Although the exact cause of Fibromyalgia is not known, there are enough people with the condition to have several possible causes with positive correlations. Sadly, correlation does not mean causation! So what caused my Fibromyalgia? Personally, I know exactly why I have the condition. It directly correlates with some of my life choices. That is not to say I would not have developed the condition either way, however if anyone can learn from my mistakes I am happy to share my experience.
More FibroMomBlog articles:
Fibromyalgia & Rashes 6 Ways to be thankful with a chronic illness
Fibromyalgia Causes Research
According to a WebMD article, “What Causes Fibromyalgia?” there are several possible causes which include genetics, diseases such as arthritis, trauma or abuse, depression and anxiety, PTSD, gender and not exercising enough. The article states that fibromyalgia patients have more cells that carry pain to the brain than someone who does not have the condition. So, with all this information, for me, it is easy to see why I have this ghastly condition.
It is as if I created a perfect storm for my body to fall apart on me. It could have been any number of the causes above, or even all of them. I do have family members with Fibromyalgia. Sadly, I have experienced trauma and abuse in my life as too many of us have. Arthritis is one my diagnoses and I have suffered from depression, I would say all of my life. Although, anxiety was there as a teen it became very prevalent mostly in my adult life. Having a desk job for twenty years and not exercising enough for sure had something to do with my current condition.
Like many people out there, we have lived paycheck to paycheck just barely surviving for most of our marriage. I had to work sixty-hour weeks just to barely pay the bills. I know deep in my heart that working so hard for so long, being under such deep stress for so long and not taking time to take care of myself is the main reason why I am so sick now. You might be saying to yourself right now, “Well if you know what you did wrong, you must know how to treat yourself now then!” If only changing habits was that easy.
My 10 goals to change my bad habits and take care of myself:
- Commit to daily exercise at least 15 minutes a day.
- Try to be more cognizant of what I put into my body.
- Practice meditation daily!
- Reevaluating my current work situation.
- Taking a semester or two off from working on my BA.
- Changing my mind-set when I do go back to school to manage my stress better.
- Take more time for me, such as getting a pedicure, massage etc.
- Cut myself slack when I don’t complete my “To Do List” for the day or even the week.
- Remind myself I can’t be EVERYTHING to EVERYONE and it’s ok to say NO.
- Forgive myself, when I can’t do the list above.
There is a lot of research on what causes cancer, diabetes, and obesity to name a few. There is not really much research on what causes fibromyalgia. When we find out something we are eating may cause cancer, some of us will stop eating it. Research results tend to help us make needed changes in our lives. That is why continued research on fibromyalgia is so important! The more we know about causes, symptoms and treatments, the more likely we can prevent it and possibly reverse the effects.
I urge you to get involved with International Support Fibromyalgia Network to support more education and research for Fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia currently has no cure. However, it doesn’t have to be a prison sentence. I challenge you to make a 10-goal list for yourself! What do you have control over? What can you change for yourself today? Your list will be different than mine and it should be. I really hope you take me up on this challenge and please share your list in the comments! Let’s support each other on this one, and find out how to make our selves feel better, even if for a day or an hour. As always, I am sending much love and gentle hugs to my fellow “spoonies” and “fibrowarriors”.
If you are looking for more support from the community come join my Facebook support group The Chronically Strong Warriors
I love your 10 goals to change bad habits! It’s tough but I need to take your advice and try to do the same thing! Thank you for sharing all about fibromyalgia! I love your positive mindset about it, keep pushing you are inspiring!
Thank you so much Ell, that means so much to me! You made my day!
Thanks for sharing your post on my Twitter outreach! I am glad to hear that you have come up with a list of 10 things that can help you overcome this Fibromyalgia. I hope everything goes well for you.
~ Ray
Thank you Rachel. I appreciate your support.
Wooooowww. God bless you. Your journey is inspiring!
Thank you so much for your kind words Dia. It means a lot.
These are a great 10 goals! I’ve only recently heard about fibromyalgia and it seems like such a challenge. Thank you so bring so open and vulnerable to help others!
The brutal work lifestyle we subject ourselves to have a bad impact on our health years later. I wish we could all realize that few dollars more are not worth our lives. Sending love, healing and light to you.
So true Pearl, so true!
That is a magnificently powerful list! Self-love and care, eating well, stepping back and being more patient, kinder and gentler with myself has made a huge different in my Graves Disease prognosis too. It’s amazing what a big difference those kinds of changes can make.
Sending love and healing vibes your way and wishing you well!
Thank you so much Sara! It means a lot to me that you commented on my post. I also am sending you love and healing vibes.