Mistakes are part of the dues one pays for a full life. - Sophia Loren

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I angered my lower back nerves, and inflamed all the muscles down in there, trying to rid our flooded basement of the ankle high over flow from the sub-pump getting stuck. My big mistake was not just waiting another half an hour for 'the hubster' to make it home. I panicked, though. I think I also do stuff like that to try and prove that I can. Everybody treats me with kid gloves, but I swear I can take care of myself. I just may have to take a little longer to recover from it than most. My arms are also very angry with me for this tedious emergency task I just HAD to perform, although I think it did them some good. It's more of a good worked out muscle hurt than anything else.

I continue to make the same mistake of over working my body. Seems, this is one mistake I just don't learn from. My mind is determined that my body must keep up. It's a very frustrating feeling to be 36 years old and not be able to do the things that should be everyday living. Some how I need to condition my mind to listen to my body. Easier said, than done, when you are as stubborn as I am.

Last night was another rough night to try and fall asleep and RLS along with my lower back pain were the major complaints. I did finally fall asleep with the heating pad on my legs. (Luckily it turns off by it's self.) I was up after only about 3 hours of sleep and then was able to go back to sleep after about 2 hours of waiting and slept another 4 hours. So I got enough sleep, just not as good of quality as I require.

I have a big weekend planned with many errands to be run and dress shopping with a friend who is getting married next summer. I would like to find "the sleep place" early tonight if possible, but if I can manage any energy tonight it may have to be spent on the house cleaning. I have neglected it for 2 days and I swear it looks like it hasn't been cleaned in a month. It's amazing to me how fast things pile up with only TWO people here. It never was this way with just me. HAHA!

The weather has been about a high of 45, partly cloud with a possibility for rain. My knees are feeling ok, (so far,) but my head isn't so I would agree with rain, but probably only isolated light showers. hehe

Mistakes are part of the dues one pays for a full life.

                                                                                      - Sophia Loren



Symptoms and Pain Levels (1-10 being the worst)

• I'm so bloated today! These jeans that are normally falling off me are fitting snug. My muffin top is all poking out and looking chubby. I feel fat today. I hate this feeling. :-P
• Head, and neck pain level 5
• shoulders, arms, wrists and hands pain level 3
• lower back, hips and butt Pain Level 7
• knees, ankles and feet pain level 2.5
• face pain level 1
• irritable
• blurred vision
• upper back pain level 4

Helpful Links:
Cleaning House with Fibromyalgia
http://voices.yahoo.com/cleaning-house-fibromyalgia-632673.html

10 things to stop doing to yourself
http://chronicfatigue.about.com/od/copingwithfmscfs/a/10-Things-To-Stop-Doing-To-Yourself.htm

Keeping House with Fibro and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome 
http://chronicfatigue.about.com/b/2013/01/28/keeping-house-with-fibromyalgia-chronic-fatigue-syndrome.htm

This blog is brought to you from the comfort of my new chair! YAY!

I love this recliner, and I'm very optimistic that it's going to help ease some of my terrible daily discomfort. It's the nicest piece of furniture I've ever owned, and I feel quite blessed at the moment looking around me seeing "my life", the way it is now. Yeah, I deal with a lot of pain, but the rest of my life is fantastic. :-)

...However I do believe I will be requiring one of these chairs in every room of the house. hehe Now that the weather has been getting really cold, (snow even,) this built in heat feature is going to come in quite handy dandy for me.

Symptoms and Pain Levels (1-10 being the worst)

• head, neck, upper back and shoulders Pain level 4
• lower back, butt, hips (shooting pains down my left leg and in my left butt cheek) Pain level 6
• knees, ankles and feet pain level 3
• Arms, wrists and hands pain level 5
• face and chest (the anxiety has been better) pain level 1
• IBS and horrible cramps earlier directly after I ate nachos, and then my stomach exploded. It was extremely unpleasant. Thank God I was home! I hate when things like that happen and I'm at a restaurant or at someone's house. 
• less frequent urination but still issues emptying and urgency
• RLS as usual, but sitting in this comfy chair helps a lot. I bet I could doze off in this thing... I probably would feel like poo in the morning, but it's a very comfortable chair. 

