Dominie's 100 Tips for Coping with Fibromyalgia (FMS), Insomnia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) (Tips #21-30)

My name is Dominie Soo Bush. I suffered with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome for many years before finding some things that helped me. Below are more helpful tips continued from my previous page.

Please Read This Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor. The purpose of this site is not to diagnose or cure any disease or malady, but is presented as food for thought. What you read on this site is based on my own history and ideas. This information cannot take the place of professional medical advice. Any attempt to diagnose and treat an illness should come under the direction of a physician. No guarantees are made regarding any of the information presented in this website.

21. NOISE -- If you have sensitive hearing and/or tinnitus (ringing in the ears), as many people with FMS do, try to avoid loud noises. For sleeping, try using soft foam ear plugs (my favorite brand is Hearos from Wal-Mart because they don't hurt my ears) or try a "white noise" machine to block out unwanted sounds. I also carry a pair of Hearos ear plugs in my purse for emergency use around loud noises.

22. CALMING HERBS -- Herbs like Kava Kava and St. Johns Wortt can be helpful for nervousness, depression, anxiety, tension, stress, insomnia, etc. Kava is also good for a case of the jitters (like before public speaking) and it can help you fall asleep at night--or help you get back to sleep. Since Kava is relatively short-acting, its effects don't stay in your body for a long period of time.

23. YEAST -- Yeast (candida albicans) overgrowth can cause symptoms suspiciously similar to fibromyalgia and CFIDS! These include muscle and joint pain, difficulty concentrating, chronic fatigue, neurological disorders, insomnia, bowel dysfunction, a weakened immune system, etc. If you crave sugar or carbohydrates, or have been taking antibiotics, you may have a yeast problem. You can try eliminating all sugar, fruit, honey, fructose and fruit juice from your diet for awhile to see if it helps your symptoms. Yeasts feed on sugar! You may feel worse before you feel better, however. Try acidophilus or other probiotic formulas containing beneficial microflora that help control yeast overgrowth (candidiasis).

24. VITAMIN E -- I used to take 400-800 I.U. whenever I get any fibro shoulder or arm pains from "overdoing it." Vitamin E also helps in preventing painful leg cramps, which used to bother me from time to time, perhaps by increasing circulation.

25. FASTING -- Your body works hard to process food. Fasting gives your system a chance to rest and detoxify. Some nutritionists recommend using fruit and vegetable juices, but if you have a problem with candida, you don't need sugar from fruit juices or carrot juice. Whenever I feel "blue," if I stop eating for awhile it picks up my spirits. It gives the body time to do its "housecleaning." I have also found it helpful to fast 12 hours out of every 24. For instance, if I eat a snack at 8 p.m. in the evening, I don't eat anything again until 8 a.m. the following morning. However, if you have hypoglycemia, you may not be able to do this.

26. DARK/LIGHT -- If light wakes you up too early in the morning, install room-darkening shades or drapes. However, don't sleep in too late! It may be more helpful in getting your sleep/wake cycle regulated to go to bed early and get up early rather than go to bed late and get up late. This gives your body more hours of daylight to help set your internal time clock for sleep.

27. IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME -- Many people with FMS also have IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) with chronic constipation, diarrhea, bloating and gas pain. Researchers say that people with FMS don't absorb food properly because of mucous buildup, and therefore need to take in more nutrients than other people. By keeping your colon clean and in good working order, you can get the most from your food and supplements. Soluble fiber, digestive enzymes and probiotics (good bacteria for colon health) are helping many people overcome irritable bowel syndrome. Since I've been using a very unique immune product, my digestive problems (gas, bloating, etc. for which I had to take enzymes and probiotics) became a thing of the past. (One more thought--this may sound strange, but when I got off birth control pills, my problems with chronic constipation ended. I don't understand this, but thought I would mention it since it might help someone else with this problem.) I have also heard that taking magnesium tablets greatly helps those who suffer with chronic constipation--perhaps because this mineral draws water into the colon and also helps with muscle relaxation.

