Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia
I used to spend days on end in bed when my fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue were at their worst. I was in such pain. I couldn’t get out of bed, I couldn’t even move at times because it felt like I was being sucked into the mattress…like I was laying in quicksand.
I couldn’t decide if my bedroom was a sanctuary…or a prison. It was so easy to stay in bed because I was tired, oh so tired, all the time! During the short stints when I was awake, I was lonely and sad. Then I’d get frustrated and angry. But this just made my pain and fatigue worse. I felt helpless and tortured myself with thoughts of, “Why me?”
This went on for months until one morning as I lay in my sanctuary-prison and watched as the sun came through the windows. I could hear a lawnmower buzzing outside. And then a thought popped into my head and a feeling moved through me. I became aware that I was part of something bigger than myself. I knew I had been put on this earth for a purpose and it wasn’t to lay in this bed forever. I began to cry as a huge wave of relief washed through me. I could continue to give in and play it safe, but I knew that I was here for a reason. I just had to figure out what that was.
It would have been easy to stay in bed, but I chose to make a change, to take some action steps…even if it was just one little step at a time. I had come across a life coach several months earlier and decided that I would see if she could give me the support that I needed to turn my life around.
My coach helped me to realize that my anger at my body didn’t serve me. What served me most was believing I could get better and adopting a positive attitude. Thus began my search for ways to stay positive.
I found that when I took on this mindset, I felt empowered. I had more energy. My pain lessened. I discovered I could take back my life! I was tapping into the spark inside me…and I didn’t have to do it alone.
That was 9 years ago. Now I have freedom from fibromyalgia. I took back control from my symptoms. I now enjoy being in a body and having the energy to pursue my purpose in life. I now know that purpose is to support other women who have fibromyalgia and/or chronic fatigue…like you. I have the empathy, education, experience, and expertise to help you find freedom from fibromyalgia, too. Which is why I’m inviting you to sign up for a “Take Back Your Life” Consultation. So you can get the necessary support to take charge of your symptoms and find the freedom you are looking for.
In this private 60-minute phone consultation, we’ll:
- Identify the biggest challenges in your journey with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue
- Get you immediate support to begin addressing those challenges
- Find hope and explore possibilities for getting free of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue
- Discover how we might work together moving forward to lessen pain and take charge of your symptoms and your life
To schedule your complimentary “Take Back Your Life” Consultation, click here.
This action step is for YOU if you also know the pain of laying in bed, sleeping your life away. It’s for you if you’re ready to get out of your prison…the key is inside of you and I can help you find it. And this is for you if you desire MORE… more energy, more clarity (say goodbye to brain fog!), more excitement about your life (bye bye depression) and more freedom from the fibromyalgia symptoms that have been controlling your body and your life. Taking this step of getting support is KEY to having what you really desire for yourself.
Here’s to your ultimate freedom!
I would love to hear your thoughts. Please comment below.
Whitney
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia
Did you know that energy can come in a bottle?
About 4 years ago I was finally at a point where fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue had very little affect on my life…except that I still had about 1 day a week when I was forced to do nothing but rest.
Although this was a great improvement in the grand scheme of things, I wanted more. Being in charge of my life for 6 out of 7 days a week equaled 86%, but I wanted to be 100% in charge of my life. 🙂
So I made the commitment to do whatever it took to get there.
Within a year, I met someone who was very knowledgeable about essential oils. I knew essential oils could be beneficial. I even owned some essential oils. But I had no idea how to really use them for my health and energy. I would inhale them when I felt anxious or stressed. I would also occasionally put them in my bath, but that was the extent of my “knowledge.”
I was told success stories about how essential oils had helped others who have fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue, so I decided to try the recommended oils. Although it took discipline, initially I had to use the oils at least 3 times a day, I did it!
Well, within 2 weeks I realized that I had not needed even 1 day of rest. 2 weeks turned into 1 month and then 2 months and I still had not needed even 1 day of rest. I was amazed and extremely excited that I had made the commitment to try the oils. In conjunction with all the other things that I was doing for myself, I was seeing a real difference.
I also found that certain essential oils can lift your spirits. Studies show that positive emotions increase your energy and decrease your perception of pain. So energy really does come in a bottle. It’s YOUR energy in YOUR body that these essential oils ignite. They’re really easy to use – just inhale the oil(s) and apply to the bottom of your feet and/or your pulse points. You can apply these essential oils whenever you need a pick-me-up.
Before I tell you which oils have these qualities, I want you to know that not all brands are created equal. And since they are inhaled and absorbed directly into the body, my recommendation is to only use brands that do NOT add chemicals to their oils. Look for essential oils that indicate “Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade,” like doTERRA or Young Living oils.
The essential oils that can lift your spirits, and therefore increase your energy and ease your pain, are lemon and orange. doTERRA also has a couple of proprietary blends that I would highly recommend: Cheer Uplifting Blend and Elevation Joyful Blend. I endorse doTERRA oils because they have worked for me so well, their quality is top-shelf, and I greatly respect their company philosophy. If you are interested in finding these oils, comment on this blog and I will get you more information.
Whitney
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia
I was in the best physical, mental, and emotional shape of my life and experiencing great business success in 1996 when I was in a car accident that changed everything. That accident triggered chronic pain, migraines, and constant fatigue. The symptoms became increasingly debilitating over the next six years, during which I was exhausted. At times, I spent 2-3 days a week in bed.
