Living with Fibromyalgia: The Battle No One Sees

Imagine waking up exhausted before the day even begins. Your body aches as if it has been through a storm. It feels stiff, heavy, and weighed down by an invisible force. You reach for a cup of coffee, hoping it will clear the mental fog, but the brain fog lingers, making even simple decisions feel overwhelming. This is fibromyalgia, a condition that is not just about pain but a relentless assault on both body and mind.

For years, I lived in a world of invisible pain. It tested my limits, my resilience, and my spirit. But through deep exploration and alternative healing, I found ways to manage it. This is my journey to understanding and relief.

Understanding Fibromyalgia and Trigger Points

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes widespread pain, fatigue, and tenderness in muscles, ligaments, and tendons throughout the body. It’s often referred to as the “invisible illness” because there are no obvious outward signs, yet the pain and other symptoms are very real.

One of the key aspects of fibromyalgia is trigger points; specific areas in the body where pressure can lead to intense pain. These points are typically found in areas like the neck, shoulders, lower back, and hips. Pressing on these areas can cause a flare-up of symptoms, intensifying the overall discomfort and exacerbating the condition.

The cause of fibromyalgia is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve an abnormal response to pain signals and an imbalance in how the nervous system processes pain. It’s also closely linked to stress, trauma, and genetics, making it a multifaceted condition that affects both the body and mind.

The Unseen Struggle: Diagnosing Fibromyalgia

My journey began in my late twenties, when I started experiencing intense, debilitating pain that spread from head to toe. No one could explain why. I saw countless specialists, rheumatologists, physiotherapists, pain doctors, and spent hours in emergency rooms. But every test came back normal.

Despite that, my body was in distress. My C reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation, was consistently high, yet there were no clear answers. My muscles and joints ached with an invisible force dragging me down. Sitting upright made my shoulders and back scream in protest. Brain fog clouded my thoughts. The disconnect between what I felt and what doctors could diagnose left me questioning myself. Was this real? Was I just weak?

After years of relentless searching, I was finally given a name, fibromyalgia. But a diagnosis did not bring relief. Instead, it opened the door to understanding how deeply this condition affected not just my body, but also my emotions, thoughts, and entire existence.

The Chronic Pain and the Battle Within

The pain became a constant presence in my life, especially while sitting at my desk. Shoulder and lower back pain made focusing difficult. Simple tasks felt overwhelming. Brain fog drained my mental clarity, and anxiety and depression followed.

I tried everything, painkillers, morphine, marijuana, acupuncture, physiotherapy, but nothing brought lasting relief. I wondered if I would ever find a way to regain control over my life.

A New Understanding: The Mind Body Connection and Trauma

What I did not realize at the time was that fibromyalgia was not just a physical condition. It was deeply connected to my body’s response to stress, including generational trauma.

Over time, I learned that fibromyalgia was not only a reflection of my own emotional and physical wounds but also unresolved trauma passed down through generations. Stress doesn’t just affect the mind, it reshapes the body. Years of accumulated tension, fear, and unprocessed pain had manifested as chronic illness.

Understanding this connection became the first step in my healing.

Kambo: A Healing Journey Through Ancient Medicine

As I searched for answers, I turned to alternative therapies. Kambo, a traditional Amazonian practice using the secretion of the Phyllomedusa bicolor frog, became part of my healing journey. Indigenous tribes have long used it for cleansing, resilience, and physical well-being.

Initially, I was hesitant. The idea of using frog secretion for healing was unfamiliar. But after researching its potential benefits and hearing others’ experiences, I surrendered and gave it a try.

The experience was intense. Vomiting, sweating, and a surge of physical and emotional release took over. My body trembled as stored trauma surfaced and began to release. After a series of Kambo sessions, my pain began to shift. The intensity lessened, and I felt more connected to my body than ever before.

The Turning Point: Keto, Fasting, and Autophagy

As I explored healing, I made a profound discovery – food was medicine.

In my late thirties, I transitioned to a ketogenic diet and incorporated fasting. The results were life changing. Slowly but surely, my fibromyalgia symptoms began to subside.

The science made sense:

• Ketosis helped control inflammation, a major trigger for my flare ups.
• Fasting stimulated autophagy, the body’s natural process of clearing out damaged cells, allowing my body to reset and repair.

Dr. Eric Berg’s research on ketosis confirmed what I was experiencing. When the body shifts from burning sugar to burning fat, inflammation decreases and healing accelerates.

Alternative Healing: TCM, Acupuncture, and Qigong

Healing fibromyalgia required a multi-layered approach, physical, emotional, and energetic. Along with diet, I turned to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), acupuncture, and Qigong.

• Acupuncture helped release blocked energy chi and alleviated pain by targeting meridians in my body.
• Qigong, a gentle movement practice, stimulated the flow of chi and cleared stagnant energy stored in trauma affected areas.

By combining nutrition, ancient medicine, and energetic healing, I felt a shift not just in my body, but in my overall well being.

Managing Fibromyalgia Today: Mindfulness, Movement, and Diet

Today, I manage my fibromyalgia pain with a holistic approach:

• Mindfulness keeps me grounded, preventing me from feeling overwhelmed by discomfort.
• Gentle movement such as yoga, walking, and stretching prevents stiffness and reduces pain.
• Diet remains my most powerful tool. Since overcoming addiction, I can no longer rely on pain medications, making natural healing even more critical. I also do my best to stick to gluten-free foods, as gluten has been a major trigger for my fibromyalgia symptoms.

Body Scans: Understanding Trauma Storage

I also practice body scans, a meditative technique that helps me locate where I hold tension and trauma. By bringing awareness to these areas, I have learned to release stored pain, further reducing chronic symptoms.

A Message of Hope and Strength

Living with fibromyalgia has been a long road filled with pain, setbacks, and moments of doubt. But I have learned that healing is possible. It is not always linear, and it does not look the same for everyone, but there is hope.

For me, a combination of keto, fasting, movement, acupuncture and emotional healing changed everything. Understanding that trauma was stored in my body allowed me to heal beyond just the physical level.

If you are living with fibromyalgia, know this, you are not alone. Your pain is real. Your experience is valid. Healing takes time, but with patience, self compassion, and the right tools, you can reclaim your life.

Want to Learn More?

Understanding fibromyalgia is key to managing it effectively. One resource I recommend is:

Fibromyalgia: A Guide to Understanding the Journey by Shelly Bolton
This book provides insights into the complexities of fibromyalgia, offering guidance on symptoms, triggers, and coping strategies. If you or someone you love is navigating this condition, it’s a helpful resource to deepen your understanding.

Let’s Connect

If you’re dealing with fibromyalgia, I’d love to hear from you. What has helped you manage your symptoms? Share your experiences, reach out for support, or simply connect. We are stronger together. Every small step counts, and with the right tools and community, we can navigate this journey.

Thank you for reading my story.