Episode 22: Fibromyalgia and its impact on our immune system
It is fall and the school year is upon us. For teachers, like me, it is time to think about the things we can do to help our immune systems battle all of the viruses that will be sneezed our way. Yes, although I have PTSD even thinking about it means thinking about how to protect myself from yet another round of the newest strain of COVID-19. Gosh, I am bored just thinking about it. COVID is yesterday's news and it is a touchy subject. But it is here to stay and minimizing the chances of getting it or mitigating and reducing its symptoms, as a person living with fibromyalgia, is key to making it through these next 9 months. Because of this, I have a few questions:
Question 1: Are people with fibromyalgia more prone to COVID?
Before I delve into it, I want to answer what I think is an important question: are people with fibromyalgia more prone to getting COVID than other demographic groups? As a teacher with fibromyalgia, this is a major concern for me because I am inundated with all the viruses the students bring with them into the school building. The simple answer is "no"; a teacher with fibromyalgia is not at greater risk of getting COVID-19. However, personal experience with this virus would tell me otherwise. Since 2020, I have been sick from the COVID virus 4 times. Each instance presented varying degrees of illness, with the most recent bout resulting in lingering covid-related asthma. But, was this the result of my fibromyalgia, my profession as a teacher, or my persistent fatigue?
Fibromyalgia and the Immune System
Fibromyalgia may be an immune system dysfunction but has not been recognized yet as an autoimmune disease. Researchers have been able to observe changes in the immune system function of people with fibromyalgia related to the key signaling molecules in the body, which impact the body's pain response. These findings suggest that these abnormalities may contribute to the chronic pain experienced by people living with fibromyalgia. In layman's terms, the immune system impacts the level of pain and the symptoms associated with fibromyalgia. All that may be true, but as fibromyalgia is not recognized as an autoimmune disease, what makes us more susceptible to viruses and other illnesses? It very well may be the symptoms of fibromyalgia, specifically disturbed sleep and fatigue, that makes us susceptible to COVID, and also many other viruses with which we are constantly besieged. I would say that this is true for not only people living with fibromyalgia but for teachers as well.
Question 2: Do people with fibromyalgia experience worsening symptoms when sick with COVID or other viruses?
First, let's focus on the symptoms associated with COVID. Pain, fatigue, and generally feeling miserable are not uncommon symptoms of COVID or many other viruses for that matter. However, according the the National Institute of Health, research has shown that COVID has been known to exacerbate, or make worse, the pain symptoms in people living with fibromyalgia; it has also been known to cause a post-COVID syndrome that, among other symptoms, mimics fibromyalgia-like symptoms. In the same study, it was noted that worsening of fibromyalgia pain is not uncommon with COVID or other viruses. This can be caused by the increase of poor quality of sleep that is associated with fibromyalgia and the impact of the body having to fight to get well. Since I am focused on fibromyalgia patients and my own fibromyalgia symptoms and experiences, I will conclude that, YES, our symptoms can worsen and trigger "fibro-flares" when sick with COVID or any other viruses.
Question 3: How do we protect ourselves and our immune system from illness? The problem with "Self-Care".
This frustrating discussion is best had between you and your doctor. But, God knows I have had all the discussions with all the doctors on my care team. So, I get it. I must admit, sometimes I get disheartened. The answer is always the same: self-care. But what does that mean?
What?
But how is this possible in the American work environment? The American workplace, with its "Go! Go! Go!" and "Go Get 'Em" attitude, and especially in education and teaching "where all things are possible" is not conducive to even the idea of "self-care". Since 2020, our employers have been out here saying "self-care is imperative to staying safe and healthy". But this has been mostly lip service. Alison Green cites a typical example from a teacher in 2021:
"My new principal sends daily emails dripping with toxic positivity, such as pointing out the beautiful weather that we should be thankful for or encouraging us to take time to practice self-care. These instructions are starting to feel more like extra responsibilities, especially when coupled with “here are three articles I thought you’d all enjoy reading before tomorrow’s staff meeting”.
This is all too familiar. Though this is from the height of the pandemic, it still holds true today and has become a boss's toxic habit. My point is that employers cannot be trusted to understand what self-care actually means, and that employees in the American workforce must learn to set boundaries and stick to them when it comes to the unhealthy demands of the work place.
The Importance of Boundaries
This subject deserves its own blog, and indeed there are several. I found that this article from Winshape Teams was clear and to the point. In short the author, Nathaniel Gaydosik, says in order to set and maintain a healthy work/life balance it is important to set firm boundaries at work. Though it isn't easy, it is well worth it. This will protect time, energy, physical and mental health. In turn, for those of us with fibromyalgia, it can help us avoid flare ups. This will take a targeted discussion with your supervisor and people you work with to help you meet your individual needs.
Movement as Medicine
With that in mind, again, how do teachers living with fibromyalgia take care of themselves? The truth is, the same way we always do. There is a plethora of research discussing the lifestyle modifications needed to stay healthy while living with a chronic condition. But, the three big ones are: exercise, sleep, and stress management.
These three focus areas are woven throughout my blogs. I often reiterate this and can be found specifically in my article, "Movement is Medicine". In this article I wrote, "Experts say exercise, strength training, and stretching can reduce pain and help manage this disorder". According to Kelly Bilodeau of Harvard Health, for people with fibromyalgia, more movement may be the last thing on our minds, but, it is the practice that can offer the relief we need. Low impact, light aerobic exercise such as walking or swimming, tai chi, and yoga hit all the marks and are all recommended to help with pain, stiffness, sleep, and stress relief. This in turn, especially the sleep component, can help us protect our immune systems.
RECAP
Fibromyalgia has an impact on the immune system. For teachers, with the new school year upon us, there is little we can do to avoid old and new viruses being coughed and sneezed our way. This means we will be inundated with the newest strains of COVID, the flu, and other diseases. Those of us living with fibromyalgia are particularly impacted as we struggle to get the needed rest our bodies need to recover and maintain our health. Along with this, considering the pressures of the American workplace, it is important to set and hold firm to personal boundaries that promote a healthy work/life balance. However, there are things we can do to help ourselves: exercise, sleep, and stress management are all key and can help us protect our health and avoid fibromyalgia flare-ups. As suggested in this post and much research, movement as medicine targets and combats the major symptoms of fibromyalgia: pain, stiffness, and sleep problems, and can help us prop up our immune system and stay healthy.
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Karen Palmen, EdD is a veteran educator in Saint Paul, Mn. She teaches Dance and English at Saint Paul Central High School. She has an active TikTok page that features humorous, political, mental health, and educational content (kickin it with karen2). And a a dormant YOUTUBE channel with the same name, featuring fermented foods and other cooking oddities.
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Gaydosik, Nathaniel. “The Importance of Boundaries and 3 Tips to Set Them.” WinShape
Teams, WinShape Teams, 12 June 2023, teams.winshape.org/resource/importance-of-boundaries/.
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