Dear Fibromyalgia

Category: Chronic illness

Understand chronic illness, its symptoms, common causes, and effective management strategies to improve health and quality of life.

Fibromyalgia – Summer Sure BLASTed By

Didn’t Summer Just Start?

I can not believe it’s been three months since my last Healthizes post. Wow! Where does the time go?

In spite of multiple lengthy and sucky flares, I really have had a blast this summer. I sure hope you all did too.

These last three months for me, have been about enjoying my hubby, my daughters, and my community. It’s been about going to new places, meeting new people, and trying new things. It’s been about self-discovery.

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Did I have you going there for a minute? Of course, I didn’t try roller derby, silly.

The hubby, kids, and I did however get out and enjoy watching our first ever live roller derby event. Thanks for having us Candy Crushers!

Believe me, I was tempted, quite a few times this summer to just give in to the pain. It was bad, a lot of time on crutches. More than once I contemplated backing out of our daily adventures (#StayCay with kids & hubby) but I didn’t.

I’m glad I didn’t. In fact, not once did I regret pushing myself out the door. I am lucky. My family believes me. Even though they can’t see my illness, they accept that it is real.

When I could walk, we walked. When I needed crutches we drove further and walked less. We explored around my fibromyalgia flare–ups, and for that, I am so very very grateful!

What a fantastic idea my husband had that the four of us staycation together this summer. Perfect for a limited financial budget and a limited supply of physical energy too!

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03/01/2021
Chronic Pain is a pain in the butt! – Fibromyalgia
I got dem’ Chronic Pain blues

Arggg! Don’t want to jinx it but I think I’m finally putting my latest flare behind me. This was a tough one; I’m talking about widespread chronic pain everywhere. Even had to use crutches to get around.

When I was a kid I had to use crutches for a few years. They were like second nature to me…then again so were the painful palms and chaffed underarm areas from using them. I remember thinking…man I hope I never have to use those again.

Here it is thirty-something years later. Turns out I did and quite likely will have to again. Silver lining? Seems using crutches is like riding a bike, no matter how long it’s been you don’t forget how to use them. Well, I didn’t anyway.

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Enough about my latest go-round with chronic pain, how about a little time out for some happy thoughts? Hmmm ok, here are two…my new flamingo ladies that hubby bought me and Buck the guinea pig helping me out with some typing.

So I guess what I’m getting at (or trying to anyway) is that though chronic pain is an everyday part of life at least the flares come and GO. There is always some kind of relief (or reprieve) on the horizon.

In the meantime, I find that it’s sometimes the silliest things (like my ladies above) that can take your mind off the chronic pain and make you smile for at least a little while.

Hmmm…that makes me wonder, is it possible that my husband and kids realized this before I did?

Lately, I’ve been getting some really nifty, silly n’ fun gifts. My desk and shelves are filling up with some interesting goodies that work wonders at distracting me from my constant companion aka “chronic pain”.

My Husband & Daughters make me smile. I really am lucky, aren’t I? Right mustn’t forget the pets; they make me smile too…
- Dee Ohh Gee the dog RIP baby boy xox
- Piggly Wiggly the Queen of skinny pigs
- Skuttle Bug the bunny rabbit
- Rowena the red eyed guinea pig
- Gopher the sweetest guinea pig EVER
- Gizmo the squeaker guinea pig
- Herbert the hedgehog RIP sweety xox
- Buck the typing guinea pig
- Bippity Boppity Boo Morgeana George Walter (that’s one name) the skinny pig
- Crispy Bacon the skinnny pig – for the record I protested this name! RIP miss you xox
- Pippa our rescue skinny pig was with us a short time but we loved her very much RIP xox
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03/01/2021
Writing Makes Me Happy

Writing is Healing

Just keep writing…just keep writing…just keep…you know Dory’s song? I changed it up a little from swimming to writing. But, ya, hum that to yourself while reading this. In fact, good luck getting the song out of your head anytime time soon. Now that you’ve started humming it ?

By Jove! I think I’ve got it! Scheduling the post, that’s what holds me back every single time! Well, that and sweating the details.

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An idea pops into my head, yes! I get inspired by something new to write. Then by the time I grab my laptop, log in to my website and get ready to start typing, the original thought has faded.

Of course, once I do start typing I then have to worry about search engine optimization. Is what I’m writing going to please human visitors? Will Google find it? Will it come up in the search results? What’s the keyword phrase I should be using anyway? Guess I better stop writing and do a little research first.

Worrying about SEO sure can be a killjoy, when it comes to writing.

I had a thought and I was inspired to write. So I grabbed my notebook and pen and wrote. Quicker than expected I’d filled 5 pages. Haven’t typed them up yet, but looks like maybe one spelling error. Get this, not a single line or word scratched out in this free writing session, ha!

