Real life: fibromyalgia syndrome

My allergies made me a stronger person
It’s a baffling condition and something as simple as a peck on the cheek from a loved one can set off an intensely painful reaction. Emma Martin, 30, from Smethwick, explains what life is like living with fibromyalgia syndrome, and how she’s learnt to cope with its debilitating symptoms.

‘At 19 I thought I had it all: fantastic friends, a great social life, a wonderful husband, and a job I loved. It was 1994 and I’d just landed a job as a carer for adults with severe learning difficulties. It could be quite demanding at times, so I wasn’t too fazed when, after a couple of years, I started suffering from tired spells. I put it down to the pressure of the job, yet, within a few months, I was experiencing agonising muscle pain from head to toe and terrible bouts of sickness. My fatigue had become so bad that I could barely drag myself out of bed.

‘As if that wasn’t bad enough, I started developing food allergies. I’d been sensitive as a child and had never been able to eat fruit, but now I couldn’t eat nuts, gluten, sugar, wheat, additives, preservatives or dairy products.

‘Airborne chemicals affected me in the same way. I couldn’t spray air fresheners, deodorant or use any scented products – just walking past a soap shop or the smell of nuts at the cinema brought on dizziness and nausea and I was so tender that even my jeans felt too heavy to wear. I became fearful of going out and my social life was practically non-existent.

‘After 12 months of suffering, I went to my GP who diagnosed fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). The cause is unknown, but widespread muscle pain, sleepless nights and chronic fatigue are the major symptoms. Sufferers also experience muscle stiffness, irritable bowel syndrome, skin problems, low moods, short-term memory loss and hypersensitivity. My GP explained that my case was quite severe and my extreme sensitivity was causing my food and chemical allergies. He warned me that I could also be vulnerable to anaphylaxis – the most extreme form of allergic reaction where a drop in blood pressure and swelling of the bronchial tissues can cause a fatal reaction.

‘I was prescribed antihistamines, painkillers, and an EpiPen (an adrenaline injector to raise blood pressure) in case I had an anaphylactic shock. I was scared but relieved that my symptoms had been diagnosed. However, a few months later, aged just 22, I gave up work due to the pain and my extreme tiredness. My husband Kevin was my rock. He made our house fibromyalgia-friendly: carpets were replaced with wooden flooring for easy dust-mite removal, and the sheets were swapped for anti-allergy bedding. If Kevin had eaten spicy food we couldn’t sleep in the same room, as breathing in the chemicals would set off an allergic reaction.

‘I’ve now realised that I have to accept my condition and learn to live with it. Sticking to a routine helps to keep me calm and lessen my chances of a flare up. When I go out, I wear a wristband with my name and my family’s contact details on it in case I have an anaphylactic reaction and collapse. FMS does affect my everyday life and I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t difficult at times, but my condition has helped me experience a new way of living. I’m stronger, wiser and I won’t let anything get me down any more – including fibromyalgia.’

what is fibromyalgia syndrome?
Fibromyalgia Syndrome is a musculoskeletal disorder that is characterised by widespread muscle pain and chronic fatigue. As many as 1 in 100 adults have the condition, and 9 out of 10 sufferers are female. For some, it can be totally disabling.

How you can cope:
• Cut out dairy products, gluten and sugar
• Try gentle exercise: walk, cycle or swim
• Use relaxation and breathing techniques to calm your body and manage stress
• Heat and massage can help relieve muscle pain
• Avoid caffeine and other stimulants that might further hinder a good sleep
• Read Fibromyalgia And Muscle Pain by Leon Chaitow (£9.99, HarperCollins)