Natural Cure to Fibro Survey 2008Irritable Bowel Syndrome 3.7 What Does This Mean: The top three conditions that were rated as most commonly effecting respondents were, "Depression

Disclaimer: All material in this report is provided for information only and may not be construed as

medical advice or instruction. No action or inaction should be taken based solely on the contents of the

survey findings. Instead readers should consult their physician or other qualified health professionals on

any matter relating to health and well-being. Readers who fail to consult with appropriate health

authorities assume the risk of any injuries. The publisher is not responsible for errors or omissions.

Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark,

manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or

favoring by the publisher.

TThhee ‘‘NNaattuurraall CCuurreettoo FFiibbrroommyyaallggiiaa’’SSuurrvveeyy 22000088

Helping Us All Gain A GreaterUnderstanding of Fibromyalgia.

Author of the Natural Cure to Fibromyalgia

A survey by Fibromyalgia Sufferers for Fibromyalgia Sufferers

Discover the remedies fellow sufferers recommend, what lifestyle changeshelp…

And the triggers to avoid.

http://www.eliminatefibromyalgia.com/fibromyalgia.html?source=survey

The Natural Cure to Fibromyalgia Survey 2008

For more information on Fibromyalgia and to sign up for a free newsletter please visit:

Natural Cure to Fibromyalgia

http://www.eliminatefibromyalgia.com/fibromyalgia.html

Table of Contents

Survey Summary / OverviewIntroduction and summary by Jane Thompson

Question One Results:Respondents age

Question Two Results:Respondents gender

Question Three Results:Formal Fibromyalgia diagnosis

Question Four Results:Fibromyalgia symptoms severity

Question Five Results:Related conditions

Question Six Results:When to symptoms strike?

Question Seven Results:Length of time with Fibromyalgia

Question Eight Results:Initial Fibromyalgia triggers

Question Nine Results:Effectiveness of Fibromyalgia medications

Question Ten Results:Fibromyalgia alternative treatments

Question Eleven Results:Managing Fibromyalgia through diet







Question Twelve Results:Common Fibromyalgia 'triggers'

Question Thirteen Results:Helpful Fibromyalgia resources

Question Fourteen Results:What Fibromyalgia information would be useful?

Question Fifteen Results:Best Fibromyalgia coping tips

Question Sixteen Results:Fibromyalgia questions the respondents would like answered

AppendicesAppendix i Question 8 DetailsAppendix ii Question 10 DetailsAppendix iii Question 12 DetailsAppendix iv Question 13 DetailsAppendix v Question 15 DetailsAppendix vi Question 16 Details







Survey Summary

An invitation to complete The Natural Cure to Fibromyalgia Survey 2008 wassent to a total of 2931 newsletter subscribers in March 2008. Of these peoplearound 670 are considered to be ‘very active’ subscribers based on emailnewsletter opening rates.

The survey ran between the 11th March and the 18th March 2008 and a total of 416people completed the survey, which is 14.1% of the total number contacted, but62% of the estimated ‘very active’ group.

The aim of the survey was to identify the respondents’ experience withFibromyalgia, to gather their thoughts on treatments and remedies and whattheir overwhelming area of concern was.

The high level summary of all the results are:

The respondents were mainly females aged between 36 - 55, with 80% of therespondents having had Fibromyalgia formally diagnosed.

31% of respondents have been suffering with Fibromyalgia for between 3 – 5years with 28% having lived with the condition for over 10 years.

“Widespread aches & pains” is the most common symptom and 39% stated thattheir symptoms are present “all the time”.

When given a list of common Fibromyalgia drugs/medical treatments to rate interms of effectiveness (1 being ‘not effective’ and 5 being ‘very effective'), 5treatments scored below average (2.5) and 9 scored above average, however thehighest score was 3.0. Sleep aids and Muscle relaxants were rated as the mosteffective medication with an average score each of 3.0.

Alternative treatments for Fibromyalgia were also surveyed with massage therapyand herbal remedies being the most commonly used.







The responses relating to managing Fibromyalgia symptoms through diet wereinteresting. The majority of survey respondents (45%) said that they are mostlycareful about what they eat. However 56% don’t manage their Fibromyalgiasymptoms with careful diet choices on a regular basis.

However, when asked to list common triggers that can cause Fibromyalgiasymptoms to flare up three out of the top five items were food based. The topthree triggers were identified as:

• Sugar / Sugary foods

• Stress

• Alcohol

When asked which products, services or information the respondents found mosthelpful in coping with Fibromyalgia symptoms 55 respondents said informationprovided in the Natural Cure to Fibromyalgia newsletter, blog, email anddownloadable book.

Note: these results should be viewed in context as it was the “Natural Cure toFibromyalgia” newsletter subscribers who were asked to complete the survey.

