  I'm trying to raise funds to rent conference rooms at large hotels, and advertising money, to present this seminar.  

Thank you all for listening to my whining and ranting.  It feels good to know that I'm not alone out there, but at the same time I hate to know that there ARE people out there who knows where I'm coming from and how I feel.  I hope & pray that someday in the near future we'll have a cure for chronic pain and fatigue disorders.  Or at the very least a standard, universal treatment plan that actually works!  In the mean time, since I can't have a real beer due to all of my meds, could you please pass me a root beer to drown my sorrows in?