Living with Chronic Pain~ Fibromyalgia

This gal Dominie, sends out news letters on fibro. It has been such a blessing. When you suffer with pain it can be very lonely, and isolating, because many do not understand.


Fibromyalgia is real. I was diagnosed in 1982 and have maintained an informational and supportive website at http://www.fms-help.com since 1996. I also write a free weekly newsletter covering many topics related to FMS. I am “managed” but not “cured” (www.fms-help.com/what.htm). I have heard from thousands of people with fibromyalgia from all over the world. They have identical symptoms, but differ in lifestyle, culture, gender, climate, diet, age, race, nationality, occupation, education, etc. I believe that fibromyalgia may be something viral adversely affecting the brain and nervous system. A list of occupations of my readers is at http://www.fms-help.com/occupations.htm. You will see that fibromyalgia is an “equal opportunity” illness. For those who are “skeptics,” may I caution you to temper your statements, as your turn may be next.— Dominie Bush

Here is what I found on Acupuncture

Very Interesting.......I had no idea really about this... I am sure glad I looked it up though.

Should A Christian Participate In Acupuncture?

With that information as a basis, can we find an answer about false religion in Scripture? The answer is yes. There are numerous commands to Israel by God that deal with the false gods of the pagans that surrounded them. We find many of these commandments in Leviticus and again in Deuteronomy. However the first commandment God gave to Israel is the foundation of all of these commandments. "Thou shalt have no other gods before Me" (Exodus 20:3).The question of whether acupuncture is biblical is answered by the first commandment from the Old Testament that is repeated in the New Testament (Matthew 22:37-40).

Any practice that is part of a false religion is not biblical. The fact that our society has been inundated by imported Eastern religions and "New Age" practices is another sign of the "last days" (2 Timothy 3:1-7). However, these things are not "new" at all. Rather, they are the old counterfeit religions masquerading as legitimate practices. No wonder the Apostle Paul warned us that Satan and his ministers masqueraded as angels of light. "For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve" (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).

Adding the word "Christian" to something does not legitimize it nor does it make it biblical. The term "Christian acupuncture" is what is known as an "oxymoron" or a self-contradiction. In other words, the two words cancel out each other. Acupuncture is not based in the foundations of Christianity. The definition of a Christian means a follower of Christ. Acupuncture is a practice of an ancient Chinese religion and philosophy that has no place in the life of a born again believer. Acupuncture may seem harmless and innocuous and perhaps even "beneficial" but it can be a doorway to the occult. William Divine, chairman of the California Acupuncture Association said, "You could bring one patient in and five different practitioners could look at him and they would come up with five different diagnoses and none of them would be wrong." In other words, none of these five practitioners know the truth. They are all operating from their own opinions based in superstition rather than a diagnosis based in true knowledge. A needle piercing the skin could conceivably cause a beneficial reaction to a nerve, but that is not the original theory behind the practice of acupuncture.

There are many who are practitioners of this philosophy that are deceived as to its true origin and what they are really involved with.As to the difference between acupuncture and acupressure, instead of needles, pressure is placed upon nerve centers. For instance there are pressure points said to be in the sole of the foot and the palm of the hand that correspond to other areas of the body. Acupressure would seem to mean the same as deep massage therapy where the muscles of the body are exposed to pressure to increase blood flow. However, if the process is practiced to bring the body into the harmony of yin and yang, then it is rooted in occultism. The question becomes is it being practiced as part and parcel of the same philosophic origins of Chinese acupuncture? The answer to that question should be the guiding issue.The important issue here is separation for the born-again believer from any and all practices that would bring them the danger of bondage to counterfeit religions.

Ignorance of evil is a danger and the more we inform ourselves as to the true origin of the Eastern philosophies and practices, the more we see that they are rooted in superstition, occultism and false religions that are in direct opposition to God's Word. The world's false religions teach that there are "many paths to God." This is the ultimate lie. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no one comes to the Father, except through Me" (John 14:6). None of the counterfeit religions can bring us into harmony with God. The only way is through the Lord Jesus Christ.

God Keeps His Promises~ Fibromyalgia

Although I did not like what the doctor said and the condition I have, I do know God is in control. As I serched the internet I began to understand more about my condition. After years of Chronic pain, it feels good to know what is wrong. I will share more later. I am off to the pool now.

Hugs,
Brandie


Diagnosis : FIBROMYALGIA


What Is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a non-life-threatening, chronic disorder of the muscles and surrounding soft tissue, including ligaments and tendons. Its main symptoms are muscle pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and tender points at certain parts of the body. Many people describe fibromyalgia as feeling like a persistent flu.

Some health care providers may use these terms to refer to fibromyalgia: fibromyositis, fibrositis, periarticular fibrositis, muscular rheumatism, chronic muscle pain syndrome, musculoskeletal pain syndrome, or tension myalgia. However, "fibromyalgia," which means "pain of the muscles and other fibrous tissue," is the accepted term and has replaced some of the others. Terms ending in "-itis," which means "inflammation," are now considered incorrect because inflammation does not play a significant role in fibromyalgia.

Key Characteristics of Fibromyalgia
Muscle pain, either throughout the body or only at certain points, is the primary symptom of fibromyalgia. It may range from mild discomfort to pain severe enough to limit work, social activities, and everyday tasks. Pain commonly occurs in the neck, upper back, shoulders, chest, rib cage, lower back, and thighs and may feel like a burning, gnawing, throbbing, stabbing, or aching sensation and may develop gradually. It usually seems worse when a person is trying to relax and is less noticeable during activity.