Helpful Links:
Great Yoga for your thighs!
http://www.fitsugar.com/Yoga-Sequence-Stronger-Legs-32346301?utm_campaign=fitness_newsletter_v2&utm_source=fitness_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=placement_2

RLS - How to stop twitching legs
http://health.usnews.com/health-news/health-wellness/articles/2013/05/11/restless-legs-syndrome-how-to-stop-twitching-legs

RLS linked to a Magnesium Deficiency  
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/173193.php

My Editor, Momo.  :-)

Creepy Crawly Body Syndrome (RLS)

I am up and at em with no sleep at stupid o'clock in the morning (3:30 am), with the restless leg syndrome (RLS), or what I like to call CREEPY CRAWLY BODY SYNDROME. Yeah, because that's a much better description of this menacing ailment. I have done the whole routine of stretches and massage and pacing around the house etc., and nothing seems to be working. I swear, if anything it's just getting worse.

I'm also dealing with a case of mind racing and frequent random flashbacks. Is that a symptom from something? I don't remember ever having continual arbitrary flashes of memories, from experiences, thoughts and dreams, as I've been experiencing lately. It almost feels like it's some sort of side effect, symptom or something. I'm quite annoyed.

I find it very helpful to type up whatever aimless detail my brain is engrossed in right before I go to bed. I really should make it a regiment to do this every night. However I also like to share how I'm feeling first thing when I get up too. I may need to start doubling up on blogs! Hmmm...

I'm sounding so ambitious right now. I do that. I always have my heart in the right place, but a lot of times my body doesn't always allow me to follow through. So many ideas, and good intentions, but it's hard to keep up with all you want done when you feel like butt ever single day. Then the days that you feel awesome it's hard to pack in everything you have been putting off. Even then, if you are like me, over doing it and sending your body into another flare-up is inevitable. Oh bother... now I sound like Eeyore.

I really have to hand it to the people that keep a positive attitude all the time, because it sure isn't easy to do. I suppose that's what I mean buy "finding the super in me". There is the strength down in me to do whatever it is I need to do, I just have to dig deep enough. Someone I use to know, use to say "You gotta want it." And that is so true. That was probably the best thing that came from knowing that person. hehe

Ok off to bed... and sleep,... I hope.

Symptoms and Pain Levels (1 -10 being the worst)

• My current pain levels are about an all over 7 but restless all over too, like super bad, to the point of annoyance and not being able to stay still. When I say all over I mean every where hurts... EVERYTHING, even where my hair is growing. :-P
• random pin pricks on my legs, hands, back and arms
• frequent urination and all that jazz as usual
• CRAVING SWEETS!! OMG WHERE'S THE CHOCOLATE? :-P
• Dry mouth and unquenchable thirst (drinking a lot of water but it doesn't help)
• I'm excited about getting my new chair today so maybe that's part of the reason why my mind won't shut off? 

_____________________________________________________________

Helpful Links

Restless legs syndrome: Study raises hope for better drugs"We may have solved the mystery of why getting rid of patients' urge to move their legs doesn't improve their sleep.

We may have been looking at the wrong thing all along, or we may find that both dopamine and glutamate pathways play a role in RLS."

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/264143.php

University of Maryland - Restless Legs and Related Sleep Disorders 
http://umm.edu/health/medical/reports/articles/restless-legs-syndrome-and-related-disorders

Dear Monday, Nobody likes you

It's been cold, but I think my body is finally acclimating to the weather changes, or at least I'm trying to think positive. I'm feeling pretty good considering the crazy cold and rainy sleety insanity going on just outside the window. It makes me very thankful I have a nice cozy blanket on my lap and a roof over my head.

I had a nice weekend with my husband's side of our family and celebrated one of our niece's birthdays. I'm lucky to have such a wonderful family and I'm so thankful for every single one of them. It really lifts my spirits to spend time with such positive and loving people. I'm extremely fortunate to have loving kin all around me.

I feel like I have 88 million things I should be doing right now, but no energy to even think about what needs to be done first. It's amazing to me how fast the house can go to heck and how fast the laundry piles up if I'm not doing stuff every single day. There IS, ONLY TWO, of us in this house. I would really like to adopt a child or foster one, but at this point I'm not sure I could keep up the pace. I'm hoping this cymbalta kicks into high gear soon. The Doc told me that it could take up to 4 months until I'm feeling the full affects of it though.

