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!

The Bottom Line

Is anything sacred anymore? What happened to worthy causes without all the polyester-shirt/white-belt-and-shoes routine? Does it always have to be about the bottom line?

To me and to those who live with fibromyalgia, fibro is a condition; to others who sell pharmaceuticals and even some who provide treatments, fibromyalgia is yet another cash source. It's all about the bottom line to many of them. The profit margin.

This reality causes me both elation and concern.

There is no doubt that the increased recognition of fibromyalgia will result in better management of the condition, including pharmaceuticals and new types of treatment. There is also no doubt that a strong projected profit margin increases determination to find something that helps (the reasons for my elation).

There is also no doubt that a secondary product of increased acceptance of fibromyalgia as a real and debilitating condition will be "meds" and "docs" created simply to take advantage of a hopeful (aching) customer base; placebo's and new-fangled hocus pocus techniques that will not be real (the reason for my concern).

Recently, on my fibromyalgia news link, I have seen more articles on the profitability of new pharmaceuticals that are in the works, than on the condition itself (another cause for my concern).

I have great respect for modern medicine, including the research and development of new drugs and treatments for newly recognized conditions. I am simply too aware of the possibility of some within the world of health care and related fields to take advantage of already disadvantaged folks. It happens in every industry and every community; there will always be someone who will pick on the little guys, or be casually cruel to those who are hurting. Typically for that profit, that bottom line.

That is not our focus, or our message or our way of doing things. We are about real, caring research-based progress. The importance of moving forward and pushing for additional research is real, just as the importance of sharing the "good news" about fibromyalgia cannot be underestimated.

We have to spread the word that that fibro IS real - not imagined, that there ARE lifestyle changes that will help, that life CAN improve dramatically, and that there are people all over the world who DO understand. WE have to be positive, realistic, but positive.

Words like WE and CAN and DO are critical as we move forward to increase awareness, improve life for those with fibromyalgia and search for a cure.

I know that it's a worthy cause and I know that together WE CAN DO IT!

And that's the only bottom line that matters to me...