When asked to rate which products, if made available, would be most useful, therespondents chose ‘Pain Elimination Methods for Fibromyalgia Sufferers’ and thesecond choice was a ‘Monthly Fibromyalgia newsletter with recipes, naturalremedies & tips’.

The top three tips for dealing with Fibromyalgia symptoms were as follows:

1. Stay positive2. Educate yourself about Fibromyalgia3. Don't over do it (even on good days)

The final question dealt with the respondents biggest concern. There were manydifferent questions, but the one asked the most was ‘What's the cause, how do Iget it?’







The Survey Results in Detail:

The questions and answers are detailed below with the answers displayed in bothtext and graphical form (where applicable), along with a brief explanation of thefindings.

Where open-ended free form questions were asked, only the most commonanswers have been included in the survey. The remaining details can be found inthe appendices.

Please feel free to pass a copy of this survey onto anyone you feel may beinterested in the information.

Alternatively send them to the following website where they can sign up for a freenewsletter and get a complimentary copy of the Survey Report:

http://www.eliminatefibromyalgia.com

Thank you again to all those who took part in The Natural Cure to FibromyalgiaSurvey 2008, your input has been invaluable.

Jane ThompsonAuthor: Natural Cure to Fibromyalgia

http://www.eliminatefibromyalgia.com/?source=survey








1. The first question asked was to determine the respondents’ age.

Age No of Respondents Percentage

18 - 25 9 2%26 - 35 45 11%36 - 45 104 25%46 - 55 165 40%56 - 65 69 17%66+ 24 6%

What Does This Mean:

The results show that the majority of respondents are aged between 36 and 55.There could be a number of reasons for this result:

1. That there are more people in this age group subscribed to the "Natural CureTo Fibromyalgia" Newsletter.2. People within this age group who are subscribed to Newsletter are more likelyto answer surveys.3. Fibromyalgia can occur at any age, however it is most commonly diagnosed inwomen around the age of 50, which ties in with the survey results. This can bebecause Fibromyalgia can be easily misdiagnosed leading to patients suffering formany years before receiving a proper diagnosis and treatment.

Age of Respondents

9

45

104

165

69

24

0 50 100 150 200

18 - 25

26 - 35

36 - 45

46 - 55

56 - 65

66+

No of Respondents







2. The second question established the respondents’ gender.

No of Respondents Percentage

Male 23 6%Female 393 94%


Although Fibromyalgia can effect men and women, the largest proportion ofsurvey respondents were women.

Statistically it has been shown that women are around 4 times more likely to bediagnosed with Fibromyalgia than men are. The results of the survey supportthis.

Also, the survey was sent to a newsletter subscriber population, which is thoughtto have a higher female reader percentage.

Respondents Gender

23

393

0

100

200

300

400

500

Male Female







3. The third question determined whether respondents had receiveda formal diagnosis of Fibromyalgia.


Yes (diagnosed) 331 80%No (not diagnosed) 85 20%


80% of the respondents stated that they had been formally diagnosed withFibromyalgia.

Considering the often-negative experience received by many who seeks adiagnosis from their doctors, this figure reflects that many do eventually receive adiagnosis for Fibromyalgia, but perseverance may be required to get a properdiagnosis from a qualified practitioner.

Formal Fibromyalgia Diagnosis

331

85

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

Yes No

No of Respondents







4. Respondents were asked to rate the following Fibromyalgiasymptoms according to frequency of occurrence with 1 being'rarely' experienced and 5 being experienced 'most frequently' andto choose N/A for any that did not apply.

Rating

Widespread aches & pains 4.6Morning stiffness 4.4Fatigue 4.4Trouble sleeping 4.2Chronic headaches 3.3Muscle Twitches & Weakness 3.9Fibrofog 3.8Vision Problems 3.1Nausea 2.6Urinary & Pelvic Problems 3.0Weight Gain 3.6Dizziness 3.0Cold Symptoms 3.2

Fibromyalgia Symptom Severity

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0

Widespread aches & pains

Morning stiffness

Fatigue

Trouble sleeping

Chronic headaches

Muscle Twitches & Weakness

Fibrofog

Vision Problems

Nausea

Urinary & Pelvic Problems

Weight Gain

Dizziness

Cold Symptoms








The most commonly felt symptoms shared by the survey respondents were"Widespread aches & pains", "Morning stiffness" and "fatigue".

The least common were "nausea" and "dizziness".

This result is of little surprise considering Fibromyalgia is often described as “achronic pain disorder characterised by widespread pain, fatigue and sleepdisturbance”.







5. Respondents were asked to rate any related conditions accordingto frequency with 1 being 'rarely' experienced and 5 beingexperienced 'most frequently'.

RatingMyofascial Pain Syndrome 3.5Temperomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome 3.2Allergies and chemical sensitivity 3.6Depression and or anxiety 3.9Painful menstruation 3.2Acid Reflux 3.4Irritable Bowel Syndrome 3.7


The top three conditions that were rated as most commonly effecting respondentswere, "Depression and/or Anxiety", "Irritable Bowel Syndrome" and "Allergiesand Chemical Sensitivity".

