Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone. Hope that your joints and all behave themselves.

I have got a small flare going on. Have been getting bad sleep for a couple of weeks and I think this becomes part of the vicious cycle. I am now trying to rest as much as I could. Hopefully, I will have enough energy and all...

I have came a long way since 2 years ago. Boxing Day 2004.

Then, I was watching my health going downhill, and stuck with a job which I was terribly unhappy with. I probably worked/slept through it, only to get a shock on Boxing day about the Tsunami. The tsunami was very very NEAR me, not in physical sense, but emotionally.

I shall try my best to blog about it. I hope I make it this time. I tried to blog a piece for Darren's group blogging project, but was not up to it. Aching joints and all, I just tried to stay afloat with with work, and my life. I have been really really tired the whole week, and terribly tired now. I am just trying to hold up, and try not to sleep until night time, with the hope that I will get deeper better sleep, despite the joint discomfort and all.

Christmas is spent at home again this year. Far away from my family and friends. I would really like to email everyone to wish them merry Christmas.. the heart is willing...but the flesh...

Watch out for this space!

Basin and Hot Towels-Tip to to survive this Christmas

HOT towels!!

This has worked well and conveniently for me, that I wished that other fibromyalgia or rheumatoid arthritis would benefit from it too. This has been mentioned before in What works for my fibromyalgia, so far. [These works for my RA too!] The weather has been uncharacteristic lately, with some places really getting much colder than it normally is!

I have been walking 1/2 hour each way, to and from work, a couple of times a week in freezing temperatures and have been "defrosting" myself with the basin/towel method.

The tip first came from my dear rheumatologist who told me a simple quickie way to "defrost" my stiff feet and hands in winter- hot basin of water. All I need is a kettle to warm some water, (and someone to help with kettle sometimes) and a basin.

I have since modified it. I use hot water from the tap, and run it into my wash basin. (No kettle, no danger of scalding). I soak my hands in the hot water to help with the stiffness.

For other areas, I use a small face towel to soak up some hot water, and put in painful places like my neck, knees, shoulders, elbows etc. Works well! The only "side-effect" of this method is it is rather drying to the skin. That is not a problem as I apply Tiger Balm/Bengay Gel/NSAID gel after the hot towels. The heat from the towels increased the blood circulation to the area, and the gels get absorbed quickly and works better. Just be careful not to overdo the NSAID gels, as the NSAIDs do get absorbed quite a lot this way.

The advantage of this method??

• You literally have some relief on the tap.
• You can even do it in your office pantry, toilets at work.
• When visiting friends/staying overnight, have some towels with you. You can have do it in the discretion in the wash rooms, if you don't want to alarm others. We don't want our illness to replace the Christmas craker jokes as the focus of dinner, don't we? For the towels, be creative! Even those cheap flannels (or dusting cloth!) than come in packs from the supermarket, and literally "disposable" could be of use. Just bring one along, use and throw! (errr, I hope the environmentalists won't yell at me for this suggestion). Try it out at home first, and see if it works for you.

Hope this helps. Merry Christmas and Happy New year.

And please please let me know if this helps, or you have other methods to improvise on it.

"living with fibromyalgia"-can't it cross borders??

I have emailed the UK fibromyalgia association, wondering if they will consider screening it.

Apparently, they thought that people in the UK will not be interested with something from the USA. Is that so???

What works for my FIBROMYALGIA.. so far?-Dec 2006 update

I am updating this from my June 2006 List.
After more than 1.5 years since my diagnosis, I am getting my hang of managing my fibro.
I used to think that my education is wasted, since fibro, ra and all these health problems prevented me from working full-time, let alone in my trained profession. 1.5 years later, I realise how lucky I am. It is almost I am trained to handle my own conditions, as doctors (except a few angels), have failed me desperately.

Things that make me feel good, or help to stop an flare in its tracks...

1) Avoid beef and red meat like hell
Of course this has no "scientific prove". I was a non-believer in food-RA/FMS link when I noticed that I get flares after taking beef, or lots of pork. No more whole Big-Mac for me, just a small bite now. The pain I get is not worth the bite.

2)MASSAGE, especially Tui Na or acupressure
I have since heard from others that deep tissue massage works well too. A good acupressure or Tui Na practitioner is really hard to find in Europe/US. I will try out deep tissue massage and compare how it goes.

I have also purchased a "massage belt"-which is essentially one vibrating thing (image from osim.com). I bought one from OTO (another brand). These are hugely popular in asia now for "slimming", but I have since found better use for it. I use it on my thighs, calves, bums-places which are "fleshy" enough. I slap on my NSAID or Tiger Balm on those sore/painful/tight areas and run the machine. It works pretty well, and save me many trips for a massage!





3)Alexander Technique lessons and "practice" at home
AT is probably one of the MOST USEFUL thing I have done for my fibro!

4)Stretching!
Done every morning, without fail. It can be painful, especially when my RA flares. I use my massage belt to warm up my muscles before I stretch.

5) SLEEP
The most important thing to have, but the most easily affected/least controllable factor for me. When fibro is hitting, everything becomes painful and deep sleep is really a luxury. Sounds familiar to you?

6) Take lots of fish and omega 3 oils, antioxidants when it flares
I suppose it works for me because my fibro almost always come with my RA?

7) Ginseng and Gingko (for my brain fogs and speech slurs)


8) Muscle rubs-esp Tiger Muscle rub or Tiger Balm
Great with massages, and the massage devices to "heat up" and loosen those painful knots/trigger points.

9) Hot bath! (with Lavender essential oil)


10) NSAIDS...
The issues surronding side effect of NSAIDs, or painkillers as a whole has prevented many people from actively managing their pain.


11) Avoid using a LAPTOP!!!! (NEW! Dec 2006)
I am not kidding you! I have resumed working part time, and use a PC in office. It is a REAL difference! A few hours spent on my laptop on my "off days" is frequently more tiring than a full day with the PC in office. I think the way laptops are made and used encourages poor posture. My neck, shoulder, hands and upper back takes the brunt of it. The painful areas around my elbows, shoulder joints and upper next area quickly develop more hard painful "lumps" (as I call them). These are bad enough to cause me to feel dizzy sometimes. After the massage belt, a home PC will be my next investment.

(I took a short break at this point of writing... to do the following...)

12) HOT towels!!(NEW! Dec 2006)
My dear rheumatologist was so kind to check out what works for winter for me. He told me a simple quickie to "defrost" my stiff feet and hands in winter is a hot basin of water. All I need is a kettle, (and someone to help with kettle sometimes ) and a basin. I have since modified it. I use hot water from the tap, and run it into my wash basin. (No kettle, no danger of scalding). Then I soak my hands there. I use a small face towel to soak up some hot water, and put in in other painful areas like my neck, knees, shoulders, elbows etc. Works fine. Only "side-effect" is I find it rather drying to the skin. That is not a problem as I apply Tiger Balm/Bengay Gel/NSAID gel after the hot towels. The heat from the towels increased the blood circulation to the area, and gels get absorbed quickly and works better. Just becareful not to overdo the NSAID gels, as the NSAIDs do get absorbed quite a lot this way. The advantage of this method is you literally have some relief on the tap. You can even do it in your office pantry or toilets.