This week we are getting brand new reclining chairs for our living room and I can hardly wait! All my life I've lived with 'hand-me-down' chairs and couches. I've never been so excited about getting anything new ever. hehe These chairs have heat, and vibrating massage, (which isn't that big of a deal to me, because i prefer deep tissue to make any progress,) and the best part is the power reclining feature. I won't have to jolt my body every time I want to recline back or try to get out of the chair. I think this is going to be really good for me and help me feel a lot better, because compared to what I usually have to sit in, this new chair will be heaven!

Symptoms and Pain Levels (1 - 10 being the worst)

• Actually my whole body is at about an even 7, ... everything, my normal list including face, fingers and toes. It all hurts pretty evenly today. 
• I'm also cold
• my skin has been so dry and ichy
• craving sweets as usual :-P
• nausea  
• extreme fatigue
• extreme thirst and dry mouth
• random pin pricks, usually in my thighs 

Helpful Links


 The Fibromyalgia Expert - Finding Comfortable Furniture
http://fibromyalgiaexperiment.com/2011/09/16/finding-comfortable-furniture/

Fibro-Pedic - Advertisement but worth checking out!
http://www.selectabed.com/fibropedic.htm

Pro-Health - A doctors advice for dealing with the physical tasks of daily life
http://www.prohealth.com/library/showarticle.cfm?libid=15287

Everyday coping strategies for coping with Fibromyalgia - Yahoo article
http://voices.yahoo.com/everyday-coping-strategies-fibromyalgia-5909248.html

TGI the weekend...

I did pretty good Friday considering the week I've had. I took it easy though and spent a lot of time on myself. My husband and I had dinner out together when he got home, so I wanted to look and feel pretty for him. It took me the better part of the day to get myself around, because I am sore, fatigued and drained. I even got up before my alarm went off in the morning, so I even had extra time. I'm pretty sure I had descent sleep too, even dreamt, but as usual I don't remember it...hardly ever do.

I've been noticing more and more of these pricking sensations randomly all over at very random times. They almost itch. I can remember having them since I was a kid, but not as often as I have them now. More and more I realize I've had fibromyalgia since my earliest memories of childhood. I've read up on the diagnosis of Juvenile Primary Fibromyalgia Syndrome, and it sounds just like my struggles with pain growing up. I use to miss tons of school and have the same issues with sleep that I do now, along with IBS and numerous other things that I still struggle with including anxiety and depression.

Currently the tender spots on my feet, legs, back, hips, chest and arms are flared and very sore. They are like lumps and when you push on them it hurts for awhile but sometimes I can massage them away, then i'm left with just soreness, no lump. It hurts a lot to massage them, but I'm use to that sort of pain and it's almost a good hurt. I use to get deep tissue massages regularly and I tolerated intense pain during those sessions, and I know that type of pain leads to healing. I miss those appointments, but currently can't afford it anymore.

Whoever discovered and named Restless Leg Syndrome, (RLS), had no idea the extent of these menacing symptoms. It should be called Creepy Crawly Body Syndrome. The last few nights I think I've been falling asleep around 3am and up before 11am, but I'm struggling tonight, (Friday night,) with the RLS again.

....

Me with "Morning Stiffness" Stay out of my way!!
(Thank you to my favorite app for IPhone,
The Walking Dead, Dead Yourself app,
which I added the eyes
to my 2013 Halloween costume, and zombie
make-up done by yours truly.)

After a good night sleep it's now Saturday, windy and cold still, and looking like rain. I just woke up and I'm STUPID SORE! Must be that "Morning Stiffness" that the doctors talk about, that is more like The Waking DEATH!  (I have a very descriptive depiction of this to the right. hehe) Seriously though, most days I feel like a zombie. I can remember using this analogy for at least the last 25 years, maybe longer. (I don't really remember much before I was 11. hehe)


Links:

The Walking Dead, Dead Yourself App - FREE
http://www.amctv.com/shows/the-walking-dead/mobile
ITunes Linky for IPone Users: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/walking-dead-dead-yourself/id587842308?mt=8

Go have fun and express your morning stiffness! hehe


Symptoms and Pain Levels (1 - 10 being the worst)
(some might call it TMI, but this is my LOG hehe)

• Head, Neck and Face Pain Level 3
• Shoulders, and upper back Pain Level 5
• Arms, wrists, hands and fingers Pain Level 4
• Lower back, hips, butt and mostly right leg Pain level 6
• Knees, ankels and feet Pain Level 6.5 (mostly right side but left is not happy either)
• frequent urination since yesterday, and urgency with difficulty emptying.
• no appetite, except I just wanna eat sugar. :-P but I'm nauseated, and yesterday I barely ate anything, I still have all my leftovers from the restaurant in the refrigerator
• IBS but I can go, YAY :-P
• RLS was pretty bad last night while trying to get comfortable for "the sleep place."
• Many tender points and lumps on my shoulders, chest, thighs, lower back/hips and feet

Helpful Links:

Juvenile Primary Fibromyalgia Syndrome

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1006715-overview


What Is Fibromyalgia? What Causes Fibromyalgia?

