I asked my friend Marco Mizrahi to be a guest writer and share his insights on how animals help those suffering from fibromyalgia. Marco has an incredible passion for helping others and a deep love for animals. As someone who copes with fibromyalgia himself, Marco has firsthand experience in how our furry friends play a crucial role in managing the daily challenges and flare-ups of this often debilitating illness. His insights are truly valuable, and I encourage you to read and share Marco’s thoughtful reflections with others.
Introducing Marco
Fibromyalgia and Our Furry Babies
Back in 2003, a couple of months after my mother passed away, a little bundle of pure love and happiness joined our family. Around the same time, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and depression, adding to the chronic asthma I already had. One afternoon, while cleaning some picture frames with photos of my mom and feeling overwhelmed with sadness, I turned to Sammy, our new puppy. Seeing my face, he seemed to understand my sorrow. I told him how much I missed my mom, and, to keep me from crying, Sammy came over and started licking my face.
As the years went by, taking Sammy for walks and playing with him helped manage my symptoms. He slept on my bed, against my leg, preventing me from moving too much and allowing me to have more restful nights. Now that Sammy is no longer with us and my fibromyalgia has worsened, I often wonder: how did he know I was sad? Looking at his picture always brings an instant smile to my face. What is this phenomenon? Does it help with my fibromyalgia symptoms? Let's explore this idea and uncover the science and power behind interacting with a furry companion.
Meet Sammy
What is Fibromyalgia?
According to the Mayo Clinic, fibromyalgia is defined as a disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory, and mood issues. However, this definition only scratches the surface. In other words, fibromyalgia encompasses a range of symptoms that affect how our body controls pain. It often results in poor sleep quality and is usually accompanied by other illnesses.
The list of symptoms is extensive, making diagnosis difficult. Once diagnosed, life changes forever. You will experience chronic pain, insomnia will become routine, and exhaustion will be a constant companion. You'll need to write down all your passwords and PINs because memory lapses can be frequent. Now that you have a picture of what this invisible illness is, what is the connection to our pets? Can they help fibromyalgia patients manage their symptoms?
Fibro Meets Furry
Fibromyalgia manifests in flares, during which pain levels can be as intense as those of kidney stones. Pain, fatigue, and brain fog (cognitive difficulties) are the three most common symptoms during a flare-up. Normally, endorphins are chemicals released by the brain during pain, stress, or extreme joy and pleasure. However, during a fibromyalgia crisis, symptoms worsen, and endorphins don’t kick in. But there is another chemical that does.
If you’re reading this blog, it’s safe to say that dogs, cats, and other pets have a special place in your heart. When scrolling through social media or watching videos on WhatsApp, seeing a furry baby can bring a smile to your face, even on a bad day. This reaction is caused by oxytocin, the “cuddle chemical,” which our brain releases when we feel joy or happiness (but not extreme happiness, which releases endorphins).
Now that we understand this, how do our furry friends know when we are in pain or experiencing a flare-up? Studies show that when you caress the shiny coat of your cat or give your dog a well-deserved belly rub, they also produce oxytocin! It’s a sort of chemical symbiosis. Scientific facts are comforting and reassuring, but they don’t fully explain our pets’ reactions. For that, let me share a couple of examples.
Cats and Fibromyalgia: Danny and Bijoux
Danny and Bijoux are two beautiful cats from Taiwan with distinct personalities. Bijoux is subtle and relaxed, while Danny is active and one of those troublemakers whose beautiful eyes make her instantly forgivable. These two are special because they bring joy and comfort to their mom, Carrie, during a fibromyalgia flare. In one of her posts, she describes Bijoux as "what 10 pounds of love looks like." If you’d like to learn more about invisible illnesses, living with chronic pain, and discover an award-winning blog, please visit My Several Worlds.
Meet Danny & Bijou
Dogs and Fibromyalgia: Kodi and Sidney
In their mom, Kristal's own words: “Kodi and Sidney, through their #Paws4Fibro initiative, helps promote awareness, raise funds for different nonprofits, and provide support and fun posts for both the veteran and fibromyalgia communities. My dogs provide companionship and structure. Since I love nature and my dogs, taking them out to different areas like nature paths, woods, and water helps promote physical activity and my own self-care."
Meet Kodi & Sidney
Our furry babies, how much they know and understand, will forever be a mystery. However, it’s amazing to recognize a special symbiosis that goes beyond a chemical connection: one of love, support, and advocacy. Our brains are brilliant at making connections, so since there is both a chemical and emotional interaction with our favorite animals, the brain will trigger a similar response when we see a picture of them. Next time you are in a crowded place, take out your phone, look at a picture of your favorite animal, and suddenly you'll have a big smile on your face. Now you know why.
For more information on Fibromyalgia and the #Paws4Fibro initiative, here are some links:
The Fibro Dude (Marco's page)
Thank you, Marco for helping others learn and understand more about fibromyalgia and the role animals play in the physical, mental and emotional components of this disease.
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