Fibro Fog?

I have had this so called Fibro Fog forever! When I was teaching, back in the day, my students used to help me by finishing my sentences for me once in awhile, or they  would look at me with a strange giggle, and I would know I must have mixed up my words once again. It seems though lately it has progressively been getting worse. I start talking to someone and I am thinking fine but the right word just won't make it from the brain to the lips! Yikes!  Is that ever embarrassing; I have to bluff it. Besides the word issue, my head just seems to be in a daze at times. I am not sure if it is because I am on so much medication or if it is all part of the fact that my symptoms have been so much worse this year, but I had a scare while working on my computer. Maybe it has happened to some of you Fibro fighters and you can tell me if it is from the meds or just part of the Fibro? I started having a strange heaviness in my head and very tired , and blacked out for like ten seconds. I felt totally dazed and confused and couldn't figure out what I was doing on my laptop in front of me. I knew I wanted  some water but couldn't quite get that into words. It took me a few minutes to figure out what I was doing. It was pretty scary. I was glad it happened while I was sitting. Anyone on Lyrica have this happen? Just curious since I never had this happen before I started on the meds.

Fibro Feelings

I am finding out by doing a lot of research and reading that it is possible for children to have Fibro, and I really have come to believe that I have had this terrible illness my entire life although it has taken oodles and oodles of  Drs. and tests and hospital visits to finally come to this conclusion! It is true that those of us with Fibro tend to be perfectionists and are very sensitive people. I have always dealt with irritable bowel syndrome as well and anytime there has been too much stress....oh boy...trouble! Therefore I have learned over the years that the best way for me to deal with it is to avoid the situations that cause my stomach to curl up in knots! There are some people that just have a way of doing that by coming within two feet of you sometimes! The smartest doctors in the world haven't quite figured all of this stuff out yet as to the "whys" of it all, but they do know that  this disease is a real disease and is not a psychological disorder;...so to everyone that thinks we are crazy!!!! No we are not!! We tend to be more vocal than everyone else...more sensitive ...take things very personal....so excuse us if we do not want to be around "Rude" people....What people with Fibro need most is people who understand that one day they may be laying on the couch aching from head to toe, sick as a dog, and the next day up and about fluttering around doing all kinds of things.
Our pain is real and when it hits ...it hits very hard and there is no stopping it ...all you can do is try to manage the pain, and rest until it passes. I try to be somewhat productive by writing since it is what I love to do. Maybe you like to read or can still do things with your hands. Find something that you like to do that can take your mind off of your pain at least a little. Then find a network of friends that understand what you are going through and don't fret over the ones that don't! There you have it.... My fibro feelings for today...and that is no April Fool's joke!

Fibro Food??

I guess it really doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that if you eat right you will feel better...at least to some degree. While searching amongst some Fibro info I came across this chart of what to eat if you have Fibromyalgia. Of course we all know, that even if we stuck to this diet every day of our ,our symptoms are not going away, but perhaps they will be less severe; so why not give it a try? It all looks like a very healthful choice anyway, so it certainly can't hurt! Also, if you are like me, and suffer migraines, you may need to cut down on chocolate(oh no...not that!!!) and less coffee. Another huge culprit with the migraines I have found, is after eating at my favorite restaurant.....can't say the name, but it involves a lot of  MSG and yummy food from China.  I have found that when I try to eat a little healthier... at least some of my problems aren't as severe and that is a plus! Not a "cure- all" but a help.

Fibro What????

Maybe there are still some people who really are in the dark and don't even know what in the world this "Fibro mess" is! I too, was in the dark years ago, but started hearing the word from various doctors along the way over the last twenty years. I decided that I was going to be one patient that would be "in the know", so I have especially over this last year, researched and read as many articles on the subject that my poor, tired eyes could handle! I also bought myself a great book that I will recommend to you, especially if you are new to this disease, and your head is swimming and don't have a clue!  "The Complete Idiot's Guide To Fibromyalgia" (second edition) ~ Lynne Matallana with Laurence A. Bradley, PH.D.     Here is a good link to check out for Fibro info!                                                                       http://www.fmnetnews.com/basics-symptoms-common.php

Fighting Fatigue

Morning is rough! It always has been for me...So here I sit with my extra strong cup of coffee that no one else could possibly stand to drink! If  I think about what is hurting....let's see, headache...chest pain...knees are numb...toes numb....neck and shoulders are killing me....feel like I didn't go to bed at all...basically just hurting all over, but I try not to sit here and think on it all every day... that's why I love to write...it takes my mind off of the pains for awhile. Anyway, my cocktail of pills for the morning consists of  : Lyrica, Tizanidine, Topamax,Vit. D, and Vit B-6...Once these kick in things get a bit better but it takes a little while.

This is why every morning I sit and pray....I need to...and I watch my half hour of Joyce! sometimes I catch a few other preachers but mostly I just enjoy the quiet before I wake my husband up to give him his cocktail of pills.....you see , I am his caregiver since he has had two brain injuries...so he has had many problems.  But God gives us the strength to do whatever we need to do. ....

Welcome to My Fibromyalgia Blog That I Said I Was Not Going To Write!

OK...I am doing exactly what I said I was not going to do!....write a blog about my illness! However, I have added so many friends as of late that also have Fibro or Lupus or MS or another Chronic illness and I am overwhelmed at the support that is given to each other just by the sharing of information. Thus...this blog. I hope it will be informative to both people who have the disease and to all others who can only try to understand what it is we have all been trying to explain to you for who knows how long? Of course that depends on how long you have been suffering in silence with your ailments. For me... it has been years of various Doctors, hospitals, tests, surgeries, you name it and finally after about twenty years have a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia, Arthritis, Vitamin B-6 Deficiency, and Vitamin D Deficiency, with of course Osteoporosis. Just within the last year and a half  I have had my gallbladder removed, had problems with my Liver enzymes, balance issues which forced me to use a cane, a broken foot, and carpal tunnel surgery, which still has not healed. So, here I sit on my recliner many days reading other blogs and relating to what all of you are saying...maybe we can all learn some things from each other. I will try to post some interesting things to help us all.... I look forward to your friendship and hope we will all join in the Fibro Fight to raise awareness amongst our families and friends who do not have the slightest clue what we are going through!