28. PAIN RELIEVING GELS -- You can relieve a lot of aches and pains with soothing gels for relief of muscle pain from fibromyalgia, overwork, muscle strain, etc.

29. BRAIN -- A recent study found diminished blood flow to parts of the brain in people with fibromyalgia and an increase in the chemical that helps transmit pain signals. Researchers also discovered that men produce 52% more serotonin than do women. Perhaps this is why more women than men develop fibromyalgia. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter in the brain that regulates moods and depression. It is related to melatonin, which is produced by the pineal gland and is necessary for sleep. When a person is under stress, more serotonin is used. People with FMS are often deficient in serotonin, so it is understandable why stress aggravates fibromyalgia symptoms.

30. PARASITES -- Symptoms of human worm infestations (yuck!!) are very similar to fibromyalgia. Parasites can invade our bodies through food or from having pets in our homes. Parasites are a constant drain on the immune system. If you suspect that parasites may be a problem, try an herbal anti-parasitic formula to help rid your system of these unwanted freeloaders. It can also help the body eliminate toxins and heavy metals. There's a controversial book by Hulda Clark called "The Cure for All Diseases" in which she makes a very good argument for parasites being at the root of most illnesses, incluing fibromyalgia.

Tips #1-10 - Reduce Stress, Get Plenty of Sunlight, Computers, Sleep, Mental Relaxation, Rest, Cold, Heat, Immune System, Exercise

Tips #11-20 - Massage, Excitotoxins, Mattress, Anti-oxidants, Soft Drinks, Doctors, Depression, Nightshade Vegetables, Repetitive Activity, Magnesium

Tips #21-30 - Noise, Calming Herbs, Yeast, Vitamin E, Fasting, Dark/Light, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Pain Relieving Gels, Brain, Parasites

Tips #31-40 - "Be Happy," Smoking, Junk Food, Nutritional Supplements, Research, Raw Foods, CO-Q-10, Low-Fat, Anti-inflammatories, Pillows

Tips #41-50 - Sleep Meds, Milk, Chiropractic, Sunglasses, Coral Calcium Water, Posture, Tension Myositis Syndrome, Epsom Salts, 5-HTP, Malabsorption

Tips #51-60 - Progesterone Cream, Neck Injuries, Hormone Instability, Carbohydrates, Prayer, Aspartame (Nutrasweet) and MSG, Guaifenesin, Ions, Colds and Viruses, Sleep Anxiety

Tips #61-70 - Magnets, Fructose (Sugar) Intolerance, MSM, Electromagnetic Fields, "Leaky Gut" (Intestinal Permeability), Migraines, Cytomegalo Virus, Books, Overactive Bladder, Shoes

Tips #71-80 - Methylcobalamin, Mercury Poisoning, Soy and Food Allergies, Thyroid, Marital Stress, Lyme Disease, Breathing, Ativan, Soluble Fiber, Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome (DSPS)

Tips #81-90 Type A Personality, B-Complex, Brain Surgery, Red Blood Cells, Iron, Substance P, Gluten Intolerance, Racing Thoughts, DHEA, Mycoplasmas

Tips #91-100 - Relaxin, Warm Water Exercise, Essential Oils, Blood Volume, Acidosis, Oxidative Damage, Hyperbaric Oxygen, Bedding, Histamine Intolerance, Blood Thickness

II Corinthians 1: 4 - "Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God." Visit Dominie's FMS/CFIDS Homepage at www.fms-help.com for Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome sufferers and their families.

DISCLAIMER: I am not a medical doctor. I am a fibromyalgia / chronic fatigue syndrome survivor. The purpose of this website is not to diagnose or cure any disease or malady, but is presented as food for thought. This information cannot take the place of professional medical advice. Any attempt to diagnose and treat an illness should come under the direction of a physician. No guarantees are made regarding any of the information in this website.