Fibromyalgia and Gardening...a strange combination.

Please note: This section/page of my web site is not intended to replace any medical advice given to you by your physician regarding your condition. I am merely sharing my journey of living with Fibromyalgia and enjoying my gardening life.

A Fibromyalgia Diagnosis...

So, you have wide spread pain. You ache all over or sometimes just in certain areas ...your leg, side, bowel, wrist but not the tip of your nose...right? (see the image on the right for the trigger points)

The thought of bending, lifting and stretching in your garden is depressing. Yet, you love planting, watering and watching nature take its course. It's the chronic pain that holds you back. Am I right? Read on...

You have had every medical test known to man and the results are always the same...the doctors say, 'we have no idea why you hurt'.

I suffer from Fibromyalgia. My past with FM goes back 35 years, maybe more. I can remember being in my teens and suffering with/from neck and shoulder pain. However, I was officially diagnosed by the medical community 20 years ago.

Back then (some 35 years ago), my chiropractor used the 'wet' tens treatment. This is where the 'tens' pads are kept in hot water, then placed on your trigger points and electrical pulses are sent through the muscles. I suppose this did relax the said muscles but never long lasting.

While I agree that traumatic experiences, over active nerves and stress can lead to FM symptoms, I completely believe that hereditary plays a factor. I know my grandmother suffered, my mother still suffers and my adult daughter displays symptoms.

Fibromyalgia and Gardening: My Other Treatments over the years:

Imagine a process called 'needling'. The doctor fills a needle with a pain medication solution and inserts this needle under the skin. The needle moves throughout the shoulder/upper back area. Every time the needle encounters a knot, the solution releases, supposedly breaking up the knot.

This was supposed to be a permanent remedy, but low and behold, for me it was not. I continued with this for about one year, every six weeks. I took a short break and then resumed but the second time around I concluded that it just wasn't working. Besides, my sweat glands worked overtime just prior to every appointment. This treatment was extremely painful.

I received steroid shots (needles) to the base of my skull. Not fun. Didn't work.

Then came the invention of dry 'tens' machines from the different pain clinics. All of the therapists (with good intentions) told me to try again...they really should work. They didn't.

At one point in my therapy, a chiropractor affixed a sling from a door jam to stretch my neck, similar to a baby's jolly jumper. The treatment did not work, although I did look a bit taller. I can joke about certain remedies now, but at the time, I was always ready to try anything.

I believe there was a time when I knew more about FM than the medical community. I joined many support groups and even a Multi Disciplinary Team that included Massage Therapists, Medical Doctors, Chiropractors, Physiotherapists. We did a lot of talking but the group disbanded with no results.

Unfortunately, I developed arthritis in my jaw and when the FM decided to set in...wow... I could not chew. I lived on soft foods and alas ...no popcorn. This occurred some years ago. I did have jaw surgery, on both sides. Doctors opened both sides and scraped out the scar tissue. They suggested I have Botox injections as well but I nixed that suggestion. Regrettably, the scar tissue and pain is back. I am told that this type of surgery is no longer recommended.

My dentist suggested that my jaw (bite) was out of alignment. He was right. I do have an over-bite. Moreover, with FM, the pain can be intense. The remedy? Thousands of dollars worth of dental work including re-alignment of my jaw through teeth capping. I declined.

Fibromyalgia and Gardening: My Relief and Remedies

Finally relief came in the form of massage therapy, exercise and supplements.

Massage Therapy

My MT started 20 years ago when the word massage meant back room body rub shop. Massage therapy has come such a long way...a very good thing. I actually started out with one of the first registered MT in Winnipeg. I must say that I have had some good/excellent massage therapists and some average to less than average. I now have a very skilled MT.

As a warning to those who have not done the massage route...take it easy. Massage therapy can be painful even if it is just a relaxation massage. And remember to tell your MT of your condition.

Go easy for the first few massages. Your trigger points are tender, get to know the 'hand pressure' that you can handle. Not all of us can take on a remedial massage. A Remedial Massage (the one I get) is downright brutal. In most sessions, I do whimper a bit. Most of my sessions focus on my shoulders, upper back, neck and jaw.

If you suffer from nausea, ask about a special stomach massage. Again, your MT could have special training in this area of massage. This has helped me in the past.

