Welcome to the new Southern African Holistic website, where you will find the truth behind the myths and old definitions that surround this chronic illness.

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE illness, as opposed to (SCIENTIFIC ORGANIC MEDICINE) with the pain and dysfunctions beginning IN THE CNS AND ANS (the Involuntary Nervous System of the brain, allowing for the DYSFUNCTION OF ALL THE BRAIN AND BODY SYSTEMS, which, in turn, allows for non-cognitive brain function,' brain fog', widespread musculoskeletal aches,with 'locked in muscle' pain - at its worst, is CALLED BY Professor Majib Ali, (Integrative medical enodocrinoligist and holistic professor, and many other researching, integrative MD's), 'THE MURDEROUS PAIN'- with morning stiffness, soft tissue tenderness, general fatigue, ADRENAL FATIGUE, and sleep disturbances(see SYMPTOMS) The most common sites of pain include the neck, back, shoulders, pelvic girdle, inside of knees, hands and feet, but any body part can be affected, as every system of the brain + the 2nd brain=The Enteric Nervous System,(situated in the colonic reagion of body), is affected, thus dysfunctioning both BRAIN AND BODY SYSTEMS. FM is called a SILENT DISEASE - all sufferers are born with the famililiar, hereditary and pre-disposed genetics. When enough PHYSICAL/+ EMOTIONAL TRAUMA, STRESS + DISTRESS ( INCORRECTLY, IN MOST CASES, TERMED BY THE MEDICAL PROFESSION AS 'CLINICAL DEPRESSION'), the 'unravelling' of the CNS +ANS which begin to slowly allow one to 'feel the symptoms', results in full-blown fibromyalgia FLARE-UPS, dysfunctioning all brain and internal body systems, disturbing and escalating pain. Fibromyalgia is not a DREADED disease but is CHRONIC, and can become ACUTE and go into REMISSION when treated correctly,  with patients' understanding of the 'work that lies ahead'. Fibromyalgia patients experience a range of symptoms of varying intensities that wax and wane over time. Remission is the attainable goal when both patient and Consultant work with 'shared responsiblity' towards WELLNESS with an HOLISTIC, RE- FUNCTIONAL EDUCATIVE PROGRAMME. FM SHOULD NOT BE A PROGRESSIVE DISEASE - HOWEVER, IF 'LEFT UNATENDED OR IS TREATED INCORRECTLY, all symptoms and effects, without HALTING THE CAUSATIVES, FM most certainly worstens, both physiologically and emotionally.

There is NO CURE FOR FIBROMYALGIA - THERE IS HOLISTICALLY, WITH A FUNCTIONAL MEDICAL APPROACH, THE OPPORTUNITY TO CHANGE BOTH PRE AND CO-EXISTING PATTERNS OF BEHAVIOUR, AS WELL AS PRE AND CO-EXISTING PHYSIOLOGICAL CONDITIONS WITH CHOICES AND COMMITMENT TO ONE'S OWN HEALTH FOR ONE'S OWN SAKE. Life changes made for oneself WORK - made for THE SAKE OF 'anyone else', there is less chance of achieving the goal -ie-  to become a fibromyagia SURVIVOR. Many patients are fibromyalgia SURVIVORS!

I invite all visitors to  look around my site for more information and REAL HELP  for all sufferers of Fibromyalgia-HOLISTICALLY! This site is written to assist the SUFFERERS TO BECOME VICTORS OVER THIS ILLNESS IN ITS ENTIRITY. It is also written for those who love their known- 'sufferer' enough, to pass this inform on to those who have not yet read the contentent herein.

IALSO INVITE YOU ALL TO READ MY 'POSITIVE HEALTHHELP' BLOG DAILY. LEARN LOTS FOR FREE

I am Sharon Levin. I have been in remission for 17 years after being  ACTIVELY ill with FM the previous 20 years.  I worked really hard, and still do, with INTENTION, TO REGAIN MY HEALTH taiking the 'ROADS LESS TRAVELLED' to stay ahead of FIBROMYALGIA, and all its awful repercussions, I'm hoping that whoever reads this site will be encouraged to take up the challenge and be able to  look forward to a future of wellness.

 I now teach what I have learned. I still continue studying for my and your sakes to stay well ahead of any actual research and courses etc that will empower us all to do better for ourselves each day and I continue to follow the programmes  daily to keep Fibromyalgia, Cfs, ME-Cfids, and Adrenal Fatigue,  away!

I would love to hear from you.

Sharon levin

Rooms JHB +HELPLINE 011-485 5848 (pse leave a message if I am unavailable and I will return your call)

Rooms La Lucia Ridge: 082 876 8777 + appointments or emergencies

email: fmssha@ibi.co.za

FIBROMYALGIA SUPPORT NETWORK OF SOUTHERN AFRICA - (see ' NEWSLETTERS' +'FORUM'/( COMMENTS AND DISCUSSION) IS NOW FREE TO ALL WHO VISIT THIS SITE AND ARE NOW ABLE TO READ INFORMATION AND HAVE YOUR SAY)

 Every year, May 12th is International Fibromyalgia Awareness Day, commemorating the birthdate of thre great nurse, Florence Nightingale, who was the 1st known person with Fibromyalgia. She spent, after the horrors of the Crimean War, the rest of her life writing diaries, in total seclusion, agarophobic, a social phobic, alone, after the horrors she encountered on and off battlefields, traumatised by the passion she had for nursing the sick. She would not want her lessons to go unvalidated, and reteated. Thus she remains my inspiration.

We pay homage to this Great Lady With The Lamp, and thus, on May 12th, should wear a YELLOW RIBBON in solidarity with all who still suffer from this chronic illness, For me, that LIGHT FROM THE LAMP remains the SHINING LIGHT THAT I HOPE WILL GUIDE EVERYONE THROUGH THE PAGES OF THIS HOLISTIC SITE.