Independence Day

Please say Thank You to active duty members of the military, reservist and veterans that you know or meet for protecting our freedoms.

Thank their families as well.  The spouses keep things going on the home front so that those in the military can complete their mission without worry for what's going on at home.  It's a hard task to be Mom and Dad.

I'm Back! I Hurt! What's New?

I can't believe that I've not posted since January 14!  So much for part of the life changes I had planned. I did a update on how they are coming along over on Rambling Thoughts of a Southern Lady. 

It's been crazy around here since Thanksgiving. I wrote about some of it  here and here.

Between the holidays, kids coming to visit, sinus infections, a reaction to a new drug, the flu and the stomach flu, not much of what I planned has actually happened.

My pain has gone up and down much like a kid's see saw.  It's been a Level 4 and it's been a Level 9 it even hit Level 10.  Sometimes it's been at both ends of the scale in a 24 hour period. I can't take the flu shot because I had Guillain-Barre Syndrome when I was 14 but I've been blessed to not have had the flu for several years.  This year I got the flu.  For about 4 days my pain stayed between a Level 7 and Level 9.  I probably could have taken more medicine for the pain than I did.  Since I was also taking antihistamines in an effort to try and open up my sinus passage and I was home alone much of the time, I was afraid to take much more that my normal.  I would rather hurt and still be here to see my grandchildren grow up than to take a chance on mixing the wrong medicines or amount of medicines.

About a month after that I got the stomach flu that was going around.  I woke up one morning and felt pretty good and I was loving that.  A couple of hours later I took Mr. Supportive to work so that I could have the car to run errands.  The errands didn't happen.  I suddenly felt nauseous and got my window down just in time to deposit breakfast down the side of the car in the parking lot where he works. Right outside the big double glass doors.  The doors that his co-workers were standing at watching the morning unfold and drinking coffee. Of course the guys came running out to see if they could help.  Sigh... Talk about wrong time, wrong place.

I headed home and made it about 3 blocks when I knew I was going to be sick again.  Since I knew the Goodwill store had a clean bathroom, that's where I went.  I grabbed a washcloth off the rack on the way to the back of the store.  Thankfully I was able to make it into the bathroom and wet the washcloth before I got sick again.  After what seemed like forever, I was able to pay for my wet washcloth (or at least I hope I did), get to the car and make it home before I was sick again.  Once again my pain was up between a Level 7 and a Level 9.  After I had been home for a little while, it hit a Level 10 that I hadn't experienced since 2009. Between the pain and throwing up more than I did in both my pregnancies combined I barely moved for almost a week.  I was in a lot of pain when I had the flu but it was nothing like this.  This was the pain that I had before I was prescribed any kind of pain medication but this time I was having it taking 60 mg of Kadian every 12 hours and 30mg of morphine every 3 or 4 hours.


But as the saying goes, this too shall pass and it did.  It took me a while to build my strength back up but I did and started getting back on track.  For a while...

This is where this part of the story ends and a new chapter begins.

 

It's Been a Rough New Year

My fibro pain has finally gone back to it's normal level four or five. It's been a great blessing to not be in as much pain as I had been having.

Things were going pretty well until Tuesday this week.  That when my pain jumped up to a level ten. But it wasn't fibro pain.  It was some of the most severe chest and stomach pain I've ever had.  I tried to ignore it.  I tried to find a position where I got some relief. Nothing worked so I ended up calling Mr. Supportive to take me to the ER.

That visit was a nightmare.  You know how those of us with chronic pain get labeled as drug seekers?  I feel sure that I was labeled as soon as I got there.  You know how sometimes when the pain is so bad that you can't breathe normally and you breathe through your mouth very quickly?  The nurse told me I was having an anxiety attack and if I would stop breathing so fast the dizziness would go away.

Read about my "wonderful" adventures in the ER here.

I'm going to be away from the computer for a few days playing grandma.  Here's hoping I report back good things pain wise!

Hello January 5!  It's January 5 and I've not posted since January 1 so I've already broken one of my life changes for 2012.  It's been a rough couple of weeks since Christmas.  You can read about it over at Rambling Thoughts of a Southern Lady.  My plan is to post different information on each of my blogs but for now, I'll be linking them up to Rambling Thoughts.

