I am so grateful I found you here as I have been rediagnosed with fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis. I appreciate how you touched on how it affects workaholics and perfectionists as I am well known for these 2 not so good traits 😶🌫️ I have literally cut out everything that effects my other illnesses but grateful for the tip to try the eliminate 30 diet 🤞
Watching this video was hugely inspiring. Like Rachel, I too stay well if I follow sleep, food, movement and stress free lifestyle and it was so heartwarming to hear her speak about making hard decisions like quitting her earlier job as well as getting pain again when she veered off the diet etc. It felt soooo good to hear another human being share what I am going through as well, and to see her come out on the other side makes me cheer for her and also inspires me to not give up. I need to take care of boundaries as well. Boundaries to toxic people, relationships and any activities that take up too much energy. I have to balance my days as well and remember not to just work work work but also have fun and lighter moments that give me joy. I think you are amazing, Dan. I LOVED your questions for Rachel. They were so intelligent and you really went underneath some serious things and forced us all to reflect on why we make the choices we do. I loved how you just gave an ah.. and an uh.. here and there but drew out and wondered about things that drive us to live a certain way. Rachel, your answers and experience are just amazing. You have so much insight into your own self and we’re able to take courageous decisions as well as stay disciplined with food and movement. Kudos to you!!!! Thank you so much dear Rachel and Dan! May God bless you and may you always stay joyful, well and healthy and free from all the thoughts that cause suffering.
Psychological and Neurological can get confused sometimes. Unfortunately as you have probably noticed, when we experience Fibromyalgia, it is not just physiological and neurological triggers that cause flare ups, but also psychological triggers. This is because the central nervous system is affected by all these things. Getting a deeper understanding of the dynamics is key to effect change for recovery in my experience. If you listen to most of the recovery stories, you will see that multiple strategies are used. This series of videos might help you understand why that is! th-cam.com/play/PLYGv2houTixmGYA8zCMhT_MSlagF0UsQE.html&si=EnSIkaIECMiOmarE
Keep trying different Drs, I know it’s frustrating but we can’t give up. Unfortunately Fibromyalgia is becoming more common today, I have a very understanding Dr. The fatigue is terrible, and If I become worried or stressed the pain kicks in worse. I take Tramadol and Panadol, it takes the edge off, but never takes the pain away. I wish you well in finding an understanding Doctor 🙏
Thank you so much for this interview. I can relate to Rachel story almost 100%. I am still battling with M.E./CFS And Fibromyalgia and just recently after speaking with friend of a friend who also had fibromyalgia I have excluded gluten from my diet. I have not seen any improvements as jet but i am very hopeful. I will persevere.
You may have additional success by cutting out sugar and alternative sweeteners, plus salted foods (e.g. chips, sausages, deli meats, cheese, most sauces, breaded / fried foods, etc). This approach has helped many people, including myself. Take care... ☺
Thank you so much for sharing your hope. As it seems like I have tried everything, I am still trying to heal. I have not stopped looking for those things that might help. Thank you both so much.
I have eliminated gluten and sugar completely from my diet and watch my carb intake. I have the guidance of an experienced Kinesiologist and an EFT practitioner but the game changer for me is mindful meditation. My recovery is coming quickly and after 30 years of Fibromyalgia , I am confident that in the near future I shall be symptom free and will not feel the need to OWN this disorder any longer.
I'm 46, and was diagnosed in 2013 . Was in a car accident while serving in the USAF in 1999. Everything she is saying is true!! I looked up remission because today I feel like after 5 years of trying, my FB is in remission. It took diet changes, YOGA, sleep and getting off all meds and switching to supplements have saved my life! ❤
Always good to hear that progress is non linear as we sometimes don't effectively change habits. Funny how CFS/ Fibro etc all seem to inhabit certain personality types... big key. I was swimming for exercise and going way to fast and out the pool after 6 laps - luckily somebody identified this and Now I treat myself kindly and swim slow and can easily do 1km - but I am still not what I used to be... I will get there or near and be better for it. I am facing the understanding that there is no cure with back to normal old habits, and no cure lifelong. Your mantra: make every choice your best.. is so true. But also difficult! Much thanks for giving me the roadmap - 20 years ago I would have stayed sick...
