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?
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!
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