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/147083.php


Fibromyalgia Health Center

http://www.webmd.com/fibromyalgia/news-features

Brain Scans Show Fibromyalgia Patients Process Pain Differently

A Blood Test for Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia Exercise, One Step at a Time

Nerve Stimulation Might Ease Fibromyalgia Pain


Researchers Find Possible Biological Basis for Fibromyalgia

http://news.yahoo.com/researchers-possible-biological-basis-fibromyalgia-204400241.html



Fibromyalgia News from Science Daily

http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/health_medicine/fibromyalgia/




New Clues to Causes to Fibromyalgia

http://health.usnews.com/health-news/news/articles/2013/08/06/new-clues-to-fibromyalgias-causes

               

Panic Attacks and Anxiety Disorder

It was another very tough night of trying to sleep. While I was laying there with my eyes closed and all comfy warm, my chest started tightening and my heart was racing. Yes, out of no where, I had a panic attack. I don't even remember what I was thinking about. I don't think it was anything, I was just trying to relax and sleep. Maybe I worked myself up over not being able to sleep? I don't know. I frustrate myself!

Anyway, I don't have panic attacks as often anymore, and the last one I had was months ago, but they do usually come out of no where at the weirdest times, with no real explanation. This one that I had last night came on around 1:30 am and lasted about 20-30 minutes. The next time I remember looking at the clock was just after 2:00 am and I was feeling much more calm, better, normal, and although still sore, my chest didn't hurt as much. That is an unusually long time for one of my attacks to last, however last night i just couldn't get this one under control. I had to lay on the floor and pop a klonopin under my tongue. My right breast and chest was so tight and the pain was radiating to a muscle spasm in my left shoulder blade just along the right of my spine. (It's all still sore today!) I felt all cold and clammy and then started to panic more, because I couldn't breathe. It felt like I was being stabbed in the left lung through my back and the knife was being slowly twisted.

Usually if I have an episode like this I can get someone, (my husband), to push on the sore stabbing muscle in my back and it seems to help. That along with an anti-anxiety rescue medication seem to get me out of the predicament rather quickly before I have to deal with any residual soreness. I almost woke up my husband, but I knew he had to get up for work in a few hours, so I was determined to handle it myself.

Funny thing happened back in April, when I was at the nail salon just 2 days before my wedding. My bridesmaids took me there so I would have pretty nails for my special day. We were getting a ton of rain and my mom called to tell me our church's basement was full of water, and all the roads that lead there are flooded ...great. I'm sitting there getting a pedicure, suppose to be relaxing. I start feeling all clammy, and dizzy. It sounded like people were talking underwater. I look next to me at my soon to be sister-in-law/one of my bridesmaids and tell her "I need you to stand on my back." hehe She knows the drill though and I lay on the floor in the nail salon with her sticking her heal into my right shoulder blade. The nail techs are all asking her if they should call 911, or if we need any help. She tells them, no this will only take a couple minutes and all will be fine and she was right. About 3 - 5 minutes later I'm already back up in the chair enjoying my pedicure, laughing and having fun.

In my experience panic attacks can come on very suddenly, and they can also come on with warning signs. Usually when I start to notice these signs I get to a place that I can stay safe, or I tell whoever I'm with what I think is going to happen. The episodes I am use to, I've learned to remedy, although before I had my rescue medications these attacks were so much more severe and scary. I'm very thankful to have the tools I need to control them as well as I do now.

