Fibromyalgia in Lanzarote
Jeanne Hambleton is a lovely lady who has visited Lanzarote a number of times. She suffers from a condition known as fibromyalgia - and we are very grateful to her for this informative article.
FIBRO WHAT?
By Jeanne Hambleton © Fibromite, NFA Leader Against Pain
Do you have aches and pains all the time and feel as if you have flu? Maybe you are like us and you cannot walk too far without a sit down? Do you get half way up the stairs and feel so weak you decide you will not come down the stairs again until tomorrow.
Do you stumble when you get out of bed in the morning and 10 minutes later you are more mobile? You probably cannot sleep at nights – for the pain or maybe you are just too wide-awake in a ‘fight or flight’ situation.
Like 10% of the population who are walking around with these symptoms, you probably think it is all to do with age.
Many women in the UK, in fact 2% of the population know it is not old age – but it is an invisible disability called the Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS). People in stressful jobs, perfectionists, high achievers and super mums are all vulnerable. Faced with today’s economic climate - high mortgage repayments, repossessions, increased food and fuel costs, any woman juggling her career with her home, husband and family, is a prime target for fibromyalgia. This rotten disease targets mainly women.
So why am I telling you all this? No, I do not need your sympathy, thanks. Instead I want to help. Unfortunately I too have fibromyalgia and constantly hear folk say, “Fibro what?” They add they have never heard of it - like 99% of the population. So my mission is to raise awareness that I hope will lead to UK government funding for research.
As a fibromite you may live in a world where no one understands the sudden floating pain and the chronic fatigue. Where people think you are lazy must because you cannot stand and do your own washing up? They cannot understand why you have to sit down all the time and cannot keep any appointments as you may have a fibro flare that day.
Well I have been there and done that. I have been researching fibromyalgia since 2003 and I am now writing a book about fibromyalgia – so I have a few answers. If I do not – I know a man who can? I am chairman of the East Hampshire Borders Fibromyalgia Philanthropists Support Group and run monthly social fibromyalgia lunches. All my members receive a free monthly newsletter with stories, links, and a few laughs for good measure. If you would like to be a virtual member – no fees, no strings attached, just emails - get in touch with Elle and she will forward your emails to me. As I am struggling to finish the book it might not be until December.
Fibromyalgia is very real. It is NOT all in your head
If you can remember if one of their grandparents, or parents had what was thought to be arthritis or rheumatism, there is a good chance you have fibromyalgia if you have all the aches and pains, chronic fatigue, sleep disorder, cognitive problems, stumble and don’t do mornings……
Yes it is thought to be hereditary. I now believe the awful pains my father endured WAS fibromyalgia and my youngest son is in denial but showing all the signs. Even Florence Nightingale spent the latter years of her life bed-ridden with an illness akin to fibromyalgia. In the 1980s it was called fibrositis.
Before my diagnosis in 2003 the doctor sent me for blood tests – there was no
marker! Next we had an x-ray to see what is causing the pain – no inflammation. We tried a scan – nothing. I am sure some of you have been through this and get the distinct feeling the doctor thinks you are a mad malinger. Some GPs have been known to say it is
all in your head – suggesting you are imaging the pains.
In fact much of the fibromyalgia syndrome begins in your head. Very recent research in America has shown that fibromyalgia is the result of a chemical imbalance because our brains are not producing enough of the required chemicals. They even say a
fibromite’s brain is wired different to “normals”. I could go on about endorphins, dopamine and even the hippocampus - but that would bore you to tears.
The worst part of not knowing what was wrong with me was the thought that I would die. I cannot explain the relief I felt when I heard it is fibromyalgia. What I did not realise is I live with pain for the rest of my life… or until they find a cure.
Living in the UK in the winter when the weather is dull, cold, wet and miserable is especially depressing for fibromites. It has been shown that the British winter climate does cause flares and pain for many people suffering with this condition. Living in the sun in Lanzarote must, by comparison, be like second heaven – pure bliss – and much much less pain. I would imagine moving to the island has improved your health and well-being dramatically thanks to the slower pace of living, the climate, the food and what was that Elle said, lunch in a bottle. (Elle says, “Cheeky!”) If you are a fibromite who is now pain free living in Lanzarote please tell me your story - I would love to hear it.
Did you know a recent FM Global Survey revealed that 89% of the UK GPs and the specialists they send us to have admitted they have had no formal training for fibromyalgia. They also confirm they are hesitant to confirm fibromyalgia due to conflicting symptoms. I believe there were 22 symptoms at my last count - some Internet sites show lots more.
Did you know we now have our first Fibro What CD? The song written and sung by Dominic Collins, an award winning comedy singer-song writer who donated this to help our research fund. Dom also gave jus three tongue in cheek backing tracks to ensure the CD would appeal to all the family. The CD includes Fibro What, A Girl Called Chips, Can You Lend Me a Tenner Dad and Does My Ar.. Look Big In These? To hear a verse or two logon to www.domcollins.co.uk/MYSPACE.
To support research to find a cure and buy a CD email jeannehambleton@mac.com.
Hope we will talk again soon. Fibro hugs Jeanne
