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Help for Fibromyalgia Symptoms

© Kathern Welsh

A few weeks ago, on October 22, I wrote about my Fibromyalgia (FMS) and said I was beginning to take an herbal supplement which I hoped would bring me some relief from the pain and debilitating symptoms of Fibromyalgia. Anyone who has or knows someone with this disease is aware of the vast number of symptoms it causes.

Fibromyalgia syndrome sufferers have widespread body pain throughout their muscles. The muscles are sore to the touch and patients are aware of pain when resting. The pain is most noticeable when muscles are used, especially in repetitive activities. The discomfort can be so severe it may greatly limit a person's ability to lead a full life.

Other common symptoms may include a significant loss of energy, insomnia, and varying degrees of anxiety and depression. Conditions such as tension headache, migraine, irritable bowel syndrome, irritable bladder syndrome, premenstrual tension syndrome, cold intolerance and restless leg syndrome are often associated with Fibromyalgia. This impressive list of symptoms often leads doctors to pursue an extensive course of diagnostic tests which invariably turn out to be normal.

There are no blood tests or x-rays which show FMS and therefore many patients were told "it's all in your head" or they had a form of masked depression or hypochondriasis.

Thankfully, these impressions have been proven to be unfounded. A diagnosis is now possible based on an extensive history and the finding of tender areas in specific areas of muscle, or "trigger points." They are tender to touch and often feel somewhat hardened if the muscle is stroked. Often, pressure over one of these areas will cause pain in a more peripheral distribution, hence the term trigger point.

Over the last 10 years there has been increased interest in fibromyalgia syndrome and there are now over 1000 publications relating to this condition. The National Institute of Health has recently recognized the importance of fibromyalgia as a cause of musculoskeletal pain and has set aside specific funding for research in this area.

I've been to numerous doctors and used a vast list of prescribed medications for a wide range of symptoms, including mood elevators and psychiatric drugs, all to no avail. After much pain and effort, I have gotten myself off all of these drugs.

After much self-study and research and experimenting with a number of herbal products, one month ago I began taking Ambrotose and Phytaloe by Mannatech. These two items work together, one to make your cells able to communicate and the other to build your immune system and get rid of diseases.