Beyond the Pain

When you are dealing with non-specific pain like that associated with fibromyalgia, lupus, MS, nerve damage, and others — it usually takes more than a pretty pink pill to end it.

I’ve been grappling with severe, lengthy episodes of pain since the Fall of 2002.

And, I’ve tried a lot of things to make that pain go away…. far, far away.

I was just updating my daily health log this morning when I realized that I hadn’t experienced any severe pain episodes, of any length, since January 1st.

Whooooee!!

How come?

Putting aside all the work I did last year…and the year before… and the year before that…

Here’s what I believe made the difference. Not one thing, but several.

1) At Christmas I had a REAL break…no clients, no demands, no Internet, lots of sleep, naps, rest, and walks in the early morning, alone.

2) January 1st I revised my daily practices… see this post for the details. My three daily practices are now:

1. Write first thing — either in my diary or in my Blogs
2. Stretch — stretch physically and mentally
3. Listen — to my body, to what’s callig me, and to ALL of me (all those little voices inside)

These changes, added to the work I did last year have brought me to a place where I am free of severe myalgia.

And, I KNOW, I’ll stay that way… as long as I keep up my practices..

One of the joys of Fibro is the "pain in the butt" feeling.

Apparently, tender points are the cause. But, what causes tender points?

According to Dr. Stuart Donaldson of Myosymmetries tender points and other pain associated with Fibro is ’caused’ by "bad messaging" between the brain and muscles [my words]. As I understand it, the pain associated with Fibro is due to brain wave slowing. Apparently, some initial cause (often an MVA) will create a bodily disruption which starts flooding the brain with pain signals. Eventually the brain just shuts off — but not really. Cause it becomes super sensitive to stimulation. Hence, pressing a ‘tender point’ creates great pain for the Fibromite.

This site, the home of a massage therapist, suggests that the cause is utimately due to poor nutrition effecting the junction between muscle and myofascial tissue.

My theory?

I suspect it’s complex, as is the condition. And, I think the prime cause is different for different people. I’m one of those lucky Fibromites who experienced many of the most frequent ’causes’ of FMS. I smucked up my neck in a body surfing accident. I had a bad reaction to aneasthetic and nearly died. I had a sinus infection for a year and was treated with massive doses of anitbiotic. And, I was sexually and physically abused as a child. That’s enough to make anyone sick.

I’ve talked to many Fibromites and others who experience chronic pain. One common theme is how the pain impacts us. And, what works to make it better.

I’ve managed to find a simple but powerful way to eliminate the crushing pain I’ve experienced for the last 3 years.

But, this pain in my  butt stymies me.

Any ideas?