The Fibromyalgia Story

More than six million Americans—most of them women—have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), a disorder that produces musculo-skeletal pain and fatigue. In the absence of visible evidence, a well-understood cause, or effective treatment, many have questioned whether FMS is a "real" illness. Amidst the controversy, millions of women live with their very real symptoms.Rather than taking sides in the heated debate, Kristin Barker explains how FMS represents an awkward union between the practices of modern medicine and the complexity of women's pain. Using interviews with sufferers, Barker focuses on how the idea of FMS gives meaning and order to women beset by troubling symptoms, self-doubt, and public skepticism.This book offers a fresh look at a controversial diagnosis; Barker avoids overly simplistic explanations and empathizes with sufferers without losing sight of the social construction of disease and its relation to modern medical practice.

The primary purpose of this book is to inspire and validate those suffering from mysterious chronic pain, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. When you read about someone else and their experiences it has the ability to validate your suffering. When you see how others deal with this disability, it can inspire you to know there are others that have a life and can do something with their life in the face of the unrepentant fibromyalgia.This book is written by someone who, at the time of this printing has had fibromyalgia for thirty-two years, diagnosed for twelve years (a man with fibromyalgia). This isn't a book that will help you get rid of fibromyalgia because even though the medical community is now starting to recognize the illness, they far from a cure. How can you cure something you don't even know the cause of?Reading about someone else's journey with fibromyalgia and how it affects them is interesting and compelling to those of us with fibromyalgia. It's is interesting to see how others deal with this very real and very miserable disease. This memoir gives you an inspirational, entertaining and validating way to do that. You are not a lone.

As Fibromyalgia affects millions of people throughout the world, and we look toward the medical community to help those who suffer from it, what happens at home? If there are so many unanswered questions at the doctor's office, how are we supposed to explain it to our loved ones? This is Patricia Jacobson's journey and how her whole family was along for the ride, whether they wanted to be or not. As she still battles with her pain, she recalls all the pivotal moments in her life that made her realize Fibromyalgia is much bigger than we ever imagined

This memoir is about living with fibromyalgia and other mental health illnesses that one encounters on our spiritual path on earth or lack of it. How changing perceptions is key to our soul’s growth and survival. How learning to forgive myself and others and appreciating the lessons they’ve taught me. How my life experiences and attitudes may have caused and contributed to all the unnecessary pain and depression I've experienced. My realization that my broken self and soul has led me to seek spiritual healing has been a journey of finding my true passions and purpose in life despite the diagnosis of multiple mental illnesses turned physical. As the saying goes life experiences have a way of allowing us to become more resilient in life. Whatever negative experience doesn’t kill you will make you stronger. Because, I’ve learned to overcome and accept my conditions I am now living the life of my dreams and have learned the power of positive thinking. I choose to be happy because of where I've come from and where I am now, knowing that life is what we make it. My negative experiences and misfortunes are now considered life lessons learned. I admit that I've lived in the victim hood mentality most of my life and have put up with being mistreated by a few low-vibrational beings, and I forgive them. I now know that they were brought into my life to show me how to become a stronger, caring and assertive person. I love and admire all my past and current partners, friends and family and am learning to appreciate and forgive them for any offences. I am truly thankful for and appreciate those people who have contributed to who I am today. I acknowledge that love is a choice and the acts of love are kindness, patience, acceptance and understanding. I have become aware of our weaknesses as spiritual beings having a human experience. We all have choices and can change or begin a new life at any time on our journey. With love, patience, perseverance and faith in our spiritual divine essence I will continue to strive for a joyous life and hope to inspire those around me to find their peace and joy needed to be healthy and whole again. With the knowledge and wisdom acquired along the way, including the medicine wheel and other holistic healing modalities I’ve been on a road to recovery. By practicing these methods, I’ve become aware of my own self healing abilities to help me maintain a balanced, active, fulfilling lifestyle. As explained by elders and other spiritual guides, we begin with the four directions with the center of the wheel representing the Sacred Mystery that to me relating it to Feng Shui principals means Health. Or from a biopsychosocial perspective means mental health. The teachings of the medicine wheel create a biopsychosocial and spiritual foundation for human behavior and interaction. We are all one on the planes of existence that affect our physical behaviours, our mental thoughts, feelings and spiritual beliefs. My sacred journey in life has proven to make me a stronger more grateful person who is continuously learning to have love and have compassion for others. In order to do this one has to be compassionate and loving towards themselves first. I’ve always known this, but it hasn’t been easy when your self image is diminished for the sake of building up others. I have always felt guilty and selfish for practicing self love. It is obvious that, with all the roles we have in life, as a mother, wife, worker, daughter and friend. That getting hung up on life, being so busy as a caregiver, running errands and demands of others has made it difficult at times to practice self care and self love. After many years of counselling and introspection I now love myself more now than ever and take time for my physical and spiritual needs. Even sometimes compromising intimacy seems elusive to your own desires and dreams. Like millions of people out there, I’ve been dealing with mental health issues such as addictions, depression, low self esteem and these debilitating chronic conditions they call fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome and depression throughout my life. Growing up in a prosperity deficient, with a family soup of individuals with dysfunctional habits was not the most enlightening or positive experience one can have, however if you love drama, I’ve had it all.

