A book written by an RN, PhD, entitled: Women and Fibromyalgia. Living with an invisible disease. Many people with PTSD develop Fibromyalgia. Out-of-balance hormones = fibromyalgia and PTSD and chronic fatigue. Go to: womenandfibromyalgia.com/2015/07/17/fibromyalgia-and-post-traumatic-stress-disorder
Answer Summary
Members expressed appreciation for a shared resource exploring the connection between fibromyalgia and PTSD, with several noting they... Read more
Thanks to all of you for responding. @A MyFibroTeam Member: I've read, and heard Dr.'s on TV say that PTSD used to be thought to be caused by horrible traumatic occurrences, like war, extreme physical/mental abuse, murders, near death experiences, etc. Just today I heard one on The Doctors Show say that far less traumatic things such as divorce, a car wreck, death of a loved one, etc., can also trigger PTSD in susceptible people. Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum, who has fibromyalgia himself, has proven that we can be deficient in lots of body hormones, like the thyroid, hypothalamus, pineal, pituitary glands, etc., (even though they may test normal levels), caused by some kind of ongoing stress or past stress. His web site: prohealth.com/library/showarticle.cfm explains his treatment protocol for fibromyalgia.
@A MyFibroTeam Member: I imagine that the majority of us with fibro. also have PTSD. Ongoing tension and anxiety are truly hard to tolerate. I heard a psychologist in the media say that people respond to stress differently. She said that the fight or flight reaction can get switched on in fibro., and the body gets worn out when it doesn't switch back off, as it should when all is well. I am doing ok, and I hope that you are having many low pain days.
Makes sense @A MyFibroTeam Member
That makes sense! Look forward to reading this. Thank you.
@A MyFibroTeam Member: I'm sure that you have worked very hard to get to the point where you are at now in your recovery from the trauma. It's disheartening that you suffer the nightmares every night, when nighttime should be a peaceful, restorative time. You do sound like a very strong, determined person to rise above it all though, and I'm sure that you will succeed. Keep the faith, and know that we truly care about each other's welfare on this wonderful, supportive site. Have a good day, my friend.
@A MyFibroTeam Member: I am sorry to hear that you suffer from c-ptsd, and that it was caused by trauma in your childhood. I hope that you are finding the help that you need to work through that trauma, and it's letting you live a more peaceful life, my friend. Thank you for responding. Take care of yourself, and watch lifting too much, and doing too much activity, so that you won't go into another flare.