Studies correlate these findings. It is believed that about 70% Fibromyalgiasufferers have IBS, high proportions of those with Fibromyalgia also suffer withdepression or a General Anxiety Disorder (GAD).

Frequency of Related Conditions

0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5

Myofascial Pain Syndrome

Temperomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome

Allergies and chemical sensitivity

Depression and or anxiety

Painful menstruation

Acid Reflux

Irritable Bow el Syndrome







6. Question 6 asked respondents to select when their FibromyalgiaSymptoms are worse.


First thing in the morning 76 18%Midday 7 2%In the afternoons 12 3%In the evenings 26 6%At night 18 4%All the time 164 39%The symptoms come and go 113 27%


The majority of respondents stated that their symptoms do not have a specificschedule, but that they are present all the time. The second most popular answerwas that the respondents’ symptoms "come and go".

When Symptoms Are Worse

76

7

12

26

18

164

113

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180

First thing in the morning

Midday

In the afternoons

In the evenings

At night

All the time

The symptoms come and go

No of Respondents







7. In question 7 respondents were asked how long they have sufferedwith Fibromyalgia for.


Less than a year 31 7%1 - 2 years 51 12%3 - 5 years 128 31%6 - 8 years 62 15%9 - 10 years 26 6%10 + years 118 28%


The majority of respondents stated that they had been suffering withFibromyalgia symptoms for between 3 - 5 years, however, over a quarter of therespondents had been suffering with symptoms for over 10 years.

These results confirm that Fibromyalgia is a chronic illness that requires ongoingmanagement of symptoms.

Length of Time Since Symptom Onset

31

51

128

62

26

118

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

Less than

a year

1 - 2

years

3 - 5

years

6 - 8

years

9 - 10

years

10 +

years

No of Respondents







8. Question 8 asked respondents to select from the options belowwhat they thought was the initial cause of Fibromyalgia or tochoose ‘other’ if appropriate.


A Hereditary Link 35 8%An accident or injury 81 20%An illness 52 13%Starting the Menopause 14 3%Do not know 204 49%Other 27 7%


The majority of respondents stated they did not know what triggered theircondition. However, 81 respondents (20%) believed an accident or injurytriggered their Fibromyalgia, and 13% believed the condition was triggered by anillness.

There also are 27 different causes listed in ‘other’, the most common being Stressor Bereavement. The full list of other causes is listed in the Appendix.

Fibromyalgia Triggers

0 50 100 150 200 250

A Hereditary Link

An accident or injury

An illness

Starting the Menopause

Do not know

Other

No of Respondents







9. Respondents were asked whether they had taken or were takingany of the following medications/treatments for Fibromyalgia byrating their effectiveness, with 1 being 'not effective' and 5 being'very effective'.

RatingAnalgesics 2.4NSAID's 2.7Duloxetine 2.8Pregabalin 2.9Pramipexole 1.5Cox-II inhibitors 2.2Ultracet 2.5Pindolol 1.7Tricyclic antidepressants 2.8SSRI's 2.9Mixed Reuptake Inhibitors 1.7Benzodiazepines 2.8Sleep aids 3.0Muscle Relaxants 3.0

Fibromyalgia Medication Effectiveness

0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5

Analgesics

NSAID's

Duloxetine

Pregabalin

Pramipexole

Cox-II inhibitors

Ultracet

Pindolol

Tricyclic antidepressants

SSRI's

Mixed Reuptake Inhibitors

Benzodiazepines

Sleep aids

Muscle Relaxants

Rating

http://eliminatefibromyalgia.com/insomnia.html








Although not intending to be a scientific study, the results showed that thehighest average rating for the most effective medication was 3 out of 5. Both"sleep aids" and "muscle relaxants" achieved this score.

5 out of the 14 common medications prescribed for Fibromyalgia failed to achieveaverage scores (2.5) on effectiveness according to the survey respondents.







10. Question 10 asked the respondents to select which of the followingnatural products they use and to add any other treatments theymay be trying.


Herbal remedies 166 40%Acupuncture/Acupressure 77 19%Massage Therapy 198 48%Hypnosis 13 3%Relaxation Therapy 93 22%Hydrotherapy 49 12%Aromatherapy 55 13%Reflexology 37 9%Reiki Therapy 33 8%Chelation Therapy 2 0.5%Other 49 12%

What Does This Mean:There are an abundance of alternative/ complementary therapies that areavailable for Fibromyalgia sufferers. And although the responses do not indicateeffectiveness, it can be assumed that the more popular treatments are most likelyto be effective for sufferers. The top three alternative treatments were "MassageTherapy", "Herbal remedies" and "Relaxation Therapy"

A list of the treatments from the ‘other’ category can be found in the appendix.

