Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
Psalm 143:7-8 ESV
Answer me quickly, O Lord! My spirit fails! Hide not your face from me, lest I be like those who go down to the pit. Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.
Philippians 4:6-7 ESV
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Psalm 23:4 ESV
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Romans 8:28 ESV
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Depression in the Bible
Proverbs 12:25 ESV
Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.
Romans 12:2 ESV
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Psalm 9:9 ESV
The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
2 Timothy 1:7 ESV
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
Revelation 21:4 ESV
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
Bible Verses For When You're Depressed.
Psalm 34:17-18 ESV
When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
Matthew 6:33 ESV
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Romans 15:13 ESV
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
John 16:33 ESV
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
Joshua 1:9 ESV
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
At times you feel like you have a craving for exploring through a minefield, when you are having fibromyalgia. Your symptoms are, sometimes, aggravated because of apparently interminable number of “mines” that causes your fibromyalgia to flare-up. Your one slip can affect you badly for days, as you try to recoup from your pain or the harm that has caused, so better proceed with caution.
As you try to explore the fibromyalgia minefield, these threats, when understood and when you got to know how to deal with them will give you help. There are a modest bunch of dangers that all fibromyalgia sufferers ought to know about, while everybody has different response to the numerous threats and triggers. 15 different are mentioned below that can cause your fibromyalgia symptoms to flare-up.
#1: MSG (Monosodium glutamate)
In many processed foods available at grocery stores as well as in some fruits and vegetables, MSG — a flavor enhancer is found. The sensitivity to pain is increased in fibromyalgia sufferers by the activation of neurons due to MSG and other food additives. Researchers at the Malcolm Randall Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Florida, while studying about fibromyalgia patients found that, “After the elimination of monosodium glutamate (MSG) or MSG plus aspartame from diet, all had complete, or almost complete, resolution of their symptoms within months.”[1]
The study inferred that, “Eliminating MSG and other excitotoxins from the diets of fibromyalgia patients offers a benign treatment option that has the potential for sensational outcomes in a subset of patients.”
Frozen dinners, Chinese food, canned vegetables or soups, tomatoes, potatoes, mushrooms, parmesan cheeses and more are included in common foods containing MSG. Check the label for MSG or Monosodium glutamate when you are doing shopping. Other names are also given to it or other ingredients that have a high MSG content yet aren’t required to say so much. Following are the ingredients on food labels:
Glutamic Acid (E 620)2
Glutamate (E 620)
Yeast Extract
Anything hydrolyzed
Caseinate
Gelatin
#2: Weather
Almost 92% of fibromyalgia sufferers have a saying that their symptoms are affected by weather. Extremes in temperature (too hot or too cold), barometric pressure changes and rapid changes in weather are the most well-known weather phenomena related with flare-ups of fibromyalgia symptoms. It is clear by the overwhelming reports from real sufferers that weather can assume a part, while research on the actual effects of weather is restricted.
Fibromyalgia can be less affected by the weather by taking extra precautions to battle with the effects of weather (i.e. staying hydrated in extreme warm). And moving to different climates may help in case of extreme issues. In fact, Lyne Matalana, President of the National Fibromyalgia Association once remarked, “I know people who have packed up and moved their families because they felt another piece of the nation would be more agreeable for them. It can be that serious.”
We know above all that we urge to pace ourselves, as people are coping daily with the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Even so, for people having fibromyalgia has still having this biggest trap. May be it’s because we think we are having a fine day and still our body can afford more exertion. Or maybe we can’t think that our body’s limit is about to end for exertion but for whatever reason we keep doing all the things.
Over-exertion can have an enduring negative effect on your symptoms, whatever the situation is. Gradually, the pain will make up for long time and it may take a lot of time to recover than when you have had not pushed your limits. It can literally take a ton of training to actually perceive your limits and pace yourself, so it is really important to be aware of your body and its limits. Of course, there are so many days when your body can’t allow you to move in any way, so it isn’t a problem to “pace yourself”.