Great recovery story. Many insights. I’d love to hear a story from a mother with me/cfs/fibro with multiple small children in her care or a homeschooling mother of multiple children 💙
Thank you Rachel for sharing your journey in such detail. It is very inspiring. The concept of "remission vs. recovery" I find very helpful. "Remission" removes the pressure or expectation of being fully recovered, like 'all or nothing'. A lot of the things Rachels mentions are part of the ANS program. I am very thankful for having gone through the program and learning the information vs. having to figure out all of it on my own. Thank you Dan for the video.
Cheese is so hard to give up! Recently, i found a chef in the Netherlands who had a recipe book for plant based cheese, but most of it is based on cashews, so Rachel’s sensitivity wouldn’t allow that…
I’ve been suffering for over 30 years with fibromyalgia. I am currently at my most miserable ever. I’ve seen MD’s, chiropractors, and done several seminars and much reading. I just came across the idea of “biofilms” and am planning to try this approach. Stress and anxiety are huge triggers.
I’ve been dairy and gluten free for decades and although if I accidentally eat either my pain is so much worse, unfortunately cutting them out hasn’t stopped fibro. I’ve been practicing mindfulness meditation and yoga for years and they definitely help. But still not enough to give me my life back. I’ve tried paleo, vegan, fruitarian, elimination diets, Pilates, aerobic exercise, supplements etc each helps a tiny bit until they didn’t. Stress is by far the biggest trigger and because I have Complex PTSD, and anxiety disorder, avoiding stress is not possible. I also have an eating disorder and every time I start eliminating food or eating healthier it quickly spirals into not eating at all. It’s so difficult. I moved house 7 months ago and have to move again in 5 months. I live with my daughter who is a narcissist and can be quite cruel. My fibromyalgia pain and the fatigue are at their worse since following the eating disorder service diet plan. (Created by a dietician). So I’m not sure what to do next. I still believe monitoring what I eat is key to mitigating the symptoms of fibromyalgia but need to find a way to not let it cause a relapse in my anorexia. I need to practice yoga every day not just once a week and focus of restorative yoga not weight loss asanas. I need to walk more but not force myself to do 20k steps to lose weight. I need to live in my own and limit contact with my daughter and other problematic relationships in my life. I need to stop pushing myself for 5 days straight then crashing for a week. I need to find a way to get better quality sleep. I need to go through trauma therapy. I also need the UK to finally legalise cannabis so that I can get off opioids. Microdosing cannabis has been the most effective treatment I’ve ever had for all my health issues both physical and mental. But I no longer have access to it so I’m stuck on tramadol which is causing more problems with my gut than I already have. It’s so frustrating. I have and do use CBD but it is not strong enough and there are other chemicals in cannabis especially in certain strains, that help with the psychological issues I have. I also need to get out of the cold wet UK weather. I stayed in Spain for a week and didn’t need to take a thing for pain at all. This winter I’ve not been able to afford the heating and the cold has been excruciating. So I need a miracle basically!
I’ve waiting for remission 💙well done Rachel , I’m glad you’re in remission 🙏. We often come up with our own diagnosis, then have it medically confirmed. Thanks for mentioning light sensitivity, and tinnitus, people don’t understand the light sensitivity. 🤔 I’m celiac, I became celiac before I had fibromyalgia. If I’ve been accidentally glutened, the pain does get a whole lot worse. I find sugar is a problem for me, I’m slowly cutting it out. I enjoy exercising, but if I over do it, it can put me in bed for days. Thank you both, this is the best video I’ve seen on fibromyalgia, and I’ve seen many.
Well, waiting for remission is not a great strategy Wendy. Not that many people 'spontaneously' recover. The key is to take action, lots of action and to do so in a focussed way that addresses the root cause of the illness.