My pain level has been pretty steady at Level 5 or 6. I've been grateful for that but really wish it was a Level 4 or 5. You may remember that last month,  my pain management specialist, Mr. Supportive and I made the decision to cut my pain meds back a little. (You'll find that post here.)I've definitely have clearer thought and Mr. Supportive said last night that I've snapped at him only once.  I'm glad that cutting back the meds has accomplished what we set out to do. The down side is that my pain has been in the Level 5 or 6 range for the last three weeks.  I'm really hoping it's because of this nasty weather we've been having and that when the temperature stays constant and it quits raining it will come back down to a Level 4 at least some of the time.  I'll keep you posted on how it goes.

Don't forget to go and read about my latest trials and tribulations over at Rambling Thoughts of a Southern Lady.

"See" you tomorrow!

A New Year, A New Start

It's 2012!  Hard to believe isn't it.  My fibro pain (Level 6 or 7) messed up our New Years eve plans.  As if the pain and fatigue wasn't enough, I had a horrible cold and a 101.4 fever.

Our plans had been to have "Christmas" with our godchildren and their parents.  I hated having to cancel but I knew I was in no shape to go anywhere and have a good time.  I was also concerned about passing on what ever I had in case it wasn't just a cold.  Our oldest goddaughter is recovering from surgery and because of that she doesn't have many days that she can miss school  Her sister turns 2 next week and their mom is expecting our third godchild in June.  With all that they have going on, I didn't want to add to it.

I'm still in at a Level 5 or 6 pain wise but I am much better than I was this time yesterday.  I am very grateful for that improvement.  




I'm going to "cheat" a little on this post and send you over to my blog, Rambling Thoughts of a Southern Lady for my first post of 2012.  I'm not making resolutions this year.  I'm making life changes.  I'd love to hear what your plans for the New Year are!


Here's one that I recommend we all take on:

Photo credit:  Fibro TV

Flare time

I had two phone calls I had to make.  That's done and I'm headed back to bed.  Pain is rising every minute that I'm up.

Checking In

Woody in his napping spot at the end of our bed

Just a quick check in to say hello!  I'm determine to get back in the habit of writing every day.  This has been a hard week between the appointments Mr. Supportive and I had Monday, his mom having one Tuesday and I had another one today.  I'm not accustom to being away from home that much and it's increased my pain level a good bit.  Right now I'm dealing with Level 6 pain but I'm determined to get the Christmas decoration boxes put away tonight.  Our dog is a lab/basset mix and he's a good 36" long.  When you combine his length, how small the living room is and how many plastic bins are laying around, he's having to back out of places he get's himself into.  There's just not enough room for him to turn around.

Isn't that a cute face. 

We've officially changed internal medicine doctors and I think it's going to be a good fit for both of us.  Every one in the office is fibro friendly which is an awesome thing.  

Right now I'm hurting so bad that I'm headed to my chair to prop my feet up.  Mr. Supportive is in charge of supper so I'm waiting to see what comes out of the kitchen.  He's a much better cook than I am and I'm not ashamed to admit it.  LOL

I've got some new things going on that I'll start sharing with you tomorrow.  Be sure to check back here soon.

Rambling Thoughts of a Southern Lady: Fibromyalgia Drug Market Will Experience Minimal Growth?????

Rambling Thoughts of a Southern Lady: Fibromyalgia Drug Market Will Experience Minimal Growth?????

It's Raining...Again

Today was a busy day.  Mr. Supportive had an appointment to set up surgery to have his cataract removed.  Since he was having his eyes dilated, I was the designated driver.  Considering how much I hate driving in Memphis traffic and it being dark and raining cats and dogs, I’m not sure how good of an idea that was.  We did make it to the next doctor’s appointment in one piece but he assured me that he really could drive when we left.  I guess I scared him pretty bad.  LOL

My degenerated cervical disks keep me from being able to turn my head to look behind me in traffic.  I can tell if anyone is right beside me but have to depend on my side mirrors to check if it’s ok to move over.  That’s the main reason I don’t drive any more than I have to and I stay off I-240 as much as I can.  Add the big time construction going on, the rain and my neck and it was touch and go.  Did I mention that I need new glasses too???

After his appointment we had a few minutes at home and then we were off to see my pain management doctor.  After the three of us talked, Dr. D is changing some of my medicine around.  I have to tell you that it scares me to mess with what is working but I’m beginning to feeling like an airhead.  I think we’ve finally gotten ahead of the pain and now it’s time to back off some.  At least that’s what I’m hoping.

