Fibromyalgia is a complex chronic pain condition that affects millions of people worldwide but what sets it apart from other disorders is how the pain is processed in the brain and nervous system. Unlike pain caused by an injury or inflammation, fibromyalgia pain originates from an overactive nervous system that amplifies pain signals. This phenomenon is known as central sensitization, where the brain and spinal cord become hypersensitive to stimuli that wouldn’t normally cause pain. Characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, cognitive disturbances, and sleep issues, fibromyalgia presents a significant challenge to effective management. One of the emerging and crucial aspects in understanding and treating fibromyalgia is the role of nervous system regulation.

For many people living with fibromyalgia, pain isn't limited to the neck, shoulders, or back. The feet and legs are some of the most commonly affected, and most debilitating, areas, often making standing, walking, or even resting unbearably painful.

Fibromyalgia and intense pain in the legs: why does it happen?Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that goes far beyond "body pain". Fibromyalgia profoundly alters how the brain and nervous system process pain, causing common stimulus to be interpreted as intense suffering. Therefore, one of the most common and debilitating complaints is deep pain in the legs, especially in the thighs and calves.This pain doesn't arise from inflammation or visible muscle injury. What happens is a mistake in the way the brain amplifies the painful signals, a phenomenon known as central awareness. In people with fibromyalgia, the nervous system remains in a constant state of alert, sending pain signals even without a proportional physical cause.

According to the American Institute of Stress, approximately 77% of people regularly experience physical symptoms caused by stress. 73% of people say they regularly experience psychological symptoms caused by stress. To a “normal” person, this can be somewhat manageable. However, to a person dealing with fibromyalgia, our bodies are always under added, constant stress, so anything additional can be debilitating.Stress is a major trigger and exacerbator of fibromyalgia. Stress of all kinds is known to increase the risk of fibromyalgia flare-ups. Sometimes a small hiccup in the day can cause a little stress, but you can easily brush it off and move on. Someone dealing with fibro is already constantly dealing with symptoms of stress, and sometimes it’s not as easy to shrug your shoulders on move on (literally and figuratively). Its like Devil on my shoulder.

I’m here to introduce myself and to let you know how I’m going to change your life. I want to be involved in your work life, social activities, family life, household responsibilities, rest time – every aspect of you. Initially, you won’t know that it’s me. You may think you’re just getting older and some things are changing naturally. However, you’ll soon find out that I affect every part of your life and things may change drastically. I want to get to know you – every fiber of your being. What makes you tick? What gets you excited? What keeps you involved with social activities? Who are your friends? Is your family supportive? Will your friends and family embrace me the way I’ve embraced and stuck to you? Let’s see, what can I learn about first? I think I’ll focus first on your work life. Have you noticed that after sitting at that desk working for a while, it’s a struggle to stand up and be steady? Yep – that’s me! The pain you feel is not just the effects of growing older, but the effects of me, your new buddy. What else is changing at work? Are you finding it harder to concentrate and follow all the changes going on in your department and business? Are you confused easily and unable to concentrate very well? These are all me interjecting myself into your life. Before long, you may find that you’re missing a lot of work and your performance is being questioned. If this happens, be sure to see your doctor and get the required notes to protect your job and/or your benefits.

If you don't have your HEALTH, you have nothing.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Every year at this time, I make a review of the lessons I’ve learned in the previous years. I do this, not just to have the record of what lessons I learned, but also to serve as a reminder of what I am choosing: the continual evolution and growth into who I am.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that affects millions of people, causing widespread pain, fatigue, and sensitivity throughout the body. For many, foot pain is one of the most challenging symptoms. If you have foot pain because of your fibromyalgia, you know how difficult it can be to walk, exercise, or even stand for long periods.

On this post I describe now living with Fibromyalgia looks like.

Disabled and Disbelieved: People with invisible illnesses still aren’t taken seriously.

We face many mental health challenges than ever before. Today is the last day of May or the last day of Fibromyalgia Awareness month and the exact cause of fibromyalgia is still unknown, yet many factors may trigger the disorder including infections, stress, physical injury, or psychological trauma. Due to the lack of tests and visible symptoms, fibromyalgia is sometimes referred to as an "invisible illness" and is often a diagnosis that is reached by a process of elimination, as other possible causes of pain must first be ruled out; it takes some years to receive a diagnosis.

Living with chronic illness requires a lot of energy, time, and money. The diagnosis of fibromyalgia should come with a cost of living warning label! Seriously! Let’s face it: Living with fibromyalgia is very expensive. Add in the rising costs of inflation and life with chronic illness becomes even harder. As things get more expensive, I can feel the impact on my fibromyalgia and on my quality of life. This chronic illness has cost more than financial loss.When diagnosed and throughout their disease journey, patients are forced to ask themselves not just, “how am I going to live with this chronic, disabling disease?” but “how am I going to pay for it?”. Not only does your health condition impact your finances, but money — or a lack of it — can also play a big role how well you can manage your health.The first thing I did when I returned home after receiving my diagnosis of fibromyalgia was to go online to try and learn as much as possible about this disease. Everything I found described the symptoms just fine, but nothing provided hope for relief. Nor did anything mention how expensive living with this illness would be.The cost of living with fibromyalgia goes beyond finances.