#4: Sugar (Simple Carbs)
Carbohydrates that are made up of one or two sugars are simple carbs. They seem like fast source of energy, but this is just a temporary boost and typically trailed by a crash in vitality levels. Simple carbs should be limited or eliminated from our diet, since fibromyalgia patients are very sensitive to changes in blood sugar.
Other negative health results like nerve damage can occur due to the over-consumption of sugar. Our nerve cells are swelled as water is drawn into them because of the over-consumption of sugar. At the same time, the outer layer of the nerve cells gets less flexible, causing them to crack and tear because of sugar. And the ultimate result is that we can lead to nerve damage, often resulting in pain, numbness or tingling in the extremities.
Here are some of the most common simple carbs you’ll want to avoid:
#5: Caffeine
There’s a decent possibility you battle every day with fatigue and exhaustion, if you suffer from fibromyalgia. These are the common symptoms for many fibromyalgia patients. You feel like the things such as coffee or energy drinks to be the blessings, as they get you through the day. Yes, these things do give an appreciated lift in energy, your fibromyalgia can be worsen by the drinks having caffeine and in many cases have an opposite effect on your energy levels.
#6: Diary
A lot of fibromyalgia sufferers are lactose intolerant, which can prompt to symptoms like bloating, gas, pain and cramping. Try going without dairy for a few weeks to check whether you see any improvements, if you speculate you might be lactose intolerant. If you are in a habit of taking dairy and can’t eliminate dairy completely, try to avoid pasteurized dairy products and devour only raw, organic dairy foods.thi is more tolerable for some fibromyalgia patients.
#7: Lack of Sleep
Fibromyalgia sufferers find hard to sleep. On one side, it is so difficult to sleep because of the symptoms of fibromyalgia– and often sleep problems like insomnia occurs. On other side, sensitivity to pain increases due to lack of pain and aggravate a portion of symptoms of fibromyalgia. It is an endless loop that can be hard to break.
Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia in patients with chronic give better (and all the more enduring) alleviation from a sleeping disorder than some prescription medications, according to a recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine.[2] Regardless of whatever approach you take, if you are suffering from fibromyalgia, it is really essential to get the best night’s sleep possible (under the circumstances).
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#8: Long Naps
Fibromyalgia is often linked with the difficulties arising in sleep and the resulting fatigue, so it is necessary for the sufferers to take naps during the day. While it is necessary to take a nap, but it is best to abstain from taking long, frequent nap. Researchers found a correlation between longer daytime naps and an increase in the severity of symptoms in a study of over one thousand adults suffering from fibromyalgia.[3]
Keeping in mind, shorter naps throughout the day is the best approach that may help for your body rest and revive without increasing your symptoms.
#9: Depression
Depression is also raised by fibromyalgia, same like the sleep problems discussed earlier. In return, depression can worsen the symptoms of fibromyalgia. This harmful cycle can pull us down unhealthy mental, physical and emotional paths. Depression is real and it has a strong affect in everyone’s walk of like, as it is a bit taboo in our society. This cycle can be unbroken and you can lead to a happier, healthier life in every aspects, if you seek professional help from a certified counselor or therapist.
#10: Stress/Anxiety
Let’s be honest – there’s no keeping away from stress, especially in case of having a chronic illness like fibromyalgia. While stress all by itself isn’t generally a bad thing – the consistent life stress with a chronic illness can actually lead to chronic stress. Not only the symptoms of fibromyalgia are aggravated due to chronic stress, but other negative health outcomes are also occurred like high blood pressure, diabetes and more.
There can be a huge difference in your health if you find ways to constructively manage your stress. Look for the ways to maintain and release your stress, either it is through mindfulness techniques such as deep breathing and meditation or doing some relaxing hobbies to relax your mind.
#11: Sensory Overload
From some things, fibromyalgia patients are often really sensitive such as loud noises, odors, bright lights and more. Excess of these senses can lead to headaches or migraines, among other things. Your unwanted flare-up of symptoms can be stopped if you avoid the situations where sensory overload may occur.
