Since both my sister, Wanda, and I have fatigue, since I have (had) Fibromyalgia and since she continues to suffer with Multiple Sclerosis, I have contemplated one important question: What is the link between fatigue, Fibromyalgia and Multiple Schlerosis? Many of our symptoms are nearly the same, particularly so during her earlier years of being ill with MS.

As a matter of fact, many women in my family have or have had “fatigue-related” illnesses and dysfunctions. Does that imply that these illnesses are somehow genetically related? Scientifically, the jury is out on that one, but there is growing evidence that some dysfunctional genetics could be in play. When one considers the propensity of certain symptoms that keep showing up in the female population, it’s a tempting possibility.

If however these are not hereditary issues, then this problem requires additional thinking and answers.

(Today’s audio podcast is 8 minutes, 38 seconds.)

Today I bring you one possibility that I believe to be quite important. Mothers, daughters, sisters and cousins often grow up in the same environment and then adopt a similar value system. The expectations for them and how they will live their lives can be almost the same. Patterns are laid down early by the dominant figures of a family. Offspring are mentally and emotionally prepared and nurtured in a “special way” by the parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. Then the patterns emerge long term and if the pattern was not a health-promoting one, illness can ensue. Example:

A) Sally is loving, giving and likes to help others. She will be a nurse, yet as pressures build to the breaking point in her life, Sally will need nurturing herself and she has no idea how to get it or accept it.

B) Roberta is a book worm and is always learning new things. She loves to share and teach what she has learned to others. Will she someday burn out from constantly feeling the compulsion to learn and reproduce great things? To always be the family’s “smart child”?

C) Mary is turned off by these generous attitudes and views of life she is receiving. As her life gets tougher, she doesn’t feel that her family ever helped her feel fulfilled. Everything she got, she feels like she “earned” it…all by herself. Is Mary closed off and doomed to live alone? Or will she suffer with shallow, hurtful relationships over and over because she cannot commit emotionally to anyone or ever let her guard down?

Well, however you see yourself and there are a million family patterns that you could have unconsciously adopted, know that you don’t have to be a victim to illness or your upbringing. No two people are 100% alike. We may get the same lessons of expectation, future goal-setting, and achievement from our family, but it is our interpretation that makes all the difference. We have the ultimate choice of how we live with not only with symptoms, but our life in general.

That’s why I believe that no matter whether you have a plain-vanilla fatigue, full blown Fibromyalgia or life-long Multiple Sclerosis, one must make the best of the situation. I work with a lot of people and that’s what I encourage each of them to do. Even if there turns out to be an overwhelming genetic link between Fibro and MS, it may take decades before you or I can take advantage of whatever comes from the investigation process. Until then, you must find a way to live your life as best you can. That means to love yourself, accept your life and not to panic when your symptoms get tough. You’ll truly be a lot happier if you stay in control.

One more suggestion I have is for you to work on “improving” your own health. Feel free to check out the FREE version of my healing course, Learn How to Heal Yourself. (Note: Scan down until you see the “free” wording. The Silver Level of the course is the only one available right now. It is quite good and will teach you the principles of how to help yourself, how to feel better not fatigued, not overridden with Fibromyalgia and surely not down and out with Multiple Sclerosis. Remember that no illness can cause you to be completely down unless you allow it to happen. Make this important, “healing” tool a part of your personal tool bag. Learn it and have the concepts accessible to you at a moments notice. It will show you how to lead a healthier, more productive and happier life. And, quite importantly, it can help you to remain strong, vital and in control.

Here is a recent link to research information about today’s topic on this fatigue, Fibromyalgia and Multiple Sclerosis topic. Above all, don’t forget that you are your own most important key to getting well!

Thank you, Cinda Crawford

Host of the Health Matters Show