Help for People Suffering Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue

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Robin Mangan is a true testament to the strength of the spirit. As the founder of the Fibromyalgia Alternative Network (FAN), she is offering an invaluable resource of research and support for those struck with a disease that is often misunderstood.

FAN is a new support network and alternative health newsletter for those with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Robin says its mission is to give hope to its members through researching and objectively reporting on new and little-known natural and proven therapies that focus on the causes of this complex illness.

According to the National Fibromyalgia Association (FMA), Fibromyalgia (FMS) is a chronic pain illness, which is characterized by widespread musculoskeletal aches, pain and stiffness, soft tissue tenderness, general fatigue and sleep disturbances. The most common sites of pain include the neck, back, shoulders, pelvic girdle and hands, but any body part can be involved. Fibromyalgia patients experience a range of symptoms of varying intensities that wax and wane over time.

Robin herself developed Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue seven years ago, after undergoing prolonged electrolyte shock, a hysterectomy, a new night guard and a tick bite: a series of events that happened within a few months of each other. The Alabama native was doing missionary work in Taiwan with her husband Shawn at the time, and the couple left their post and returned to the States, confident that Western medicine would diagnose and cure whatever was ailing Robin.

After three years of being mostly bedridden due to severe head and neck pain, fatigue and weakness, she slowly began reversing the tide of worsening widespread symptoms. "It took a year to realize that I needed to turn to alternative options and another year to realize that the responsibility of my getting well was in my hands, not the doctor's," she states.

Robin has spent over six years researching Fibromyalgia, its underpinnings and natural remedies, to address the various causes. She says she sees herself as an experimental model in which to try various approaches and therapies. "Through countless medical treatments, supplements, devices, techniques, and health basics, I've been able to observe and better understand how the body works and what it needs to get well," she explains.

Today, she has significantly improved, and continues to progress gradually all the time. "Getting down to the root causes is the key to recovery," she believes. "Even though improvement isn't instant, it beats the downward spiral of doing nothing or covering the symptoms, whether with drugs or supplements."

"Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue forced me to make a choice. I could let it ruin my life and those around me, or I could use it to enhance my life and the life of others," Robin says.

Fibromyalgia affects about 3-6% of the population and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (common with Fibromyalgia) affects approximately 500,000 people in the US alone. This doesn't seem so startling, but if you factor in that one-third of the population suffers with some sort of chronic illness, and that Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue go hand-in-hand with many different diseases, especially auto-immune illnesses, suddenly Fibromyalgia is a big deal.

Most of us know little to nothing about Fibromyalgia. It would behoove us to become more educated on the disease, because even if it doesn't affect us personally, it could at some point affect a loved one. At the very least, we can learn how we can help support those suffering with this dreadful illness. Rest Ministries, a ministry for the chronically ill, is a good place to start in that regard (www.restministries.org).

For those with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue, there is now new hope through FAN. A bi-monthly newsletter and support network, FAN believes reporting without commercial interest best serves its members. It is strictly a health resource; they do not sell supplements or the like and gain nothing by recommending specific companies or products. "We want to give members real and objective answers to the root causes of their FMS and CFS symptoms, without bias."

The network also provides comfort and support to those struggling with this frustrating and mystifying disease, which can alienate its sufferers from their loved ones. This was a very real problem for Robin, who missed spending holidays with her family for six years. "The most difficult thing about being ill is being misunderstood, especially by friends and family," she explains. "They can't always understand why we can't come for Thanksgiving, why we seem irritable, why we can't do this or that or why we don't keep in good communication as we would like."

Robin is thankful for the simple things in life and feels that much good has ultimately come out of her illness. "One redeeming factor about having a chronic illness is developing a more tender heart toward those who are suffering. I heard or read a quote, that 1/3 of Americans suffer with some sort of disability. There's a lot we don't see behind those tired smiling faces. There needs to be a lot less finger pointing and a lot more compassion for everyone...even with our enemies. We never know what they could be dealing with."

Ending on a lighter note, she explains, "We are more than organization, but rather a network of friends carrying one another's burdens through the tides of recovery. We are 'FANS' cheering each other on in our fight for a better life."

For those interested in natural, alternative answers to Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue, check out Fibromyalgia Alternative Network (FAN) at www.myfannews.com or call 1-877-FAN-4121.