Surprisingly with the cold rainy weather,  my pain has gone back down into the “normal” level four or five. I’m almost afraid to say that out loud for fear of it going back up.  It probably will go back up some this time tomorrow night.  I take my mother-in-law to the eye doctor tomorrow.  She suffers from Macular Degeneration so about every 6 weeks she gets a shot in her eye in an effort to keep what little vision she has.  The first time I walked into the room and she had the q-tip with lidocane on it poking out of her eye, I just about freaked out.  Gave me the willies!  She said that it really doesn’t hurt at all.  I still can’t watch the doctor give her the shot.

Her mobility is an issue these days but she’s almost 85.  The sad thing is that up until about 6 months ago, she got around better than I do.  We call ourselves the cripple leading the blind.  The distance between the door to the building and the doctor’s office is not good for either of us.  I got a great deal on a light weight transfer chair ($25 at Goodwill!) that we use in cases like this.  Unfortunately, it only holds one person at a time.  Out of respect for her age, I’ll be pushing her.  That means that my lower back will go crazy by the time our day is over.  It’s not from pushing her, it’s from the walk.  It gives me fits even walking around at home more than usual.

I grabbed that wheelchair the day I saw it because walking any distance does me in.  There are so many places (like doctor’s offices) that even with handicap parking, I may as well be running a marathon instead of walking in an office building.  My lower back hurts horribly and my legs turn to mush.  I suspect the lower back pain is from my degenerated lumbar disks and the mushy legs are from the Fibro and Neuropathy with a little Lymphedema thrown in.

So that’s how my Monday went and the plans for Tuesday.  How’s your day going?

Nasal pillows

Full face mask

Ayr doesn't pay me to recommend their product, I just like it!

Adrianne, I asked Mr. Supportive what problems he remembered when he first got his CPAP.  He said the hardest thing for him was waking up with his nose sore.  We are using the nasal pillows instead of the full face mask.  I had the full face mask for several years and it was hard for me to get use to it because I’m claustrophobic.  Since I was so exhausted from not sleeping well, I would crash almost as soon as I put it on.  That took care of the claustrophobia and I figured out a way to lie on my stomach with my head off the side of the bed.  Now I sleep on my sides and it’s fine.  I recommend using Ayr Saline Nasal Gel to keep your nasal passages from drying up.  That seems to relieve the soreness from the pillows.  I hope that helps a little.  If anyone else has any ideas to help Adrianne, please post them.

That’s it for tonight.  I’ll try and update tomorrow night.

Where Did the Year Go?

It's hard to believe that we are already in December.  It just doesn't feel like I've not posted since mid October.  The weather changes we've had have not been kind to me.  Since mid November, I've not felt well.  I don't feel bad enough to give up and go to bed.  At the same time, it's been really hard to get anything done.  

My edema has been acting strange with my feet swelling at odd times.  The swelling has even advanced up my leg so that my calf has been swollen enough that my jeans legs were really tight.  My sinuses have been all clogged reminding me again that my CPAP is a wonderful thing.  There's been some nights when I probably couldn't have slept were it not for the forced air.  

My neck is tighter than usual making it even more difficult to look to my left or right.  I've not been out and about much.  All but once or twice Bill's been with me and driving.  There's got to be a non-surgical solution for my range of motion problems.  Not being able to turn my head to see what may be on either side of me is making me very nervous when it comes to driving.

Across my shoulder blades is so tight that I've been wearing the TENS unit again.  I would love to have the money to get the massages it would take to loosen up those muscles.  It's like the myofascial pain thought I'd forgotten about it and it want's my attention.  It's got my attention so it can stop now!

Overall my pain is on a roller coaster.  I can jump from a Level 4 to a Level 9 in just a few hours. I've been trying to take care of some business but it's gotten to the point where I can't concentrate well enough to do it.  My pain averages out to a Level 6  I'm at least able to get a few things done but not nearly enough.  I've still got lots of sewing to do before Christmas.

 I saw this cartoon on Facebook today and just had to borrow it!  If you can relate, leave a comment.


If you happen to see Santa don't forget, all you want for Christmas is a cure!

Ranting on My Other Blog...