Free Writing Your Cares Away

I’d forgotten how liberating free writing can be. Just let the words flow out onto the paper. Sounds cliché, right? Who cares, it’s the truth. Let them flow, and they will flow.

I’m not saying that SEO isn’t important. Writing to please both the web crawling spiders and the human visitors will need to be taken into account, eventually. However, these technicalities don’t have to get in the way of writing.

They can be done after the fact, but not at the expense of the way your words flow.

Who cares when is a good time to post to your blog or social media. Write the content for use at a future date or time. Free write the words when they are flowing. Not only is it more fun to free write, but I do believe the finished work is also a wee bit more fun to read.

Did I mention I finished the notebook I was writing in? Well, I did. The timing was good, back to school specials just started (in July, go figure) so I got myself three new notebooks and, not one, but two of my favorite pens. Ahem, right, you may not know that about me yet. I absolutely looooooove stationery and pens.

What can I say? Sometimes it’s the little things in life that mean the most. Take care and remember…just keep writing!

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03/01/2021
Diagnosis Emotionally Depleted

Emotionally Smooshed

Ever been so emotionally pummelled that you feel like you just can’t breathe?

No fun, right? That’s where I’m at right now. I know, I know it’s up to me to get myself out of this funk. Rationally, I know that I have the power in me to NOT emotionally react the way that I am. Of course, it’s in there somewhere. Although, it must be real freaking down deep though because I’m having a hard time reaching it.

Believe me, I’m trying. It’s like I’m on that rinse n’ repeat, rinse n’ repeat cycle. A loop if you will. Lie in bed, restless, itty bitty pieces of my heart floating around. My brain pounding, my heart throbbing, my mind rambling on and on and on it goes until almost daylight. Finally, at least some sleep.

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Not great sleep dreams wayyyyyy too emotional for deep sleep, but some sleep.

At this point, I wake up groggy but determined to smile. Exhausted, emotionally and physically. Even so, I drag out the tablet and get to work on a social marketing project.

Determination! I will turn things around and I will feel better today. In a little while, I’ll start smiling again. I will be inspired and I will be inspiring.

Ah, it’s noon! I’m feeling and writing better. My pictures are brighter. Also, my posts are happier. There’s an optimistic feel about them that wasn’t there this morning.

And, Off We go Again…

Suddenly I remember, I made it to this point yesterday too. Much earlier, today took longer. STOP! Don’t do this! Must not start thinking about how everything emotionally unraveled yesterday. Most importantly, don’t bring yourself down. You have to do this! You have to emotionally pump yourself back up.

Think happy thoughts! Go to your happy place! You know, all that cliché crap happy stuff. Well, to be fair it isn’t actually crappy. Logically, I know it’s true but it is just tough getting there sometimes.

Then, sometimes it is beyond hell just trying to grasp onto one tiny glimmer of happiness at all. Not even going to talk about how hard it can be to stay there.

Nevertheless, it’s the freaking emotional roller coaster ride that’s killer. I think I can, I think I can, runs through my head as I’m pulling myself up that steep never-ending hill. I get to the top. Hands-on hips, I beam as I survey the beauty surrounding me.

Wouldn’t you know it! Something beyond my control happens and WHAM! It’s a straight shot to the bottom again.

That is, of course, the little white lie that I tell myself. It’s beyond my control, is a technicality that I’m using to try and fool myself. There is something that can be done to avoid the emotional wreckage. I know what I should do, I know what I probably have to do. In any case, it’s just not fair!

Then again, whoever said life has to be fair, especially emotionally?

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03/01/2021
That’s Optimism Baby!

Who’s to say what optimism really means…

Hmmm what can I say about optimism? Let’s see, first off for some it may be easier to muster up than others. Take me for example, you try looking at the bright side when everything hurts ALL the time. Not an easy thing to do.

That being said, I try. Goodness knows I try to be optimistic. Sometimes, the best I can come up with is that this too shall pass. At least that’s something, right? I mean, it’s a glimmer of hope. A reminder that whatever big pile of steaming poop you’re dealing with right now will become a memory, eventually.

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Now I realize that may not sound very optimistic to the average person. Believe me though, when your entire body, mind, and soul are engulfed in an agonizing flare, knowing that it will pass at some point is pretty much all you have.

With chronic pain, when there is no relief to be had, you hold on to the hope that it will pass sooner rather than later. That my friend is what I call optimism.

Optimism, It Can Mean Different Things to Different People

According to dictionary.com the noun optimism can mean, a disposition or tendency to look on the more favorable side of events or conditions and to expect the most favorable outcome.