#12: Cold or Illness
Even the people with perfect health can be affected by the common cold – so it can be out and out dreadful for the people having fibromyalgia. Our immune system can be more susceptible to common illness such as cold or flu, because our immune system has already being so overworked. If you have fibromyalgia, and some common illness has stroked you, it will take longer to recover and will impact your work, family as well as social life. Your immune system need to be very strong to protect you from the germs, so eat healthy nutrients.
#13: Smoking
It is very clear that you ought to avoid smoking. There are seemingly endless negative health results due to smoking. If you have fibromyalgia, you have strong reasons to kick this habit. Fibromyalgia patients who smoked reported that, “Significantly more pain, numbness, patient global severity, and functional difficulties than non-smokers”[4], according to a study by the University of Illinois College of Medicine.
#14: Sitting For Too Long & Poor Posture
You’re not the only one, whether you sit at a work area throughout the day for work or you end up sitting the day away elsewhere. In fact, according to estimation by JustStand.org, the average person sits for 7-9 hours a day (and some sit for considerably longer – as much as 15 hours a day).[5] In fibromyalgia sufferers, if your sitting is combined with poor posture, it can lead to greater pain, stiffness and tenderness. Your circulation in the body cuts off by sitting and poor posture, thereby the fresh supply of essential oxygen and nutrients to different systems in the body are cut off.
You should sit with a good posture at least and should take frequent breaks to stand and stretch your body, if you can’t escape sitting for most of the day.
#15: Lack of support from family or friends
We put this point on last, as there’s not necessarily proof or hard facts that show that a lack of support can actually affect you negatively on your fibromyalgia – but it is an experienced fact that how much support we receive from our family or friends does (whether for good or for bad). For anybody battling with family or companions who think their indications are in their mind or are generally unsupportive, the absence of support can take a troublesome circumstance and make it harder.
Our high-anxiety life can be added up by another layer of anxiety due to the lack of support. Our symptoms can become worse and leads to more pain and suffering – both physically and emotionally. Just seek support through other means if you ever find yourself in this situation. Join (either online or in your hometown) a fibromyalgia or chronic pain networking/support group, if needed. You can likewise coordinate with other fibromyalgia and imperceptible disease sufferers via web-based networking media and through websites.
If you find any opportunity, try to educate interested friends and family (without becoming defensive or argumentative), it can help change the tide of support and open their eyes to the truth of your condition.
Gluten is often referred to as the “big masquerader” as it has been associated with over 55 diseases. Its symptoms are rarely manifested as digestive issues, but rather as neurological issues like sleep disturbances, fatigue, depression, behavioral issues, cognitive impairment, and pain.
2. Candida Overgrowth
Candida is a genus of yeasts, a small amount of which thrives in the intestines. The problem arises when it overgrows and breaks down the wall of the intestines. Consequently, it penetrates the bloodstream, releasing toxic mater within the system and causes symptoms like pain, fatigue, and brain fog. General, most patients with fibromyalgia has had Candida overgrowth.
3. Thyroid
Most people with thyroid-related issue are not aware they have one, and up to 90 percent of them suffer from hypothyroidism. In order to measure the function of the thyroid gland, the doctor has to check 6 different blood markers. When assessing and diagnosing thyroid disorders, the physician needs to focus on the optimal range instead of the standard reference range. Getting the thyroid levels in the optimal range typically relieves fatigue, sleep disturbances, depression, and brain fog.
4. Nutrient Deficiencies
Fibromyalgia patients are often deficient in magnesium, vitamin D, and vitamin B12. Interestingly, many doctors claim that boosting magnesium levels has helped them reverse the patient`s condition. The best way to measure your magnesium level is measuring the red blood cell magnesium level that can be tested in any lab.
5. Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) and Leaky Gut
Did you know that bacteria outnumber the human cells in the body? When they get out of balance, typically as a result of antibiotics and sugar-rich diet, one can lose their ability to both digest and absorb nutrients, especially vitamin B12. Anyone diagnosed with fibromyalgia or any similar chronic disease needs to fix the gut first, as this is a vicious cycle in which everything is closely related.