Alternative FibromyalgiaTreatments

166

77

19813

93

49

55

37

332

49Herbal remedies

Acupuncture/Acupressure

Massage Therapy

Hypnosis

Relaxation Therapy

Hydrotherapy

Aromatherapy

Reflexology

Reiki Therapy

Chelation Therapy

Other







11. Question 11 was asked to determine if Fibromyalgia sufferersmanaged their symptoms by watching their diet and avoiding itemsthey know will cause symptoms to flare-up? Respondents wereasked to select the option that was most applicable.


Yes - I always watch what I eat 40 10%I am mostly careful about what I eat 146 35%I will sometimes watch what I eat 87 21%No - I don't manage my Fibromyalgia bywatching my diet 143 34%


There is considerable evidence that diet and nutrition can have a profound effecton the severity of Fibromyalgia symptoms. The survey responses indicate that10% of the respondents follow a strict diet to control symptoms, but over 50% ofrespondents either do not manage their symptoms with diet, or are onlysometimes careful of the their dietary intake.

Managing Fibromyalgia Through Diet

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160

Yes - I always watch what I eat

I am mostly careful about what I eat

I will sometimes watch what I eat

No - I don't manage my Fibromyalgia by

watching my diet

No of Respondents







12. Question 12 asked respondents to list the top three 'trigger' foods,beverages or other environmental factors they have identified ashaving a worsening effect on their Fibromyalgia symptoms.

Fibromyalgia Triggers No of Respondents

Sugar/ Sugary foods 43Stress 33Alcohol 27Wheat/ Bread 27Dairy Products 21Changes in barometric pressure 21Cold or Cold Weather 19Coffee 15Lack of Sleep 14Damp Air/Wet Weather 13Chocolate 12Sensitivity to smells 11Caffeine 11Fizzy Drinks/ Soda 11High Fat or Fried foods 10Chemicals 8Overdoing it 8MSG in foods 7Flavorings/Preservatives/Colorings 7Spicy Foods 7Carbohydrates 7


From the responses to the survey, it is clear that there are certain trigger foodsand situations that can cause symptoms to worsen. The most common dietaryproblem items are sugar and sugary foods, alcohol, wheat and dairy products.

Other common triggers that where mentioned by a large number of respondentswere "undue stress", changes in barometric pressure and cold or wet weather.

The full list of symptom triggers can be found in the Appendix.







13. Question 13 asked respondents whether there were any particularproducts, services or information that they have found helpful inmanaging or reducing Fibromyalgia symptoms.

No of Respondents

Natural Cure to Fibromyalgia book and newsletter 55Support Groups 17Fibromyalgia Association 9Magnesium 7Lyrica 7Stretching 5Deep Tissue Massage 5Walking 4Fibromyalgia Advocate by Devin Starlanyl 4Heat pads 4Reversing Fibromyalgia by Joe M Elrod 3Yoga 3Fibromyalgia for Dummies by Roland Staud & Christine Adamec 3Chiropractor 3Fibromyalgia.com 3WebMD.com 3Tramaodol 3Hot Tubs 3Pilates 3Rest 3Rheumatologist 3


The most common response was the "Natural Cure To Fibromyalgia" Newsletterand downloadable eBook, which where mentioned as the most helpful resources.

However, these results should be viewed in context, as the survey was completedsolely by subscribers to the Natural Cure to Fibromyalgia Newsletter.

The full list of resources can be found in the Appendix.


http://www.fmaware.org/

http://www.eliminatefibromyalgia.com/magnesium.html

http://www.eliminatefibromyalgia.com/fibro-advocate.html

http://www.eliminatefibromyalgia.com/heatpads.html

http://www.eliminatefibromyalgia.com/reversing-fibro.html

http://www.eliminatefibromyalgia.com/fibro-for-dummies.html







14. In an effort to discover what information Fibromyalgia sufferersneeded the most, respondents were asked to rate the suggestionsbelow from 1 to 5 (1 being 'not useful' and 5 being 'very useful')

Rating100 Healing Fibromyalgia Recipes 3.9Recommendations and Discounts on Natural FibromyalgiaSupplements & Remedies 3.8Fibromyalgia Membership Site including symptom relief methods,information and support 3.9Definitive Guide to Fibromyalgia Home Remedies 4.0Pain Elimination Methods for Fibromyalgia Sufferers 4.5Monthly Fibromyalgia newsletter with recipes, natural remedies & tips 4.2


The most popular product, if made available would be "Pain Elimination Methodsfor Fibromyalgia Sufferers". This does not come as a surprise, as the painassociated with Fibromyalgia has a profound impact on life and quality of living.

Respondents also stated that a "Monthly Fibromyalgia newsletter with recipes,natural remedies & tips" would be useful highlighting the chronic aspect of thiscondition that often requires ongoing management of symptoms.