Others:
Amitriptyline ease a lot of the pains, but I am so fatigued and knock out by it that I will end up able to do nothing but sleeping. I try to stay away from it.

Beware of many things peddled in the internet. Many of these "cures" tried to sound scientific, but provides me with nothing more than a good laugh. Please also beware of people advertising their credential as "Dr" so and so. I know that you could pay US1-2k, and get a PhD in 6 months from some dubious "universities". Some people are out there to make a quick buck out of our pain . And anyone, including myself, would be tempted to "try things out" when we are really really desperate for some escape or route out of the misery FMS and RA could bring.

Technorati Tags:
chronic pain; fibromyalgia; chronic fatigue

Living with fibromyalgia-the documentary film

Living with Fibromyalgia

Has anyone seen this yet?? I am thinking of watching this film, but it cost $19.95 (USD) to order the DVD! It is a little to expensive for me, in this state. I have barely got my feet on the ground again, and still clearing all those debts.

Please think of a way to get your national TV to screen it, that is how the impact of this film will be maximised.

Watch this space.... I will try to find some info about how to pester stations haha. Now that I feel better, I will expand my energy on this!

18th Dec 2006

I have written to the UK fribromyalgia association, wondering whether they are planning to screen this film. Apparently, they have not heard of it, and dont think people in the UK will be interested because it came from the USA. Is that so??

No news is good news

I have not been blogging much.

Have been "busy", with alternative activities which do not involve using a computer. :) Reading books, and catching up with life again, now that my FMS and RA seems to be better. That PCOS which I have need some serious attention, and I have been doing some reading up about it.

I am pretty well most of the time these days. Just a few bouts of fatigue, and also a bit of fog in teh last two weeks. Found myself writing, or rather typing weird things again. Haha. I have no idea who these spellings could be all garbled up. I also used wrong, inappropriate words to describe things.

As all for follow the blog knows. I am in healthcare. Well, that is as much as I am comfortable to leak off. The healthcare world is really really small, and you will soon realised that everybody knows everybody. No, I am not joking. It is true.

Now that I am back at work, I see how health care professionals as a whole behave again. Sometimes I see sad things. Ok, it should be I often see sad things happening. Sigh..

Why am I saying this? Probably because I am reading The Constant Gardener. Finally, I find time and strength reading it. It is a heavy going book. Not for the faint hearted souls who have to work closely with the pharma boys.

... gtg. TO find my massage therapist. I am "well", but being a fms case, there is always a threat looming its head here and there of a relapse. I know I am near one, if I dont take care.

Someone left this comment....is it all in my mind?

It was clearly meant to be warm, written with no malice. Only good intentions, and maybe a little of puzzlement/irritation about what all the fuss about fogs and all. Millions of people are dying of AIDS and cancer everyday, isn't it? Good intentions, and hope that it would help me with my fogs.

But it is chilling, isn't it? What well-intentioned people say to us-fibromites?

The misconception is "It is all in your mind- Therefore, you are like this". Worse till, this person seemed to congratulate me for getting my "wish".

I do attempt to "correct it". My response?

Yes, it is all in my mind!! That is why I am alive and kicking (flailing, and frozen sometimes), managed to keep sane, and lead a relatively "normal" life!

The comment was left as a response of my entry about FIBROFOGs (Fibromyalgia's Fibrofogs: How does one cope with it?) Please see the original post for my reply to the comments.

The comment:

"I appreciate your condition! However conditions are subject to change depending on how you have styled your life!

I grew up in a neighborhood wherein there lived a lady with many children, a husband and few, if any organic illnesses!

By the time her youngest child had left the nest she was totally disabled with fatigue and claims of illness that doctors just could not find within her!

When her children or a friend came to her with a problem or an illness, she always found a way to outbid the problem or illness of the child of friend!

Alas, she became what she thought
and what she thought was more important than what she did! She was so consumed that she could only see what was most important to her!

She proclaimed that her death was imminent from the time she was sixty [60] and forward!

She lived to be ninety two [92], outliving her husband who did have illnesses, but never proclaimed them!

Part of being is what you think!

When did you last visit a cemetery, a youth organization and volunteer to help, offer to help meals-on-wheels or any number of organizations and venues where your 'ailments' would be but imaginary vis-a-vis those of the ones you serve!

The fog is yours because you wish it so!

Ride to the sunlight and your fog will disappear!

See the world without you in it, and you will see the beauty of the interactions you may style in the world!

8:06 PM, September 21, 2006 "

Fever, aches, the full works just because of a sore throat

Just a simple viral infection like a sore thorat got to me.

I ended up with swollen joints last night, have fever, and ached all over.

Thankfully I bought a massager, and that managed to relieved some of the aches.

I was semi-awake till 4 am in the morning, reverting between half awake states, going to the loo, and drinking water. I must have sweated a pool of water.

Temperature registered? 37.0.

Well that is nota fever you may say, unless you take into account that usually I am just 36.3 to 36.5C! That is a bit low, isnt it?

People may think that I am over reeacting with these minor ailments.

Yes, a sore throat used to mean nothing to me. Now it does. It affects me, with all those pains and fatigue that follows.

How do I explain to others?

another wrist attack

It has been a stop start stop start thing in terms of my work

All dependent on whether my wrists cooperate.

Since a couple of weeks ago, it had been going left-right, left right.

The last one was left, more than 1 week ago, and I thought it is the end.

Nope. Just one hour ago, after coming home from shopping, i realised that my feet ache, my knees ache, and my right wrist swells.


That is it.

No more work/blog

time to sleep now

Depression looming again

Yupp...

Coming again.

it is the sum of all small things

flare...

IBS back again

and get scolded by strangers on the train. Yupp. they scolded me as fat, and blocking their way. Mean.

Aching all over..............

Aching all over...
and I am really missing my Alexander Technique teacher!!!!

Sob Sob sob

new pain lumps are coming out!!!!

I wish i got $$ for massage.

The Prof's wife goes for massages......

The Prof's wife admit to going for massages for her arthritic pain. An important source who is her high-tea clique told me she goes for massages at least once a week, and will go up to 3 times a week if she feels a joint is going to swell.

Her husband approved? Yes, of course!!!

Since the wife of this very well-known man goes for massages, and like me claims that it works, I am no longer considered mad. I am no longer imagining things. It is not a psychosomatic thing that you feel that your flares go down faster after a good, deep tissue massage like acupressure aka Tuina or thai massage.

If a man who is manages arthiritis supports his arthiritic wife's choice of going for massages.......
imagine.

