Research suggests a bias in how people with fibromyalgia (FM) recall pain, with intense pain usually exaggerated in recall.

Researchers suggest that psychosocial factors, such as patients’ own assessment of their physical abilities, may affect FM patients’ pain recollection.

The study, “A longitudinal analysis of pain experience and recall in fibromyalgia,” was published in International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases.

Pain in FM is usually measured via self-reports; however, this has been shown to lead to disparate results, likely linked to the fact that how people experience pain is often different than their memory of that painful episode.

Increasing research suggests that memories of painful experiences are “more powerful predictors of future pain than the actual previous pain experiences,” researchers said.

“These findings engender questions of what pain recollections truly reflect, how pain recollection differs by populations, what factors moderate pain recollection accuracy and how they operate similarly across differing populations,” they stated.

Evidence shows that pain recall is affected by psychological, social, and biological factors — depression was shown to negatively affect pain recollection and one study showed that glucocorticoid cortisol, a hormone released during a stress response, also changed how a group of healthy males experienced pain during a controlled experiment.

While research into factors that affect pain recollection has been done in some populations of patients with an identifiable cause for their pain, “no research has been done to assess these processes among those with fibromyalgia.”

Researchers analyzed data from 572 FM patients to understand how they experience and recall memories of pain.

The patients were asked to perform — in five different moments over a period of one year — a self-assessment of their FM-related pain levels at that “present moment” (experiential pain or EP), an assessment of what they considered the level of the highest FM pain they had ever experienced (historical peak pain or HPP), and the level of their lowest FM pain (historical valley pain or HVP).

Recollections of FM pain were compared to recollections of other types of pain, such as the worst toothache pain, or the worst stomach pain, that were recorded at the same timepoints.

The authors found that pain recall in FM patients changes over time, with a tendency for a decrease of all FM pain experiences, which didn’t happen when patients were asked to recall other non-FM pain experiences.
Moreover, momentary pain experiences of those with FM are systematically closer to their lowest levels of pain than they are to their highest levels of pain.

Of note, and in accordance with previous studies, the accuracy in recalling pain levels was lower among depressed FM patients — this set of patients seems to have a tendency to inflate past peak pain levels and momentary pain, but not so with lowest pain levels. “Depression does not relate to inflations of all pain, but only peak recollections and present pain experiences,” the authors wrote.

The authors identified other factors that can contribute to fibromyalgia pain syndrome (FMS) pain recollection, such as self-efficacy (i.e. the assessment the patients do of their own ability to perform physical tasks), or sleep impairments.

In this study, higher self-efficacy seems to lessen pain experiences in FM and to deflate recall of the severity of historical pain, while impaired sleep was correlated with inflation of all FMS pain experiences.

Researchers could also corroborate previous data that suggest age seems to alter the intensity with which individuals remember past negative experiences, in this case peak FM pain.

Over the year that patients were asked to recall their current FM pain compared to past FM pain experiences, all of them said their pain experience levels decreased. This suggests that the act of recollection might help FMS patients cope with their momentary pain levels.

Because current pain levels were always closer to lowest historical pain, it seems that “asking patients to report their average pain on ‘good days’ (pain at its least) might be a good reflection of their typical daily pain experiences,” researchers said.
​
Moreover, these results suggest “that memory related to pain might be a worthwhile target for intervention,” the study concluded. - Shared by Patricia Inacio, PhD

​A rebellious teenager, future Beatle John Lennon (Aaron Johnson) lives with his Aunt Mimi (Kristin Scott Thomas) in working-class Liverpool, England. Mimi's husband suddenly dies, and John spies his mother, Julia (Anne-Marie Duff), at the funeral. Despite Mimi's misgivings, John intends to have a real relationship with his mother. Julia introduces him to popular music and the banjo and, though a family conflict looms, young Lennon is inspired to form his own band.

Two fathers with opposing personalities come together to celebrate the wedding of their children. They are forced to spend the longest week of their lives together, and the big day cannot come soon enough.

​When Ajji's granddaughter is raped, she finds that the police are unable to arrest the culprit as he is a local politician's son. Ajji decides to take matters into her own hands.

​Laura Alonso, a Spanish lawyer, is searching for her missing sister in the Congo. After two years without her, Laura finds a picture that indicates her sister is still alive.

