Hi -
I agree with you Janet about surrounding yourself with loving friends & family. At this point in my life I try not to waste energy on negative people. Sorry - I am more than willing to help anyone I can but I think that some enjoy their misery & unfortunately inflict it on others.
I have been finding that knitting has been helping my hands as much as my PT exercises & when I do it, I have something to show for the time. Since November I have made a sweater for my DGD, my DGN (niece) & a few hats for the caps to the captal project.
I wish I could get to a pool. That seems to help me too.
Does anyone else use the heated rice bags? I made several in different sizes & they are good for the back & shoulders, are cheap & don't require a plug in.
Take care & I hope everyone has a good day!
Pippe
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Be a positive force in someone's life today.
Hi - Reading my post, I thought it sounded harsh. I was thinking about comments made about the lack of understanding but also there are just some people out there that are unfortunately never able to understand something they don't personally experience.
I don't want to wish ill on anyone but sometimes I think that if everyone had to temporarialy use a cane or a wheelchair or be unable to physically so something at least once in their lives, they might learn to try to be a little more patient with others.
I hope everyone has a good day today. I need to get some sleep!
Pippe
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Be a positive force in someone's life today.
Pippe, I have used rice bags, I think I need to make some nice square ones.
I tend to like a heating pad better, since I get heat in a continuous way...no cooling off time as in a rice bag. Sometimes I am too tired to be jumping up and down to reheat in the microwave.
I too do alot of knitting or crocheting right now..it is something I can do infront of the TV and it makes me feel like I am being useful. lol
Elizabeth, you are so kind and thank you for the compliment. I really like Family Corner and it is great to meet people from all backgrounds too.
<SNIP>
Currently I am trying to figure out if I am having osteoarthristis in my finger and joints in my hand, or is RA starting...I did test negative for RA many years ago..but the Rheumy did say many patients have RA but do not have an RA Titer..
What I do know is somedays holding a cup of coffee in a mug is too much for my hands, and my wrists are hurting too..so who knows?
<SNIP>
It soon gets to be a vicious cycle..money spent and no relief. lol
Gentle Hugs, Janet
Hi hon - You may have RA - or not. Only testing and a good clinical exam will tell. But if you are having hand and wrist joint problems, it doesn't matter whether it's RA or one of the 150 other kinds of arthritis - you could probably use some good physical therapy for your hands - and to learn how to protect your joints. Again, no matter whether it's RA or not, this will help you. A couple of the posts on the RA thread address protection of joints and hands. Drift over and see if there is some help there for you.
Joint protection isn't so much a concern for fibro patients, so I don't want to post it here. We fibromites mostly need "muscle protection" help! And I'm looking that up!!
Cheerio!
Elizabeth
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on your front door forever. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
Yuckies! that "Canadian Clipper" tthe weather people warned about is here, temp is 20deg, and I'm totally "locked up." RA is not exactly flared, but if definitely "there" at about a 6/10, but the fibro IS flared - up to about 8/10. Can't drive to get to the pool (drat it), so I'm doing stretching here at the house, wrapping up in blankets, using heating pads, drinking hot fluids, and thinking "warm" thoughts. LOL - on days like this, I really wish I had my own private masseur/masseusse. LOL!
Can't get in the shower unless someone is here. I fell a while back, and the ol' curmudgeon made me PROMISE I would only get in the shower if someone (big enough to help me get up) were in the house. The kids nextdoor are all down with flu, so they can't help out this week.
O well! worse things could happen. Guess I'll just do some research reports, then nap some more. Tylenol, take me away!
Cheerio!
Elizabeth
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~*~ Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape. ~*~
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Just spit!! Last several days have been the worst yet. I thought I had this stuff under control, but for some reason I've flared biggie time. Can hardly focus enough to read, much less analyze and report on casework. Feelings of "unreality" when I wander around the house and do stretching - not faint, not dizzy, just weird. Severe pain in tender points - like 9/10. Tylenol doesn't do squat. And no energy whatsoever. Couldn't drive to the pool for aquatic therapy, which usually makes me feel better. Tried a hot shower, but got dizzy before I got in, and decided it would not be "the thing" to do when I'm home alone.
So forgive me if I whine a bit! None of the coping mechanisms I'm used to using are working. If I could drive, I'd get a massage. Wish the masseuse made house calls!
BAH!! Humbug!!