Think!!!

Swell day

What a swell day. This morning I did not get up despite the alarm clock, despite the fact that I know I had to get up to get something important done.

I was “aware”, but not able to get up.

More than 2 hours passed in that state. Finally I got up. LATE.

My body was aching all over, hands swollen. My swollen feet “ouched” when I forced it to bear the weight of this 80 kg giant.

FLARE!!

I was very angry with it coming at that time. Then I remember the good doc told me to catch my blood profiles during the flare.

What followed was frantic phone calls, going to one clinic after another and then finally taking blood, and getting an appointment to see my rheumatologist, at a reduced rate. The appointment is one month later, but at least I got my blood profile.

What a frantic day. To my classmate, she probably does not know what it is like. I talk to her, “like normal”. God knows how stressful it was. I was “fog checking” all the time, and pulling all my strength to carry on. At one time, I almost slipped and fell down the stairs.

To an outsider, I am normal. Ok, I am an overweight woman, who shuffles a little, probably due to the weight? Unless they shake hand with me, they would never notice that I have a special warmth about me. Yup. I am warm.

I am usally 36.5, and when I “flare” it goes up to 36.7 to 37.0. I never officially qualify for the typical mild fever. To begin with, I am colder than usual.

Should I be proud of myself? Yeap. I am very. I only took 2 cab trips. All others are by train and bus. In the train, I even gave up my seat to an elderly woman with a cane. I thought “young, “mild” arthritic giving up place to old, “severe” arthritic”. What is this world coming to? An old woman with a cane has to walk from coach to coach to find a seat. What happens when I become old? Is this the place where I should grow old? Horrible!

ANGRY

I have deep pent up anger.........

Before we moved, I spent days and nights packing our things. It was so triring, and triggered my fibro. Everybox was sealed and labeled before sent to my MIL's home for storage.

Yesterday, I realised that she opened up every single box to "repack"!!!! My diary appeared on top on the box. Great. So ,my diary became a public property, huh?? I almost felt like screaming to her!!!

Looks like one of these days i got to go and "rearrage" the things, and bring them all with me. Either that or i will have every single one destroyed. Period.

a sign of needed confidence boost... taking an IQ test

I took an IQ test, and it says that I am a "facts curator". My IQ was supposed to be 138. Is that a lot or very little? They dont tell me which percentile of the population I belong to. So, does that mean I am smart or dum.

Other "facts curator" include Bill Gates. Hmmmm. But I supposed you have "facts curator" of different quality, dont you? Bill Gates is porbabaly a top class one.

Like a meticulous collector, you've fed your brain a unique set of facts and figures over the years and this makes you a Facts Curator. Whether or not you intend to absorb every piece of information that comes your way, your mind is a sponge for knowledge.

The words in your head could almost fill a dictionary, and you're equally adept at manipulating numbers and detecting important patterns in number sequence

Oh really??? Yeah, perhaps when I am not fogged.

Anyway, this is a new thing to do for FOG check, other than sudoku. GO and try for yourself- free IQ test!

What works for my FIBROMYALGIA.. so far?

Things that make me feel good?
1) Avoid beef and red meat like hell
2)MASSAGE, especially Tui Na or acupressure
3)Alexander Technique lessons and "practice" at home
4)Stretching!
5) sleep
6) Takes lots of fish and omega 3 oils and also antioxidants when it flares
7)Ginseng and Gingko (for my brain fogs and speech slurs)
8)Muscle rubs
9) Hot bath!
10) NSAIDS...

Amitriptyline ease a lot of the pains, but I am so fatigued and knock out by it that I will end up able to do nothing but sleeping. I try to stay away from it.

Technorati Tags:
chronic pain; fibromyalgia; chronic fatigue

Head-hunted???

I am invited for an informal discussion with a potential employee, even though I have not submitted my application. Does that mean I am head hunted?

Hahah.. Well, i think they don't know I am a fibromite.. yet. Wait till I tell them tomorrow.

Hmmm... My CV does look impressive, other than those "gaps".I am sure they will ask about these.

Now I realise I have a problem. Did i get the second or the third place in the oratorial competition? I think I misplaced my testimonial. I want to ask hubby, but he is asleep in another time zone!!!

The first place went to the teacher's pet, and native speaker of language. He was very good too, and have made a mark in the artistic circles. I often see him in newspapers. Losing to him was an honour. Now, between winnie and me, who got second place?

NO idea. totally fogged. ALmost forgot that the discussion is tomorrow.

Hmmm... that might be an interesting discussion. Imagine me being foggy???

Heck whatever. I already have a job in hand. This is more for future jobs.

It is morning, and that means I got to get up early. Fingers have been having a "swell time" in the past few weeks.

Totally honest, yet Offered a job!!!

I am just offered a job.

It started with JOanne finding a job with a MNC, a very difficult to get position.
And then I thought, if Joanne could do it, so could I??? Joanne is younger and has a longer "list" than me, yet she managed, somehow. Wow. Maybe what the Chinese say is true, Heaven will not give man a deadend. Well, heck, just give it a try.

I had wanted to hide about my condition. But my experience tells me, no point doing so. If you get into a company who thinks that people like me are parasites, and wouldn't want to acknowledge my limitations and yet at the same time see my potential, I will go no where.

I need a boss, and a company who accepts me as I am, "lovely bone", foggy brains and all.

Yet, I was called up. They said they liked me!! Can you believe it?? They are willing to let me have a short contract for a try.

I liked my potential bosses too. My instinct told me that they are really really kind people, just like my thesis supervisor and my phd committee. With these people, I thrive.

Wish me luck. Please with me luck.

One up for fibromites.

And three cheers for people like my bosses. Heavens sent them to me, I believe.

But I should also let you know a little secret, seeking out these angels are hardwork. ANd I worked hard at it.

Things dont come easily for people like us. Just got to hang on, work hard, and if shit comes to you, think about that donkey!!

seeing friends, seeing flares

Having a chronic invisible diseases means that whenever someone has not seen you for a long time, they will tell you how good/bad you look, and ask you about THAT, what-is-it, RA or something that you have? Every meeting will start with a hello to the joints. Their well-being get asked about much more often than my husband.

Change of weather, and time zone means loss of sleep, ie flare city for me.

I am still adjusting, and a little to tired to type.


My mood is quite high though, i have a high chance of starting work in a job which is ideal for me.

What is the most important thing I did these last 7 days?

Educating a young, bring medical officer; my dear cousin. My cousin is one of those super-lucky people in the world. Identified as gifted since young, higher than average intelligence, born into a good, loving family, and pursuing her chosen profession. She is a young angel and I am just so proud of her.

HOwever, one thing worries me. Will she be able to emphatise with patients?

Her dad was a very popular doctor, and still is. what has changed is his style. More and more paternalistic as skill and confidence and reputation increase over the years. I am worried that my cousin would fall into the same trap.