Symptoms and Pain Levels (1-10 being the worst)

• Head (yucky headache that keeps getting worse) Pain level 7.5 and rising
• face, arms, wrists, hands and fingers pain level 4
• neck upper back and shoulders pain level 5
• lower back, hips, butt and legs pain level 6
• knees, calves, ankels and feet pain level 3
• unquenchable thirst and dry mouth
• IBS and frequent urination
• blurred vision
• nausea and stomachache 

(The weather is cold and cloudy, I don't think it's helping matters.)
Helpful Linkage:

Anxiety Disorder and Panic Attack Symptoms
http://www.anxietycentre.com/anxiety-attack-symptoms.shtml
http://maketheconnection.net/conditions/anxiety-disorder?gclid=CJXkmIes07oCFStp7AodrH4ADA
http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide/anxiety-panic-guide-symptoms-types

12 Signs you may have Anxiety Disorder
http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20646990,00.html

"Catch Up On Life Day"

Today I have been feeling a wee bit better, so as I look around me, I see the house in turmoil, and I feel the need to do something about it. It's taken me most of the day to do a very small amount of necessities, including bathe myself. My husband was ecstatic to come home from work to see the dishes done and a clean me. the poor guy, he's such a trouper. 

I realize how to some it may sound completely crazy to need a full day to do such minimal tasks, but that is my reality. From day to day I am lucky to be able to keep up, and hopefully I didn't over do it and pay for what I did tomorrow. *crosses fingers*

It's been a really rainy stormy day and now that the storm has moved on my head isn't feeling as bad as it was earlier. BIG PLUS!! Also I'm very proud of myself, because I walked on the treadmill for 6 minutes today, which I know isn't very long, but I must start very slow, so I don't over work myself into a flare up and tons more pain. It's a slow frustrating process, but it will pay off eventually.

Last night I went to bed very very early and ended up sleeping for about 10 solid hours, which was just what I had needed. I'm hoping it won't affect how I sleep tonight, although I am tired so I should fall asleep fine. *knock on wood*

Symptoms and Pain Levels (1 - 10 being the worst)

• Head neck and face Pain level 2
• shoulders and upper back pain level 4
• arms, wrists and hands pain level 3
• lower back, butt, hips pain level 5
• thighs, knees, ankles and feet pain level 6
• frequent urination and urgency 
• blurred vision during my headache earlier
• dry mouth and unquenchable thirst

Helpful Links

5 ways to get rid of a muffin top
http://www.fitsugar.com/Ways-Get-Rid-Love-Handles-8692710?image_nid=8692710

10 Best and Worst Foods to Eat for Sleep
http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/health/spirit/best-foods-for-sleep/?crlt.pid=camp.BJerxme5Rijk

5 Ways to Control Fibromyalgia With Diet
http://www.prevention.com/health/health-concerns/5-ways-control-fibromyalgia-diet

10 Must-do Back Exercises
http://www.fitsugar.com/Exercises-Your-Back-23382956

What I let the world see vs. Me in the middle of a flare-up.

I've seen a lot of other fibromyalgia crusaders do this sort of thing, and I've been meaning to do it for my own blog. I think it's a very good way of showing the world what it is we as FMS sufferers go through. Nighty percent or more, of the time I look all crazy in my pajamas either in my chair in the living room with a blanket, on the floor doing stretches, trying to find a comfortable place in my bed, or soaking in the tub, because there is NO WHERE to find comfort from the pain.

What I let the world see vs. Me in the middle of a flare-up

Above: TRUTH!


A much more accurate depiction of this is shown here, thanks to the help of The Walking Dead, Dead Yourself application for IPhone, (used for the eyes in both zombie pictures,) and my own this year's 2013 Halloween costume. hehe I did the make-up myself. I was pretty proud of myself for it. The "normal" picture of me is of my wedding in April when I married the greatest man in the world. That is the prettiest and happiest I have ever been. 

Ok it's a little exaggerated here, maybe... but not by much.

All jokes aside though, some days I really do feel like I could be the zombie walking dead in my house... And that is just not funny when it's happening.

Anyway, last night/this morning I had more trouble sleeping. I think I finally found "the sleep place" at about 3 am, with has been about average lately. I woke up just before noon to my alarm that had been going off forever. For some reason it wasn't playing music, just beeps, and my brain will just incorporate that into what ever dream I'm having that I also won't remember.

My arms and hands are doing a bit better today. I've been at the point of just wanting to lose them and move on... so them feeling better is a VERY GOOD THING. I don't think I'd be much use at all with out them. I'm trading that pain in for more lower back and leg pain, which I'm much more use to dealing with. I'm not sure if i'm having that pain because I slept wrong or because it's about to rain again.