FINALLY – after years of pain and fatigue without much relief – a doctor diagnosed me with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, two conditions that are not curable and had limited treatment options in the early 2000s. I had mixed feelings about my diagnosis: I felt relief that I finally knew what was wrong with me, but I also felt hopeless. I was afraid I would be a prisoner of my own body, forever.
I never knew when I was going to have a good day or a bad day, which made it virtually impossible to plan anything. Because I prided myself on being dependable, I wasn’t willing to make promises I wasn’t sure I could keep. Consequently, I did very little and withdrew further and further from the world outside.
About 10 years ago, when symptoms of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue ran my life, I went to my mother’s house for Christmas Eve. My family was all gathered there and enjoying the feast, but I was feeling tired – so tired that my head almost fell into my plate.
I was so embarrassed. I just could not stay awake. I got up from the table and barely made it to the living room couch before I passed out from fatigue.
And I was out cold on the couch for the rest of the night.
That’s when I knew…NO MORE!!! I wasn’t going to miss out on another holiday, another family gathering, another anything. I committed to doing whatever it took to take charge of my symptoms and take back my life. And I did!
I spent the next 5 years and tens of thousands of dollars in my search for anything that would make an impact on my symptoms of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. I hired an incredible life coach. She supported me in my freedom from fibromyalgia journey. This work with my coach led me to an insight that changed my life. I realized that THE POWER TO GET HEALTHY IS WITHIN ME!
I learned to work with my body rather than against it. I began taking steps to listen to and give my body what it needed. My decision to work with a life coach had changed everything and helped me take charge of my symptoms, instead of my symptoms ruling me. Although paying attention to my body did not come easy for me, I was determined to get better.
Life is amazing now. I am healthy! I get to travel at least once a month across the country to do the things I love, like I just spent two weeks in CT for the holidays and in January I am going to a business training in Los Angeles. I’ve gone on hiking trips in Sedona, Bryce, and Zion. And when not traveling I walk 5 miles every other day. I am no longer afraid of committing to things as I’m now able to accomplish whatever I set out to do – especially when I ask for support. Which is where you come in…
I’ve set a stretch goal to support 30 women who have fibromyalgia and/or chronic fatigue syndrome with a “Take Back Your Life” Consultation over the next 30 days. I know how essential support is so I’m offering it in a big way!
In this private 60-minute phone consultation, we’ll:
- Identify the biggest challenges in their journey with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue
- Get immediate support to begin addressing those challenges
- Find hope and explore possibilities for getting free of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue
- Discover how we might work together moving forward to lessen pain and take charge of their symptoms and their life
Do you know women who are dealing with fibromyalgia and/or chronic fatigue syndrome? If so, please share this post with them. If you have fibromyalgia and/or chronic fatigue syndrome, click on the link below to schedule your consultation.
Thank you in advance for your support in sharing this post and helping me reach more women. Together, let’s make 2017 the year that more women take back their life and experience freedom from fibromyalgia!
To schedule your complimentary “Take Back Your Life” Consultation, click here.
I would love to hear your thoughts. Please comment below.
Whitney
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia
After I received the diagnoses of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, I decided I wasn’t going to let them stop me. So, each new year I’d make a resolution that this was the year I was going to beat both of these conditions. But as the year progressed, and the symptoms overwhelmed me, my faith wavered. I wondered if my resolutions would ever work.
I judged my doctors: their support didn’t create the changes I desired. I judged myself: something must be wrong with me to not be able to make my resolution “come true.” Then I realized, although my resolution was focused on change, it was all about something that was “wrong” with me. When I didn’t accomplish what I set out to do, I felt like a failure. So I stopped making new year’s resolutions.
And I started seeking other ways to inspire myself without the “wrongness” and judgments of resolutions.
I listened to Dr. Wayne Dyer’s book, “The Power of Intention: Learning to Co-create Your World Your Way.” As Dr. Dyer states, “our intentions create our reality.” As I understood it, nothing happens without first having intention.
An intention is an objective that guides our actions. It is self-directed and purposeful, with room to change and adapt to circumstances. An intention is more about doing what you want to do. It’s also attainable, taking into account the bigger picture of who you want to be and the steps necessary to get there. Intentions are a commitment to align our actions with our values and our purpose – they reflect who we are as people and make us feel energized, fulfilled and in balance.
Intentions felt much more inspiring to me than resolutions, so I began to create my own. My first New Year’s intention was to adopt a positive attitude. This was inspired by another piece of Wayne Dyer’s wisdom that attitude is everything, and a positive one gives you the power to create your reality.
I brainstormed with my coach all different ways to be positive. I created a list and posted it in my house. Then I’d look at it every day and use one of those ideas to tap into a positive attitude. For example, I listened to uplifting music or watched a comedy, and I started a gratitude journal.
At first it was difficult to come up with daily entries for my gratitude journal, but after using my positivity list every day for a week it became easier to be grateful. After a few weeks I felt more optimistic about my ability to take charge of my symptoms. And over time I began to feel less pain and more consistent energy.
Creating intentions has changed everything for me! I am in a wonderful place where I have freedom from fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. And now I can reflect on what new intentions I’ll make happen in 2017…because “our intentions create our reality.”
What’s your 2017 intention when it comes to fibromyalgia?
It was so valuable for me to have a coach to partner with and help me follow through on living my intentions. This is why I am offering a complimentary 60-minute “Take Back Your Life” Consultation to you, to see how I can support you in making and living your intentions.
Click here to claim your spot now.
Give yourself the gift of support in 2017!
Whitney
I would love to hear your thoughts. Please comment below.
