Flare & Flourish

  Mindful Poetry     In January's quiet, new and bright. Take each day slow, embrace the light. It is okay to pause, to breathe, to rest. Your mental health deserves the best.  Progress whispers, soft and small. But every step, a step for all. Be kind to yourself. Let healing be. This journey's in your hand and that is the key. Follow me on twitter for updates  https://x.com/FlareflourishF  

Fibromyalgia-related fatigue is profound and unrelenting, extending far beyond ordinary tiredness. It feels like a heavy fog has settled over the body and mind, leaving people drained even after a full night’s sleep. Here’s a deeper look at what they experience: Physical Fatigue • Persistent Exhaustion: Every movement can feel like wading through thick mud, even for routine tasks like showering or preparing meals. • Energy Crashes: Energy levels may fluctuate unpredictably, leaving individuals suddenly unable to continue their activities. • Muscle Weakness: Muscles may feel weak or heavy, making it hard to maintain stamina for prolonged periods. Mental Fatigue (“Fibro Fog”) • Cognitive Challenges: Concentrating, remembering, and processing information can be difficult, often described as “brain fog.” • Slow Thinking: Tasks requiring quick decision-making or creativity may feel insurmountable. • Emotional Toll: Frustration and discouragement often accompany the mental exhaustion, adding...

   How Every Season Affects the Body For those with fibromyalgia, the weather is more than just a passing inconvenience — it’s a constant influence on how their body feels. Every season brings unique challenges that can trigger flare-ups, making it hard to predict how you’ll feel day to day. 🌧️ Autumn: The Season of Changing Air Challenges: • Temperature drops can cause stiffness and increase pain, especially in the joints. • The dampness in the air makes muscles feel heavier and achier. • Shorter days can affect mood, increasing anxiety and depression. • The wind can trigger nerve pain, making even a simple walk uncomfortable. How It Feels: Autumn feels like your body tightening with every gust of wind. The chill in the air seems to settle deep into your bones, and the gloomy skies make it harder to lift your mood. ❄️ Winter: The Hardest Season Challenges: • Cold weather worsens muscle stiffness and makes pain more intense. • Low air pressure can increase swelling and joint ...

                   Itching Body and Burning Feet/Hands in Fibromyalgia: A Sensory Nightmare People with fibromyalgia often experience strange, uncomfortable sensations that go beyond muscle pain. Two of the most frustrating symptoms are itching skin and the feeling of burning feet or hands. These sensations are caused by nerve dysfunction — your brain misinterprets signals from your body, making normal sensations feel overwhelming and painful. 🌡️ What Does It Feel Like? Itching (Pruritus): • The itching feels deep under the skin, almost impossible to scratch. • It can move around the body randomly — one moment it’s your arms, then your back or legs. • It often happens without a rash, which can be confusing and frustrating. • The itch can be relentless, keeping you awake at night and making it hard to focus. Burning Sensation in Feet and Hands: • It feels like your skin is on fire or scalded by hot water. • The burning can range from a m...

  What is Fibromyalgia Flares? Think of your body as a computer. When you have fibromyalgia, it’s like the  pain software  has a glitch — it sends too many alerts to your brain, even when there’s no real damage. What is a Flare-Up? A flare-up is when  symptoms suddenly get worse , often without warning. During a flare, you might feel like your whole body is  on fire , your muscles  ache intensely , and you’re  exhausted  even if you’ve done very little. It can last  hours, days, or even weeks . During a flare-up,  your body’s pain sensors go into overdrive . Everyday activities like walking, cleaning, or even talking can feel overwhelming. It’s like your body is sending out a “red alert” when there’s no real danger — and you can’t turn it off. What Causes Flare-Ups? Flare-ups can be triggered by things that  stress the body or mind , like: • Overdoing it physically  (e.g., cleaning the house or exercising too much) • St...

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that impacts both your  body  and  mind , and depression often walks hand in hand with it. Let’s take a gentle and compassionate look at how they’re connected — not to overwhelm you, but to help you better understand what’s happening inside you. 1. Pain and Depression Feed Each Other When you live with constant pain, it’s emotionally exhausting. The  physical pain from fibromyalgia affects your body’s nervous system, while the  emotional pain from depression  impacts your mental health. • Fibromyalgia pain can make you feel isolated, frustrated, and hopeless. • Depression can make the pain feel worse. It becomes a  vicious cycle :   Pain increases depression.   Depression amplifies pain sensitivity. This cycle can make both conditions harder to manage. 2. Brain Chemistry Changes Fibromyalgia isn’t just about pain in the muscles and joints — it’s about how your  brain processes pain signals. ...