My neck. shoulders and head are still giving me issues and I think my head is just predicting the weather is all. It's making me really groggy and tired. I am not sure how much longer I will be able to hang on with out taking a nap and screwing up what little progress I've made on getting my sleep regiment back into the right swing. I really feel like I could go to bed right now and sleep the rest of the night.

Blah...Blah...Blah This blog just sounds like I'm rambling so I'm going to just do my pain ratings now. Thanks if you read this, have a great day and please click my ads. :-)

Symptoms and Pain Levels on Scale 1-10 is the worst

• Head, Neck, Shoulders Pain Level 6
• face, arms, wrists, hands and fingers Pain Level 3
• upper back pain level 2
• lower back, hips, and butt pain level 7
• knees, ankles and feet pain level 5
• very fatigued
• IBS

Helpful Linkage:

5 Ways To Control Fibromyalgia With Diet
1. Load up on vitamin D
2. Avoid additives
3. Say yes to fish
4. Nix the caffeine
5. Veg out
http://www.prevention.com/health/health-concerns/5-ways-control-fibromyalgia-diet

Fibromyalgia News
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/categories/fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia Causes
http://www.webmd.com/fibromyalgia/guide/fibromyalgia-causes

Slideshow of Fibro-Friendly Exercises
http://www.webmd.com/fibromyalgia/ss/slideshow-fibromyalgia-friendly-exercises

"Morning Stiffness"

Morning Stiffness - This is what my doctor calls the hell I wake up to every morning,... and it's not always restricted to just the mornings. I hate the name "morning stiffness", it makes it sound like I had a wet dream or something. This is not a pleasant thing people! This is not something I'd wish on anyone, I don't really have enemies, but if I did, I wouldn't wish it on any of them either.

A much more accurate depiction of this symptom would be "The Waking Death." It usually happens when you are just waking up and you feel like "The Walking Dead." (Which, ironically, is a favorite show of mine. haha)

I know that once I start moving a little, as long as I'm not in the middle of a fibromyalgia flare up, I usually start feeling a little bit better. However, the temperatures have dropped a bit, I have been doing a lot of activity  and I'm pretty sure, I'm flared, after all the tears last night and insomnia. "Flaring" is also not a picnic in the park and makes "morning stiffness" worse and persistent.





  Last night I was not able to get to sleep until after 4am... so I guess it was more like this morning, and then I was up at 11 am. I have been having terrible restless legs, aching feet and my arms wrists and hands have been so gruesomely tender and obnoxiously sore, right down to the bone. Needless to say, it's been miserable. It takes me all day just to take care of myself on days like this. Life takes a backseat, so thank God I have such an amazing husband. I truly am blessed for that. I would not have survived this long with out him.

Just yesterday morning I was feeling pretty good, it is crazy how fast my body can take a turn for the worse. I'm very susceptible to my environment, especially temperature and barometer changes. VERY FRUSTRATING!!! One wrong move and I could be down for a full day or more.




Symptoms and Pain Levels on Scale 1-10 is the worst

• head, neck, and face Pain Level 5
• upper back, chest, shoulders, arms, wrists and hands, Pain Level 7
• lower back, butt, hips, and thighs 4
• knees, calves, shins, ankles and feet 6 (but seems to be getting worse as the day goes on.)
• frequent urination and urgency, difficult to empty and barely anything there
• craving sweets, I wish I would have saved some of that Halloween candy :-P
• IBS (constipation) 
• blurred vision

Helpful Linkage:

Fibromyalgia Health Center
http://www.webmd.com/fibromyalgia/guide/fibromyalgia-symptoms

Morning stiffness is a sign of Rheumatoid arthritisis
http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20464354_7,00.html

Morning Stiffness in Fibromyalgia
http://www.fmnetnews.com/latest-news/morning-stiffness-in-fibromyalgia

10 tips for overcoming morning stiffness
http://www.fmaware.org/News202dd.html?page=NewsArticle&id=8589

Early Morning Stiffness of Hands
http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/h/early-morning-stiffness-of-hands.html

Health Center - Why Your Joints Are Stiff or Painful in the Morning
http://www.healthcentral.com/osteoarthritis/c/23101/34051/morning?ic=506048

Morning Stiffness when Getting Out of Bed and Standinghttp://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/stiffness-morning.shtml

Morning Stiffness in Rheumatoid Arthritis
http://ard.bmj.com/content/19/4/361.full.pdf

Fibromyalgia + Overactivity = DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness)

It hurts! I can barely type, and I can't sleep... **TEARS**

I won't be discouraged though, because the soreness means I've been doing something good!