There are many types of meditation and not all ask you to quiet your mind, in fact observing one’s thoughts is very valuable. I love that she is doing somatic movement , walking in nature is meditative
This was a really helpful and inspiring discussion. I do wish she had discussed a bit more about what she means by exercise and how she got back to it with fatigue. I find that I get PEM from very little exertion. Right now I’m just doing some very short sessions of very low key yoga and strengthening exercises as often as I feel able.
Rachel, I celebrate your recovery. FMA has been talked about for more than 40> yrs. I'm sure most of us have tried the things that you did, with no affect. FMA doesn't have a cookie cutter remedy. I've been researching this disease since 1988, probably before you were born. I to had to give up my job, after doctors telling me that I would be in a wheelchair if I didn't. It did help, because I was no longer pushing my self only was making my pain worse. I Pray God continues to bless you good health.
Diet, exercise, and sleep are crucial factors in not just those with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue, but also people struggling with depression, anxiety disorders, and other chronic pain conditions. I was able to finally overcome my own 10+ years of major depression and anxiety disorder with lifestyle changes. Diet + exercise played a huge role, but also other changes like cutting back on mindless screen time, and embracing the unpleasant / painful aspects of life as much as I could. Check out the free book The Sudist Way if you are struggling with one of these conditions--there is a wealth of advice on what you can do to get into remission and stay there (it's up to you if you want to call this "cured" or not). Take care out there.... 🙏🏼
I have fibromyalgia so bad I’m bed bound most of my time it’s horrible. I suspect I got fibromyalgia from physical trauma from building construction and repetitive weight lifting in the gym . In 2016 I was hurting at work with joint pain and major stiffness I could hardly move to perform so I resigned from my career from the carpenters union then I was fine , then in 2019 I started pounding weights In the gym every day I woke up and was bed bound for 10 months , that’s when I got my diagnosis. Then suddenly it fibromyalgia went away well I had small symptoms so I returned to pt work cleaning and I was some what ok then I went full time truck driving and was ok , then I left trucking , and worked at Aldi warehouse full time , then I went full time Uber and door dash . Then suddenly late December 2023 I woke up and fibromyalgia had returned worse and spread through my entire body it’s horrible. They say fibromyalgia is not progressive it’s most definitely progressed with me . I’m bed bound for over a year now ugh . I pray 🙏 every day for healing so I can return to truck driving again. 😢
Well, your experience is not unique - many people get worse over time, some get better and some stay the same. Understanding why this happens and why the difference is key to changing your experience! Check out the different videos and interviews on the channel to educate yourself and move in the right direction!
Thanks for sharing your story. I have tried to dix my sleep but i just can sfay askeep for longer thsn a hour and yhen aeake from 3am every night for the past 3 years any thing i could do to fix sleep i go to bed ag 10 pm and get up at 6am
The problem is that sleep disturbance is also the RESULT of the root cause here - so many of us have limited success. As people make overall recovery progress, this often normalises on it's own.
Rachel Thank you for sharing your experience and congratulations to you for managing your health improvementby making some very difficult choices. Your ability to dig deep and your determination are evident. I also find it interesting that you see your connection to fibromyalgia diminishing with time, and as you reengage in your life life in a new way. It was unclear to me from this video if you feel like your new lifestyle practices are limiting or liberating? Do you feel that you are in remission rather than recovered because you are engaged in these lifestyle practices, but if you stopped them it will come back? It's a curious topic for me. As with certain cancers, do you feel that you will refer to it as remission for a period of time but at some point you will resonate with the definition of recovery? I wonder if you feel the same way about your knee injury as you do about fibromyalgia? Do you feel like that injury is still there, or is it recoverd? How are these two things different to you? I remember with my own experience, telling Dan that I was nearly recovered, but when he began to ask me detailed questions about my life it became clear that I was actuallly fully recovered. Again, I am sorry you had to experience such suffering, and at a young age and for so long. I am so happy for you to have created this pathway for yourself.
