happyfibrofamily

Research Opportunity

I just received a letter from Bristol-Meyers Squibb Company, who have developed a new medicine that may help with Rheumatoid Arthritis.  If you suffer from RA and would like to volunteer in the clinical research study, please visit www.myRAstudy.com or call (888) 207-9909.  You must be 18 or older and currently taking methotrexate therapy to qualify.   However, you do not need medical insurance.  If you participate, you can receive free medical care, lab work, research medication and possibly a travel allowance.  I know this study is not directly fibromyalgia related, but feel free to pass the information along.  Rheumatoid arthritis is degenerative and debilitating.  If you know someone who has been diagnosed with RA, make sure they receive proper care.  There are medications that can slow the disease process and allow for improved quality of life.

It’s Game Time

I’ve been tagged by Greenstew.  In the blog world, tagging is similar to chase that the kids play in our schoolyard.  Now I get the opportunity to tag someone else, or in other words, recommend some great blogs to you.  Here are the rules:
1. Link back to the person who tagged you
2. Mention the rules on your blog
3. Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours
4. Tag 6 following bloggers by linking them
5. Leave a comment on each of the tagged blogger’s blogs letting them know they’ve been tagged.

Here are my six quirks.

1.  I collect armadillos.

2.  I scratch the roof of my mouth with my tongue unconsciously.

3.  I can have coherent, complete conversations in my sleep.

4.  I love to eat hard poached eggs.

5.  I’ll use broken devices that barely work, to avoid the hassle of trying to replace it (ie. my laptop).

6.  I name my cars. 

Here are the blogs I am tagging - they’re worth checking out!

Jane 4 Girls

MPS

Chronic Pain

Jen Magazine

Teen Blog

Can’t Find The Words?

Ever feel like you can’t describe the pain and fatigue you feel?  Have trouble pinpointing exactly how you feel?  This article, published by CNN, tells the story of Dana Poole, a 31 year old with fibromyalgia.  It’s a very interesting and validating article, supported by her doctor’s comments. 

With the kids home for summer, it’s been hard sticking to my food goals.  I’ve been slacking a little too much, eating the occasional granola bar and sweet treat, and have noticed a difference in my pain and fatigue level.  It hasn’t been awful, but I was definitely feeling better 3 weeks ago. 

I am going in for acupuncture again next week, and am a little hesitant.  Last time the acupuncture session was fine, but I seemed to have stronger sugar cravings and more stiffness in the days that followed the treatment.  I chalked it up to the release of the toxins that were stored in my tissues.  So I think I’ll drink plenty of water afterwards next time.  I was advised to do this and forgot last time. 

We just came home from a church beach party celebrating Pioneer Day, July 24. That’s the day the Mormon pioneers, led by Brigham Young, arrived in the Salt Lake Valley in 1847.

We, as modern day pioneers enjoyed a feast of fried chicken, various salads, watermelon, rolls, freshly steamed salt-water corn, and s’mores while participating in 3-legged races, ocean play, and watching video clips from our Memorial Day sprint triathlon. A good time was had by all.

When I think about all that the pioneers had to endure, I sometimes wonder about my aches and pains.  Could I have made the 1200 mile journey? 

I spent several hours at the beach and feel a little stiff and achy from being out in the wind and cold.  Would I have been able to continue the journey in spite of the wind, snow, and continuous fatigue? 

These are questions I am glad I don’t have to answer.  Tonight as I think about this, I am grateful that I am a pioneer for fibromyalgia awareness in 2008, rather than a pioneer seeking religious freedom in the 1840s.

A Doctor’s Approach to Pain

My mother-in-law recently gave me a book called Pain Free 123! by Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D.  I haven’t finished reading it, yet, but it has some interesting points.

Dr. Teitelbaum was practicing as a medical resident when he was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, myofascial pain syndrome, and chronic fatigue syndrome. 

The book begins with some basic principles for pain relief: optimal nutrition, 8-9 hours of deep sleep each night, and hormonal balance.  Dr Teitelbaum states that unless these areas are addressed, chronic pain can not go away.  After these three areas are fixed, then environmental toxins and stresses (including infections and abnormal tissue) should be addressed. 

I’ll let you know as I find other useful bits of information, but the book is very easy to read.  It follows a question-answer format that allows for skimming or in-depth study, depending on your specific interest. 

Pet Ownership - A Key to Good Health? 

After doing a little research, I have found some great articles on the connection between good health and pet ownership. No matter your illness or challenges, pets can be beneficial in many ways. Click here and here to find two more articles devoted to this topic. If you are interested in discovering more about the benefits of having a pet when you have fibromyalgia, you must check out this article entitled Fibro and Fido - The Healing Power of Pets. Here are a couple of points stated in the article from Bella Online.

“The presence of a companion animal in the home, particularly a dog, has a beneficial impact on a fibromyalgia patient. Surprisingly, the majority of fibro sufferers do not find owning pets a burden, but rather a method of helping them to keep in touch with the outside world.”

“They claim their pets have a soothing effect when they are anxious, depressed or experiencing pain.”

“Studies show that having a dog can strengthen the heart, improve circulation and slow loss of bone tissue. Dog walking, pet grooming, and even petting can help lower a person’s blood pressure and cholesterol levels and can release mood-altering chemicals into the bloodstream.”

“Walking slowly, or at a quick pace outdoors is also a great way to keep active. Fibromyalgia patients can get very depressed if housebound, and not able to interact with other people. It’s very hard to ignore the world when you have a dog that wants to say “hello” to every passerby.”

Be Prepared - Get Certified

Today was very intense.  While preparing lunch for my children, I heard a heliocopter flying overhead.  Suddenly I realized it was really close - too close - and ran outside to see if there was problem. 

As I ran to see it land outside our friends’ house, I immediately started praying that the husband (who has had heart trouble) was okay.  Yet the men inside the heliocopter were already on the run, passing me as they entered my other neighbor’s house, not where the heliocopter landed.

I watched in shock as multiple emergency vehicles (at least 9) arrived on the scene within minutes and our neighbors’ small toddler was rushed into a nearby ambulance.  One of the officers said, “It’s out!”  and they left for the hospital. 

So, today, I want to give kudos to our local officers who saved this boy’s life.  I also want to remind parents of the need to know CPR and rescue techniques and make sure that your babysitters are trained, as well.  The more the merrier on this type of training, because you never know who is going to be “on the scene”.

Choking is an accident that occurs without notice and it could have just as easily been at my house with one of our children or their friends.  Sometimes it takes an accident like this to remind us all of how precious life is.  Our little friend is doing well, although he did need to stay for observation tonight.  His parents are very grateful to be sitting at his bedside, I’m sure.  They’ll be in my prayers tonight.