Most importantly DRINK PLENTY OF WATER AFTER YOUR MASSAGE. The toxins must have a way to leave your body

Fibromyalgia and Gardening: I have included two great articles courtesy of Green Garden Tools.com:

Back Pain and Gardening

Healthy Gardening

Fibromyalgia and Gardening: Try these erogonomically designed garden tools -

Radius Garden Weeder

Radius Garden Tool Set

Cultivator Comfort Grip

Oxo Good Grip Garden Scissors

Fiskars Bulb Planter

Comfort Grip Floral Snips

Big Grip Garden Knife

Exercise...Exercise...Exercise...

Exercise, the dreaded word. How can we exercise when we hurt all over and the day hasn't even started yet? This is true. But exercise...no matter how little or mild is the key. It gets the body 'oiled' so to speak.

**(If you are unsure of the stretches or exercises below please consult your doctor before trying)**

BIG MISTAKE WE ALL MAKE? We forget to breathe while we exercise...so please breathe...your muscles need the oxygen.

Try stretching your neck forwards, backwards and from side to side. Then rotate slowly. Repeat about 5 to 10 times, if you can.

Take your right hand and grab the left side of your head and slowly pull down your head so your ear is almost touching your shoulder or as far as you can. Mine never goes very far but I can always feel the stretch of the neck muscles. Then repeat the other side.

Do the same stretch only this time pull your head down to the right of your chin, then the left. This stretches the back of the neck muscles. Repeat at least 3 times and increase the repetitions as you can.

Next your arms. Take the palm of your right hand to your left elbow and lift your arm to the level of your chin, stretching out the arm and pointing your hand to the right. Push lightly against your elbow to create some resistance. As you become accustom to this exercise the pressure for resistance can increase. Do the other arm. This really stretches out my arm/shoulder joint and muscles. Great exercise for the mornings as well as if you sit at a computer for an extended time period.

Do the towel stretch (see the image to the right). Take a towel and hold above your head. Move the towel behind the head at an angle...lower on one side than the other and pull. Do the same for the other side.

Leg lunges...great stretch prior to gardening.(image to the right) My daughter does lunges prior to her run. Do this lunge as best you can. No need to lunge as deeply as the person in the image. Just lunge until you can feel the stretch in your leg. Repeat at least 3 times for each leg.

The above leg lunge is a great morning exercise.

More for the legs. Lay flat on your back, bend your left knee and pull knee to your chin with your hands and release, repeat with the other leg. Do a repetition of 3 for each leg if you can.

Fibromyalgia and Gardening:Supplements

First off, let me remind you on the value of good eating habits and drinking plenty of water. Over the years, our family's eating habits have gone from poor to pretty darn good.

Into our daily diet, we incorporate many greens, lean meats, plenty of fiber and seasonal fruit.

Do I take any pain medication? Yes, is the answer. I have to. My pain is widespread and constant but in combination with exercise and taking supplements, I have significantly reduced the amount.

Do I drink coffee? Yes, I'm afraid to admit that I do love my coffee. We all have our vices...right?

Do I practice what I preach? Yes, every exercise, every supplement and all that water.

These are my supplements: please ask the advice of your physician before taking any supplements as they may interfere with other medications.

Vitamin D 2,000 IU per day or 2 tablets

Vitamin B Hi Potency 50 MG Complex

Classic Series - Ribogen -Aldopentose RNA Precursor. Studies have shown that ribose can alleviate fatigue associated with FM by 45%.(D-ribose is a naturally occurring, five-carbon sugar found in all living cells)

Prairie Naturals Morning Rise & Shine - Lemon/Aloe/Mineral Drink powder.

Kre-a-fem Women's Formula. Increases energy and stamina.

I am anemic, so I also take Floradix Formula...my liquid iron and vitamins in a bottle.

There you have it, my daily supplement regimen. I do it because it works for me. Talk to your doctor or to a Doctor of Natural Medicine about supplements you can take to help boost your immune system.

Life's too short not to be out in your garden and smelling the roses so to speak.

And remember the saying, "You don't die from FM, just with it"...in other words, there is no cure so do something about it...and get going into that garden!

If you have any questions regarding the above, please send me an email using the form below.

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