Combatting Symptoms of Fibromyalgia with CBD

Fibromyalgia is known as an invisible illness, because it is next to impossible to tell whether someone has it or not. At least, that is, until you get to know them and hear about their day. Until you hear how every single choice they make during the day affects their energy levels, pain levels, and mood. Until you hear about the overwhelming fatigue and chronic pain they are plagued with, and how just getting out of bed that morning was excruciatingly difficult. You may not have seen it from the outside, but people who suffer from fibromyalgia and other invisible illnesses such as CFS, Lupus, and Lyme disease (to name a few) are battling painful symptoms every minute of the day and night.

Fibromyalgia causes overwhelming fatigue and chronic pain.

What is fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a syndrome that can cause a wide range of debilitating symptoms. It is a syndrome that is still fairly misunderstood, although research has shown that it may be caused by the nervous system not processing information correctly. Studies continue to try and explain this mysterious invisible illness and the how’s and why’s behind it. There are many different symptoms associated with fibromyalgia, and not everyone is affected in the same way.

 Common symptoms can include widespread chronic pain, fatigue, stiff joints and muscles, headaches, irregular sleep patterns, restless legs syndrome, sensitivity to extreme temperatures, and brain fog (known as fibro-fog). Between 80-90% of fibromyalgia patients are women, and it is estimated that around 5 million adults in the United States experience fibromyalgia.

How can CBD help patients with fibromyalgia?

There is still so much that is misunderstood about this syndrome, and doctors often disagree on what constitutes a diagnosis. As such, treatment options are often fairly limited as well, and patients are having to resort to taking pharmaceutical pain killers and sleep aids in order to combat the symptoms. Anti-depressants such as Cymbalta or Savella may also be prescribed to treat symptoms of depression and anxiety. Many people suffer in silence because they do not want to be on such a rigorous regime of pharmaceuticals, or their doctor is hesitant to diagnose them in the first place.

Pharmaceutical pain killers and sleep aids are often used to treat symptoms of fibromyalgia.

Recently, however, fibromyalgia patients are finding some relief with using CBD oil to treat their symptoms. The anti-inflammatory properties of CBD oil help to counter the chronic pain and discomfort many patients experience. A 2016 study also suggests that a deficiency in endocannabinoids in the body could be at the root of chronic pain and fibromyalgia, and that CBD may help to correct this deficiency and alleviate the pain. CBD also helps with irregular sleep patterns, allowing fibromyalgia patients to have a deeper, sounder sleep each night. This ability to fall asleep and stay asleep is so critical for those who are already living with lower energy levels, and a good night sleep can also help to decrease feelings of anxiety and depression.

Could CBD work for me?

Often, those dealing with an invisible illness like fibromyalgia feel very alone, very misunderstood, and very frustrated. This leads to increased feelings of hopelessness, and exacerbates their depression and anxiety. But there is hope! CBD is showing to be an incredibly helpful treatment for fibromyalgia patients. Sometimes, when we hear the success stories of other people, it gives us hope, and helps us to feel that a solution could be out there for us as well.

A 70-year old grandmother, who has battled fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis for almost thirty years has finally found relief with using CBD oil. She uses Verima’s acupressure rollerball on the stiff, painful joints that cause her the most grief, and almost instantly feels relief from the pain. In the morning, she takes her measured dose of Verima’s broad-spectrum CBD tincture, and is able to start her day without aches and pains, along with a noticeable increase in energy. By the end of the day, when she is tired and feeling achy again, she takes another measured dose of her tincture and uses the rollerball again on the painful joints in her hands. She climbs into bed feeling relieved from the pain, and settles down for a solid night’s sleep – something she hasn’t enjoyed in many years.

A 35-year old woman had to leave her full-time career due to the symptoms associated with her illness. Nighttime would be her worst time, as the pain became unbearable and she would spend hours lying on the couch surrounded by pillows so that her joints weren’t touching anything. No number of pharmaceuticals touched the pain. Enter CBD oil. Not only did it help her to sleep by decreasing the pain, but it was also so much easier on her system than Naproxen or Tylenol. Her mental health improved dramatically when she began taking CBD oil, because she was finally able to sleep at night and have some relief from the pain. Her life has changed so much in recent months due to her new CBD regime, and she is feeling happier and healthier than she has in a long time.

 There is hope. It is possible to combat this mysterious illness. Let Verima help, we are here for you.