Recovery from Fibromyalgia

I have had Fibromyalgia for over 25 years. During that time I was a full time nurse in a very busy unit & had a hectic family life.

I couldn’t understand why I had developed severe stabbing pain in my muscles, fatigue, tingling sensations in my head & spine. I also felt as though I had a virus & my immune system was not working properly.
What I also couldn’t understand was why my symptoms decreased when on holiday abroad & increased at busy times such as Christmas etc.

My GP said I had Fibrositis & that there was very little he could do to help, eventually I went to see a Rheumatologist who took several blood tests all of which were normal & told me I had Fibromyalgia & that there was very little he could offer apart from attending a pain clinic & physiotherapy - Fibromyalgia!! What’s that?
I decided to do some research on the internet but all the information I got was from America. However I did find out that there are millions of people with this condition, surely someone would know the answer as to what was causing these symptoms, I got the impression from the medical profession that really it was all in the head, in other words it was a psychological rather than a physical condition, how frustrating & hurtful this makes you feel
Since then I have taken several pills & potions, kept fit by going to the Gym & read numerous books, (all American), attended a Fibromyalgia help group etc, none of which helped. In the end I felt that I had to just get on with it as suggested by my GP, so I did just that, I put on a brave face & got on with everyday painful living. In fact none of my colleagues & most members of my family knew I was unwell, I kept it all to myself & continued to help others as I had always done.

Little did I know that keeping my problem to myself & not asking for help was not doing me any good.
I had finally come to the conclusion that there really was nothing to be done until I read an article in my local newspaper of a nurse Lyn White who had ME & had recovered after having Reverse Therapy & had become a therapist. Could she do anything for me?

During the first session Lyn explained in the most simple & understandable way why we have pain & that an area in the brain called the hypothalamus goes into overdrive if we ignore emotions and symptoms sent by our body to warn us of a difficult situation we need to act upon, & how this can lead to pain, she explained also how important it was to have variety in life including having fun, something I had forgotten about long ago

Lyn reassured me that Fibromyalgia is a physical illness based on neurological & hormonal changes & not a psychological disorder – Wow, at last I felt I was listening to someone who knew what they were talking about, she answered all my queries as to why I had all these symptoms, including why they disappeared on holiday, it really made sense.

I have completed my sessions with Lyn & although I found Bodymind difficult to understand at first, I stuck with it following all Lyn’s advice. I can honestly say that she has changed my life, I now have the tools to deal with any situation that life throws at me to help keep me keep free from pain, I feel I can now look forward to the future, it was worth every penny

If anyone in the medical profession reads this then I strongly advise them to read John Eaton’s book. It really does make sense. Most people with CFS/ME & Fibromyalgia are not malingerers, time wasters, hypochondriacs, we need help & thank goodness someone has finally found the answer.       

PJ 2007