Useful Fibromyalgia Resources

3.9

3.8

3.94.0

4.5

4.2

100 Healing Fibromyalgia Recipes

Recommendations and Discounts on Natural

Fibromyalgia Supplements & Remedies

Fibromyalgia Membership Site including symptom

relief methods, information and support

Definitive Guide to Fibromyalgia Home Remedies

Pain Elimination Methods for Fibromyalgia

Sufferers

Monthly Fibromyalgia new sletter w ith recipes,

natural remedies & tipsRating







15. In Question 15, respondents were asked to provide the best tip/sthey would give someone who has been newly diagnosed withFibromyalgia.The answers were grouped, where applicable and the following is a summaryof the answers with 12 of more recommendations. The remaining tips can befound in the Appendices.

No of Respondents

Stay positive 58Educate Yourself about Fibromyalgia 54Don't over do it (even on good days) 50Find support (friends, family, online or local community groups) 47Rest frequently 46Exercise regularly 45Find a good doctor or specialist who has knowledge of Fibromyalgia 45Reduce stress 40Stay Active/ Keep busy 37Accept you have Fibromyalgia 30Get quality sleep 26Eat a healthy, well balanced diet 21Try different treatments until you find one that works 19Listen to your body 18Massage 17Remember, you are not alone 12Take one day at a time 12


Although the answers received from respondents where interesting and diverse,there were strong themes running through the advice they offered.

The most frequently stated advice would be to "stay positive" and to "educateyourself about Fibromyalgia".

Also, it is considered important to not "overdo it (even on good days)”, andestablish a strong support group with family, friends, online or in your localcommunity.

The full list of tips can be found in the Appendix.







16. The final question of the survey asked respondents to enter theONE question they would like answered about Fibromyalgia:

The answers were grouped, where applicable, and the following is a summaryof the questions asked by 6 or more people. The remaining questions can befound in the Appendices.

No of Respondents

What's the cause, how do I get it? 51Can it be treated/ cured/ controlled? 40How can I get rid of the pain? 22Will it get better or worse over time? 18Why don't doctors take it more seriously? 17Will there by a medication that will be available in the future to treat it? 15How do I get people to understand and be patient? 15What is the most accurate way to diagnose it? 14What is a good diet to follow and what should I avoid? 10How do I increase my energy and manage fatigue? 10Does it ever go into remission? 9How can I sleep better without Medication? 9How to find a doctor/ specialist to receive a proper diagnosis and treatment? 9What are the natural Fibromyalgia remedies that work? 9How do I know I have received the correct diagnosis? 8Can it debilitate you over time? 8What are the natural pain relief methods? 6What causes and how do I prevent flare-ups? 6How do I manage the pain? 6


Not surprisingly, the most common questions that respondents had were "whatcauses Fibromyalgia" and "why did I end up with it".

Other common questions related to whether it can be cured/ treated, and how toget rid of the pain associated with Fibromyalgia.

The full list of questions is included in the Appendix.







Appendix i

Question 8 – Full list of other causes given by respondents:

Fibromyalgia Causes No of Respondents

Stress 22Bereavement 6Surgery 5Accidents 5Medication 5Trauma 5Illness 4Hereditary 3Hysterectomy 3Childbirth 3Glandular Fever/ Mono 3Pregnancy 3Abuse 2Divorce 2Overwork 2Chemotherapy 2C section 1Back surgery 1Brain surgery 1IVF treatment 1Gall Bladder surgery 1Shingles 1Sleep disorders 1Hypothyroidism 1Lock Jaw 1Major dental work 1Diabetes 1







Appendix ii

Question 10 – Full list other Treatments provided by Surveyrespondents

Fibromyalgia Alternative Treatments No of Respondents

Chiropractor 14Heat Therapy (heat pads, hot tubs, warm bath) 8Exercise 6Far Infrared Sauna (FIR)/ Sauna 5Yoga 5Physiotherapy 4Aqua Therapy 3Diet Change 3Homeopathy 3Keep busy 3Pilates 3Prayer/ meditation 3Chelation Therapy 2Cranial Osteopathy 2Cranial Sacral 2Ibuprofen/ Pain Meds 2Magnesium Supplements 2Absorbine Veterinary Horse Gel 1Aleve 1Bowen Therapy 1Anti-biotics 1Energy Therapy 1Essential Oils 1Felden Krais Method 1Guaifenisen 1CoQ10 1Omega 3 1Inter Muscle Stimulator 1Ionic Detox Footbath 1Lidoderm patches 1


http://eliminatefibromyalgia.com/sauna.html


http://www.eliminatefibromyalgia.com/flaxseed.html







Light box 1Micro currents 1Xolo dogs - pawsforcomfort.com 1Acupuncture 1Plenty of sleep 1Osteopathy 1Horse riding 1Plenty of water 1tyrenol 1Vitamins 1Whey Protein 1Calcium 1Fascia Treatment 1Epsom Salt Bath 1Kinesology 1Acticare 1Intranural injections 1Lymphatic drainage 1Nutritional supplements 1







