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!
Monday, December 25, 2006
Friday, December 22, 2006
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??
And please please let me know if this helps, or you have other methods to improvise on it.
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.
And please please let me know if this helps, or you have other methods to improvise on it.
Monday, December 18, 2006
"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???
Apparently, they thought that people in the UK will not be interested with something from the USA. Is that so???
Friday, December 15, 2006
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
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
Thursday, December 14, 2006
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??
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??
Friday, December 08, 2006
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.
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.
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