I can relate to this totally. I got diagnosed with ME and they said some fibromyalgia. At first, I now know I had chronic fatigue but I was able to keep riding my bike and running and basically being active. I had 6 travel shots in one day and started to develop chronic pain from that day. Since then I can't run or do anything strenuous, although I can still walk, but get hangovers from it. Then I started getting really sensitive to light and sound and became overwhelmed in loud places. I then developed tinnitus which I now have to wear masking hearing aids for. Because I am so tired these days, I started suffering from anxiety which is debilitating , and I struggle to concentrate on my job. Dry burning eyes and ears ringing. I wonder what's next 🤣🤣❤️❤️ Also, I can't eat chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, as I seem to have strong reactions from all. My memory is terrible, I am socially awkward now, I can't think how to talk properly and feel miserable all the time. I have self helped with meditation, eating well and clean whole foods. Try to be positive.
Well done for keeping positive. I am sorry to read your symptom list - but have no fear - it will change if you can identify what is causing stress (remembering you may have been highly stressed all your life and not realised it - and be making poor stress choices) Keep on with reducing things that may cause too much stress. I found that a level 2 exercise regime (where you can still talk whilst exercising) was good. But if I go much harder I get a kick the next day - so please be careful if you are anything like me . Good luck - relax too - be kind to yourself - you have all the tools and your mind is OK (your writing is lucid)
In my experience - I would strongly recommend you think about following Dan's course ANS Rewire. It will probably help you massively over the short to mid to long term.
Thank you, Dan, for bringing these stories into the light of day. And Rachel for sharing. It can be a long, lonely journey and encouragement to persevere (and to keep trying lifestyle adjustments) is very helpful. It's also healing to hear acknowledgement of how tough all this is/ can be. Chronic illness, with time, can become just how your life is. It's helpful to hear someone acknowledge that it is not easy. And yet to persevere...
Thank you both for sharing this experience. It helps going on and on and on... Until you find your way (in some cases, people found that the diiagnostic was mistaken, changed focus and went over the ill-being). Who knows what is our personal way to exit this poorly state of being??
Understanding how the illness works is key to personalise our recovery approach - that has been the focus of all the education efforts I have undertaken over the last 10 years. Have you watched the explanation videos (see the playlists on my channel)?
When Rachel is talking about sensitivity to light, sounds, pressure, crowds and overwhelm, needing to be alone to regroup, she is describing being a highly sensitive person or HSP. It’s not a disorder, but a temperament trait that 25% of humans share. About half of all highly sensitive people report living with one or more chronic illnesses, because our nervous system is more reactive to our environment…
That's true, but it can also be a result of the mechanisms behind fibro, ME/CFS, and infections such as Lyme/borrelia, other tick borne infections, or infections in general. There's a difference between the type of nervous system sensitivity that's innate (HSP) and that's a result of inflammation in the brain and nervous system.
Thanks for bringing these stories to us Dan. This one spoke to me because I've been seeking a cure for CFS rather than recovery. Recovery is an ongoing and active process.
Unfortunately many people experience this kind of thing when they recover from a single treatment. The key for a robust recovery is understanding HOW we recover and WHY we became sick in the first place!
I am so grateful I found you here as I have been rediagnosed with fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis. I appreciate how you touched on how it affects workaholics and perfectionists as I am well known for these 2 not so good traits 😶🌫️ I have literally cut out everything that effects my other illnesses but grateful for the tip to try the eliminate 30 diet 🤞
Watching this video was hugely inspiring. Like Rachel, I too stay well if I follow sleep, food, movement and stress free lifestyle and it was so heartwarming to hear her speak about making hard decisions like quitting her earlier job as well as getting pain again when she veered off the diet etc. It felt soooo good to hear another human being share what I am going through as well, and to see her come out on the other side makes me cheer for her and also inspires me to not give up. I need to take care of boundaries as well. Boundaries to toxic people, relationships and any activities that take up too much energy. I have to balance my days as well and remember not to just work work work but also have fun and lighter moments that give me joy.