6. Adrenal Fatigue
Chronic stress, whether real or not, is the major cause of adrenal fatigue. Chronic pain stresses out the adrenal glands, although in most cases it`s not the initial adrenal stressor. Vitamin deficiencies, Candida, food intolerances, and mercury toxicity are the most common adrenal stressors and it is recommended to support the adrenals with adaptogenic herbs until science comes up with the root cause and the way in which it can be fixed.
7. Mycotoxins
Mycotoxins are toxic compounds produced by toxic mold. It is estimated that about 25 percent of the population carries the gene that makes one susceptible to the detrimental effects of mycotoxins. Unfortunately, conventional environmental mold testing doesn’t test for mycotoxins but for levels of mold spores only.
8. Mercury Toxicity
Mercury is highly toxic to our bodies and it is considered as potential cause of fibromyalgia and other chronic diseases like neurological disorders, autoimmune diseases, chronic fatigue syndrome, and even cancer. This is the reason why many doctors advise their patients to look for a biological dentist and get their mercury amalgam fillings removed.
9. Glutathione Deficiency
Glutathione is an important antioxidant which plays a critical role in body`s detoxification process. It gets recycled in the body, unless the toxic matter exceeds the normal amounts or the body lacks the enzymes required to produce and recycle glutathione. It has been found that taking glutathione or the precursors like mill thistle and NAC helps treat fatigue.
10. MTHFR Mutations
MTHFR is an enzyme required for methylation, an important metabolic process. During this process both folate and folic acid are converted into active forms so that the body can utilize them. Any MTHFR mutation makes the body less able to methylate and detoxify toxins like lead and mercury. The more mutations one has at this gene, the higher the requirements for folinic acic, methyl-B6 and methyl-B12 in order to maintain the detoxification process running normally.
Yet, chronic pain and chronic illnesses are often invisible. In many cases there are no casts, visible rashes or runny nose involved.
Chronic pain sufferers often appear “normal,” perhaps only a bit more fragile or sad than average.
I suffered from chronic headaches for four-and-a-half years and from chronic hip pain for two-and-a-half years.
Often I looked depressed, uninterested and angry, when I was simply in pain.
There were many days I couldn’t get out of bed. Following a conversation became difficult at times.
I lost a job due to my pain. I canceled plans and ignored friends.
I felt misunderstood and alone. I was suffering. I know the answer was out there and eventually I healed myself.
Yet at the time I wanted to scream from the top of my lungs all the things all chronic pain sufferers want you to know:
1. Just because you can’t see it, it doesn’t mean I am not in pain.
2. It’s not all in my head.
3. It is not just the flu. It won’t just go away in a week.
4. Please, don’t ever say, “Just don’t think about it.” Being in constant pain this is impossible.
5. Hugs can do magic. So are nice messages. I need to know you are here for me.
6. Thank you for sharing the “magical cure” that you’ve read about online. Trust me, I’ve heard about it, and if it was any relevant, I have tried it.
7. I am trying extremely hard to live a normal life.
8. I try my darn best not to cancel plans and I would never cancel plans, if I had a choice.
9. I can’t just snap out of it.
10. Some days are better, some days are worse. Some days I may even feel close to normal, other days I can’t even get out of bed.
11. I do care about you. I want to know about your life and dreams. I want you to be happy and healthy.
12. My chronic pain is different from the other people’s chronic pain. All illnesses and pain symptoms are unique. Our experiences may differ, but we are all in pain and can relate to one another.
13. Please, don’t try to convince me to have drink and to “live a little.” All I want is to live a little—actually, to live a lot. A drink, however, is the last thing on my mind.
14. If I look all depressed or bored, it means I am actually in tremendous pain and trying my best to appear to be happy and normal.
15. I can’t really explain how chronic pain feels. Yet, I can’t say, “You will know once you have it” because I would never ever want anyone to feel so much suffering.
