If I don’t have chemical exposures and if I limit refined carbohydrates in my diet then my fibromyalgia symptoms as well as my MCS and CFIDS will improve dramatically. The more exposures I have or more refined carbohydrates I eat then more severe my symptoms will be in each category.

Why this happens, we can only speculate, but I believe that chemicals are upsetting my body’s natural hormonal and endocrine balance. Scientists are now aware that many of air-borne and food-borne chemicals we are constantly ingesting are endocrine-disrupters. These chemicals mimic estrogen in body and may contribute to many problems. There is also evidence that refined carbohydrates may interfere with proper endocrine functioning.

Some Fibromyalgia patients may feel that following a strict regimen of avoiding certain chemicals or following a strict diet may not give you enough improvement to justify effort. However, there is recent evidence to suggest that chemical sensitivity can be result of a liver dysfunction that is a component of a medical condition known as porphyria. Porphyria has been studied for decades, and it has long been accepted that it is often degenerative in certain types of porphyria, disability can permanently worsen over time if patient does not avoid triggers of their episodes. Although this research is not yet conclusive, it creates cause for concern. If in fact Fibromyalgia, CFIDS, MCS and GWS are all related in some way or in fact really just one in same and if all involve this typed of liver dysfunction, then avoidance of chemicals may be an important therapy for these patient groups. I would urge all FM patients to carefully evaluate possibility that they are reacting to environmental triggers to prevent possibility of a permanent worsening of their condition.

EXAMPLE: I had a coaching client Sam take assessment. He was miserable selling insurance. His profile: Positivity, WOO, Empathy, Communicator, Activator. He hated paperwork (Activator) and believed he couldn't sell. Positivity greases any wheel; Empathy meant he was sincere, Activators need to move fast; Communicator...? He was born to sell and didn't know it. He'd been focusing on his weaknesses as we're taught to do. He needed a bigger playing field, to embrace his strengths and be self-assured, and a different product to sell.

Now he's soaring.

It's typical that person does not "believe" their assessment at first because we just don't know our innate talents. Coaching can pick up where book and assessment leave off -- where do I go from here?

You may get some revelations. I did when I took it.

Permission is granted to reproduce as long as byline stays intact. Courtesy copy appreciated.