​A high school student finds herself face-to-face with her long-term crush when she signs up to run a kissing booth at the spring carnival.

Harper, a single 30-something New Yorker, lets loose on a business trip to Barcelona, leading to a flirty encounter with a famous DJ.

​Wesley Gibson (James McAvoy) is an office worker whose life is going nowhere. After his estranged father is murdered, he meets Fox (Angelina Jolie), who recruits him into the Fraternity, a secret society of assassins which takes its orders from Fate itself. Fox and Sloan (Morgan Freeman), the Fraternity's leader, teach Wesley to tap into dormant powers. Though he enjoys his newfound abilities, he begins to suspect that there is more to the Fraternity than meets the eye.

Newly appointed CEO of Robinson Tech, Wes Robinson, is looking for new ideas to boost the company's sales. Vivian Blair, a programme developer, shares a dating algorithm she has been working on called My Perfect Match. Wes sees potential and an opportunity to turn the company around and launches the service. When the pair is challenged to use My Perfect Match themselves to find love, this algorithm shows some interesting results.

​A grieving woman embarks on a path of self-destruction after the accidental death of her beloved husband. Soon, a chance encounter with a guitar-toting stranger inspires her to regain her faith and unite her family once again.

​South Boston cop Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio) goes under cover to infiltrate the organization of gangland chief Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson). As Billy gains the mobster's trust, a career criminal named Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon) infiltrates the police department and reports on its activities to his syndicate bosses. When both organizations learn they have a mole in their midst, Billy and Colin must figure out each other's identities to save their own lives.

Some of the less defining symptoms of fibromyalgia and often least discussed is the addition of anxiety and panic attacks.  

You are already on a cruise of multiple syndromes where few family members can identity your state of mind and what's causing it. Add to that the consistent withdraw mode during family affairs, and you're already labeled as a bit off and untouchable.  

So to totally immerse in the anxiety/panic disorder ordeal may become a bit too intense to share with loved ones, too.  Some of us prefer to keep that to ourselves and deal with it internally as much as possible so we don't look way-out-there. 

But, why does this happen? Speculation in scientific studies discusses it is possible due to the chronic pain we suffer.  It kind of sets our systems out of wack and makes us more vulnerable to sensory stimulation.

But, I didn't have this heightened anxiety during my first couple of years first diagnosed with Fibromyalgia when pain was more intense.  I can tell you I remember my first incident like it was yesterday when panic disorder first surfaced.  I had been on a family trip and we decided to check out Ruby Falls.  We are avid nature lovers when we are away so this type of excursion was not out of the ordinary.  

Cave tours was always part of the vacation venue.  We've always tried to fit them in when the area allowed. To  get to this cave, you had to take an elevator.  Twenty six stories down.  I've done this before, "I got this," I thought.  It didn't seem to out of the ordinary.

We immediately got into line and perused all the local art on display as we moved along.  Things were going along pretty smoothly until we were about two minutes to entry.  Then a jolt of energy pierced my brain and began stimulating obscure thoughts.  "How far down is this elevator?" "Why don't you have more information on this?"  "How long are you going to be down there?"  "You really haven't taken anytime to overview this before departure." "What are you doing?"

I pushed them aside.

The closer I came the more exclamatory the thoughts became.  They were no longer a whisper, but an all out howl demanding for more intercession before proceeding.

I have never experienced this before.  What was happening?

Still standing tall, I walked into the elevator.  "This is crazy," I thought.  "I am an adventurer, this too shall pass." 

I looked at my son.  He looked at me taking mental notes something is really off.

Then it started.  My heart began to race.  Well, not actually race, rattle would be a better term as it bounced within my chest walls. My throat began to close.  I could not breathe.  Oh, this was real and not passing.

"I have to leave," I told my son and darted off.  They proceeded without me, and I spent two hours sniffling on the side barrier wondering what has become of my life until they returned.  

People with fibromyalgia (FMS) and chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) often experience anxiety symptoms and panic attacks.

Panic disorder can be debilitating and have a major impact on your life. It can make you afraid of every-day situations like going to work; strain your relationships; and cause you to avoid things that might trigger symptoms. When you add this to FMS and ME/CFS, which are debilitating on their own, the problems can compound each other.