So, I told her about my encounters with doctors. Some of them, she took some time to digest, and tried to defend her profession. ANyway, I just wanted to drill into her head about respecting patients, eventhough the patient is "isgnorant". The "ignorant" patients goes though the illness and the disease, and their experience deserve to be respected. As a doctor, you improve their life, what is important to them, and not what is important to you.

I am really drowsy now.
just hope that my message got through. Really hope that my cousin will be an angel of a doctor. She has a great heart. My only worry is she fails to understand patients. I just hope she would.

tired

tired. #

hand hurts.

hand as stucked in a Tube trap.

staff was in no hurry to help.

more pain now. bruised

more complains when less painful.

Tools for a neat little diagnosis: Are we getting that soon?

Almost every month or so, we will encounter a "new disease" or new "syndrome". Imagine you are a GP, harried and tired after hours of work.

In an attempt to simplify the process of diagnosis, researchers have attempted to come up with solutions, ie what questions can the GPs ask in order to diagnose?

Giving the GP a list of questions to ask, and telling him/her that if the patient answers "yes" to a certain number of questions, you can "diagnose" the patient of having a certain disease is very "helpful" to the GP!! That is a great "tool", isnt it? Cool!!!

You go to the doctor's office, the doctor ask you some questions, and then show you a chart;

Doc: Hey you have answers yes to x out of y questions, you most likely have disease Z.

With the huge logos of dissease Z's association, it looks and sounds authoritative.

Patient: Urgh, I have Disease Z?

Doc: Don't worry, they have a new drug which works very well for Disease Z. Why don't you give it a try?

Patient: OK! (relieved that there is name to some symptoms that he/she has been experiencing, and even more relieved that you could now pop pills to "cure" it!)

Errr, did I tell you who sponsored the research of such a tool? And did I tell you when they will sponsor the invention of such a tool?

Yes, despite your fogged out brains, you guess it correctly!

"They" will sponsor the research of these neat little "tools", or "questionnaires", when there is a "promising" compound in the pipeline.

Improving diagnosis methods ---->>>Increase RATE of diagnosis---->>>> Increase number of PATIENTS--->>>Increase number of drugs presribe-->>>Increase sales --->>> Increased Profits!!!

Well, we fibromites can only get jealous with those RLS people, cos they have a drug "successfully" developed for it, and get all these associated benefits. Till the, just hang on, and think of the even more unfortunate millions who die of malaria every year.

FYI: Malaria is a poor man's disease, and there is "no cure". Why no cure??? Well, you know the answer. They have no money to buy the "cure", even if there is one. So, how much funding are the drug companies dedicating to this area of research? WE fibromites have it better, cos most of us have "governments" who are rich enough to pay for a "cure", and they will start paying once they get sick of the "sick benefits".

Alexander Technique lessons, what if you can't afford?

I think Alexander Technique has helped my fibromyalgia.
And I really hope others will get a go at it. However, lessons are so expensive, and you need quite a number of lessons before correcting yourself properly!

Is it possible to not go for lessons and learn from videos or books?
I think that would be tough, expecially for those muscles and positions that are really bad. I think it is helpful to have someone guide you.

But what if, like many of us,(me included) we are jobless and broke?
We got to start somewhere. Even if we go for lessons, probably we need to learn "fast", as we dont have that kind of money to go for 20 sessions or 40 sessions!

What would help the student to learn Alexander Technique??
I think reading the relevant books help. While arranging a stack of books in the charity shop I am volunteering, I came across and old copy of "The Alexander Principle " by Wilfred Barlow. (Amazon Link)



It has words, words and more words, but I still bought it.

Last few nights, I began to really read it, and started to link what I am taught during lessons and the principles behind it.

Wilfred Barlow is a medical doctor by training, (and from Oxford !!!), so don't expect glossy, "reader friendly" stuff. The approach to this book is a little clinical, ie dry. I could barely go through more than 10 pages at a go(that is for someone who gobble up whole novels at one sitting). It reminds me abit of my student days, mugging my anatomy and physiology books. But somehow, I went on reading it, because it the examples and information is so relevant!!!

The charts and diagrams in the book points out obviously the difference between correct use, and misuse of the body. I also like illustrations on the problems with diagrams of the relevant muscles, as it helps me to visualise acurately which muscle had gone wrong and pay attention to it.

I suggest people reading it before starting lessons, as you will learn more quickly that way. Lessons are not cheap if you need to pay. Or just read it to find out if we are really misusing or bodies. Get someone to take your photos and compare with what you see in the books. May be that is a cheaper way to get something off, before proceeding to lessons.


P/S: Try to get from your local library- My local library has a copy. Or check out Amazon. If you are buying from Amazon, please do consider clicking my link above, as I will get a 5% commission from it, which would help me pay the bills. Thanks!

Related posts:
Make sure the Bra fits!
Alexander Technique-new hope for my fibromyalgia
Alexander technique- feeling benefits after one lesson?
Alexander Technique-second lesson
My limpy fibro progress-My 3rd Alexander Technique lesson

Technorati Tags:
Alexander technique;Coping strategies ; chronic pain; fibromyalgia; chronic fatigue

What works for my FIBROMYALGIA.. so far?

Things that make me feel good?
1) Avoid beef and red meat like hell
2)MASSAGE, especially Tui Na or acupressure
3)Alexander Technique lessons and "practice" at home
4)Stretching!
5) SLEEP
6) Take lots of fish and omega 3 oils, antioxidants when it flares
7) Ginseng and Gingko (for my brain fogs and speech slurs)
8) Muscle rubs-esp Tiger Muscle rub or Tiger Balm (Got to ask around to get it, or get someone to buy back boxed when they go to Asian countries!)
9) Hot bath! (with Lavender essential oil)
10) NSAIDS...

Amitriptyline ease a lot of the pains, but I am so fatigued and knock out by it that I will end up able to do nothing but sleeping. I try to stay away from it.

Technorati Tags:
chronic pain; fibromyalgia; chronic fatigue

Alexander Technique- 10th lesson done!

I have finished the 10th Alexander Technique lesson. 2 more lessons to go, before I have to start paying, if I want to continue.

Last lesson, I was taught to concentrate on my breathing when lying down to release the muscle tensions. It was a little like meditation, the teacher said, and not exactly AT. That seems to help... but I can't seem to do it on my own at home! I guess I am the impatient type, always thinking of something else to do. But this is also the issue that I need to keep in check, as I think this sort of attitude will just exacerbate my fibro!

Suprise, suprise, I found myself able to hold myself better in the position that is halfway between sitting and standing. We are supposed to do that, is PAUSE while doing something to check ourselves and allow a chance for all the MISuse and bad habits to undo. This time, I found myself less shaky (despite a mild, ongoing flare!), my knees a lot less painful! I think I am beginning to use the correct muscles!

