May Awareness: Sharing Our Spoons by Celeste Cooper

Moving into the Month Of Spoonies

Did you know?

• Those who learn to live despite chronic illness or pain are called spoonies.
• May is awareness month for:

• Allergy
• Arthritis
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS, SEID)
• Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS)
• Fibromyalgia
•  Lyme’s Disease
•  Neuropathy
• Osteoporosis
• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE, Lupus)

ALLERGY– The role in immune dysfunction

Allergy may be coexistent with or aggravate many conditions. “Allergy symptoms are in response to an abnormal neurotransmitter, specifically, histamine.” (Cooper and Miller, 2010) 

Take the Health Central “Allergy Quiz”. 

ARTHRITIS

Arthritis is an umbrella term for many disorders that affect our joints. The most common type is osteoarthritis. Research is advancing what we know of about osteoarthritis.

See Health Central article "Arthritis Awareness Month: More than 100 Types of Arthritis and Related Diseases" by Lisa Emrich, Follow me, Celeste Cooper, Chronic Pain Health Pro and other "Health Guides and Pros" who walk the talk. Ask questions, comment, share your story. 

CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME (ME/CFS/SEID)

Advances have been made in understanding the biology of ME/CFS.  Love it or hate it, and there are reasons for concern, the Institute of Medicine proposes a name change that addresses the most common component, systemic exertion intolerance disease (SEID). There is genuine concern that this name, while addressing a biological cause, may result in ignoring other biological changes that have been associated with ME/CFS. Many people educate and advocate for those of us with this dreadful disorder. You can find out who they are on my website here. 

EHLERS-DANLOS SYNDROME (EDS)

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome is a genetic disease with several types under its umbrella. Characterized by joint hypermobility, skin elasticity, and connective tissue fragility, this disease results from atypical (unusual) proteins are responsible for the fragility of collagen, which is the glue for our tissue. Some patients with EDS also have fibromyalgia or are susceptible for developing myofascial pain syndrome. Read on. 

FIBROMYALGIA (FM)

We are learning more about fibromyalgia. Several researchers believe they are close to finding biomarkers, but the stigma lives on because of those who hold tight to the in ill-conceived notion that fibromyalgia is a psychosomatic disorder. In light of more recent research, how and why remains a mystery to me. But, as I always say, there is opportunity in adversity.

It’s possible that finding the answer to FM will unlock our understanding of other chronic pain disorders associated with pain (pain that is amplified by our brain’s perception). I have written many blogs on fibromyalgia; check out the archived blogs to the right listed according to month.

LYME’S DISEASE

“Lyme disease is caused by the spirochete bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi. The infection is passed to humans by the bite of an infected tick carrying the microorganism. Symptoms include a “bull’s eye” rash at the site of the bite, malaise, fever, headache, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes. Untreated Lyme disease can result in symptoms occurring months or years after the initial exposure and causing damage to the heart, joints, and nerves of infected individuals. Symptoms can imitate other diseases and can be misdiagnosed.” (Cooper and Miller, 2010)   

It is very sad to say, but despite overwhelming evidencethat Chronic Lyme’s Disease  exists, there are those who doubt it.

OSTEOPOROSIS

Osteoporosis is diagnosed according to bone density tests. Poor bone density makes our bones fragile increasing fracture. A common complication of osteoporosis is hip fracture, and the mortality of hip fracture in the elderly is very high.  Watch a great overview of osteoporosis and prevention on Health Central. 

NEUROPATHY

“Neuropathy is any functional disturbance or pathological change in the peripheral nervous system; also used to denote nonspecific lesions, in contrast to inflammatory lesions.” (Cooper and Miller, 2010)

Neuropathy can be due to an array of medical conditions. It can also be idiopathic, meaning that the cause of symptoms is unknown. Read about neuropathic pain. 

SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS (SLE, Lupus)

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is poorly understood and under researched. The cause is unknown. Often referred to as Lupus (not to be confused with discoid lupus), SLE affects predominately women, African Americans, Hispanics and Asians and is generally diagnosed between puberty and mid age. It is an inflammatory autoimmune disease that causes destruction of the body’s various connective tissues. Read on.  

You can learn more about Lupus in an article by Leslie Rott at Health Central, “Lupus is as Lupus Does”. 

BRINGING IN THE SPOONS

While we wait for such evidence, it is important to remember that regardless of our diagnosis, regardless of biomarkers, we are yet to find the cause or a cure for many immune or neuro-immune disorders. So, we must find ways to cope in a healthy way. You can find coping 

and management strategies on my website.

To all my fellow SPOONIES, thank you for sharing this journey. 

~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~

"Adversity is only an obstacle if we fail to see opportunity."  

Celeste Cooper, RN

Author—Patient—Health Central Chronic Pain Pro —Advocate—Sharecare Fibromyalgia Health Expert

NEW Website: http://CelesteCooper.com

Learn more about what you can do to help your body function to its potential in the books you can find here on Celeste's  blog. 

All answers and blogs are based on the author's opinions and writing and are not meant to replace medical advice.