Yesterday and today the my nerves and bones have been on fire. On a day to day basis, I live with fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, degenerative disk disease, occipital nerve pain, and PTSD. I know there are readers out there who have challenges of their own and battle to have a somewhat normal life. I would encourage you to not give in to your challenges. Stand up for yourself, get the best medical care possible and keep stress to a minimum. There is a whole wide wonderful world to enjoy! Too soon our time on earth is spent...
There has been a lot of attention given to fibromyalgia recently. Fibromyalgia affects each person differently therefore it is difficult to lump us into one category. What I can say is how it affects me and what I've done to weather the storm. For me, Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes me pain, stiffness, and tenderness of the tendons, muscles and joints. My doctors have said that that my Fibromyalgia probably started years ago but beginning in 2004 when I started having so many surgeries, it really reared it's ugly head with all the trauma to my body.
The good news for me is that fibromyalgia does not cause damage to my internal organs. The bad news is that it has invaded my body along with the osteoarthritis and degenerative disk disease which do cause deformity as well as pain. My body pain is aggravated by noise, weather change and emotional stress. My pain is widespread and affects my neck, butt, shoulders, arms, and my upper back and chest. There are days when I have felt like I was having a heart attack. (Tests have revealed that my heart is in good shape!)
One of the symptoms of special concern to me is that of abnormal sleep patterns. My health insurance company has provided a health coach for me and that was a topic we last reviewed. It's very easy for me to get days and nights mixed up. I try the best I can to go to bed and then get up after sleeping 8-9 hours. Sometimes, I wake up with muscle aches or a sensation of muscle fatigue as if I had been working out all night. Other symptoms I have include tension headaches, numbness and tingling of different parts of my body and IBS.
There are no blood tests or x-rays for fibromyalgia; however, I have an extended panel of blood work done every 6-8 weeks to exclude other issues. Because of the degenerative disk disease and osteoarthritis, I am monitored carefully. Three times I have tested positively for Lupus but have no symptoms.
I have learned with with any chronic disease, you must take charge of your illness or it takes charge of you. I read everything available that offers clues on managing my diseases and pain. For me, it has been important to reduce stress, get regular exercise and take my medications on time and as prescribed.
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| Dottie & her girls! |
I am so grateful to have found the best doctors possible. Dr. Crates has reconstructed my feet that I can walk! Dr. Carmody has operated on my back and neck and has alleviated much of my severe pain in these areas. Dr. Shin offers me great advice and monitors my pain management. I see Dr. Brodsky every 6-8 weeks for my osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia ... he keeps me up to date on new treatments and reviews my progress and watches for any back sliding. Dr. Khoury is my primary care doctor and has the wonderful job of compiling all reports and coming up with a yearly plan for my wellness. I am lucky, I can call on them and they make time to see me. I have a high tolerance for pain so when I call them, they know there is something amiss.
The key to unlocking the mystery of fibromyalgia has yet to be found yet I know the symptoms and what I need to do on my part to live an active life. You know, though, the most important thing I have found for all my challenges is ATTITUDE!!! Believe me, it would be so easy to lay down and become an invalid. But, that's not me! My chronic illnesses are truly a challenge and I strive to rise above them. Know what? It works!!!When, I left my job as an underwriting assistant for health reasons, I wondered what I would do. At first, I went through a grief process, then came a time of acceptance and moving forward. I am kind to myself and I know when to rest and when to push forward. I started this blog and have been in the process of authoring two books (I still need an illustrator).
One thing that has been so important to me is the love and support I have received from my family and my friend, Etta.. My rock has been my faith in my Savior. This is one of my favorite old hymns ... As I have been writing today, the song has been playing in the background of my mind. I collect crosses and especially love the rugged ones!
Let me leave you today with a poem for happiness for there is always joy in living life!
Metta Sutta (Stuttanipata)
Translated by Thich Nhat Hahn
Enjoy your day and always remember that you are loved and prayed for!
I enjoyed reading your blog. I love that you are comfortable enough with us to reveal when you are not feeling well. It is important to let those around you know when, in spite of best efforts, you aren't feeling well. I have to tell you...that you accomplish more when you aren't feeling well than most people accomplish at their best.
ReplyDeleteThere are special people, like you, that put aside their physical challenges and find a way to enjoy life to the fullest. I admire your perseverance and strive to face challenges like you do every day. Yeah--Mama D.