Sleep is a might big problem in fibromyalgia. I know, I’ve struggled with it for over 20 years. It’s only in the last few that I’ve started to sleep much better. I can get into the normal levels for deep and REM sleeps most nights and it makes all the difference. So in this post I want to share some things that might make it easier for you to improve your fibromyalgia sleep. Please remember I am a patient advocate sharing my experience and research to help you in your journey. It is expected that you will use this as a starting point for your own research and consult with your medical team. S ..read more

My diagnostic process has been a tricky one. For many years we didn’t know what I had. When a friend sent me an article about fibromyalgia, it seemed to make sense. I took it to my doctor, she checked my tender points (already knowing my history) and said something along the lines of, “sure, it’s fibromyalgia”. For the next 10 years I thought I had fibromyalgia. When in fact my diagnostic history shows “short-term” diagnosis entered every year as fibromyostitis. Until 2014 when they put chronic fatigue syndrome as a long-term diagnosis. Fibromyostitis continued to make an appearance until 201 ..read more

We hear “you need to exercise” but less often we hear how. So I share my experience in case it helps you. I’m a big fan of exercise. When I got sick with the inciting incident for the chronic fatigue syndrome (the pain had been developing slowly prior to this), I worked as a gym receptionist and worked out a lot. I also walked everywhere. Needless to say I was physically fit, had excellent muscle mass and was decidedly not overweight. Yet I slept poorly, had chronic pain and then developed chronic fatigue syndrome. Over the years my ability to exercise tapered off as I simply couldn’t continu ..read more

Last Updated on March 11, 2024 by melissanreynolds Low dose Naltrexone (LDN) is the medicine that changed my life. I am so pleased to be able to share my seven year update with you. We are going to dig into what LDN is, how it’s helped me, research and some recommendations for your journey. What LDN Is Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist that works differently in the body when taken at a lower dose. Usually prescribed for alcohol and opioid addictions at doses of 50mg or more, low dose Naltrexone is usually anything from .25mg – 6mg. “The research studies tend to focus on pain, but sleep and f ..read more

Last Updated on March 8, 2024 by melissanreynolds What is the best exercise for fibromyalgia? This is a huge question and the research is split. Each week I answer questions from members in my group. This question was too good to leave in the group – so here’s my answer as a yoga teacher, person with chronic illness and patient advocate. I’m not a medical professional and you should discuss exercise programmes with your medical team before beginning. What is the best exercise for fibromyalgia? When I teach about it, from experience and research, I say choose what movement you like and will do ..read more

I’ve used a Fitbit for several years now. From the most basic that shows steps by dots, to my beloved Fitbit Versa. When my Versa band broke in such a way that another couldn’t be attached, I was disappointed. But excited to try out a new one. Affiliate notice: Please note that some of my links may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of these links I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you. After a lot of research I chose the Fitbit Charge 6 Check out the Fitbit Charge 6 here. The sensitive heart rate monitor is what made me choose it over the other options. Thoug ..read more

I’ve shared about experiencing heat intolerance in fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Especially on my Instagram while in Singapore. I went from an average of 18 degrees at home to 31 degrees, with high humidity. And man it was hard. But even summer in Auckland, New Zealand can get difficult for me. It’s so pernicious that some days you don’t even realise that’s why you’re feeling so terrible. In the days around Christmas 2023 it was hot and humid. I was so unwell each afternoon and evening. Lethargy, nausea, exhaustion, thirst that water couldn’t quench and a headache were the mainst ..read more

Last Updated on February 15, 2024 by melissanreynolds It’s widely believed that fibromyalgia pain is caused by messages from the brain/nervous system making us think we are in pain, with no damage to the muscles or joints. Newer research is finding good reasons for the pain at the muscular level. Intramuscular Pressure. In this study, Intramuscular Pressure Is Almost Three Times Higher in Fibromyalgia Patients: A Possible Mechanism for Understanding the Muscle Pain and Tenderness in The Journal of Rheumatology in 2021 researchers found that the intramuscular pressure in the trapezius muscles ..read more

I do a lot of things to be as well as possible with fibromyalgia. But there are some top fibromyalgia treatments I will never give up. I share them with you in this post. The author is a patient-advocate sharing her research and what works for her, not a medical professional. This information is designed as a starting point for your own research and conversations with your medical team. Number One Top Fibromyalgia Treatment: Low Dose Naltrexone In early 2024 it will be my seventh anniversary taking low dose Naltrexone. It has changed my life. Every major step forward came after starting this ..read more

Last Updated on February 3, 2024 by melissanreynolds Welcome to the first update of this kind. When I began this blog, in 2013, it was to be able to share my experience with unmanaged chronic pain and fatigue and pregnancy. None of the specialists knew what to do with me. No one in my real life understood what I was going through. And so, through diary like entries, my blog began. It’s evolved to share anything I learn that might help you. When I first started experiencing symptoms, I was young, and no one talked about fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). I was gaslit for a long ..read more