I had a really great day today and a wonderful weekend and Halloween. I am thankful for the small reprieve I had with symptoms. God is good all the time! 

• head, neck, face pain level 6
• shoulders, upper back, arms, wrists, hands and fingers pain level 8.5 ... 9 even!
• lower back, butt, hips, knees, ankels, feet pain level 7
• restless legs really bad
• IBS and gas
• frequent urination and urgency
• terrible craving for sweets!!!

Helpful Links:

Help For Fibromyalgia: Tart Cherry Juice As A Natural Remedy For Painhttp://natureblessed.net/help-for-fibromyalgia-tart-cherry-juice-as-a-natural-remedy-for-pain/

Muscle Pain and Soreness After Exercisehttp://sportsmedicine.about.com/cs/injuries/a/doms.htm

DOMS
http://www.acsm.org/docs/brochures/delayed-onset-muscle-soreness-(doms).pdf

Delayed onset muscle soreness : treatment strategies and performance factors.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12617692

Treating and Preventing DOMS
Johndavid Maes, and Len Kravitz, Ph.D.

http://www.unm.edu/~lkravitz/Article%20folder/domos.html

The muscle in fibromyalgiahttp://rheumatology.oxfordjournals.org/content/41/7/721.long

Life Extensions Fibromyalgia
http://www.lef.org/protocols/immune_connective_joint/fibromyalgia_01.htm

Fibromyalgia: The Muscle Pain Epidemic
http://www.healthy.net/Health/Article/Fibromyalgia_The_Muscle_Pain_Epidemic/587

Are their any descent doctors out there??

This week I had to start over with a new psychiatrist. He is a nice dude, so I guess I got lucky, but I can't tell you how many times I've had to start over with doctors. It seems that they are always moving, retiring, or doing something that takes them from their normal patient load and forces me to find a new one. Being a patient of chronic pain, it makes it very hard to start over with a new doctor, and most of the time it's really hard to even find one that will take me on. Most doctors these days are so over loaded with patients, they do not want another one as demanding as me. Not only that, I must find one that will take the insurance that I have, which also narrows the list, and makes the daunting task even
more difficult. I find it really hard to find doctors that will take the time to get to know their patience, and not just shove pills in your face and then push you out the door.

I lost my primary care too, I think he was promoted? I've been looking for a new one for about a year now. I have been going to a clinic in the meantime. My insurance changed when I got married, so I have a vast new pool of doctors to look through, and none of them can take new patience. Not to mention, when I tell them I have fibromyalgia, DDD, a bulging disk, chronic migraines, etc., they tell me they can not take on any new patients with chronic pain. Now what in the heck is that all about? What is a person like me suppose to do? I need a doctor that isn't going anywhere! I need a doctor that knows me, that knows my history. Apparently doctors of today don't want to take the time to get to know their patients, and if they have to take on any new ones that need a little extra attention, they would rather not.

Anyway, the rest of the week was a little challenging for me, but I was able to get out with the hubby for dinner, go tricker-treating with my nieces, treadmilled it, did some shopping/mall walking and Friday I went to the pool with my sis-in-law. I'm quite proud of my activity level this week and I need to keep that up, as at my doctor's appointment on Wednesday the scale was not nice to me. UGH! Not to mention all the candy I've eaten this week because of Halloween. (The holidays are on their way and I always overindulge.)

I'm proud of myself that I'm up early this morning for church, it will make the 'rents happy to see me there and it will be a good "pick me up" for the week. (Plus today is pot luck! I hate to miss that!!! hehe)

I'm doing pretty well considering all I've done this week. I do think the Cymbalta I've been on is helping me cope. Tuesday was a really bad day, but I did pretty well the rest of the week, sore but active and tolerating. I'd say that is an accomplishment!! I'm really lucky to have such a great support system that helps me day to day. My husband is amazing and I don't know how he does it. I know I must not be easy to deal with or live with. He is a God sent. I have an amazing family and wonderful friends too. I feel so damn lucky. :) I really don't know how they put up with my whiney butt. Thank you guys. <3

• head, face, pain level 2
• neck, shoulders, upper back pain level 4
• lower back, hips, butt, legs, ankles pain level 3
• feet pain level 1
• arms, wrists, and hands pain level 6