I'm gonna have to medicate with Ultram and Flexeril, and that will wipe me out for 2 days. I hate days like this.
Cheerio! (but not so cheery)
Elizabeth
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~*~ The doctor came in and said "I have good news and bad news. The good news is that you have fibromyalgia but it won't kill you. The bad news is that you have fibromyalgia but it won't kill you." ~*~
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Hi Everyone,
I am very new to this site and find it so informative. I'm not even sure if this is how I post. My name is Debbie, I'm 46 years old and have finally been diagnoised with fibromyalgia. I am just applying for short term disabilty at my job because it's become so hard to do and keep up with my life at home. I was out of work for two months at the end of the year with chronic back pain and have been in therapy for that, it's then I finally got someone to diagnois the other symptoms I have had for many years, but just couldn't put a specific diagnosis to everything. I finally feel so good that I have found out that I'm not crazy! I really do have something causing all these symptoms! I have really been inspired by all of you! Thank you for making me feel so much better!
Aw, gee, Wishst - you just HAD to post on a day I'm feeling like warmed over dog doodie and was whining all over the place! Sorry! LOL!
Welcome to this little part of the internet. If you have any questions about fibro, this is the place to get them answered. Some of us have had it for over 30 years!
Do a search on fibromyalgia on Google, and you'll come up with all kinds of stuff. Some if it is good, most of it is people trying to make money off of us with questionable "remedies." As with any condition that has no definitive treatment, we are the objects of an incredible barrage of quackery.
There are several other reputable places - like WebMD, and MedLinePlus. You'll have your work cut out for you researching it!
Be guided by what your doctor says. Comfort measures (most of which you probably have alredy discovered) that are helpful include warmth, alternating short periods of immobilization with stretching the affected areas. Stay as active as you can, but be careful about "overdoing." We all find that on "good" days we tend to try to do too much, then end up "wasted" for 2-3 days after! Over time you'll find your balance (and probably violate it from time to time anyway like the rest of us do!) and will be able to function.
I'm fortunate that I can work via the internet and computer and FedX and UPS to earn a bit of an income. There are many alternatives "out there" for continuing to work and feel "productive" while still being a semi-shutin. I loved it when we could order groceries via the internet, but that went the way of the Dodo, so I'm back to riding the electric cart all over Publix every week or so and being wasted for a day afterward.
I hope you are fortunate enough to have a supportive family. My husband is fabulous. So are the kids and grandkids.
Cheerio!
Elizabeth
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~*~ CFS/FM Serenity Prayer ~*~
Author Unknown
~*~ Lord, grant me the serenity to accept
The things I cannot change,
The courage to change
The things I can,
And the wisdom to hide
The bodies of Doctors I shot
When they said,
"You're perfectly healthy,
It's All In Your Head." ~*~
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Hello Wishst, glad you found this thread..there is a ton of great info here and alot of kind people to help you over the rough spots..and a good place to vent to.
So sorry you have Fibromyalgia, and now you know that you are not alone in this disease.
I was probably at your age when I was diagnosed with Fibro..I am still learning about the disease and I am amazed at how large the family of Fibro is.
I tried alot of meds when first afflicted, but the side effects were worse than the disease itself...now I try to do non-med things, and pace myself..In days of extreme pain, I take Naproxen with a glass of milk and go to bed..I find if I can sleep it helps, or maybe it just helps me cope???
Hot showers, heating pads, and those sticky medicated pads help me..and good nutrition..which can be hard for me, for when I am stressing..I want junk food! lol
Elizabeth, so sorry you are having a time of it..I will spit for you too!!! I hate the brain fogs the most, and luckily, I have not had too many spacy days..sometimes when you do not have a flare up for awhile..you forget how upsetting they can be..I ususally have a good cry, and try to release all of that...but please feel free to vent, spit, rant whatever feels good to you.
My friend who has helped me with dd has learned that she can do most anything for an hour. Peroid. She takes grapeseed extract so I put dd on that.
I started learning about trigger points in class. I hope to learn more next week. I didn't know you can flush trigger points. I wish I was closer to all of you. I would massage you. My teacher gave us some tips on fibro. I will post them later.
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"Do the best that you can where you are, and be kind." by Scott Nearing
New to site 
If you have any questions about fibro, this is the place to get them answered. Some of us have had it for over 30 years! 