Newly Diagnosed? Long Time Sufferer? You are NOT alone! You CAN change your life and REVERSE this highly frustrating, emotionally confusing, very often unrecognized invisible illness. Too many fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue syndrome patients find themselves suffering in pain, depressed, and alone. Abandoned and misunderstood by their families, the medical community, and society in general, they retreat to their medicine cabinets full of prescription drugs and supplementsmere bandagesthat wont reverse their condition. Chantals story removes the bandages and offers these patients real hope and help. Part memoir/part self-help, Chantal chronicles the steps she took to reclaim her life while following the Guaifenesin Treatment Protocol. Join Chantal in her journey. A must-read, Chantals book will bring you HOPE, INSIGHTFUL tips and POSITIVE results. Th is AMAZING book has changed my Fibromyalgia life. Kris Bruinsma, FMS survivor I am so proud to read this book written by my friend, Chantal. Her articles have graced many publications including my own and I am thrilled that she has taken the time to make her story public. I know firsthand the power of shared experiences on recovery and know her book will make a difference to so many. Claudia Marek, co-author of What Your Doctor May Not Tell You about Fibromyalgia Th is is a story of hope and determination written by an individual who has been a patient in my integrative medical practice for the past eight years. She is an outspoken advocate and our resident expert in the protocol of R. Paul St. Amand, MD. She has graced us with her knowledge and exuberant energy at our clinics monthly fibromyalgia support group meetings. She is the consummate teacher and is always available to help our other fibromyalgia patients working through the subtleties of the Guaifenesin Protocol. A must-read for anyone lost in the abyss of fibromyalgia with seemingly no apparent way out." Thaddeus P. Srutwa, MD, Spring Lake, MI

Although fibromyalgia syndrome is clearly more prevalent among women, the illness does afflict men as well. In this book I will share the male side of fibromyalgia and open myself up in hopes of helping other men. Along with how I found it affects almost everyone in my family in one form or another. If you suffer from fibromyalgia syndrome and are reading this, then I'm sure there will be much to identify with. Fibromyalgia is very misunderstood yet so widespread with nearly four million Americans that suffer. There still is not enough known to cure or treat it fully. Almost everyone with fibromyalgia syndrome has a story that goes back years before they were ever diagnosed with it. Many of the stories read the same. For so long they suffered from something no one had an answer for. They lived in The Crazy World of Fibromyalgia.

In 2007, when Dee Campbell learned that she had been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, she began a personal quest to learn all she could about the disease, treatments, and outlooks. Now she shares the result of her extensive personal research and experience, with the hope of inspiring others living with fibromyalgia to do just that: live. Her story is one of a journey back to health, happiness …and hope. She draws on a range of interventions and embraces a holistic view of the individual. Dee’s success is a testimonial to the importance of remaining positive, empowered, and open-minded. Through her personal experiences and challenges, she hopes to encourage others living with fibromyalgia to seek their own enhanced quality of life. Life with fibromyalgia can be a challenge to mind, body, and soul, and, without support, these can be difficult, challenging, and confusing times. Through her own experiences, Dee recognizes the importance of addressing the physical, psychological, and spiritual elements of each individual in order to achieve improved well-being and long-term management of a chronic illness (and similar health problems or life challenges). You are not alone in your journey. “Anyone with this illness can easily relate to this courageous and inspirational story … written by someone who has experienced the whole spectrum of fibromyalgia and all the frustrations and symptoms that go with it.” —Lynette, a fellow fibromyalgia patient; October, 2011