Taking that definition into account, if each time that you are suffering you hang in there because you know the latest flare will eventually end, does that not mean you are optimistic? Optimism is hope and having hope is optimism. Believing that there will be a relief and that the flare will end.

Now, I’m not saying the pain ends completely. That’s the tricky part. When the flare ends the pain doesn’t just go away, it lessens. Sometimes a little bit and sometimes a lot. You just never know until the time comes, which it’s going to be. When you’re really lucky the chronic widespread pain will drop from a 9/10 to a 4/10.

I know, we more than likely don’t sound very positive to the healthy. In fact, it’s probably tough to wrap your mind around just how much optimism it takes for us to get through most days.

When you hear the words “today is going to be a pain rating 3 kinds of day”, what we’re really saying is “today is going to be a great day!”

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References:

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Official Fibromyalgia Blogs

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Fibromyalgia Stores

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03/01/2021
Backyard with Benefits
Backyard Family Adventures…

I kind of have to kick myself in the butt to get outside. Once I do though, I feel so good! Playing in the dirt, just plain makes me happy. I suppose it’s the perfect combination of sunshine, family time and an energy boost from Mother Nature.

My #Reuse Skills Just Keep Getting Better n’ Better…

This winter we finally gave up and laid a cheap dresser to rest. Well, it fell apart AGAIN and enough was enough.

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As the various pieces were being tossed into a dump pile, I got an idea. The drawers stacked 2 high might make pretty good garden boxes for the backyard.

Under the deck, the dresser wreckage went. It was stacked on top of an old desk, counter, table thingy that I also planned on #repurposing.

The previously enjoyed table was given to us in 2006. It’s seen many uses in its lifetime. In the decade that it’s been with us, it has functioned as a retail display, used as a desk by a few of us, and last acted as the foundation to Piggly Wiggly the guinea pig’s family home. Now it is going to help us grow food. #ReuseReuseReuse and then reuse some more!

Loving the Healing Power of Sunshine n’ Dirt…

Yesterday the weather was too perfect not to be outside. The sunshine was just right! So out in the backyard, we went. Daughter kicking n’ screaming (maybe I’m exaggerating slightly but she was sulking), hubby grumbling, and the dog so excited he couldn’t keep still. Two minutes of sun and two improved moods later they were into it.
- Won this Soil from Russells Farms
- Team Work
- Planting Seeds
- Dirt is Good Medicine
- Rubber Ducky Watering
- Coming this Summer; Backyard Veggies
Who knew? That a backyard as tiny as ours could be so interesting to explore, felt like I was on a mini safari ? Our backyard is covered in these really pretty yellow flowers that the bees and the guinea pigs love (not sure why but the neighbors don’t seem to like them ?

A family of garden snakes passed through on their way to the hot cement in front. The dog attempted to get the baby snakes to play ball with him (I kid you not). Our friend Robin the bird was hanging out in one corner. There is just so much life happening out there.

Never underestimate the healing power of nature, even in a tiny backyard. Besides at least this way, today I am hurting for a reason ?

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References:

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Official Fibromyalgia Blogs

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Fibromyalgia Stores

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03/01/2021
Stress or not to Stress? That is the Question…

Churning out Stressful Headlines

Wow! It’s been an interesting winter so far. For me, 2020’s been about physically getting through the winter; keeping the fibro flares at bay, and rising above the stress-inducing noise that we call The News.

Can you spell propaganda and lies?

I should be able to watch the news and take it at face value. The reality is that I’m living at times when I can’t. So I dig a little deeper and learn. Then I form my opinions.

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Then again, that being said…lately I find myself increasingly shaking my head and half-heartedly joking that we’ve somehow silently slipped from the world I once knew into a really badly written movie or TV show.

I believe I’m living at a historical point in time. An era that will certainly grace the pages of future history books.

Sure, I want to be aware of current events, to stay ‘au current’, but, not at the price of becoming depressed or riddled with stress.

If it’s something I can help prevent, educate myself about, or prepare for, then by all means I try. But, I’m learning to accept that sometimes a situation needs to unfold. Overthinking it isn’t going to change the outcome, it’ll just damper the journey. Then I remember…

“We’re here for a good time”

So I’m Taking More Time to Do Things That Are Fun.

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References:

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Fibromyalgia Stores

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03/01/2021
Fibromyalgia Shower Roulette; Who’s up for a game?

Hey, there fellow chronic warriors. Who else here finds themselves involuntarily rolling the dice when it comes to showering ? or as I often call it..playing Fibromyalgia shower roulette.

I love showers. Long boiling hot ? showers. They are my savior; they are my downfall. It can go either way. From one shower to the next there is no way of knowing.