I think since starting the lessons, I am less tired afters activities like shopping, standing for a long time etc. Before that an hour or two of standing/walking will produce muscle cramps and I would be so fatigued, yet not able to sleep well at night because of the pain.

I have started reading a book for Alexander Technique, I think it helps me to understand and learn faster. I will write more about it another day. I guess it is pre-lunch time now, and I am so so tired. Keep on typing tried tried tried for tired. welll.. that is a sign of snooze time.

Some other Related posts:
Make sure the Bra fits!(THE "lesson" from my 4th lesson)
Alexander Technique-new HOPE for my fibromyalgia
Alexander technique- feeling benefits after one lesson?
Alexander Technique-2nd lesson
My limpy fibro progress-My 3rd Alexander Technique lesson

Technorati Tags:
Coping strategies ; alexander technique; chronic pain; fibromyalgia; chronic fatigue

Tools for a neat little diagnosis: Are we getting that soon?

Almost every month or so, we will encounter a "new disease" or new "syndrome". Imagine you are a GP, harried and tired after hours of work.

In an attempt to simplify the process of diagnosis, researchers have attempted to come up with solutions, ie what questions can the GPs ask in order to diagnose?

Giving the GP a list of questions to ask, and telling him/her that if the patient answers "yes" to a certain number of questions, you can "diagnose" the patient of having a certain disease is very "helpful" to the GP!! That is a great "tool", isnt it? Cool!!!

You go to the doctor's office, the doctor ask you some questions, and then show you a chart;

Doc: Hey you have answers yes to x out of y questions, you most likely have disease Z.

With the huge logos of dissease Z's association, it looks and sounds authoritative.

Patient: Urgh, I have Disease Z?

Doc: Don't worry, they have a new drug which works very well for Disease Z. Why don't you give it a try?

Patient: OK! (relieved that there is name to some symptoms that he/she has been experiencing, and even more relieved that you could now pop pills to "cure" it!)

Errr, did I tell you who sponsored the research of such a tool? And did I tell you when they will sponsor the invention of such a tool?

Yes, despite your fogged out brains, you guess it correctly!

"They" will sponsor the research of these neat little "tools", or "questionnaires", when there is a "promising" compound in the pipeline.

Improving diagnosis methods ---->>>Increase RATE of diagnosis---->>>> Increase number of PATIENTS--->>>Increase number of drugs presribe-->>>Increase sales --->>> Increased Profits!!!

Well, we fibromites can only get jealous with those RLS people, cos they have a drug "successfully" developed for it, and get all these associated benefits. Till the, just hang on, and think of the even more unfortunate millions who die of malaria every year.

FYI: Malaria is a poor man's disease, and there is "no cure". Why no cure??? Well, you know the answer. They have no money to buy the "cure", even if there is one. So, how much funding are the drug companies dedicating to this area of research? WE fibromites have it better, cos most of us have "governments" who are rich enough to pay for a "cure", and they will start paying once they get sick of the "sick benefits".

The danger of misdiagnosis : A Single Question can diagnose Restless Leg Syndome ??

A single question to diagnose a condition? Wow, that is magical!!!

'The question, developed by the International RLS Study Group on the basis of standard diagnostic criteria, is:

"When you try to relax in the evening or sleep at night, do you ever have unpleasant, restless feelings in your legs that can be relieved by walking or movement?" '

"Unpleasant, restless": these words are so subjective, and its interpretation would vary across cultures. The Italians seems to have better acuracy in diagnosing it.

Are there any single questions to diagnose the PAIN, FATIGUE, fogginess that we experience?
Nope.

No easy diagnosis, no easy prescribing, bad market for drugs.

Bad market for drugs, less money to develop drug, no funding to improve diagnosis methods.

Till then , we got to count on ourselves.

Original article at:
SLEEP: Single Question Aids Restless Leg Diagnosis - CME Teaching Brief - MedPage Today: "International RLS Study Group"

Just what is needed to stay off chocholates! Salmonella!

Cadbury: 53 suspicious cases - Sunday Times - Times Online

They knew it was contaminated in January and now it is July!!!

Ewwww.. I took 2 of the Easter Eggs which is supposed to be withdrawn.

Did I have a diarrhoea? I might had, and might had just put it to another episode of IBS.

I lose my chocholate cravings!!!

However, microbiological experts and official agencies said high levels of fat and sugar in chocolate made it an ideal vehicle for preserving salmonella and carrying it into the intestine. This meant that serious illness could be caused by what appeared to be mere trace levels of the bacterium.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA), the government’s watchdog, said: “Salmonella is unacceptable at any level and we would have expected Cadbury to have notified us far earlier than they did on finding this bacterium in their products.”

The contamination was first detected in January in chocolate at the company’s Marlbrook plant in Herefordshire. The plant produces nearly 100,000 tonnes of chocolate crumb a year, which is sent to other factories to be mixed with cocoa butter and made into chocolate products.

My own FIBRO-FOG T shirts and stickers!

I "opened shop" in Cafepress, cos I thought I need a T-shirt that says "ME!!"

I am fed up with warning my husband that I have a foggy day, and so don't bug me about where is the book, where is the toilet paper, where are the stamps, what happened to that bag of spagetti (not possible that I was foggy enough to eat it and then forgot about it?).

I decide to do a T-SHIRT and a stickers that basically tell him to get lost, dont ask me questions. I am foggy. Period.

If I have a car, I would stick in on my bumper... it is a foggy day, dont say I did not warn you!

I got this done from Cafepress. Quite cool.

If doctors are murdered, you know why......

I went to see the GP that day, running out of medicines, and hoping to get prescriptions for those heating rubs, and NSAID gels, and also something to help with my pain/cramps that got worse during the past few days because of my RA flare.

I told the locum doc I needed something to tie me over the post RA flare period, as the pain and cramps are very disruptive. I already have Alexander Technique lessons which seemed to help, but when the flare is there, everything cramp up.

The doctor (not my regular one) insisted that I go for acupunture, when what I asked for were:

• Celebrex or naproxen (which seems to give me less stomach irritation if celebrex is unavailable)
  
• NSAID gel - which I use when flares are better, it enables me to stop oral NSAID sooner
  
• heating rubs- great to kick start those stiff joints in the mornings
• Another medicine for those neuropathy like pains and cramps, as amitryptiline works, but the side effects was too much for me

He did not give me anything that I requested. Reasons?

1. Diclofenac is shown to be milder than naproxen on the stomach. I would be fine with EC diclofenac. (Yeah, studies show slight advantages, but then again, studies also show that sensitivity is quite an individual thing. EC gives you some marginal protection of stomach irritation, that is all! EC diclofenac is fine, but why insist on changing my prescription when I say it works best for me??? I have been using NSAIDS for more than 10 years!)
2. "Some rheumatologists" have told him that NSAID gels will make stomach symptoms worse when taken with NSAIDS. (stupid guy, I use it to cut down NSAIDs use, when the symptoms are subsiding and the gel is enough to stop one joint or two from giving me problems. Overall, used in the right way, I cut down stomach problems!)
3. Most heating gels contain salicylates (fine, that is true, but it works damn well in the cold mornings!! So, what is the GREAT danger? Stomach problems again?)
4. If amytriptiline does not work for me, nothing does. No point trying other stuff, go for acupunture. (That was plain bull shit!!! I corrected him that it did work, but the side effects were too much! He could have try starting me on others like neurontin, prebagalin or even other medicines from the amytriptiline's class!!)
   

