Fibro and Pregnancy

Not very much is known about fibromyalgia and pregnancy. Doctors know a lot about pregnancy, but fibromyalgia is still a misunderstood illness even when you aren’t carrying a baby. From what I have read, the research that has been done often conflicts, so just as with fibro all by itself, more information is needed for both doctors and patients.

The good news is that research shows that babies born to women with fibromyalgia are typically healthy, full-term, and of a good birth weight. However, from conception to birth and even the first 90 days following birth can be a challenge for the fibromyalgia Mom, according to some research. Other research showed that the fibro symptoms in pregnant Mom’s tend to lessen or even go away altogether, possibly due to the ovarian hormone relaxin which increases to 10X the normal levels when women are pregnant.

Although pregnancy can eliminate fibro symptoms for some, most women will experience the return of their pre-pregnancy fibro symptoms after giving birth and will experience specific symptoms such as muscle pain when they breastfeed.

Simple precautions that should be recommended for any woman who is breast feeding, not just fibro sufferers, should be taken: find a supportive and comfortable chair, prop your arm on a pillow, make certain the baby is supported and that you don’t have to hold all of their weight, be careful about your own position and posture, find a place that is as tranquil as possible to nurse.

The issue of meds is also of concern, not all medications are safe to continue during pregnancy, but some are. Make certain you talk to your doctor prior to getting pregnant or immediately upon becoming pregnant about your meds.

And of course, eat smart and healthy, keep moving and work out moderately, don’t overdo anything, sleep enough, sit enough, walk enough, eat enough, take appropriate meds, and enjoy your pregnancy.

The best news is that you can stop worrying, because fibromyalgia should have no negative effect on your baby. The challenge is whether your fibro-body can manage a pregnancy. The question is, are YOU up to it?

There’s a baby at the end of these 9 months, what other time will you have such a reward at the end of what may include some very uncomfortable times?

So enjoy, be smart, plan ahead and congratulations!

FDA Warnings about Meds (Alarming Treatments?)

I was sent a note by Tricia, who has provided this link for information about some medications that may have some very serious side effects that we all should be aware of. She was informing me in case my daughter was taking any of these meds. What a sweetheart. This is what I am talking about. Together we can help one another and we CAN make a difference.

Here is Tricia's note in part:

I just read a FDA warning about certain medications that are sometimes used to treat fibromyalgia and cause an increased risk of lymphoma and other cancers associated with the use of these drugs in children and adolescents. It's Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) Blockers and are marketed as Remicade, Enbrel, Humira, Cimzia, and Simponi.

Thank you Tricia!

National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week, September 14 - 20

Click here for information about National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week! It's right around the corner!

Magical Inspiration for Fibromyalgia

Every day with fibro can be filled with pain and frustration, but more importantly, every day with fibro can be a new opportunity to celebrate life and face challenges with determination.

No, it isn't easy.

Yes, there will be days you want to just stay in bed. There may be days you can't do anything BUT stay in bed.

But there will be days...and that's the gift you can't forget. You have days. You are alive. You are important. You have something to contribute. You are YOU, and you are unique and precious.

Make sure you don't let fibro win, it may keep you in bed for a day or two, but that isn't winning; if you let it suck your smile and happiness it will have won.

The top picture is of my daughter Kalen with her niece, Kayla - a miniature Kalen as you can see. Kalen suffers from the collective challenges of fibro every moment, just as so many do. But she also chooses to celebrate life...and savor the good moments. She is in college. She is dating. She rides her bike. She eats smart and rests well. She has her bad days, but she lives for the good days. She is brave and beautiful and she is in pain; she has fibromyalgia.

Cysts and pain and fatigue and mood swings make it a challenge to rise to the occasion sometimes, but she almost always manages (without whining or complaining), as you can see in the second picture of Kalen as a bridesmaid, which was taken at Kalen's sister's wedding.

She is my inspiration. If you need someone to help you, use Kalen. She is amazing. You can email her at teenfibro@gmail.com. Or you can always email me at that same email address.

Dream. Never give up. Don't let it win. This final picture is of Kelly and Logan, Kalen's older sister and her new husband. It's magical, isn't it?

Kelly doesn't have fibromyalgia, but she has had her own challenges, as we all do. And yet, there she is, a bride and now married to her dream guy. She is also my inspiration.

I know that you can do this, and together we can increase awareness and improve treatment of fibromyalgia.

Life can be magical for all of us. So, please, let the magic begin in your life...remember who you are!