I think you are amazing, Dan. I LOVED your questions for Rachel. They were so intelligent and you really went underneath some serious things and forced us all to reflect on why we make the choices we do. I loved how you just gave an ah.. and an uh.. here and there but drew out and wondered about things that drive us to live a certain way.
Rachel, your answers and experience are just amazing. You have so much insight into your own self and we’re able to take courageous decisions as well as stay disciplined with food and movement. Kudos to you!!!!
Thank you so much dear Rachel and Dan! May God bless you and may you always stay joyful, well and healthy and free from all the thoughts that cause suffering.
At 71 years old I have given up trying to work with Doctors to help me! They don't know, and try to make everything psychological.
Psychological and Neurological can get confused sometimes. Unfortunately as you have probably noticed, when we experience Fibromyalgia, it is not just physiological and neurological triggers that cause flare ups, but also psychological triggers. This is because the central nervous system is affected by all these things. Getting a deeper understanding of the dynamics is key to effect change for recovery in my experience. If you listen to most of the recovery stories, you will see that multiple strategies are used. This series of videos might help you understand why that is! th-cam.com/play/PLYGv2houTixmGYA8zCMhT_MSlagF0UsQE.html&si=EnSIkaIECMiOmarE
Keep trying different Drs, I know it’s frustrating but we can’t give up. Unfortunately Fibromyalgia is becoming more common today, I have a very understanding Dr. The fatigue is terrible, and If I become worried or stressed the pain kicks in worse. I take Tramadol and Panadol, it takes the edge off, but never takes the pain away. I wish you well in finding an understanding Doctor 🙏
I was celiac, way before I had fibromyalgia. I believe and sugar and carbs makes my pain worse. 🤷🏼♀️
I have cut out sugar and wheat (gluten) and am Fybro free and fit after suffering 20years.
Wow, congratulations, that's great to hear! Did you do other things alongside the diet changes? How long have you been well now?
That’s superb. Congratulations to you!
I find your use of the spelling “Fybro” annoying; it is cutesy and it trivializes the suffering that people with fibromyalgia suffer.
@@CherylHaass-fj3gzit’s just a shortened version so you don’t have to spell the whole world out
@@epicwapwhy not just say fibro?
Thank you so much for this interview. I can relate to Rachel story almost 100%. I am still battling with M.E./CFS And Fibromyalgia and just recently after speaking with friend of a friend who also had fibromyalgia I have excluded gluten from my diet. I have not seen any improvements as jet but i am very hopeful. I will persevere.
You may have additional success by cutting out sugar and alternative sweeteners, plus salted foods (e.g. chips, sausages, deli meats, cheese, most sauces, breaded / fried foods, etc). This approach has helped many people, including myself. Take care... ☺
Thank you so much for sharing your hope. As it seems like I have tried everything, I am still trying to heal. I have not stopped looking for those things that might help. Thank you both so much.
I have eliminated gluten and sugar completely from my diet and watch my carb intake. I have the guidance of an experienced Kinesiologist and an EFT practitioner but the game changer for me is mindful meditation. My recovery is coming quickly and after 30 years of Fibromyalgia , I am confident that in the near future I shall be symptom free and will not feel the need to OWN this disorder any longer.
Do your pain is go down?
Where you find EFt
Hello how are you feeling ?
I'm 46, and was diagnosed in 2013 . Was in a car accident while serving in the USAF in 1999. Everything she is saying is true!! I looked up remission because today I feel like after 5 years of trying, my FB is in remission. It took diet changes, YOGA, sleep and getting off all meds and switching to supplements have saved my life! ❤
Always good to hear that progress is non linear as we sometimes don't effectively change habits.
Funny how CFS/ Fibro etc all seem to inhabit certain personality types... big key.
I was swimming for exercise and going way to fast and out the pool after 6 laps - luckily somebody identified this and
Now I treat myself kindly and swim slow and can easily do 1km - but I am still not what I used to be... I will get there or near and be better for it.