Despite my pleas that I had try acupunture before, and did not find great benefit, acupunture will take a few session to fully work, and I got to queue for a date to see the acupunturist (which will take more than 1 month, at least!!!), I did not get what I needed.

Guess what he gave me?

1. Diclofenac EC: That was fine, I need an NSAID anyway, but I also need other stuff!!!!
2. Menthol gel 2%-Deep Freeze!!
3. Advise to see an acupunturist.
   

I was just too tired that day to argue with him. I felt like yelling at him

"My joints are already *stiff and frozenP, I dont need DEEP FREEZE!!!"

When I got home, I decided to try the Deep Freeze, anyway, since this very self-confident doc insisted it is good for me. It did not work for me!!!! I need heating rubs, heat pads! That works!

And the acupunture? I got to wait. They will get back to me again.

Meanwhile, I got to go to the pharmacy, and buy my own DEEP HEAT.&*&@$"&^ I am already damn broke, and trying to raise money for my PhD examination fees!

Heat, my dear doc, not FREEZE.

What happens to the deep freeze gel? It is nice to apply after shaving (great for hubby).

And my cramps? I just got to bear with it, and visit again when my regular doc comes back.

Could doctors please listen to patients?

Well, I guess he is not that bad, that young doctor has been following the news (about acupunture), and try to practise "evidence based medicine, EBM".

But if evidence is different from what an INDIVIDUAL patient experiences, which should be prioritized?

And remember evidence based medicine is based on statistics, which shows what works for most people, and what is most likely to work , not what works for everyone!!

Anyway, that Mayo clinic study about acupunture which could had influence his decisions had a sample size of 50 patients. My treatment should not be dictated by the fate of the twenty something patients given acupunture for a few weeks. (what happens to them after that???)

Get it??? If you still don't get it, it is fine. I can give you a talk about evidence based medicine. I still have some old slides, from the good old days where I used to work, and gave these talks.

Read the full paper, doc, not just the headlines.

If you want to read more about how we struggle with the docs and the medical system, look at LINZ's scary experience

Technorati Tags:
Medical; Patients; ; chronic pain; fibromyalgia; chronic fatigue
rants

Acupuncture shows promise for fibromyalgia ??

...or so the study in Mayo clinic shows...CNN reported ( Acupuncture shows promise for fibromyalgia - Jun 16, 2006)

Overall, the fibromyalgia patients who underwent the real treatment showed a significantly greater improvement in their symptoms than placebo recipients did -- particularly when it came to fatigue and anxiety, Dr. David P. Martin and his colleagues report in the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings.

It seems Fatigue and anxiety responds best to the treatment.

Fifty fibromyalgia patients were randomly assigned to acupuncture or to a "placebo" version of the therapy, where a dull surgical instrument was pressed against the skin rather than acupuncture needles.

The subjects were positioned so they could not see which treatment they received. All but one subject was female.

The patients underwent six treatment sessions over two to three weeks. None of the patients had been treated with acupuncture before.

Well, that is a sexy treatment, isnt it? Six treatment, over two to three weeks. Having tried acupunture before for my IBS, I know it works!!! The question is how long will the effect last???

Was these news articles the cause of my unhappy visit to the GP?

Technorati Tags:
Medical; Patients; ; chronic pain; fibromyalgia
; acupunture

Cherry Juice May Cut Muscle Pain

Cherry Juice May Cut Muscle Pain!

or so a report says in the British Journal of Sports medicine.

Before you run down to the health food store and part with those precious pennies, note that it was done in only 14 students, and the authors owns a share of the companies which produce the juice.

Meanwhile, pop more of those TART cherries!!

Technorati Tags:
Nutrition; Coping strategies ; chronic pain; fibromyalgia; chronic fatigue

SHAKE IT OFF- Learn from that Donkey!

This is just one of the hundred of "forwarded" emails I have received. I got it in 2003, and it is still in my Inbox, reminding me that I should be better than a donkey.

Here it goes.........

One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally he decided the animal was old and the well needed to be covered up anyway, it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey. He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well.

At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement, he quieted down. A few shovel loads later,the farmer finally looked down the well and was astonished at what he saw.

With every shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up. As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and trotted off!

Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a stepping stone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up!

Life's too short to moan over the + DIRT +!! SHAKE IT OFF!!

Technorati Tags:
Motivation; Coping strategies ; chronic pain; fibromyalgia; chronic fatigue

MY LOVELY BONES

Decide to show the world my lovely photos of The LOVELY BONES.


Nah, this is not linked to the Lovely Bones by Sebold.

These are MY LOVELY BONES!

Not only they are lovely, they are MUSICAL and they can CRACK UP any tense moments with their beautiful, and moving crackling sounds. And yeah, it is always impromptu, no stage frights whatsoever. They crack anytime! And they are "chubby", cute and always warm! If you press them with a thumb, they will change colour from pinkish to whitish and then to pinkish again! Magical, isnt it?



Hey medical students and those dumbs docs, this is a swollen hand, and swollen feet, ok??Notice the flesh coming out from the sides. It is NOT because I am fat. Stop sniggering. NOtice the smooth surfaces and touch/press with those fingers of yours! It is warm!




Oh, did I mention that most doctors will not even touch those fingers before saying "it looks alright"????

My darned 2 toes! 6th and 7th Alexander technique lessons

The past few days, my husband had been complaining that I use him as a bolster! Hahaha!!!! My legs have been clinging on to him, (argh, not that type) It is just that RA flares again, and it is not comfortable to sleep!!!! Somehow, my legs must have found out that if I raise my legs, it will be more comfy/less painful or swollen, and rested on him! My toes in particular, must have taken a liking to him.

Alright, I know that I should not be complaining. It is just two toes (that are obvious)!

This time, my fingers are swollen, but not too bad, can still type after NSAIDS. But my first toe(s) [ok, I should be grateful that it is not both big toes, that would be real hell] annoys me like hell.

When I walk, I got to be careful not to put too much pressure on it, and not to kick into stuff around the house. When I go out, I will look or for potential "toe steppers". And when I sleep, I will stick my feet out of the comforter (cos the weight make my toes uncomfortable), and I guess that is how they found their way to my hubby!

I did my 6th and 7th Alexander Technique lesson, and it was just too difficult to "release" and follow instructions when my muscles all tensing up to support my joints. Those two toes in particular, always refuse to touch the floor, and help me to stand/sit properly!


