The world is full of acronyms....

FMS... easy to say, impossible to understand unless you have walked a mile in the shoes of a person with it. Actually some people with it would really struggle to walk a mile, or even a few steps in some cases. So what is it, and what does it do to a person?

First the boring stuff. Most doctors either know little about it or nothing at all. They know OF it, and have various ways of making you feel worse without really helping. A few enlightened souls actually admit to not being able to do anything to help or cure. The very rare gems (I hope I have found one) actually do have something that may help, and even reverse this dreadful condition.

FMS - Fibromyalgia syndrome - has been known in various guises since the middle ages but until the middle of the last century was usually called Fibrositis. It was considered one of the things getting older could bring you, along with arthritis, senility and other wonderful conditions. It affects everyone differently but usually includes bodywide pain in joints, muscles, bones, brain and anywhere else you can think of, severe fatigue, irritable bowel and bladder, nausea, vertigo, headaches, visual impairment and a host of other stuff I lump together under the heading of "FMS other". Oh did I mention forgetfulness??

Nowadays you may find a GP who has either

1) heard of it but knows nothing about it, or
2) uses the latest (i.e. ten years out of date) methods of treating the symptoms (which don't work) but believes they work, or
3) is knowledgable and honest enough to realise that the previous methods don't work but it's all they have (they think)

That is all going to change...

My GP admitted on my next to last visit that the only help she could offer was that set out in the NHS guidelines, and refer me (yet again) to a rheumatologist. I pointed out that on the last few occasions I had seen such a specialist he had told me there was nothing he could do for me. The 'treatments' on offer of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and mild exercise had been tried and had failed. Physiotherapy, Hydrotherapy, anti-depressants (which rot your teeth so they crumble away, by the way) and various other things had also proved useless as long-term solutions. She was completely at a loss how to help me. I told her that being the case I would go and research myself and see what I could find.

The internet is a blessing and a curse. I found something that may work, and will try it, but I also found many people STILL advocating either that FMS is all in your head, or that if you only eat right, get enough sleep and regular exercise you can lead a perfectly normal life. Yeah right!

So here's the deal...

I have discovered the Guaifenesin protocol for FMS (Google it, its fascinating) and will be starting it as soon as my medication arrives from the US. It isn't available here on prescription, surprise, surprise. I have informed my GP on my last visit that I will be starting it and combining it with a low GI Diet. I printed out for her the UK Fibromyalgia website information on the protocol with dosages, diet and so on, and will keep her informed of my progress. I am sure there will BE progress!

So wish me well, literally, please! And watch this space for updates on the situation.

One day, I hope to be able to walk a mile in MY shoes :)