I am facing the understanding that there is no cure with back to normal old habits, and no cure lifelong.
Your mantra: make every choice your best.. is so true.
But also difficult!
Much thanks for giving me the roadmap - 20 years ago I would have stayed sick...
Great recovery story. Many insights.
I’d love to hear a story from a mother with me/cfs/fibro with multiple small children in her care or a homeschooling mother of multiple children 💙
Thankyou both, I Don't think it matters if you feel you're cured or in remission as long as you feel better 😊
Absolutely 👍
I love recovery stories
Thank you Rachel for sharing your journey in such detail. It is very inspiring. The concept of "remission vs. recovery" I find very helpful. "Remission" removes the pressure or expectation of being fully recovered, like 'all or nothing'. A lot of the things Rachels mentions are part of the ANS program. I am very thankful for having gone through the program and learning the information vs. having to figure out all of it on my own. Thank you Dan for the video.
Cheese is so hard to give up! Recently, i found a chef in the Netherlands who had a recipe book for plant based cheese, but most of it is based on cashews, so Rachel’s sensitivity wouldn’t allow that…
I’ve been suffering for over 30 years with fibromyalgia. I am currently at my most miserable ever. I’ve seen MD’s, chiropractors, and done several seminars and much reading. I just came across the idea of “biofilms” and am planning to try this approach. Stress and anxiety are huge triggers.
I’ve been dairy and gluten free for decades and although if I accidentally eat either my pain is so much worse, unfortunately cutting them out hasn’t stopped fibro. I’ve been practicing mindfulness meditation and yoga for years and they definitely help. But still not enough to give me my life back. I’ve tried paleo, vegan, fruitarian, elimination diets, Pilates, aerobic exercise, supplements etc each helps a tiny bit until they didn’t. Stress is by far the biggest trigger and because I have Complex PTSD, and anxiety disorder, avoiding stress is not possible. I also have an eating disorder and every time I start eliminating food or eating healthier it quickly spirals into not eating at all. It’s so difficult. I moved house 7 months ago and have to move again in 5 months. I live with my daughter who is a narcissist and can be quite cruel. My fibromyalgia pain and the fatigue are at their worse since following the eating disorder service diet plan. (Created by a dietician). So I’m not sure what to do next. I still believe monitoring what I eat is key to mitigating the symptoms of fibromyalgia but need to find a way to not let it cause a relapse in my anorexia. I need to practice yoga every day not just once a week and focus of restorative yoga not weight loss asanas. I need to walk more but not force myself to do 20k steps to lose weight. I need to live in my own and limit contact with my daughter and other problematic relationships in my life. I need to stop pushing myself for 5 days straight then crashing for a week. I need to find a way to get better quality sleep. I need to go through trauma therapy. I also need the UK to finally legalise cannabis so that I can get off opioids. Microdosing cannabis has been the most effective treatment I’ve ever had for all my health issues both physical and mental. But I no longer have access to it so I’m stuck on tramadol which is causing more problems with my gut than I already have.
It’s so frustrating. I have and do use CBD but it is not strong enough and there are other chemicals in cannabis especially in certain strains, that help with the psychological issues I have.
I also need to get out of the cold wet UK weather. I stayed in Spain for a week and didn’t need to take a thing for pain at all. This winter I’ve not been able to afford the heating and the cold has been excruciating.
So I need a miracle basically!
I’ve waiting for remission 💙well done Rachel , I’m glad you’re in remission 🙏. We often come up with our own diagnosis, then have it medically confirmed. Thanks for mentioning light sensitivity, and tinnitus, people don’t understand the light sensitivity. 🤔 I’m celiac, I became celiac before I had fibromyalgia. If I’ve been accidentally glutened, the pain does get a whole lot worse. I find sugar is a problem for me, I’m slowly cutting it out. I enjoy exercising, but if I over do it, it can put me in bed for days. Thank you both, this is the best video I’ve seen on fibromyalgia, and I’ve seen many.
