Fibromyalgia and Toxins

How Safe is Your House?

Fibromyalgia and Toxins: Most of us see the connection but maybe we don’t know the source of our toxins. There are so many potential sources from our air, food, water and especially drugs. Chemicals are everywhere.

It may seem like a coincidence that fibromyalgia is difficult to diagnose as well as toxicity. If you go to the doctor with flu symptoms and no fever – will your doctor suspect carbon monoxide poisoning? There are so many possibilities that he may never mention it.

So you must get serious about finding any potential toxins in your home.

Here are some areas that should be tested or checked:

Send off a sample of your tap water to be tested for as many contaminants as possible. Some water is too dangerous to even bathe in. Water is extremely important and so you will see that it is my first and last tip on this page.

Toxic cleaning chemicals should not be stored in the house. Actually they should not be used in the house either. The chemicals dry on the surfaces of your home – floors, countertops, windows, sinks etc. – and then they later get kicked up into the air and are inhaled. Most bathroom cleaners say that they should be used in an open area and not inhaled for more than 15 minutes. It is poison and it is not needed!

Go green with cleaning supplies. Use baking soda, vinegar, microfiber clothes and green cleaning supplies such as Basic H2 by Shaklee. Basic H has been used for over 50 years safely and is not only safe for us but it is earth-friendly too.

Change your HVAC filters every three months. Some are disposable and some can be vacuumed and washed clean and reused. This can make a huge difference in the amount of dust in your house. Dust can carry other contaminants that can get in your lungs and lower your immune system. The average American home produces 40 pounds of dust per year.

Install a carbon monoxide detector. We cannot see, smell or taste carbon monoxide and by the time you know it’s there without a detector, damage may be done. Children are particularly susceptible and may die sooner than adults. Whole families have died in their homes from carbon monoxide poisoning from their furnace. A brief explanation of what happens is carbon monoxide knocks the oxygen off the hemoglobin in the blood. Then a lack of oxygen to the brain causes headaches and then dizziness.

Check all walls and areas where water pipes come into the house. If there is any sign of mold or discoloration on the walls, send a sample off to be checked for Toxic Black Mold or other dangerous molds. This can get into the air and into your blood stream and make you very sick.

Dust old TVs regularly. I don’t really understand this one thoroughly but it has something to do with a flame retardant that is in old TVs. I think it contaminates the dust that then goes into the air again and is potentially inhaled.

Electric fields. Many people have way too many things plugged in their homes. If you do, it can cause an electric field that has a mild impact on your body all day, every day. Especially remove everything plugged in within six feet of your bed.

Get a lead testing kit for all of your children’s toys. There were over six million toys that were imported from China recalled in 2007 because of lead. Lead is a silent killer. There may be no symptoms until serious damage (or even death) occurs.

The garage has many areas that should be examined for possible poisons that contaminate the air with gases or chemicals.

How Safe is Your Food?

Eat organic foods and locally grown foods as often as possible.

Cut out meats or switch over to organic meat. If you have a budget for organic foods, spend it on meats rather than vegetables. Meat has 10 times as much chemicals and pesticides as the same amount of vegetables. The toxins in the food that it eats are collected in his tissue throughout his life (very much like it is in ours). Meats increase the acidity of our body fluids anyway so it should be kept to a minimum.

Never eat refrigerated foods after the expiration date.

Fibromyalgia and Toxins in your Dental Work

Never let anyone put amalgams (a mixture of metals) in your teeth. They are almost 50% mercury. The nature of mercury allows it to be released into your body every time you eat. You can insist that the dentist use white fillings – they look better anyway. I read an experience of a lady diagnosed with MS and was on her death bed when she decided to get her amalgams removed. Then she followed up with a heavy metal detox. Her symptoms went away. She got better very quickly after removing the mercury. That may not be the best course for you so please research your options. There is always a risk that by having the amalgam removed you inhale or swallow small bits of the mercury which can be more toxic than the small amount released. But that will pass through your body and can be cleansed by a chelation formula. I have tried various cleanses. I detox every few months and I try to use different programs hoping to get a little something that another detox system did not get. Here is one you may try: Renew Life Heavy Metal Cleanse (2 part kit)

Fibromyalgia and Toxins in Drinking Water

Distilled water is the the only water that is cleansed the way the earth cleanses water – by evaporation and then the steam is condensed in a new container – glass, not plastic.

You can create a safe haven for you and your family. It may seem like an overwhelming task at first but as you make changes and adopt a cleaner (and greener) lifestyle, you will find that your whole family will feel better.

If it seems that none of these items help your symptoms. It may be that other areas of your life need attention.

Visit our sitemap for an overview of areas that you may want to address.

There is a connection between fibromyalgia and toxins but it is not the same for everyone. It may be that the toxin for you is not necessarily a chemical or poison. It could be something as simple as gluten. I found that to be the case for me. I recommend that you read the page on the Causes of Fibromyalgia.