Laura starts fibro support group

SUPPORT: Te Horo's Laura Mabey, who suffers from chronic daily pain caused by fibromyalgia, with her dog Narla.

A young Te Horo woman living with chronic daily pain has started a support group for others in the district living with the incurable illness fibromyalgia.

Laura Mabey, 22, lives in a vicious circle of pain and tiredness caused by fibromyalgia, the result of hormone imbalances in the central nervous system.

The qualified musculoskeletal therapist, who managed to complete three years of study at Wellington's New Zealand College of Massage, was diagnosed with fibromyalgia four months ago.

For the four years leading up to her diagnosis, the ex-Paraparaumu College student did not know why she experienced chronic pain in her shoulders, back, hips, legs and feet.

She said since being diagnosed, it had been hard finding support and information for fibromyalgia, which was a scary illness to have to deal with alone.

"The pain and lack of sleep are to do with lack of blood flow to a part of your brain.

"Alongside the pain you have chronic fatigue, cognitive difficulties, headaches and stiffness in joints, tingling in hands and feet, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and much more."

The pain from fibromyalgia was so great that Laura could not sit, stand or lay down for long periods.

"Some people have fibromyalgia with no pain but have the chronic fatigue, cognitive difficulties, IBS and sleeping trouble."

As part of a local fibromyalgia support group she hoped to launch, Laura would provide useful information on diet and exercise, as well as other tools to help manage the pain.

"I was asked by a few ladies who also have fibro to do an information talk about what we're truly going through, and how to help ourselves."

According to the Back to Balance Kapiti owner, diet and exercise played a significant role in managing fibromyalgia.

Laura currently managed her symptoms through a gluten and dairy-free diet.

"I limit sugar and red meats and eat a lot of vegetables, which helps to keep inflammation low in the body.

"Massage is also really beneficial and helps to calm down the system.

"Some medications have good effects, including nortriptyline and amitriptyline, which work on dampening the nervous system."

She said some medications had negative effects however, which made her nauseous and hallucinate.

"One day I was on the train coming home from university and I started passing out and being sick, and the train warden thought I was a drunken teenager and kicked me off in Porirua."

She said diagnosis was a long process, with people having to eliminate every other disease before being diagnosed with fibromyalgia.

Despite her regular aches and flu-like symptoms, Laura worked as a massage therapist at Waikanae's Pole Fusion.

"I started Back to Balance Kapiti to help anyone who has pain and or dysfunction, either coming from an injury, chronic illness or posture related condition.

"I work with them to gain optimum health and bring balance back to their bodies."

Laura, who is an avid horse rider despite her challenges, invited people to attend a fibromyalgia information talk.

The talk is this Saturday, November 26 at 14a Parata St, Waikanae, with $10 door entry.

"I love helping people and to see someone who is in pain get relief is so awarding."