Sometimes, symptoms are mild and don't require treatment -- you just learn to deal with them. I call this avoidance therapy - which has constricted my life a bit. Other times, though, when more severe, they may be an overlapping condition such as panic disorder. If that's the case you with, you'll need proper diagnosis and treatment in order to stop being held captive by anxiety.

​Even if your panic and anxiety symptoms doesn't meet the criteria for a formal diagnosis, certain treatments and coping strategies may be beneficial to you. Therefore, it is important to discuss these symptoms with your doctor and make some lifestyle changes.

​Physical and Emotional Symptoms of Panic Attacks

According to the DSM-5, a panic attack is characterized by four or more of the following symptoms:

1. Palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate
2. Sweating
3. Trembling or shaking
4. Sensations of shortness of breath or smothering
5. Feeling of choking
6. Chest pain or discomfort
7. Nausea or abdominal distress
8. Feeling dizzy, unsteady, lightheaded, or faint
9. Feelings of unreality or being detached from oneself
10. Fear of losing control or going crazy
11. Fear of dying
12. Numbness or tingling sensations 
13. Chills or hot flushes

The presence of fewer than four of the above symptoms may be considered a limited-symptom panic attack. In order for a diagnosis of panic disorder to be made, recurring, spontaneous panic attacks must be present.

Treating Panic Disorder

Most of the treatments for panic disorder are also utilized in FMS and ME/CFS, so they may do double duty for you. When deciding on treatments, be sure your doctor is aware of all your diagnoses so he/she can choose the best options for you.

• Antidepressants
• Benozodiazepines
• Choose a Therapist

Also see:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Fibromyalgia
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for ME/CFS

​Self Management

You can do a lot on your own to manage the symptoms of panic disorder. The information and strategies below can guide you toward healthy ways to prevent panic attacks and how to get through them when they strike.

• Living with Panic Disorder
• How to Stop Worrying
• Getting Through a Panic Attack

Panic Disorder and the People in Your Life

Coping with any illness is difficult, and it can be worse when it's mental illness. These articles on relationships and helping other people understand your condition may help you and the people in your life come to terms with your disorder.

• Panic Disorder and Relationships
• Help Family and Friends Understand

Above all, talk to you physician and ensure this doesn't get out of control.  Make sure your symptoms are documented. Most of all remember you are not alone.  

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Edmund is all business and dislikes the Christmas season until a cheerful decorator helps him fall in love with the holiday, and her.

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​The plus-size, teenage daughter of a former beauty queen signs up for her mum's pageant as a protest that escalates when other contestants follow in her footsteps, revolutionizing the pageant and their small Texas town.

Ever wonder why you get relief from pain and anxiety related symptoms when on the beach?  Besides the recent posts of the importance of Grounding on the beach sand, and Vitamin D from the earth's sun, there is also many vital mineral salts in ocean water.  One such mineral that is beneficial in keeping a healthy body is Magnesium Chloride especially if you suffer from chronic illness.

Magnesium is a mineral found in the earth, ocean, sea, plants, animals and humans. About 60% of the magnesium in your body is found in bone, while the rest is in muscles, soft tissues and fluids, including blood.

In fact, every cell in your body contains it and needs it to function.

One of magnesium's main roles is acting as a cofactor or "helper molecule" in the biochemical reactions continuously performed by enzymes.

In fact, it’s involved in more than 600 reactions in your body, including:

• Energy creation: Helps convert food into energy.
• Protein formation: Helps create new proteins from amino acids.
• Gene maintenance: Helps create and repair DNA and RNA.
• Muscle movements: Is part of the contraction and relaxation of muscles.
• Nervous system regulation: Helps regulate neurotransmitters, which send messages throughout your brain and nervous system.

Unfortunately, studies suggest that about 50% of people in the US and Europe get less than the recommended daily amount of magnesium.

Magnesium plays a critical role in brain function and mood, and low levels are linked to an increased risk of depression.

One analysis in over 8,800 people found that people under the age of 65 with the lowest magnesium intake had a 22% greater risk of depression.

Some experts believe the low magnesium content of modern food may cause many cases of depression and mental illness.

​Low magnesium intake is linked to chronic inflammation, which is one of the drivers of aging, obesity and chronic disease
.
In one study, children with the lowest blood magnesium levels were found to have the highest levels of the inflammatory marker CRP.

They also had higher blood sugar, insulin and triglyceride levels.