Appendix iii

Question 12 – Full list of Fibromyalgia Symptom Triggers

Fibromyalgia Triggers No of Respondents

Sugar/ Sugary foods 43Stress 33Alcohol 27Wheat/ Bread 27Dairy Products 21Changes in barometric pressure 21Cold or Cold Weather 19Coffee 15Lack of Sleep 14Damp Air/Wet Weather 13Chocolate 12Sensitivity to smells 11Caffeine 11Fizzy Drinks/ Soda 11High Fat or Fried foods 10Chemicals 8Overdoing it 8MSG in foods 7Flavorings/Preservatives/Colorings 7Spicy Foods 7Carbohydrates 7Aspartame/ Sugar substitutes 6Yeast 6Red Meat 5Menstrual Cycle/ PMS 4Cheese 4Bright Lights 4Tomatoes 4Pork 4Acidic foods 3Processed Meat 3Strenuous Exercise 3Potatoes 3White Flour 3







Sunshine 2Shellfish/fish 2Beef 2Change in temperature 2Mold food 2Corn/Corn Syrup 2Eggs 2Getting Too Hot 2Under-activity 2Sitting on hard chairs 2Medication 1Dust 1Air Conditioning 1Central Heating 1Cinnamon 1Smoke 1Eggplant (Aubergine) 1Strawberries 1Orange Juice 1Guava 1Apples 1Pears 1Allergies 1Nightshade Plants 1Noise 1Uneven Ground 1Oils 1Garlic 1Sitting Still 1Soy Products 1Cooked Onions 1Almonds 1Nuts 1Pollution 1Citric Acid 1







Appendix iv

Question 13 – Full list resources

Fibromyalgia Resources No of Respondents

Natural Cure to Fibromyalgia book and newsletter 55Support Groups 17Fibromyalgia Association 9Magnesium 7Lyrica 7Stretching 5Deep Tissue Massage 5Walking 4Fibromyalgia Advocate by Devin Starlanyl 4Heat pads 4Reversing Fibromyalgia by Joe M Elrod 3Yoga 3Fibromyalgia for Dummies by Roland Staud & Christine Adamec 3Chiropractor 3Fibromyalgia.com 3WebMD.com 3Tramaodol 3Hot Tubs 3Pilates 3Rest 3Rheumatologist 3About.com 2Fibro Workshops 2B12 2Daily Meditation 2The First Year: Fibromyalgia by Claudia Craig Marek 2Fatigue to Fantastic by Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D 2Candida Diet 2CoQ10 2Omega 3 2Hydrotherapy/ Aqua Therapy 2


http://www.fmaware.org/


http://www.eliminatefibromyalgia.com/fibro-advocate.html


http://www.eliminatefibromyalgia.com/reversing-fibro.html

http://www.eliminatefibromyalgia.com/fibro-for-dummies.html

http://www.eliminatefibromyalgia.com/first-year.html

http://www.eliminatefibromyalgia.com/fatigued-to-fantastic.html

http://www.eliminating-candida.com/candida.html








FibroHugs 2Fibromyalgia and Chronic Myofacial Pain 2What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Fibromyalgia by Dr. St. Amandand Claudia Craig Marek 2Flaxseed Oil 2Glucosamine 2Information from family members with Fibro 2300g Neurontin 2Positive Mental Attitude 2Neuromuscular stimulator (TENS) 2Fish Oils 2D Super/ Complex 2Medication 2Sleep 2Fibromyalgia Foundation 2Fibro Network Website 2Fibromyalgia 024 oil from Swiss Medica 1Salon Pas stickers for painful trigger points 1Nutritionist 1Pamphlet from doctor 1Bach's Rescue Remedy 1Asorbine Veterinary Liniment Gel 1Holistic Therapies 1Aqua Med Bed 1Arthritis Foundation 1Base Powder 1Just Fine by Carol Sveilich 1Paws4comfort.com 1Inside Fibromyalgia by Mark Pellegrino 1FibromyalgiaAwareness.org 1Stanford Study 1Calritan D 10 Hour 1Muscle Stem 1Co-Codamol 1Cranial Adjustment 1Devils Claw 1Emu Oil 1Rebounder (Small Trampoline) 1EFT 1