Well, waiting for remission is not a great strategy Wendy. Not that many people 'spontaneously' recover. The key is to take action, lots of action and to do so in a focussed way that addresses the root cause of the illness.
There are many types of meditation and not all ask you to quiet your mind, in fact observing one’s thoughts is very valuable. I love that she is doing somatic movement , walking in nature is meditative
Recovering from fibromyalgia - Every single disability insurance company approves this message
That sounds good, but in my experience the process of getting financial support is often very stressful and not at all helpful for recovery
@@CFSUnravelled1 Yes, I can 100% confirm this. My job was a lot less stressful than dealing with a disability insurance company.
This was a really helpful and inspiring discussion. I do wish she had discussed a bit more about what she means by exercise and how she got back to it with fatigue. I find that I get PEM from very little exertion. Right now I’m just doing some very short sessions of very low key yoga and strengthening exercises as often as I feel able.
Rachel, I celebrate your recovery. FMA has been talked about for more than 40> yrs.
I'm sure most of us have tried the things that you did, with no affect.
FMA doesn't have a cookie
cutter remedy.
I've been researching this disease since 1988, probably before you were
born. I to had to give up my job, after doctors telling me that I would be in a wheelchair if I didn't. It did help, because I was no longer pushing my self only was making my pain worse.
I Pray God continues to
bless you good health.
Thanks this was a great listen x
Diet, exercise, and sleep are crucial factors in not just those with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue, but also people struggling with depression, anxiety disorders, and other chronic pain conditions. I was able to finally overcome my own 10+ years of major depression and anxiety disorder with lifestyle changes. Diet + exercise played a huge role, but also other changes like cutting back on mindless screen time, and embracing the unpleasant / painful aspects of life as much as I could. Check out the free book The Sudist Way if you are struggling with one of these conditions--there is a wealth of advice on what you can do to get into remission and stay there (it's up to you if you want to call this "cured" or not). Take care out there.... 🙏🏼
Thanks for sharing
I have fibromyalgia so bad I’m bed bound most of my time it’s horrible. I suspect I got fibromyalgia from physical trauma from building construction and repetitive weight lifting in the gym . In 2016 I was hurting at work with joint pain and major stiffness I could hardly move to perform so I resigned from my career from the carpenters union then I was fine , then in 2019 I started pounding weights In the gym every day I woke up and was bed bound for 10 months , that’s when I got my diagnosis. Then suddenly it fibromyalgia went away well I had small symptoms so I returned to pt work cleaning and I was some what ok then I went full time truck driving and was ok , then I left trucking , and worked at Aldi warehouse full time , then I went full time Uber and door dash . Then suddenly late December 2023 I woke up and fibromyalgia had returned worse and spread through my entire body it’s horrible. They say fibromyalgia is not progressive it’s most definitely progressed with me . I’m bed bound for over a year now ugh . I pray 🙏 every day for healing so I can return to truck driving again. 😢
Well, your experience is not unique - many people get worse over time, some get better and some stay the same. Understanding why this happens and why the difference is key to changing your experience! Check out the different videos and interviews on the channel to educate yourself and move in the right direction!
Thanks for sharing your story. I have tried to dix my sleep but i just can sfay askeep for longer thsn a hour and yhen aeake from 3am every night for the past 3 years any thing i could do to fix sleep i go to bed ag 10 pm and get up at 6am
The problem is that sleep disturbance is also the RESULT of the root cause here - so many of us have limited success. As people make overall recovery progress, this often normalises on it's own.
Dan let me thank you too much for this vedio . your questions was great .
