Pentimento

No Rocks, No Rolling, No Dizzy Strolling

Well, today was the big day. I went to rehab (no, I didn't see Charlie Sheen) to get my Epley Maneuver done. As luck would have it, nothing showed up to verifty that I have rocks in my head ears.  Coleen had me sit on the table.  I focused my eyes on the walls, on the end of a bell, and my thumb. Nothing.  Just last week, in the same therapy center I was dizzy as all get out after laying on the table to get some stretching done on my neck and shoulders.

So, as it stands now the therapist I saw today is "on alert" for if I should have another room spinning event. It's good to know my therapists genuinely care about me at least. I go back for other stretching and followup with my physical therapist on the 15th of this month. From what all the therapists and I can determine, I have (perhaps) an inner ear problem, but also the calcium crystals in my ears. I hope I can get something resolved before July when I have to fly to Minnesota.

What I also discovered today is that I'm not able to stand on one leg at a time. And, my range of motion for my neck is less to the left than to the right. I can, however, nod my head up and down and back and forth. So far, I can still walk and chew gum too. I'm awesome!

Facebook's No More Fibromyalgia Group Tells It Like It Is

A short time ago I joined the No More Fibromyalgia Group on Facebook and I have to say I've found more answers and explanations each day from the group than anything I've read or been told by a doctor in the years since my diagnosis. For instance: "Fibro Facts: People with fibro tend, many times, to be hypersensitive to smell, taste and other sensations. If this is the case with you, ask those around you not to wear perfume, or to keep the music soft and low. This is very very common."

This is just one of the many difficulties I deal with on a daily basis. It's like I'm 'blessed' with these superpowers that no one would really want. My husband just thinks I'm being 'bitchy' when I ask to have the TV turned down. When we ride in the car I have to put the air flow on recycle if we follow a stinky vehicle.

Here's another one that they listed recently: "Fibro Tip: People with Fibro are often depressed. This is not because of the illness but because of the secretion of too much adrenalin leading to something called Adrenal Syndrome. Interference with receptors in the brain. Therefore mention Adrenal Syndrome to your Doc the next time he/she says you are depressed due to having Fibromyalgia. It's chemically induced, not psychological." 

For the last four weeks I've been going to physical therapy for an associated problem, and found out that some of the neck and shoulder pain I've been having are related to the pain from fibro also. Last Friday, when I was getting ready to go to an appointment all of a sudden I had a muscle flare up in those two areas and I thought I was going to have to 'live with it' all day. I explained to the therapist how quick the pain onset was and that I had also been having a problem with vertigo. She did some range of motion stretches for me that day, and I was amazed that by the end of the one hour appointment the pain was almost gone! As for the vertigo, tomorrow I and going to have a treatment called the Epley Maneuver. Wish me luck!

Welcome To Fibro Talk @Gather

You might be newly diagnosed with fibromyalgia and really just need to talk about it. Or, like so many, you have the symptoms but you aren't sure of the cause. Either way, I invite you to join the free group on Gather - Fibromyalgia: When you just need to talk about it.

 All I ask (as the group owner) is that you stay on topic for the most part. That means, don't talk about the flooding where you live, your new pet, or your pet died. Yes, stress from all those things does affect you if you have fibro, but if you are just posting to the group without alluding to a fibro/chronic pain connection you're not contributing or being helpful.

How are you feeling today? Come share your thoughts with us. We do care!

The Catch 22 of Chronic Illness is Clutter

I get emails from Care2 now and then that I just have to respond to because they hit a nerve with me, and some days I only have one left. No, I haven't lost my sense of humor, but I have lost my energy to keep things de-cluttered around here. It's not a sty or anything, but there are piles of things like incoming mail and boxes of files and pictures right here by my desk that really need to be taken care of soon.

This article 3 Ways to Simplify Life with Chronic Illness doesn't really address the real issues in my opinion.

#1 If I had the energy to scurry around each day and keep ahead of that clutter it wouldn't be there, would it?

#2 I can't pay someone to come in and clear the clutter because that's expensive and only something you see on home improvement shows, not in real life. Not my life anyway. I make my extra income writing which is not always that lucrative.

#3 Keeping the clutter cleared away will improve my sense of well being. Hmmm...yeah. I need everyone in the household to contribute to that endeavor. I can clean up after me, but another person...not so much.  That's not to say he doesn't do anything around here, he does things I could never do (yard work, getting up on the roof, etc.) but a certain amount of his own stuff needs to be attended to. Especially as I get older and so does he.

While I agree with the premise of the article, its feasibility is questionable. I've always liked the old House Rules sayings, don't you?

Fibromyalgia Shop Has New Items Available

We have some new items available in the Fibromyalgia Hurts Shop! And, now you can pay with PayPal too!

Would you like to show your support for those of us with fibromyalgia? Come visit my shop and take a look around again. We've just added two new BPA free water bottles in two sizes; a gym bag, beach tote and four stacking coffee cups.

  

For more information and support about Fibromyalgia, please visit

Your support of my shop helps me be more independent and raises awareness for this very painful disease.  All of your purchases are very much appreciated. Thank you!

Fibroduck Fan Fest By Webduck

I recently made a donation to our friend's at Fibroduck, and there is my 'reward' right up there.  See that cute little duck in the daffodils? He's mine now. For the price of postage I got to put him right in the midst of my flowers and take his picture. I have entitled this one, "Daffys and Duck". Catchy, huh?  Fibroduck isn't a for profit organization, nor are they raising any money for charities. What they are doing is raising awareness of fibromyalgia through their campaign.

Why a duck for a mascot? Well, people who have fibromyalgia are different. They used to be able to do so many things, just like other people. Then, fibro struck and they can't function like they want to. Sort of like... ducks out of water. If you would like more information about Fibroduck or fibromyalgia, please visit their site and click on one of the links on their main page.

Clicking the photo above will take you to my picture on the Fibroduck website. I'm posting this of my own free will and I am not a paid sponsor.