HopeFloats

Hi all

This discussion is really interesting. Thanks, friend, for reminding us that fibro isn't a disease. It's the name for a motley crew of symptoms reflecting bodily dysfunction, possibly a complex set of causes which most doctors neither have the time, energy nor expertise to unravel. katkat, where I live, fibro is little known and understand, well, at least, among general practitioners (as opposed to the few specialists like rheumies). So initial battles to get diagnosed were frustrating for me. What I do know is that many of my symptoms are seemingly peculiar to me, and I believe the rheumy accorded me an FM diagnosis cause that was the closest fit. I doubt his diagnosis and still do, cause "fibro" in itself is a symptom - it merely describes a state but does not account for it. (Ironically, I trooped to the doc's office asking him to "check" for fibro). So, there I was, feeling relief to get a name, yet hankering to get down to the root (what did having FM mean?? What was causing mine?? Awry hormones? Let's control the deviant hormones?). The doctor wasn't exactly very keen to tread up that path. So, keeping good faith, these days, I focus less on the root and more on doing what I can to get relief, and for me, this has been a combination of almost-daily exercise (I alternate swimming, aerobics and running), pain meds (where necessary), eating more fruits and veges and stuff that I think my body needs, including vitamins, etc, and cutting down on foods with artificial sweeteners or preserved food. I've since noticed a discernible increase in my strength and stamina which I attribute to regular and strenuous exercise (which does wonders for my mental health too!), although pain in my hands and feet I still get (the "root cause" is causing this!!). Some battles for me now are wondering about this "root cause". friend, you've just reminded me that if my pain doesn't improve, it's time to pay for some serious detective work at the doctor's office. I realise maybe with the independence and improvement that comes with a lifestyle change, I forget I owe it to myself to get to the root (although we shldn't start obessesing abt the illness). But yes, I believe exercising and eating better helps us to treat the root problem in ways we can only imagine (well, I'm optimistic - now if only I could give up coffee, which I just CAN'T being the sleepyhead that I am... well, for someone who can have like 6 dreams, several bad, in one night, it's no wonder!).