Rachel Thank you for sharing your experience and congratulations to you for managing your health improvementby making some very difficult choices. Your ability to dig deep and your determination are evident. I also find it interesting that you see your connection to fibromyalgia diminishing with time, and as you reengage in your life life in a new way. It was unclear to me from this video if you feel like your new lifestyle practices are limiting or liberating? Do you feel that you are in remission rather than recovered because you are engaged in these lifestyle practices, but if you stopped them it will come back? It's a curious topic for me. As with certain cancers, do you feel that you will refer to it as remission for a period of time but at some point you will resonate with the definition of recovery? I wonder if you feel the same way about your knee injury as you do about fibromyalgia? Do you feel like that injury is still there, or is it recoverd? How are these two things different to you? I remember with my own experience, telling Dan that I was nearly recovered, but when he began to ask me detailed questions about my life it became clear that I was actuallly fully recovered. Again, I am sorry you had to experience such suffering, and at a young age and for so long. I am so happy for you to have created this pathway for yourself.
I understand that cycle very well. Cake with gluten won't hurt me... Boom 😂 deep chills fatigue
I can relate to this totally. I got diagnosed with ME and they said some fibromyalgia. At first, I now know I had chronic fatigue but I was able to keep riding my bike and running and basically being active. I had 6 travel shots in one day and started to develop chronic pain from that day. Since then I can't run or do anything strenuous, although I can still walk, but get hangovers from it. Then I started getting really sensitive to light and sound and became overwhelmed in loud places. I then developed tinnitus which I now have to wear masking hearing aids for. Because I am so tired these days, I started suffering from anxiety which is debilitating , and I struggle to concentrate on my job. Dry burning eyes and ears ringing. I wonder what's next 🤣🤣❤️❤️
Also, I can't eat chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, as I seem to have strong reactions from all.
My memory is terrible, I am socially awkward now, I can't think how to talk properly and feel miserable all the time.
I have self helped with meditation, eating well and clean whole foods. Try to be positive.
Well done for keeping positive.
I am sorry to read your symptom list - but have no fear - it will change if you can identify what is causing stress (remembering you may have been highly stressed all your life and not realised it - and be making poor stress choices)
Keep on with reducing things that may cause too much stress.
I found that a level 2 exercise regime (where you can still talk whilst exercising) was good. But if I go much harder I get a kick the next day - so please be careful if you are anything like me .
Good luck - relax too - be kind to yourself - you have all the tools and your mind is OK (your writing is lucid)
In my experience - I would strongly recommend you think about following Dan's course ANS Rewire.
It will probably help you massively over the short to mid to long term.
Thank you!
Thank you, Dan, for bringing these stories into the light of day. And Rachel for sharing. It can be a long, lonely journey and encouragement to persevere (and to keep trying lifestyle adjustments) is very helpful. It's also healing to hear acknowledgement of how tough all this is/ can be. Chronic illness, with time, can become just how your life is. It's helpful to hear someone acknowledge that it is not easy. And yet to persevere...
Thank you both for sharing this experience. It helps going on and on and on... Until you find your way (in some cases, people found that the diiagnostic was mistaken, changed focus and went over the ill-being). Who knows what is our personal way to exit this poorly state of being??
Understanding how the illness works is key to personalise our recovery approach - that has been the focus of all the education efforts I have undertaken over the last 10 years. Have you watched the explanation videos (see the playlists on my channel)?
When Rachel is talking about sensitivity to light, sounds, pressure, crowds and overwhelm, needing to be alone to regroup, she is describing being a highly sensitive person or HSP. It’s not a disorder, but a temperament trait that 25% of humans share. About half of all highly sensitive people report living with one or more chronic illnesses, because our nervous system is more reactive to our environment…
That's true, but it can also be a result of the mechanisms behind fibro, ME/CFS, and infections such as Lyme/borrelia, other tick borne infections, or infections in general. There's a difference between the type of nervous system sensitivity that's innate (HSP) and that's a result of inflammation in the brain and nervous system.
Thanks for bringing these stories to us Dan. This one spoke to me because I've been seeking a cure for CFS rather than recovery. Recovery is an ongoing and active process.
I went into remission for over a year when I went on a total gf diet but then boom it came back full blast.
Unfortunately many people experience this kind of thing when they recover from a single treatment. The key for a robust recovery is understanding HOW we recover and WHY we became sick in the first place!