Technorati Tags:
Alexander technique;Coping strategies ; chronic pain; fibromyalgia; chronic fatigue

Fog proof eating: Caramelised bananas!

There is so much talk in the FMS/CFS boards about bananas!

Here are some reasons why this fruit is a favourite:

• Provide energy!
• High potassium and magnesium content
• Easy to chew (for those too painful to eat times)
  
• Easily digested (when IBS join my FMS and RA party)
  
• Many ways to eat, and all of them easy

I have been happily feeding myself bananas this week, and when I crave a sweet snack, I cook it! Cooking it makes it much sweeter, without adding the calories. These caramelised bananas taste yummy on pancakes/crepes, and when stored in the fridge, a nice cold dessert!

1. Peel 1-2 bananas (those really ripe ones are the best!)
2. Cut into ½ inch thick pieces
3. Coat a non-stick pan with a thin layer of oil/butter (use a kitchen towel to wipe off extras)
4. Dump bananas into the pan (use medium fire)
5. *Turn bananas after 1-2 minutes, when you see brown coloured caramel coming out
6. *Cook for further 1-2 minutes.
7. Add a pinch of cinnamon powder, and a dash of vanilla essence (optional!

*sprinkle some water if pan gets too hot!

I am too lazy to wash pans, so I will just add some water and detergent to the pan when it is still hot, and leave it cooking for a while on the stove. By the time i finish eating my bananas, the pan just need a gentle wipe with a sponge, to remove anything that sticks there, and then rinse off!! I then dump everything into the oven (see Energy saving tricks- drying the dishes)!Technorati Tags:

recipes;coping strategies; diet; ; chronic pain; fibromyalgia; chronic fatigue; Practical tips;

How to find strength to go to work? With the help of a song, perhaps.

I Have Confidence, sung by good old Maria in the Alps, on her way to the first day of work.

I used to listen to this too, blasting in in my MP3 player, while I was in the train, while I was walking to the office. The song gave me strength!

I Have Confidence
What will this day be like? I wonder.
What will my future be? I wonder.
It could be so exciting to be out in the world, to be free
My heart should be wildly rejoicing
Oh, what's the matter with me?

I've always longed for adventure
To do the things I've never dared
And here I'm facing adventure
Then why am I so scared

A captain with seven children
What's so fearsome about that?

Oh, I must stop these doubts, all these worries
If I don't I just know I'll turn back
I must dream of the things I am seeking
I am seeking the courage I lack

The courage to serve them with reliance
Face my mistakes without defiance
Show them I'm worthy
And while I show them
I'll show me

So, let them bring on all their problems
I'll do better than my best
I have confidence they'll put me to the test
But I'll make them see I have confidence in me

Somehow I will impress them
I will be firm but kind
And all those children (Heaven bless them!)
They will look up to me

And mind me with each step I am more certain
Everything will turn out fine
I have confidence the world can all be mine
They'll have to agree I have confidence in me

I have confidence in sunshine
I have confidence in rain
I have confidence that spring will come again
Besides which you see I have confidence in me

Strength doesn't lie in numbers
Strength doesn't lie in wealth
Strength lies in nights of peaceful slumbers
When you wake up -- Wake Up!

It tells me all I trust I lead my heart to
All I trust becomes my own
I have confidence in confidence alone
(Oh help!)

I have confidence in confidence alone
Besides which you see I have confidence in me!

These lyrics mean a lot to me, especially those highlighted lines, those lyrics in blue would be playing in my head, while I dragged myself out of bed

I used to listen to this song before presentations and "grillings" in school or work. I no longer have the confidence that the "world will all be mine" have the "strength that lies innights of peaceful slumber", but I have confidence that "spring" will come again.

Technorati Tags:
coping strategies; chronic pain; fibromyalgia; chronic fatigue; Practical tips;

Dark Soy Sauce Healthier Than Red Wine

Dark Soy Sauce Healthier Than Red Wine!

Scientists found that the sauce—derived from fermented soybeans—contains antioxidant properties about 10 times more effective than red wine and 150 times more potent than vitamin C..

Ages ago when old wives tales stopped anyone with a wound to take soy sauce (the belief was it would colour the scar formed black), I chose to take mine!

That defiance seems to pay off. I have no chicken pox scars. They scars healed so quickly. Now we know why.

Time to grab that bottle of humble soy sauce and more excuses for chinese take aways!

Words can kill......

Hubby: Why are you suddenly tired again?

Me: Because I think I am coming up with another flare

H :Again?

Me: Yeah

H: Can’t you just go out with me and book the tickets? It is very troublesome to do it for you? Why cant you do it yourself?

Me: I am too tired to get out! If I get out today, tomorrow I will be in bed the whole day, or even worse, I will be in bed for many days!

H: You are always like that. Can’t you just do this?

Me: (silent, no energy to reply)

These kinds of conversations irked me. Makes me sad, and always drive me into depression, and make me lose confidence of ever able to hold a job again. It devastated me!

He is my beloved husband, he sees me everyday, and yet he thinks that my fatigue is a matter of weather I can pull myself together and go out for a few hours.

Can’t he understand that I can’t means I can’t??

It is NOT ABLE to do something, not that I DON'T WANT to do something

If it is the kind of tiredness that I can summon my wills and pull through, it wouldn’t be an illness to me anymore.

If he can’t understand this, how can I expect others to understand? How can I cope with going back to work?

Doesn't he realise by now these type of conversations always drive me to depression?

Technorati Tags:
coping strategies; chronic pain; fibromyalgia; chronic fatigue; depression

Dear Old Prof

The din of the coffee break is not there anymore,

The delegates disappeared

Back to that lecture or conference, whatever

To listen to the latest

Opinions, findings, results

And debate about it

And this old man,

Hair all grey

Spidery veins crawling on his delicate hands

That pair of hands

That pair of hands, That must have

Written many a great scholarly papers,

Corrected many rubbish-ish or distinguished papers

Scrawled many blackboards

In this well known centre

Oh, did I tell you, his photo seems to be on the wall?

Great achievements of so and so

Great contribution of so and so

Professors spoke to him in a revered manner

During that coffee break

But now the break is over,

Prof is here alone

Dozing off

His hand delicately hanging on to that walking stick

I felt like asking him

“Prof, which came first?

Age or illness?”

I hope that age came first

For illness before age,

Is like vomiting before you eat

After which, food is tasteless

Or you don’t even get to eat.

IN: Intermittent explosive disorder OUT: flacid penises

Another new disease is coming to town! Look at what is said about "bad tempers" these days. Oh yeah, bad temper is now know as "Intermittent explosive disorder".

Take a look at it, lots of us seems to fit in, and it is time for another pill!

Road rage. Domestic abuse. Angry outbursts or temper tantrums that involve throwing or breaking objects. Sometimes such erratic eruptions can be caused by a condition known as intermittent explosive disorder.

