An Interview with Dr. Tami Brady, author of Strategies Dr. Tami Brady is a lover of books, a whole health therapist, a wonderful writer, and a courageous person. Her book review website TCM Reviews is a popular source of reviews of latest books and she offers practical help in healing from a number of diseases that are mainly caused by stress. Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are two main diseases of this type and Tami's latest book Strategies (Loving Healing Press, Michigan, 2008) is about her encounter with these debilitating conditions. Drawing on her own experience of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Tami creates a practically useful and easy-to-follow plan for every person who suffers from either of these two conditions or from stress in general. Following is my e-conversation with Tami Brady about her book Strategies and her knowledge of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Ernest: Tami, I finished reading your book Strategies on fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. You really faced a lot of troubled health. Would you please tell our readers about the nature and main symptoms of these two health problems? Tami: In 1996, I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. The general definition of Fibromyalgia is chronic pain. Actual symptoms vary from person to person including localized pain; heaviness or weakness causing mobility issues, swelling of the joints; memory and thinking impairment (fibrofog); and a myriad of other problems. The most common symptom with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is intense fatigue, often coupled with unrecuperative sleep and chronic insomnia. Ernest: Okay, we learn that these two conditions often occur together, right? Tami: Between four to eight million individuals suffer with Fibromyalgia in the United States alone. Another million people have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Some estimates suggest that 5% of the population is afflicted with Fibromyalgia. Since a large portion of individuals who have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome also have Fibromyalgia, there are some specialists who believe that Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia are actually expressions of the same condition. At this point, no one knows for sure. Much more study is needed. In my case, my Chronic Fatigue Syndrome symptoms often exasperate my Fibromyalgia issues and vice versa. Far too many times a string of sleepless nights has heralded a wave of back pain or intense pain in my hip that has made it impossible to get any sleep. Ernest: And you were having difficulty with getting the right diagnosis until you went to see that sports medicine specialist. Do you suggest that people with the symptoms you mentioned should see such a specialist sooner? Tami: Unfortunately, at present, there are no definitive tests for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Fibromyalgia. Moreover, since many of the symptoms are shared with other conditions such as accidental poisoning, problems with the thyroid glands, Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis, and the like, it is extremely difficult to determine that someone has Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Fibromyalgia. Essentially, a doctor has to discount every other possible physical solution. Then, after psychological evaluations are complete, they can finally look to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. Unfortunately, for now at least, it's just a long frustrating process. Ernest: You conclude that the origin of fibromyalgia and, perhaps, chronic fatigue syndrome does not lie in the stress we experience due to our own life choices but the actual origin is most probably rooted in some early childhood disease. What possibly can give rise to fibromyalgia? Tami: Although there are plenty of theories, no one really knows why some people develop Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Fibromyalgia. Those of us with these conditions, tend to be extremely driven overachievers so it's very easy to assume that we just 'burn out'. Many are long term sufferers of insomnia so it makes sense that we'd eventually get extremely fatigued. We also tend to have high tolerance to acute pain which allows us to push harder than we should, potentially causing a chronic pain condition. Beyond these similarities, many of us share conditions such as Endometriosis, Renauld's Syndrome, and allergies which may indicate a predisposition to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. Ernest: Let's talk about your strategies for coping with the two health conditions. You discourage the use of prescribed medicines and instead suggest natural products and natural medication. How do you support your approach? Tami: I personally do not use prescription medicines but know of many people who swear by them. I think that this is a personal preference. Some people will naturally feel more comfortable using prescription drugs while others will be more attracted to homeopathic or other forms of complementary medicine. Still others will take the best of each system to create strategies that work for them. I say find out what works for you and what you feel comfortable doing. Ernest: I didn't know about Reiki before reading Strategies. Would you please tell a little about it, especially about how it works to bring relief from pain or discomfort? Tami: Reiki is a bioelectrical methodology to aid stress relief, pain management, and to improve relaxation. Reiki was originally based upon ancient Buddhist healing practices where life energy is used to heal physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual pain while filtering out negativity and creating greater balance in