Can Fibromyalgia kill you?

My neighbor (adopted family) died yesterday.  She lived with Fibromyalgia for 34 years.

The cause of death; Heart Attack.

I can guarantee the list of causes leading to her death won’t list Fibromyalgia, CFS, or Depression.

It will read Diabetes, Heart Disease, Kidney Damage, COPD, Emphysema, High blood pressure, & Heart Attack.

Cleo used to love the outside; planting flowers, feeding the birds, fishing and going to the casino.

However, the past three years she stopped.  Her chair became her home.  She stopped cooking “real meals”.  She spent day and night in her chair.It was such a struggle to get her to attend even a doctor’s appointment.

She had given up the fight. The cycle had begun and she wouldn’t fight it.  Her husband, sister and myself all tried.  I would ask her to go swimming~remind her that moving would help her eventually.

Little by little she lost her ability to do the things she used to love and the last weeks – her body had loss all muscle tone and strength to even use the walker to get up out of her chair.

The cycle ~ we all know so well ~ pain, no sleep, depression; more pain, less or sleeping all the time due to the depression.

I am in one of the most severe flares that I have experienced.  Not the longest (yet) but certainly the most painful.

My Monday’s routine is to wake up, drop our Daughter off at school and go swimming. I did not want to go.  I wanted to stay in my bed.  Thankfully, I have a gently pushing family that “make” me go swimming.

I am always promoting that we MUST BE ACTIVE physically and mentally.I know that it works.  But there are days like today when the pain is so strong that it takes over the your mind. It is so very hard to fight.

This pain that I am experiencing today – she was experiencing every day of her life. I understand why she felt like giving up. I know that when I hit a flare; I don’t want to move or eat. I forget and let the anxiety of the fog and pain take over my mind & body.It takes sleep, food and swimming(moving of some kind) to help me get through it.

Fibromyalgia, Depression, Diabetes, Heart Disease, Kidney Damage, COPD, Emphysema, High Blood Pressure & Heart Attacks

What do they all have in common?  They all have the same ways to help prevent them.

Eat a healthy balanced diet, Stay physically active, don’t smoke and reduce stress.

~ Keep Moving ~

“Regular physical activity that is performed on most days of the week reduces the risk of developing or dying from some of the leading causes of illness and death in the United States.

• Reduces the risk of dying prematurely. • Reduces the risk of dying prematurely from heart disease. • Reduces the risk of developing diabetes. • Reduces the risk of developing high blood pressure. • Helps reduce blood pressure in people who already have high blood pressure. • Reduces the risk of developing colon cancer. • Reduces feelings of depression and anxiety. • Helps control weight. • Helps build and maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joints. • Helps older adults become stronger and better able to move about without falling. • Promotes psychological well-being.” http://www.nutristrategy.com/health.htm

It should be no surprise to us that the list of common treatments for Fibromyalgia, include exercise, physical therapy, medication, relaxation, stress reduction and healthy eating.Remember the question;  Can Fibromyalgia kill you?The correct answer is no.It certainly feels like it will some days or you may feel like you want it to.  There are lots of studies showing the growing number of suicides by those with Fibromyalgia.Another article states;  “The higher rate of accidental death may seem odd, but it does make sense in light of certain fibromyalgia symptoms.  We tend to be clumsy, and our cognitive dysfunction (fibro fog) may make it dangerous for us to drive.Also, accidental overdose can happen due to forgetfulness, desperation or both.”It is so important to me that if you can remember anything about this entry;I want you to remember that if you let Fibro and its evil sidekicks win ~ if you don’t fight it ~ if you don’t eat healthy, find ways to reduce anxiety and relax your body; and most important – MOVE – KEEP MOVING it can lead to diseases that will KILL YOU.

If you had the choice or chance to live and not die would you do what it takes?

 

I am a Fibro Warrior ~ Living Life
In Loving Memory of a dear neighbor; Cleo ~ forever in our hearts.