God is the Lighthouse
Lighting the Pathway
through which we go.
WELCOME TO
KATHYS
FIBROMYALGIA
Hello, My name is Kathy, and I am a Physical Therapist Assistant, who also
has Fibromyalgia (FMS) and Myofascial Pain Syndromes. My hobbies
are Singing Southern Gospel Music, Researching Fibromyalgia/Myofascial Pain
Syndromes and Creating webpages for others to enjoy, some of which will be
hyperlinked at the bottom of this page. I hope that you find something
of value in its content. I am endeavoring to be a beacon for those
who have FMS by creating pages of information on FMS, and inspirational pages
to uplift others, pointing them to God, for He is my Strength, and the Guiding
force on this path that I walk, until I am called home to heaven to be with
Him.
What is Fibromyalgia? Well, it is many things, in Laymans terms I describe
it as a disorder of brain chemicals, characterized by Chronic diffuse bodywide
muscle spasm, stiffness, fatigue and sleep disturbances.
People with FMS have a serious problem with their sleep patterns, including
deficiencies in their Deep Stage 4 Sleep or Rem time.
This problem manifests itself in many of the associated signs and symptoms
that show up during the course of the syndrome. On my large website
linked below you can find a listing of many of the associated signs and symptoms,
so I won't list them here.
Myofascial Pain Syndrome is characterized by myofascial (muscle/fascia) trigger
points, which can be reversed, minimized or eliminated with proper treatment.
Fibromyalgia is NOT a mental illness, NOT Imagined, NOT measurable, and NOT
observable, that is what makes it so illusive. It is not a new syndrome,
it was first documented in 1843 by Dr. William Balfour in England, but it
was not seriously recognized as a problem until the early 1990's.
Systems involved in FMS are:
As you can see, by the above systems that are involved, that this is a serious
health problem for those who are disgnosed and suffering from Fibromyalgia.
Ages affected with FMS range from 4 to 85, and research is showing a strong
genetic familial link.
Let's see, how long have I had FMS? Well, in researching my FMS in
light of my health history, I find that my first diagnosis associated to
FMS was when I was 15, Spastic Colitis. Since the age of 15 I have
had 8 major surgeries totaling 12 procedures, been misdiagnosed twice, (one
time almost dying because of it,) birthed 2 healthy sons, when they said
I would probably not be able to conceive, much less carry a baby to term,.
The Colitis progressed to gastritis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome and GERD
(Gastro-esophageal-reflux disease). I have sleep problems, Raynauds
Phenomenon (circulation problems hands/feet), memory problems and when fatigued
I display acquired dyslexia, to name a few of the associated problems I have,
as well as pain all over, all the time and chronic fatigue.
The Good News is that I am learning how to take back some of the control
over my life that I lost. How do I accomplish that you wonder?
-
Finding a Doctor who believes in and understands FMS, and is willing to help
me learn how to get back some of the control over my life.
-
Nutritional Supplements - to supplement what my body is not synthesizing
or using in the proper quantities for good health.
-
Gentle Aerobic Stretching and Exercise daily.
-
Some medications for sleep, muscle relaxation and anxiety.
-
Learning to pace myself and use energy conservation methods to conserve the
energy that I have.
I hope that if you have Fibromyalgia and/or Myofascial Pain Syndromes that
you will take time to surf my other sites hyperlinked below for more information
and inspirational pages to uplift your spirits.
This is the first day of the rest of your life, What are you going to do
with it? As for me, each day that the Lord gives me, I choose to be
happy in whatever circumstance that I happen to be in, and not wallow in
my pain. I choose to take back the control that these illnesses have
taken from me, and I choose to help anyone who wants to help themselves to
better health.
God never said our lives would be without pain and suffering, for it is,
but He did say that wherever those who have believed, called upon the name
of the Lord to save them, He promises to be with us, no matter in whatever
state we are in. We don't ever have feel that we are ALONE!! For He
is holding us in the palm of His hands, guiding us, loving us and caring
for us.
http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Villa/5998/index.html
Kathys Fibromyalgia
http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Villa/page4.html
I Refuse to be Discouraged
http://members.aol.com/ThePTA/index.html
Warm and Gentle Hugs - Flying through the Storm
http://abcjb.com/fm/index.htm
Our FM/CFS World Website - Lots of great info on FMS/CFS
ThePTA@aol.com
