I friend of mine, who was my intern a few years back at the gym I managed, has been diagnosed with fibromyalgia.  His story is compelling and offers hope to anybody who is currently suffering with the it. This is his story of being diagnosed and how he is overcoming chronic pain. It is such a moving story that I wanted to share how he is learning to cope with and improve his health.  The following is his account, his words and his inspirational story on how he is coping with chronic pain and fibromyalgia.

“Fibromyalgia can cause many difficulties day to day. For those who are unfamiliar with the condition, fibromyalgia is a condition that causes generalized pain throughout the body's muscle and fascia tissue. In my cause, it can feel like the tendons along my fingers are tingly or tight; or on a bad day, it can feel like painful muscle knots throughout my body. The pain is often triggered or exasperated by simply using the muscles normally without any real knowable cause.

My symptoms started gradually during the fall semester two years ago. I thought I had pulled a tendon in my thumb. But then after a few months, the pain never seemed to go away. Instead, it had spread throughout my entire body.

By the time the spring semester had started, the intense pain caused me to take an extended leave from my job. It was too painful to even write, so I had to rely on scribes at my university to help me take my exams through most of the spring. I remember having strange pain in my abdomen from sitting upright during class, and painful muscle knots in my tongue from reciting phrases in my Japanese class with my classmates.

It was challenging to stay positive while all of this was happening. Sometimes I would cut out of class early because of anxiety and the uncertainty of my condition.

I have learned a lot over the last two years, about my condition and about life in general. I want to encourage anyone who might be going through something similar. Here are some things that I have found to be essential in living with fibromyalgia.

Spend Time with God

I found that taking time to focus on God and His grand plan gave me purpose for my pain. Whether listening to calming hymns in the car during my commute to school, or reading His word alone in my room, I found it is essential to get into a head space of focusing on the big picture rather than getting sucked into the seemingly negative things in my present situation.

Prioritize Relaxation

This one was hard for me; I am the type of person that just can't relax until I have met all of my deadlines. I found it to be essential to prioritize a little R&R time on most days if possible. It could be something like taking an Epsom salt bath while listening to relaxing music, going through some gentle stretching exercises, or just lying silently in bed for a few minutes to let your mind check in on all of your obligations until finally settling down. (You may not believe how effective that last one can be!)

Adjust Your Diet to Feel Better

You will find a lot of advice on controlling fibromyalgia with changes in diet. In my case, I believe that my symptoms first surfaced because of unresolved issues with my gut health. I found a lot of relief once I had identified a lot of the foods that seemed to be flaring my symptoms and had cut them out. Not only does this help manage my pain, but I am thoroughly convinced that it has improved my outlook on life and has given me more energy to tackle the day ahead. The important thing is to listen to your body and consider working with a doctor who is willing to explore natural treatment plans. Below, you'll see one of my new favorite recipes for meatloaf.

Take A Stroll

When my symptoms first surfaced, it was painful just to go through a normal day, but dedicating time on most days of the week to take a light walk (per my doctor's recommendation) helped build my endurance, and improve my mood. As long as I didn't overdo it, I often finished with a feeling of empowerment. Eventually, my distance and intensity slowly increased as my tolerance level increased. The key, though, was convenience and consistency; taking a walk down the block with a friend, or just doing laps in the backyard while memorizing Japanese flashcards.

Find Support

Over the past two years, I have become more and more aware of all the issues I carry on my shoulders. I think it is only natural to want to spare others of our burdens, and not be a bother. However, I've realized that it is only human to have issues - in my case, some of which I create for myself! Having someone to talk to about my struggles and worries helped me realize that I'm not facing the world alone. Of course, it is important to stay positive and grateful, but there are also times when you just need to talk about what is bothering you. Reach out to someone you can trust to talk about your struggles, then be that person for them too.”

I want to thank you Rudy for sharing your inspiration journey filled with hope and how you’re continuing to live a full and abundant life with fibromyalgia.