16. I need a lot of sleep. But sleeping can be difficult with so much pain and often still leaves me exhausted.
17. Just because I have chronic pain it doesn’t mean that I know how to manage it or to live with it.
18. Sometimes it feels like I am in a prison, living someone else’s life.
19. I still have interests, passions, goals and dreams.
20. I don’t want you to forget about me. I don’t want you to give up on me.
21. I haven’t given up on healing yet. Deep inside I know there is (or will be) an answer out there.
Yes, I’m tired. However, someone with CFS can be so fatigued it can feel like you have run a marathon with the flu. And that’s on a good day. It’s a type of tiredness that is beyond what you could start to articulate. This complex disease can affect all parts of your life and many bodily systems. A cognitive brain fog clouds your thinking, nausea doubles you over day in and day out, joint and muscle pain throbs and burns and you can’t move, the constant flu-like state, the dizziness when you try to stand and the respiratory distress from when your body is so exhausted that the simple task of breathing becomes a labored affair.
Unfortunately, it’s not a case of getting more sleep. I could have a lovely 12 hours of sleep at night and wake up feeling like I have been hit by a truck. Or I could be kept awake by pain or insomnia all night and function no differently the next day. Sometimes I wish I was simply tired.
2. What you see is not what it appears to be.
CFS is an invisible illness. Looking good doesn’t equal feeling good. I often wish people would see past the well-presented, mostly articulate and smiling woman in front of them. Even close family and friends haven’t seen the full extent of this disease on my life, especially when my symptoms flare in full force. You won’t see me out of the house when this is the case.
If, however, I have enough energy to go out on a certain day, I will factor in the energy required for everything from dressing well to putting makeup on to cover the bags under my eyes.
What you won’t see is the five minutes I sat on the floor of the shower when standing in the heat got too much. The three times I had to lay down to rest before leaving the house. The pain throbbing through my body as I moved, and the headache pounding right behind my eyes as I tried to keep up with the conversation around me. You won’t see the rest of the afternoon I spent in bed after being out of the house for just an hour.
3. The battle takes place every day.
With a fatigue-based disease such as CFS, a person only has a certain pool of cognitive, physical and emotional energy that can be accessed each day. Most days, I hope this energy reservoir will extend to having a shower, dressing and eating. But some days it won’t. I have long since outsourced my shopping, cleaning, washing and the majority of my cooking. Some days I run out of energy to eat. Other days I can get out and have a coffee with a friend. Then there is the countless medical appointments that need to be endured.
It’s about finding balance, making choices about what I will use my energy on and then dealing with the consequences if I use up too much energy. If I use too much energy, the delayed fatigue will kick in, my body will crash and I will be unable to do anything besides lying in bed for many hours or days. Unfortunately, there are unexpected curve balls, and the carefully balanced week or day gets thrown out the window. Instead, you’re left trying to make your energy ends meet while rapidly trying to steal energy for the days ahead.
4. It’s expensive.
I’m not just talking about the financial strain of medical bills, medication, supplements, specific diet and being too unwell to work. I’m talking about the huge cost on the rest of your life. It can take a toll it on your career or dreams, as others around you get the promotion you always wanted or get married while you find it difficult just to make it out of bed each day.
Then there’s the cost of not being able to care for children, spouses, family and friends. Not being able to be physically present to witness special moments in the lives of those close to you. The strain on relationships when you feel you just need to keep taking and not being able to give in return. Friendships drift apart since you have to keep turning down invites. Soon, they stop asking altogether.
Lastly, there’s the cost on your self-esteem, as the once fit and healthy body gains weight, reacts to medication and may only be able to walk as far as the mailbox each day.
5. You can’t do it alone.
You can’t survive chronic fatigue syndrome alone. It’s lonely, it’s isolating and it’s a battle each and every day. People don’t buy you flowers when you have a chronic illness, and people can get sick of hearing about a disease that continues to affect your life day in and day out. You need people on your side. People who are willing to be in there for the long haul. You need supportive friends and family who are happy doing your washing, who will still drop meals off three years into your illness, who give you lifts and sit on the couch eating tasteless, cheeseless gluten-free pizza with you. You need text messages and prayers. You need friends reminding you of your hope. You need people who look past your “I’m fine” responses and see the truth. You need medical professionals who are willing to fight alongside you, never doubting the disease and it’s huge impact on your life.