http://www.eliminatefibromyalgia.com/what-your-doctor.html








CBT 1America Exhausted: Breakthrough Treatments of Fatigue and Fibromyalgiaby Dr Edward J Conley 1Fibromyalgia and Fatigue Centers Newsletter 1Fibromyalgia Awareness Publication 1Fibromyalgia.co.uk 1Arthritis Society UK 1FibroTalk.com 1Ginkgo Biloba 1Valarium 1Religion 1Lidocaine patches 1ThreeLac 1Neck Massage 1Vitamin C 1Glucosamine/ Chrondrotin 1Essential Oil Massage 1Hot Rock Therapy 1Accupressure 1Ninxia Red 1Cutting out Sugar 1Serenitol 1SamE 1Vitamin D 1Herbal Teas 1Joint Ease 1Activive 1Shaklee Vitamins 1GLA 1Lecithin 1Living with Fibromyalgia 1Shiatsu Massage 1Ice 1Inter Muscular Stimulation 1Tai Chi 1Swimming 1Ibuprofen 1Tramacet 1

http://www.eliminatefibromyalgia.com/america-exhausted.html

http://www.eliminatefibromyalgia.com/vitamin-c.html







Lemon Tea 1Lidoderm Patches 1Malic Acid 1National ME Center 1Physical Therapy 1Trigger Point Shots 1Remron 1Wellbutrin 1Colon Cleansing 1Water and Celtic Salt 1Zero Gravity Recliner 1Dr Jacob Teitelbaums Myofacial Pain Syndrome 1Young Living Essential Oils 1Arc.org.uk 1Fibromyalgiatreatment.com 1Pain Patches 1B50 vitamins 1Caltrate Liquid 1Chrondrotin 1MSM 1Sun Chloretta 1Mild Exercise 1Joint defense 1Water 1Acetometophen with codeine 1Provigil 1Complete Idiots Guide To Fibromyalgia 1Cymbalta 1Ion Cleanse Detox Foot Bath 1Med Tract 1FMNetNews 1NFRA 1Mannatech Products 1Hot Showers 1







FMAware.org 1Dr Brice Vickery 1Dr Roger Murphey - How to treat and beat Fibro 1Steroid Medication 1Xantrax 3 1Probiotics 1Mylo - Plex 1Acticare 1Advantage IBS Tabs 1Codeine 1Intranural Injections 1Natural Joint 1







Appendix V

Question 15 – Full list of tips

Fibromyalgia Tips No of Respondents

Stay positive 58Educate Yourself about Fibromyalgia 54Don't over do it (even on good days) 50Find support (friends, family, online or local community groups) 47Rest frequently 46Exercise regularly 45Find a good doctor or specialist who has knowledge of Fibromyalgia 45Reduce stress 40Stay Active/ Keep busy 37Accept you have Fibromyalgia 30Get Quality Sleep 26Eat a healthy, well balanced diet 21Try different treatments until you find one that works 19Listen to your body 18Massage 17Remember, you are not alone 12Take one day at a time 12Meditation/ Relaxation techniques 11Avoid Sugar 10Prayer/ Religion 8Walking 8Look after yourself/ Pamper Yourself 7Keep off narcotics and go for natural solutions 7Stretching exercises 7Take arm baths 7Take your pain medication 7Avoid caffeine 6Keep a diary to establish triggers 6Acupuncture 5Chiropractor 5Take up yoga 5







Take Lyrica 5Vitamin Supplements 4Keep muscles warm 4Stay hydrated 4Control your weight 4Eat Protein 3Make this an opportunity to rethink your priorities 3Swimming in warm water 3Take magnesium 3Remember this will pass 2Experiment with diet 2Hydrotherapy 2Take ThreeLac 2Physical therapy 2Use heat pads 2Get help with depression 2Work out your triggers and avoid them 2Take Glucosamine 2Take Omega 3 2Take vitamin C 2Take Calcium supplements 2Have regular Epsom salt baths 2Avoid chemical smells 1Sun Chlorella 1Boost immune system 1Attend Fibromyalgia workshops 1See a Rheumatologist 1Don't mix starches and proteins in the same meal 1Eat fruit separately from meals 1Take Xango (Mangosteen Juice) 1Improve posture 1Take a cushion when you travel 1Neutralize acids in your diet and eat alkaline foods 1Take Co-Dydramil (contains codeine) 1Take Endone 1Go to needling therapy 1Get checked up for Candida 1Get a good bed 1




http://www.eliminatefibromyalgia.com/vitamin-c.html

http://www.eliminatefibromyalgia.com/calcium.html







Keep a schedule of things to do so you do not forget them 1Have a sleep study 1Take Neurontin 1Get checked for food allergies 1Have fun 1Go outside for fresh air 1Have Ion Cleanse Detox foot baths 1Avoid high fructose corn sugar 1Avoid hydrogenated oils and fats 1Try out water aerobics 1Buy the book "Fibromyalgia and Chronic Myofacial Pain Syndrome" 1Get a hot water bottle 1Bach's Rescue Remedy for anxiety 1Gabapentine at night 1Untram/ Tramadol 1Visit Iridologist 1Give the "Open Letter To Normals" to friends to educate them 1Take Analgesia 1Take Activive 1Get a good companion pet 1Avoid Alcohol 1Drink peppermint tea for IBS 1Try Reflexology 1Try Icing when in pain 1Take up Tai Chi 1Try Korean acupuncture with acupressure 1Lift and bend carefully 1Take digestive enzymes 1Take amino acids 1Try Myofacial Massage 1Naturopathic Medicine 1Take Folic Acid 1Take Malic Acid 1Warm clothes before putting them on 1Have Mercury Amalgam fillings removed 1Do a course on self-healing 1Make and eat coriander pesto on a regular basis 1Have Lymphatic drainage 1