Things around here are going pretty much as usual.  My pain is has been staying around a Level  5 but with the rain that's moved in, it's back up to a Level 5..  I’ve been working on be more conscious of the things I do during the day and how those activities effect my pain.  I’m hoping that being more aware and pacing myself better, will keep my pain at this level and maybe, down to a Level 4 sometimes. I don't dare hope for anything lower but compared to the Levels 9 and 10 I experienced back in 2009, this is good.


Today I posted a fibro related post over at Rambling Thoughts of a Southern Lady.  Please consider this your invitation to come over to the part of the world where I rant and rave about various things.  I'd love for you to become a "Follower" over there as well.
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It's the Roller Coaster Weather Time of Year

It's been two weeks since I posted but it doesn't seem that long.  Of course when you are asleep most of the time or barely awake, you loose track of time.  Hopefully,  I think I may be over my last flare.  I've been able to be productive and the trucks seem to all be out on I-40 where they are supposed to be.

My body is wanting the weather to decide what season it is and stay there.  Right now it's 67 degrees and the low tonight is forecast to be 43 degrees. I think we will all agree that cold weather tends to make fibromyalgia symptoms worse, while warmer weather tends to ease our pain. The weather people are predicting 83 degrees for Thursday with a low of 53 degrees. When the temps go up and down in such a short period of time, it makes my body crazy.  Just as my brain can't process conflicting information coming at it quickly, the body can't process the signals it's receiving.  Both of these scenarios produce pain that changes quickly and unpredictably. My current pain level is a Level 6 but if the temperature drops as predicted, it will go up. As the temp goes back up into the 80s, hopefully it will help drop my pain. I know it will be a short reprieve but I'll take any pain relief I can get.

Temperature change isn't the only part of weather that effects pain.  Barometric pressure, humidity and precipitation work hand in hand to increase pain. Because it has a huge effect on my pain, I did a Google search to see what I could find about weather change and pain.  I still don't understand how the puzzle pieces all fit together and some of it even seems to be contradictory but it was good to be reminded that I'm not in this alone.

Fibromyalgia Symptoms.org. has an article that references three studies: a 1981 study where the location is not noted, a 2002 study conducted in Cordoba, Argentina, where there are four distinct seasons every year and an undated study conducted in Norway.  The following information that is indented is word for word from the web page.  The reason I make note of that is that I found this article on numerous webpages and blogs where readers were led to believe it was the writers own work.  I never want to be guilty of taking credit for work that is not mine.

The study involved fibromyalgia sufferers and a healthy control group and aimed to find out whether pain symptoms could be linked to specific weather changes. Participants were asked to rate their pain symptoms on a scale from one to ten, every day for 12 months. After 12 months, these symptoms were correlated to weather patterns for the entire year. Researchers found that pain symptoms of the participants with fibromyalgia correlated directly to weather changes. Specifically, pain increased as temperatures fell and atmospheric pressure increased. The healthy control group did not show any correlation between pain and weather patterns. Another study performed in Norway found a similar relationship between fibromyalgia symptoms and the weather. Fibromyalgia symptoms appeared to get worse during the months of December and January, but began to improve during April and May. This suggests a direct relationship between colder temperatures and lower barometric pressures and a rise in fibromyalgia symptoms.

Why Does Weather Affect Fibromyalgia Symptoms?
Unfortunately, researchers do not yet know why weather appears to affect fibromyalgia symptoms so much. However, there are a few possible explanations:

• Change in Sleep Cycle: Weather, particularly hot and cold temperatures, can sometimes affect the way in which you sleep. This could have a great affect on symptoms and flares if you are a fibromyalgia sufferer.
• Change in Circadian Rhythm: Your body operates using an internal clock known as the circadian rhythm. Changes in seasons and the amount of light that your body receives can throw off your circadian rhythm, causing you to feel fatigued and more achy then usual.
• Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines: There does appear to be a relationship between low temperature levels and an increase in the number of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the body. These cytokines appear to be related to pain intensity.

I just heard Mr. Supportive's Harley come in the driveway so I've got to close.  We are supposed to be at a wedding in 1 1/2 hours and guess who doesn't know what she's going to wear!!  I'd love to hear if you have the same experience with weather changes increasing or decreasing your pain. I'll publish the results in a blog post next week.