A related, key aspect of fibromyalgia is the presence of "tender points," muscles and tendons that are tender when pressed. Typically, tender points are located in the neck, back, knee, shoulder, elbow, and hip.

People with fibromyalgia, which is also linked to depression, also feel moderately to severely fatigued and have sleep problems, including insomnia. This may result from restless legs and arms, which may disrupt their sleep, or they may suffer from sleep apnea or grind their teeth while they sleep.

Tender Points and Fibromyalgia
According to the American Academy of Rheumatology, for a diagnosis of fibromyalgia, you must have unusual tenderness at a minimum of 11 of 18 specific "tender points" associated with the condition. Some health care providers diagnose fibromyalgia in patients who have fewer tender points but who otherwise have severe, widespread (meaning upper and lower body occurring on both right and left sides) pain symptoms that are present for at least three months.

The standard tender points are located in the muscles or other soft tissue on both sides and the front and back of the body. Those who have fibromyalgia may have unusual tenderness at any of several other points on the body as well.



Who Is Affected by Fibromyalgia?
Experts estimate that 3 million to 6 million Americans have fibromyalgia. Of these, 80% are women. One of the main risk factors is being a woman between the age of 20 and 50. Another risk factor is having a rheumatic disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or Sjogren's syndrome. Fibromyalgia also seems to run in families, so a gene may be at least partly responsible for the condition. Most people with fibromyalgia begin to notice symptoms between the ages of 20 and 40, but children and older adults may also develop the condition. Women with fibromyalgia typically feel pain throughout their body, while men are more likely to have facial pain or pain and stiffness in a certain part of the body as a result of a work- or recreation-related muscle strain.

~WebMD Medical Reference

Ozone Gas???

Ok this seems wierd? Ozone Gas???? sign me up...lol

Ozone Gas May Relieve Back Pain
Research shows that injecting the spine with ozone gas may relieve herniated disc-related lower back pain. But not all experts are convinced.
Also See:
• Obesity Can Be a Pain in the Back
• Study Shows Fibromyalgia Is Real
http://www.webmd.com/back-pain/news/20090309/ozone-may-help-herniated-disc-pain?ecd=wnl_cbp_031909

Living With Chronic Pain

This can be a huge stumbling block for many Christians! It certainly can be for me.
I had to go to another doctors appointment for pain management today. The doctors basically told me that I will live with Chronic Pain the rest of my life. Now there are things that can help, which I am so thankful for. You learn how to deal with it, after awhile. However I think what is most frustrating is family and friends who do not understand. I have got comments like "You are always sick, What's wrong with you?
Why? Why? Why? I found this article, that really is profound. The statistic is that 1 out of 2 people suffer from Chronic pain. So you or someone you know has it!

Nearly 1 in 2 Americans (133 million)

1live with chronic conditions and illnesses, such as arthritis, multiple sclerosis (MS), diabetes and lupus.

Their symptoms—like pain, fatigue, muscle aches and weakness, disturbances in vision, cognitive difficulty, intestinal distress and memory loss—aren't always visible to the naked eye. Harder still, friends, family and co-workers can't always recognize a sense of loss, loneliness and isolation.

Despite the obstacles sufferers must overcome on a daily basis, experts agree that, yes, people living with chronic conditions can live full and meaningful lives, regardless of the severity of their condition.

In this series of articles, we want to explore the impact chronic illness has on life and relationships. You'll learn how sufferers develop rich prayer lives and intimacy with God, rediscover latent gifts and abilities—even launch new ministries and careers. Faced with physical and emotional limitations, they discover joy in life's simple pleasures: the laughter of a child, God's artistry in nature and a slower, more reflective pace of life.

Mental health experts, pastors and the chronically ill weigh in on the issues that matter most—how to adjust to life, rebuilding your life after the diagnosis and what the Bible says about pain and suffering.

We talk about the grieving process, feelings of purposeless and the loss of identity those with chronic illness often experience. We discover that, although our chronic illness robs us of many aspects of life, it cannot take from us our greatest freedom—to choose God in the midst of our suffering, to seek His glory despite our pain.
In his book, Man's Search for Meaning, Holocaust survivor Dr. Viktor Frankl shares this story:

"We who lived in concentration camps can remember the men who walked through the huts comforting others, giving away their last piece of bread. They may have been few in number, but they offer sufficient proof that everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way. "

2

We can choose to become bitter about our illness, or we can choose to use it as a catalyst for growth. We can choose to focus on what we cannot do, or we can look for opportunities to use the abilities we have to honor God. We can choose to believe that the most significant seasons of our lives are past, or we can choose to believe God's Word—that He delights in using the weak to confound the wise and that His power is made perfect in our weakness.

We hope this series of articles inspires you to make healthy choices—to seek God in your pain, to find the help and support you need and to turn obstacles into opportunities for growth.

The choice is yours.

Family relationships are not the only ones to suffer. Friends, co-workers, neighbors—even people from church, may not know how to respond to the "new" you. Some may reject you because they're uncomfortable with your physical or emotional pain.
Copen also advises relying on a confidant who understands what you're going through.

"If you're having trouble finding support at the local level, use the Internet to find the help and support you need. In addition to Rest Ministries*, organizations like Joni and Friends* and Dave Dravecky's Outreach of Hope* offer tools and practical resources to guide you."