Intermittent explosive disorder (IED) is characterized by repeated episodes of aggressive, violent behavior that are grossly out of proportion to the situation. And, according to a June 2006 study funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, intermittent explosive disorder is more common than once thought. Intermittent explosive disorder occurs most often in young men and may affect as many as 7.3 percent of adults in the United States.

If you jump on to the "treatment" section of the articles, you will see that if you have bad tempers, it is time for another pill, another "mood regulating" pill!

Now I see where the growth in the pharma industry is coming from: road rages. Flacid penises are so out of date!

What a wonderful (bad) day

I sleep badly, woke up a few times in the night to grab a snack because of that grumbling stomach, thanks to those NSAIDS.

I did not feel like eating, but still ate some sausages and some oatmeal, as I have to do my volunteer work later. I have been given an important task today, which made me feel so happy, and responsible again. At the same time, I am afraid the flare will go out of hand, spoiling everything!

Before I even finished washing my plate, I ran to the toilet, puked!

That was a great, uncontrollable puke. GROSS. The water from the toilet bowl hit my face, as the contents of my stomach went it, projectile motion style.

My basic physiology lessons taught me that this got to be poisoning or some neural mediated vomiting, the dramatic projectile vomiting.

So now the big question is, should I step out of the door? I still feel like puking. Will my vomit hit one of those nice cars on the street?

Technorati Tags:
coping strategies; chronic pain; fibromyalgia; chronic fatigue; arthritis;

Fibro and RA is in town!

Yeah, fibro and RA is in town.

Oh, what an upheaval it creates.

Appointments need to be cancelled, rearranged.

Plans need to change.

Menus got to change.

And thank goodness, I am not working, otherwise, I will have to get sick leave!

The weather is not hot today, thank goodness, but my body is on fire with teh inflammation cocktail.

And humans are weird, aren't we?

Despite the pain, I wanted to blog. It take a lot of self love to force yourself to rest, in the name of self preservation, in the midst of being called crazy, lazy .. whatever.



Technorati Tags:
coping strategies; chronic pain; fibromyalgia; chronic fatigue; Practical tips;

Words can kill.

Hubby: Why are you suddenly tired again?

Me: Because I think I am coming up with another flare

H :Again?

Me: Yeah

H: Can’t you just go out with me and book the tickets? It is very troublesome to do it for you? Why cant you do it yourself?

Me: I am too tired to get out! If I get out today, tomorrow I will be in bed the whole day, or even worse, I will be in bed for many days!

H: You are always like that. Can’t you just do this?

Me: (silent, no energy to reply)

These kinds of conversations irked me. Makes me sad, and always drive me to depression, and lose confidence of ever able to hold a job again. It devastated me!

He is my beloved husband, he sees me everyday, and yet he thinks that my fatigue is a matter of I can pull myself together and got out for a few hours.

Can’t he understand that I can’t means I can’t??

If it is the kind of tiredness that I can summon my wills and pull through, it wouldn’t be an illness to me anymore.

If he can’t understand this, how can I expect others to understand? How can I cope with going back to work?

Doesnt he realise by now these type of conversations always drive me to depression?

Fibro is winning at the moment!

The beauty of fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis is just when you think you gain the upper hand, the diseases rear its head again.

• Was it the small piece of beef in the bite of Subway sandwich I took?
• Was it the stress of finishing the thesis and looking for a job?
• Was it the heat of a summer afternoon?
• Did I take a walk that was too long?
  

Whatever it was, it resulted in me feeling fatigued, aching all over, warm and not able to focus on anything. I just feel like on the verge of a big fever/flu.

And the frustration of all these? My husband still can’t see why I am so fatigued! He thinks that it is the usual Sunday morning feeling of not wanting to get out of bed. The truth is I am desperate to get up and get things done!

Technorati Tags:
coping strategies; chronic pain; fibromyalgia; chronic fatigue; arthritis;

Make sure the BRA fits!

After my 4th Alexander Technique lesson, I noticed how strain my neck and upper back muscles were always are. I had always thought the culprit was my laptop. However, in these lessons, you have the luxury to stand for 15 minutes or so, thinking and doing nothing except being aware of your body. I begin to suspect my breasts might be a problem, as the strain was still there while I was standing, and the "heaviness" was there.

By then I learned to be quite "aware" of my body positions, and always felt a certain tightness around my neck, no matter how I "release" it! I am a little too embarassed to ask the AT teacher about my "assets", but decided to check out some new bras, since the bras I have are more than 1-year-old, at least.

I decided to get a new bra, and get a proper fitiing!!

Fitting my bra was tough.

Most women have asymmetrical breasts, and recent studies have pointed out that the more asymetrical your breasts are, the higher risk you have of getting breast cancer!!

Mine was REALLY asymetric! I have only used a professional bra-fitter once; for my wedding dress, and was very embrassed about it. But this time, I knew I needed help!

To my suprise, thanks to the weight gain, I am not a 38D! WOW! I thought! 38D is just what you need to get more backaches and neck aches!

Having to stare at myself at the mirror for 1/2 hour and having problems with bras fitting both breasts properly made me realised that my right breast is much smaller than the left one, and guess what;

My right arm is always in a more " forward" position than the left one, and impinging/indenting/whatever on my right breast.

In other words, maybe my right breast did not have as much space to "grow" as the left one! My shoulders were not "open" enough!

Lots of women may have that problem, the arms, the asymmetry. These could have been aggravated as we pile on more weight after getting these niceties like rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia. Maybe, part of fibromyalgia treatment should include a bra-fitting session!

Related posts:
Alexander technique, a new hope for my fibromyalgia
Alexander Technique- feeling benefits after one lesson?
Alexander Technique-second lesson
Make sure the Bra fits!
Alexander Technique;4th and 5th lesson


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alexander technique; chronic pain; fibromyalgia; chronic fatigue

Stretching really seems to help with my fibromyalgia!!!

Sometime ago, I started my own “STRETCHING program”. (Stretching works for my fibromyalgia, I think....)

Since then I have been stretching, stretching and stretching whenever I can.

The results?

Combined with Alexander technique, I have not needed any massage so far! More than one month had passed without it.

Other noticeable benefits:

Less lumpy knots on my thighs, hands, calves and shoulders

Less waking up a night with pain!

As the result of waking up less, I sleep better and feel more energetic!

Bigger ranger of movements. I can stretch over a longer period, and push myself more before the pains starts.

I am very happy with these improvements, and just hope that I could do something similar for the knots on my abdomens- lots of them!! Unless you are a fibromite, it is difficult for you to imagine taut muscular bands on your tummy which are so hard and painful that I went for scans to ensure that those are not something more nasty like tumours.

Related post;

I found a good fibromyalgia book (finally!)

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fibromyalgia, fibromyalgia treatment, Chronic illness , chronic pain