Take up Pilates 1Wear soft viscose clothes for sensitive skin 1Avoid Aspartame 1See a psychologist 1Use essential oils for pain and relaxation 1







Appendix vi

Question 16 – Full list of respondent questions

Fibromyalgia Questions No of Respondents

What's the cause, how do I get it? 51Can it be treated/ cured/ controlled? 40How can I get rid of the pain? 22Will it get better or worse over time? 18Why don't doctors take it more seriously? 17Will there by a medication that will be available in the future to treat it? 15How do I get people to understand and be patient? 15What is the most accurate way to diagnose it? 14What is a good diet to follow and what should I avoid? 10How do I increase my energy and manage fatigue? 10Does it ever go into remission? 9How can I sleep better without Medication? 9How to find a doctor/ specialist to receive a proper diagnosis and treatment? 9What are the natural Fibromyalgia remedies that work? 9How do I know I have received the correct diagnosis? 8Can it debilitate you over time? 8What are the natural pain relief methods? 6What causes and how do I prevent flare-ups? 6How do I manage the pain? 6Is it hereditary? 5How do I cope with the symptoms? 5Which is the best treatment? 5How is it related to other conditions? 4How can I help myself? 4How do I reach "acceptance"? 4What are the best pain medications? 3Can there be localized pain only (in specific parts of the body)? 3What are the best exercises to do? 3How do you discover your triggers? 3Does it weaken the immune system? 2Does the fatigue ever go away? 2How can I get rid of Anxiety/ depression? 2







How do I get rid of the Fibro Fog? 2How do you prevent Fibromyalgia in children? 2Why does medication lose effectiveness over time? 2Can traumatic incidents cause Fibromyalgia? 2How can I come of the medication? 2How to ease muscle tension? 2Why are the symptoms so varied in number and intensity? 2What causes the muscle spasms? 2What are the first steps to take after diagnosis? 2Why does most medication not help or work? 2How do I get financial support? 2Am I imagining it? 1Is there a relationship between Fibromyalgia and hormones? 1Can it cause a droop in eyebrow muscles? 1Do antidepressants help? 1Do Fibromyalgia sufferers have more difficulty during pregnancy? 1Does everyone have an abnormal brain activity with it? 1Can it set in with no warning? 1Does Naltreone help it? 1Does neuropathy in the feet occur with it? 1Is a feeling on heat in the neck and face related to Fibromyalgia? 1How can I feel less dizzy? 1How to eliminate the fatigue? 1How to increase oxygen levels? 1Are there psychological changes that occur with untreated pain? 1Is there a link between Fibromyalgia and smoking? 1Does it cause IBS? 1Does Fibromyalgia pain feel like a bruise? 1Is it related to childhood and adult vaccines? 1How to control symptoms so I am no longer emotional and angry with people? 1Does an alkaline diet help symptoms? 1What are the points of pain associated with it? 1How do I stop symptoms getting worse? 1What are low coast ways to deal with fatigue, pain and brain fog? 1Why are all the treatments so expensive? 1Why did the doctor who originally recognized Fibromyalgia recentlyrecant his story? 1Why do I feel so isolated and guilty? 1Why do I have such bad headaches and how do I stop them without medication? 1







Why do some remedies work for some and not for others? 1Why isn't massage available on British NHS? 1Why does it get worse with lack of sleep? 1What is its relationship to Lupus? 1Why does it effect memory? 1Why does it seem to be linked to the weather? 1Is it related to being thirsty all of the time? 1Why do my ears and cheeks go red? 1Why is morning stiffness the worst? 1Why is there so much body swelling and how to control it? 1Why is there not more funded research on Fibromyalgia? 1Will heat therapy be of benefit? 1Will massage work for me? 1Will muscle relaxants help me? 1Can neurological symptoms like burning pain, numbness and pins andneedles be caused by it? 1Do you get hot flushes with it? 1Do sleep disorders cause it? 1Is there a particular time of the year when flare-ups occur? 1Is there a product that has been proven to help, with data and testimonials? 1How much does stress and anxiety contribute to flare-ups? 1What are all the symptoms? 1How can I get involved in research/ studies? 1What is the best type of bed to purchase? 1



Documents

Natural Cure to Fibro Survey 2008Irritable Bowel Syndrome 3.7 What Does This Mean: The top three conditions that were rated as most commonly effecting respondents were, "Depression