Living With the Temperature Sensitivity of Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Tuesday December 2, 2008
Temperature sensitivities that come along with fibromyalgia (FMS) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS or ME/CFS) can make this time of year especially hard. I find myself spending more and more time planning how I dress - not to look my best, but to be able to deal with the heat and cold.
If you're cold sensitive, of course the trick is to stay bundled up. If you're heat sensitive, you don't dress as warmly as others. When you're both, though, it gets more complicated.
My temperature is all over the map, and heat and cold each make certain symptoms worse. This time of year, things like family gatherings and holiday shopping pose a special problem - it's FREEZING outside, so I need to dress warmly, but will the house/store be hot or drafty?
The best thing I've found is to dress in layers, and shop in stores where I can put those layers in the cart so I don't have to haul them around. My feet are often the key to my overall temperature, so I make sure to keep them warm and dry, but if they're getting too warm I slip into a bathroom or dressing room to take them off and cool down for a few moments.
At family gatherings, the house generally gets too hot, so I make sure to avoid anything heavy, and I step outside now and then to cool off, or go into the bathroom and run my wrists and hands under cold water. I also think a lot about the temperature of what I'm drinking.
What are your tricks for staying not-too-hot but not-too-cold? Share them here, or in About.com's Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome community forum (under Newsletter & Blog Topics.)
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Abnormal Brain Structure Predicts Severity of Fibromyalgia Symptoms
Monday December 1, 2008
NEWSBRIEF: Imaging scans called magnectic resonanace diffusion-tensor imaging (MR-DTI) and magnetic resonance imaging of voxel-based morphometry (MR-VBM) showed what researchers call a "striking pattern of changes in brain morphology" in people with fibromyalgia (FMS).
In this study, abnormal brain morphology (form and structure) was detected in multiple regions of the brain. Changes detected with MR-DTI correlated with pain intensity, fatigue, self-perceived physical impairment, and stress symptoms. MR-VBM measurements didn't correlate to symptom intensities.
Researchers concluded that MR-DTI may support a diagnosis of FMS and possibly of similar pain syndromes as well.
Related Content: Abnormal Blood Flow to the Brain in Fibromyalgia
Is Misplaced Enzyme to Blame for Post-Exercise Fatigue in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?
Monday December 1, 2008
NEWSBRIEF: Scientists from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute say they've made a discovery that could be significant for treating exercise-related fatigue (called post-exertional malaise) in people with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS or ME/CFS), some forms of muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis.
Researchers say an enzyme called neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) isn't where it should be, which is in the membrane surrounding your muscle cells. The effect of this missing enzyme is that the blood vessels feeding active muscles don't relax like they should. In animal trials, this causes fatigue after very mild levels of exertion.
Also in those animal trials, a Viagra-like drug helped regulate nitric oxide activity and allowed for much more physical activity. Researchers say, however, that Viagra is too short lasting to be considered a treatment for people with lowered exercise tolerance. Longer-acting drugs in the same class (PDE inhibitors) currently are being used experimental and could be considered for clinical trials.
Related Content: Exercise & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Dealing With Food Sensitivities During the Holidays
Sunday November 30, 2008
One of the many aspects of fibromyalgia (FMS) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS or ME/CFS) is food sensitivities. This time of year, with all the traditional holiday foods, poses a real challenge for those of us who pay consequences for eating the wrong things.
Food sensitivities can cause digestive or intestinal problems, inflammation, fatigue, immune system abnormalities, headaches, depression, muscle pain, coordination problems and cognitive issues. Hmmm ... where have I heard that constellation of symptoms before? Ah yes - FMS, ME/CFS and other conditions linked to central sensitization.
As with so many other things, food sensitivities can make our symptoms worse. For some, it's a little worse. When I eat a lot of sugar, for instance, I get some inflammation and water retention that make my muscles ache more. For others, food sensitivities can be debilitating (think irritable bowel syndrome and Celiac disease.)
The first step toward managing your food sensitivities is to identify them, through symptom journaling and/or an elimination diet. After that, it's all about avoidance, and that's especially difficult during the holidays. A few simple tricks can help you resist temptation:
- When you're going to a party or event, don't arrive hungry! If you're only nibbling on a few things, you're less likely to over-indulge in the things that don't suit you.
- Plan to take a day or two to recover from holiday parties. (This is a good idea even if you don't have food sensitivities!)
- Make sure friends and family know about your food issues and work with them on alternatives.
- Find alternative recipes for your favorite things so you can safely indulge.
What are your food sensitivities and how do you deal with them this time of year? Share your tips and experiences here or in About.com's Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome community forum (under Newsletter & Blog Topics.)
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