Keep on BEing AWARE...of FMS and ME.

Last week, on the 12th May, which each year is 'International Fibromyalgia and ME/CFS Awareness Day', I posted here in my blog,  as 'my May 12th contribution' to raise awareness of the two conditions. However, due to technical difficulties (as you know sometimes happens), the Google Blogger Network went down and all posts that day, apparently globally, were lost. So to not waste my efforts, and after having a particularly painful and stressful week, (as sufferers know, any achievement when living with a chronic illness such as ME or FMS, will occur after much effort and pain) I have decided, with a few minor changes, to post it again. So do please read and ask others to..and whether you are a sufferer, or have a friend or loved one who lives with one or both of the conditions, please continue to raise awareness of these horrible invisible illnesses, and the very important awareness work that occurs, thank you...so here goes...

                                                                                                        

Are you AWARE?

Are you aware of FIBROMYALGIA and ME/CFS?

Are you aware that May 12th is - 'International Fibromyalgia and ME/CFS Awareness Day?'...

I am, yet although I'm a long time sufferer of Fibromyalgia Syndrome 'and' a Lecturer in Health, with friends, family, and many people I know living with FMS, Chronic Fatigue or both...until a couple of years ago, I was NOT AWARE of this day!

In fact until last year, I was not even aware of the UK National Fibromyalgia Awareness week that falls on the first week in September (this year being the 4th to 11th September 2011)...until a friend and ex-colleague of mine organised a display in the FE College where I was lecturing.

When seeing all the symptoms that I live with on a daily basis, staring down at me from the display, on beautifully written words on pretty coloured card, it hit home hard, I had to face it, I have Fibromyalgia...and I have to fight it!

So...now I am AWARE, and I am aware of the AWARENESS...So let's all get aware, and continue to raise the awareness of FIBROMYALGIA and ME/CFS.

Useful links:-
Fibromyalgia Association UK
Action for ME
Get an ME/Fibro Twibbon

Have a pain free, stress free, happy day.
 

I'm NOT a WEEd...my bladder is!

Do you feel irritated?...I do!

I have been feeling a bit irritated over the past few days!!..as I have on many occasions...one reason...my 'IRRITABLE BLADdEr'!! My bladder has felt so weak, I have been back and forth to the lavatory during the day, and it's had me awake in the night too...let's face it!...my weak bladder has been a real 'WEEd'!

Suffering from the painful symptoms of an irritable bladder and associated conditions, as some readers will know, can be quite debilitating, with stinging, burning and smarting sensations that feel somewhat like glass (or a sharp blade) cutting away inside.

Unfortunately, suffering from an irritable bladder (with often no other sign of infection) is just another symptom in the collection of symptoms that make Fibromyalgia a 'Syndrome'. An irritable bladder, otherwise known as 'Interstitial Cystitis' typically shows symptoms in addition to the pain mentioned as; low bladder capacity, bladder spasms; bladder frequency and incontinence...and (sometimes embarrassingly), I have had them all! Please click here for more information on bladder problems in Fibromyalgia and how to treat the symptoms.

I first had problems with my bladder when I was a young child and from the age of six, I spent the following two years in and out of hospital. During that time the doctors puzzled over the reasons behind my constant tears, reluctance to pass urine and complaints of pains in my back and tummy. When testing my urine, sometimes there was infection, sometimes not and the final diagnosis was 'in-conclusive' and put down to my 'personality'. From this experience I was left with a scar on my kidney and myself wondering for a very long time...what was actually wrong with me and my bladder? Only years later, after my FMS diagnosis, was an 'irritable bladder' explanation given.

Of course, due to the physiological design of having a shorter urethra than men, women are more prone to infections of the urinary tract and the possibility of infection always needs to be ruled out...please click here for explanations of urinary tract infections in women. As you know, If you are having unusual or consistent symptoms of pain, burning and feelings of urgency to pass urine, or other types of pelvic pain, you should first go to your doctors to have the possibility of infection ruled out, however if no infection is found, it may be the case...as with myself, that you are suffering from 'interstitial cystitis' otherwise known as 'irritable bladder'...and mine can be very irritable!

In addition to 'Interstitial Cystitis' there are other conditions, for example: 'Pudendal Neuralgia' & 'Pelvic Floor Dysfunction' that commonly occur in women and cause pain in the pelvic area, and like many other illnesses, they are invisible to others and quite often go unnoticed. There is a wonderful blog : 'Silent Tears: Chronic Pelvic and Bladder Pain in Women' that aims at raising awareness of bladder and pelvic pain conditions and a great website : 'Pretty with Pelvic Pain', written by the same author, that has a number of  informative articles. Whether you suffer from a bladder or pelvic pain condition, as I do, or you are just interested in finding out more about bladder and pelvic conditions, the sites are definitely worth a look!

So do you feel irritated? Are you uncomfortable? In pain? Do you need to pop to the toilet?...I do.

However, because I have a 'weak', 'irritable' bladder it doesn't mean that I'm weak...I'm not a WEEd!!....and neither are you, because living with 'invisible', 'chronic' illness can only make us stronger...can't it?

Have a comfortable, pain free, relaxing day.