the body systems. This process can be achieved either through hands-on massage or through distance healings whereby the energies are sent through the various aura layers or the magnetism of the combined atoms that make up the human body. There are many variations of Reiki that tend to combine traditional healing techniques of various cultures and the original form of Reiki. Thus, those with a Christian background may be attracted to Reiki that has been intermeshed with the healing power of Angels or the power of the Christ Consciousness, while those who resonate with more New Age beliefs may find Reiki combined with aura therapy or chakra balancing more to their liking. By the same token, those with a scientific background may be more comfortable discussing alpha waves or magnetic fields in relation to Reiki energies. Ernest: In your book, you also include writing, especially journaling, as a coping strategy for stress management. How effective do you find this in bringing relief from stress? Tami: For me, journaling has been a very good way of learning about myself. On those days when my symptoms are at their worst, I write about my anger and frustration. I put all those raw emotions on the page, giving myself permission to feel them fully in a safe way. Then, once the wave of emotion is spent, I begin to notice patterns. I've come to realize that much of my anger and frustration is actually founded in fear scenarios. I worry that this pain bout might affect my mobility or that this fibrofog flare up might destroy my career as a writer. Slowly, as I journal I come to realize that I only have to deal with that particular symptom that I'm experiencing at that time. The rest is just fear of what may or may not happen. Ernest: I found it convincing that you allow your readers to work out their own treatment plan according to their own individual needs. Do you suggest not going to one's family doctor or a physician? Tami: Although it is getting better, many family doctors aren't familiar with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Fibromyalgia. Unless they are specialists, most aren't up to date on the latest research or newest treatment options. Some still don't believe that these conditions exist. I think that no matter what treatment options that those with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia personally decide upon, that they have to be an active participant in their self-care. This means doing research, asking questions, and sometimes shopping around for health care professionals who are willing to work with them as a team. Ernest: How important is support from family and friends in coping effectively with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome? Tami: The effects of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia are life changing for the afflicted person as well as his or her family, friends, and colleagues. The once confident, energetic, achievement driven individual that took care of everyone else now needs help just to go to the bathroom. On good days, they almost seem like their old selves. Then, without warning, they are crippled by pain or are unable to get out of bed. Trying to find a new balance and coping with the everyday surprises that these conditions bring can be extremely frustrating for everyone involved. As expected, most people diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Fibromyalgia feel very alone and frightened about their future. Unfortunately, as their lifestyle radically changes in order to cope with their symptoms, too often friends, family members, intimate relationships, and careers fall by the wayside. Ernest: You also found that joining online discussion groups made stress management easier, right? Tami: For a very long time, I didn't want to admit that I had Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. In my mind, I had a very specific image of how my life should look. Any deviations were unacceptable. I thought that people if people knew my secret they would look down upon me as fragile or judge me as lazy. Eventually, I had to accept the reality of my situation. One of the best things I ever did was to join a few online discussion groups. Reading through the emails each day, I saw myself. Literally hundreds of other people were going through exactly what I was going through. Others had learned various ways of coping with symptoms and rebuilding their lives. Suddenly, I realized I wasn't lazy, crazy, or alone. Ernest: And you work now as a whole health therapist. Please tell a little about your work and how someone who needs your help may reach you for a treatment plan? Tami: Whole Health Therapy is a term often used in descriptions about alternative or complementary medicine. Unlike contemporary medicine which focuses primarily on the immediate relief of physical symptoms, alternative and complementary medicine tends to look to the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health of the individual as a whole, in order to find, understand, and heal the root cause of the dis-ease. In my practice, I focus on Energy Psychology (Reiki and various forms of spiritual healing) which is useful not only as relaxation and coping techniques but also as a means to enhance self healing. Sessions last one hour and are sent via a distant method commonly used in Reiki called a Chi Ball. More information about Whole Health Therapy for Fibromyalgia can be found on my website at www.tami-brady.com Ernest: Thank you Tami for sharing your knowledge and sparing your precious time! Book Availability: http://lovinghealing.com/strategies-chronic-fatigue-syndrome-fibromyalgia/ Dr. Brady's Book Review Site: http://tcm-ca.com/ CONTESTS | ABOUT US | LETTER FROM THE EDITOR | CONTACT US © 2007, Sun Goddess Productions All Rights Reserved