I had spent months on the Internet trying to accomplish some much needed self-diagnosis before discussing this with my health practitioner. Unfortunately, Fibromyalgia is often an "umbrella label" that is offered after all tests are exhausted and come back negative. The fact is, your primary health care physician may not be knowledgeable about this disease as it is often referred out to specialists. Thus he may only offer you the "possibility" of harboring the disease. And, sad to say, this could take months. In the
meantime, you are left trying to decipher your debilitating flare ups that consume your life now.

Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory, and mood issues. Researchers believe that fibromyalgia amplifies painful sensations by affecting the way your brain processes pain signals.
 
Symptoms sometimes begin after a physical trauma, surgery, infection, or significant psychological stress. In other cases, symptoms gradually accumulate over time with no single triggering event.

Women are much more likely to develop fibromyalgia than are men. Many people who have fibromyalgia also have tension headaches, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety, and depression.

While there is no cure for fibromyalgia, a variety of medications can help control symptoms. Exercise, relaxation and stress-reduction measures also may help.

That said, I offer you the following sites to decipher your own symptoms.  After many months of researching, I found these to be the most well-written and easily comprehended. 

Fibromyalgia Network - Pay close attention to the "Trigger Points" I believe this prompts the root of self-awkening.

National Fibroymyalgia Association -  Offers current information on medical discoveries and medications.

There are many great support websites out there.  Just take time to look.  Good luck!  Most of all, know you are not alone!

Over a lifetime, as many as 62 percent of fibromyalgia patients may experience symptoms of major depressive disorder, and 56 percent may experience some type of anxiety disorder. According to Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D., medical director of The Fibromyalgia & Fatigue Centers, anxiety in people with fibromyalgia often manifests itself as rapid shallow breathing (hyperventilation), while depression may be expressed as a decrease in normal interests. 

While it is not unexpected to have an emotional or psychological response to a chronic illness, there may be other physiological reasons that explain why anxiety and depression occur in fibromyalgia patients consistently enough that they are listed as symptoms of the condition. "Biochemically, depression is very different in [people with] fibromyalgia than otherwise," says Dr. Teitelbaum. "In fibromyalgia, it is often associated with an underactive adrenal function [a low cortisol level], whereas depression [in a non-fibromyalgia population] is associated with a high cortisol level."

If you've been experiencing those racing emotions that just won't allow you to step out your door when a flare up occurs, than Valerian Root Extract may be your saving grace.   Most bottles state to dispense one dropper full in the mouth.  Unfortunately, for me, if I chose this option, I'd be sleeping most of the day.  Instead, I carry this miracle liquid, alternate therapy in my purse always.  I use 3 - 4 drops and, instantly, the edge is taken out of the equation.  I repeat 2 - 3 times if I don't feel relief in as little as five minutes.  On days that flare ups continue without due notice, this can be a lifesaver.

One of the most acute problem solving strategies this offered in the beginning of my quest was it my body the ability to heal itself the instant I began this therapy.  No one knows, but you, the intense emotions that accompany initial pain triggers, especially if this is your first experience.  In the beginning, at times, the pain can be quite debilitating.  This sends your emotional well-being into a cascading spin causing irrational fears. When your mind is at ease, you can think clearly.  By thinking clearly and preventing issues that cause flare ups allows your body to rest and being recuperating.

Take a soak.  I can't stress this enough.  Forget the obligations, family demands, and errands.  Make time in your schedule often to soak just as you make time for other priorities in your life.  This must now be included in your schedule frequently to feel relief.

Epsom salt baths are by far one of the best pain strategy reductions for fibromyalgia patients.  I take Epsom salt baths frequently and I believe they're more effective than a hot bath without them.  However, that's not something I can prove or quantitatively measure.  You will have to be your own judge after a few uses.

What we do know is that ingested magnesium is important for your body's energy production (in the form of ATP); that it helps cells form and maintains muscles, bones and nerves; some studies show it helps boost energy and reduces the specific types of pain and tenderness of fibromyalgia.  There is some research that supports magnesium malate for boosting energy and alleviating the pain and tenderness of FMS.

Baking soda allows the body to stay in an alkaline state.  A variety of research has pointed to chronic pain and an acidic body.  By eating a diet rich in alkaline foods, you can reduce your pain levels.  Adding it to your bath gives your body that "aaahhhh" feeling. 

Lavendar has been shown to enhance cortisol levels in the body.  Low cortisol levels have been found with individuals afflicted with fibromyalgia.  Take your soaks often and enhance these low levels in your body.

This bath will give you instant results if you are aching.  Why not give it a try and feel relief?

1 cup Epsom Salts
1/2 cup Baking Soda
3-4 Drops of Lavender Oil 

Mix Epsom Salts and baking soda in a bowl.  Add lavendar oil and mix well.  Seal in Ziploc bag.  You may begin with a 1/2 cup to a cup in your bath.  Lavendar is well-known for relieving stress.

One of the most profound discoveries I made initially is Bragg Organic Apple Cider Vinegar.  It must contain "The Mother" in it to be highly effective.  Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar is made from 100% organic apples.  You can easily purchase it from your local supermarket or health food store. 

This viable mixture was once used by Hippocrates in treating his patients around 400 BC.  ACV was used in medieval times as a deodorant, healing tonic, and health drink. Even Christopher Columbus had his vessels stocked with vinegar barrels to prevent scurvy.  Apparently, this medicinal wonder has had its roots since antiquity.

One of the most astonishing facts is vinegar's ability  to kill viruses and bacteria.  It has also been shown that if consumed daily, joint aches and pains will become less prominent.  I drink this cocktail every night and sometimes in the morning upon waking to stiffness.

ACV has a multitude of personal testimonals.  It has been known to cure allergies (including pet, food and environmental), sinus infections, acne, high cholesterol, flu, chronic fatigue, candida, acid reflux,
sore throats, contact dermatitis, arthritis, and gout. Apple Cider Vinegar also breaks down fat and is widely used to lose weight. It has also been reported that a daily dose of apple cider vinegar in water has high blood pressure under control in two weeks!

Begin with one tsp. Bragg's Apple Cider vinegar and work up to one tablespoon nightly.
Add one tsp. raw honey (optional - I prefer my dose in my morning tea)
8 oz. of hot water

Mix and sip until gone.  Once you get used to this, you will never be without your Braggs.  More information concerning The Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar can be found here.

Welcome to one of the most informative fibromyalgia blogs you may ever encounter. This blog is not set up as a scientific storefront, but rather as a personal journey compiled of self research that has reduced my symptomalogy considerably. I have had such drastic results that I felt compelled to share this with others. My journey is not complete by any means, but I can tell you my quality of life has been regained.  I can visualize a new beginning that will allow me to peruse my dreams that I once thought may have to be placed on the back burner.

This blog is by no means here to replace your doctor's advice. In fact, by utilizing some of these new components you will add years to your life. And, with your doctor's guidance, you may be able to reduce the amount of medications prescribed once you feel relief.

This site contains countless amounts of research that have taken hours to compile. Nonetheless, all of this pursuit has proved favorable, and I feel that others can benefit.  I wish you luck as you begin your journey, and I welcome you to share comments and personal experiences to help others.