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The other day after a shower, I bee bopped my way energetically down the hall into my kitchen and conquered the mess. Then I tackled a few more tasks after that. Today’s shower has left me fibro suffering and totally wiped out. I’m not even dried off yet and all I can think about is crawling into bed.

I’m fibro shower exhausted…

I feel drained, zapped — depleted of all physical energy, and my brain is foggy.

It’s not all bad though, while I was showering, the heat provided some much-needed Fibro pain relief. Bonus! Right now I’m toasty warm, absolutely no chills in my body, and the “cold to the core of my bones” aching has eased.

That being said, I’m super tired, kind of dizzy, and need to lay down.

And so, that’s what I’m going to do. Admit defeat in today’s game of Fibromyalgia Shower Roulette, cut me some slack, and allow myself to rest up. We have an outing tonight that I’m looking forward to. I’m going to attempt a guilt-free catnap ?

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References:

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Fibromyalgia Stores

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03/01/2021
Post Fibromyalgia Diagnosis

7 years post fibromyalgia diagnosis and I’m still trying to accept that lowering the bar is essential to living my best life. Pushing myself beyond my physical limitations leads to a flare, period.

I push too hard and I get knocked down. It’s really that simple. Forgiving myself these limits. Now that’s where I struggle.

I’d like to say that I’ve learned not to beat myself up over it. But, that’d be a lie.

The truth is that I still spend way too much time belittling myself for not getting things done. And, when I do finally finish a task, I judge myself in comparison to my pre fibromyalgia diagnosis standards. Which I can no longer live up to.

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So, what does this achieve? Nothing positive, that’s for sure. Quite the opposite. I deflate my energy level to sub-zero with all the unspoken words of criticism bouncing around in my head.

Instead, I should be supportive and pat myself on the back for doing my best. I know I need to adjust the bar downward. It’s just that I’m having a hard time accepting it.

Sometimes the Sky is not the Only Limit

Setting Fibro Standards

This brings me to my biggest fibromyalgia lifestyle hurdle; learning to lower the bar.

Having to lower my standards, is my biggest fibro struggle. Not the pain. Except when I’m having a fibro flare of course. Then pain is number one. But even then, often I spend much of my involuntary painful downtime stressing over what I’m not getting done.

My insurmountable hurdle since my Fibromyalgia diagnosis has been accepting that I can no longer strive for excellence in everything that I do. I have always been an overachiever and strove to continuously raise the bar higher. I’m very competitive. And pre-Fibromyalgia diagnosis, my toughest opponent at most things was always myself.

Whatever I achieved, I’d push myself to do it better the next time.

Time to Start Showing Myself a Little Love

7 years after having been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia I’m finally learning to accept that my standards have to change and that I need to start congratulating myself a little more on my many daily successes rather than condemning myself for things beyond my control.

Sometimes in life, the sky is not the only limit and that is ok.

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References:

Fibromyalgia Contact Us Directly

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Official Fibromyalgia Blogs

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Fibromyalgia Stores

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03/01/2021
Spoonie Dog Leo is having yet another flare and it’s not fair!

It’s tough trying to be tough when you watch your poor spoonie dog becoming sicker and sicker. It’s one thing to be running the autoimmune disorder gamut as a human. But, can you imagine how confusing it must be for a dog?

It’s like we just start to get one illness under control and yet another creeps up and knocks poor Leo for another loop.

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Sound familiar?

Pretty much the same way it’s been for me going on 7 or 8 years now. Even some of his blood test results are similar to mine. And, like many of us human chronic warriors, neither his exact illness(es) nor the underlying cause(s) can be pinpointed.

Spoonie Dog Medicine

My poor dog Leo keeps getting one medicine after another, which leads to some temporary relief. But then the side effects kick in making matters worse or sometimes causing new illnesses.

I thought I felt helpless riding my health roller coaster. Ha! Now that Leo’s hopped on board, the climb to the top sometimes feels pretty much insurmountable.

Anyway, I’m not complaining because he’s the best dog ever and I love him with all my heart.

Sunny Days Are Here Again

On a sunnier note, warmer days are finally helping to ease the widespread screaming joint pain I was plagued with since the fall. I’ve managed to break through the surface of clutter and disarray that accumulated over the winter.

Feeling a wee bit inspired, and that my chronically fab friends are a start.

https://www.teepublic.com/stores/fibromyalgia-store

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For More Information Related to Fibromyalgia Visit below sites:

References:

Fibromyalgia Contact Us Directly

Click here to Contact us Directly on Inbox

Official Fibromyalgia Blogs

Click here to Get the latest Chronic illness Updates

Fibromyalgia Stores

Click here to Visit Fibromyalgia Store

03/01/2021