​Food Sources

The following foods are good to excellent sources of magnesium:

• Pumpkin seeds: 46% of the RDI in a quarter cup (16 grams)
• Spinach, boiled: 39% of the RDI in a cup (180 grams)
• Swiss chard, boiled: 38% of the RDI in a cup (175 grams)
• Dark chocolate (70–85% cocoa): 33% of the RDI in 3.5 ounces (100 grams)
• Black beans: 30% of the RDI in a cup (172 grams)
• Quinoa, cooked: 33% of the RDI the in a cup (185 grams)
• Halibut: 27% of the RDI in 3.5 ounces (100 grams)
• Almonds: 25% of the RDI in a quarter cup (24 grams)
• Cashews: 25% of the RDI in a quarter cup (30 grams)
• Mackerel: 19% of the RDI in 3.5 ounces (100 grams)
• Avocado: 15% of the RDI in one medium avocado (200 grams)
• Salmon: 9% of the RDI in 3.5 ounces (100 grams)

Of course ingesting proper magnesium nutrients is vital, but a trip to the beach can compensate even better!

One cubic kilometer of sea water contains a minimum of one million tons magnesium, which makes the sea a “storehouse" of about 1.7 × 1024 tons. In addition, magnesium chloride is found in brines, and salt wells. Magnesium exists in sea water as ions of magnesium.

If you live near the sea, make frequent trips to the beach, or are planning an island holiday this summer, chances are you’re getting more out of it than just enjoyment. It has long been thought sea frolicking has many health benefits.

Historically, doctors would recommend their patients go to the seaside to improve various ills. They would actually issue prescriptions detailing exactly how long, how often and under what conditions their patients were to be in the water.
Using seawater for medical purposes even has a name: thalassotherapy.
In 1769, a popular British doctor Richard Russell published a dissertation arguing for using seawater in “diseases of the glands”, in which he included scurvy, jaundice, leprosy and glandular consumption, which was the name for glandular fever at the time. He advocated drinking seawater as well as swimming in it.

Aside from boosting magnesium levels in the body, magnesium chloride also aids in the production of hydrochloric acid. This helps improve the digestion process and absorption of vitamins and minerals and lower risk of diseases caused by bacteria and viruses.
Its zero stability constant also makes it suitable for transdermal magnesium therapy, which is why it's available in topical forms, like oil, gel, lotion and bath salts. In fact, these forms are more commonly used than the oral ones, as users and medical professionals have attested to their positive benefits to the skin, muscles and nervous system.

The ocean is still a wonderful source of magnesium and trace minerals, but for those of us who don’t have daily access to a beach, magnesium oil can be the easiest and most effective way to increase magnesium levels. 

If you can't purchase it or it is out of stock, you can make you're own.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup magnesium chloride flakes
• 1/2 cup distilled water
• a glass bowl or glass measuring cup
• a glass spray bottle 

Instructions

1. Boil the distilled water. It is important to use distilled to extend the shelf life of the mixture.
2. Place the magnesium chloride flakes in the glass bowl or measuring cup and the pour the boiling water over it.
3. Stir well until completely dissolved. Let cool completely and store in the spray bottle. Can be stored at room temperature for at least six months. I keep in my bathroom to use daily.

Note: I prefer to use magnesium oil before bedtime and often add 10 drops of lavender essential oil to the mixture for scent and relaxation.

Sometimes I wake up in twilight devoid of pain and suffering. Just as if I have slipped effortlessly into another body that is whole and refreshed.

At these times I rouse from my bed with little effort meandering to the bathroom to answer the call at hand.  There is no deep void harboring in the back of my mind but rather a sense of kindling hope.

What is this?

I prance back to bed and grab my comforter cuddling my neck, relishing in this new found peace.  I can feel the soft undercarriage that caresses my skin.  Life feels good, these small nuances that touch me from time to time.

As I wait for sleep I slip deeper into my inner core.  Where is the pain?  Why is my mind so alert?  Has this illness left me?  Could I be cured?  Everything seems so clear. 

At this time there are no remnants of past days depression, pain, and anxiety.  Rather i am in commune with the person I once was many years ago before fibromyalgia took over.  

Through travel and talks with experts, celebrity chef Pete Evans shares information and recipes that showcase the benefits of a paleo lifestyle. ... From grain-free recipes for gut health to the remedial properties of spices, this season explores food as fuel and medicine for the body.style.