happyfibrofamily

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Today is your lucky day!

I have come across a great resource that I’d like to share with you. My friend Tina has a website on chronic pain. As a person who deals with chronic pain in her life, Tina is always looking for ways and methods for improving pain management.

This week she featured a free eBook produced by Sosha Stuckley for the American Pain Foundation called, “Chair Yoga For Good Living” which includes exercises for anybody, even those who are wheel-chair bound. It’s a six week, one hour long course, attempting to teach people to include stress reduction and relaxation into a daily routine. Read her post as it includes more info here, or download the book (in pdf format) directly here.  You can also get a poster showing the exercises here.

Namaste (which is an Indian word meaning literally “I get out to you” and figuratively in yoga, “All that is good in me salutes all that is good in you”).

Why Does Pilates Help?

My Pilates instructor Devra Swiger forwarded me this article on why Pilates can help with fibromyalgia. My personal experience backs up this information. See here to find out how I got started with Pilates.  I’ve been doing Pilates on a weekly basis since December 2007 and have definitely noticed an increase in my energy level and my strength.

What I find most intriguing about Pilates is that it doesn’t hurt.  Don’t misunderstand me, I feel as though my muscles are being stretched and the ensuing “burn” in my muscles.  But I don’t feel pain.  Most of the time when I try other types of exercise, I experience more intense pain during and after the workout, which is a definite deterrent. 

That brings me to another interesting aspect of fibromyalgia. Why is it that I can rearrange the furniture in a room easily, but the effort of picking up and carrying a backpack or climbing the stairs can exhaust me? It doesn’t seem to make sense. You’d think pushing furniture around would be more exhausting.

What inconsistencies have you found with your fibromyalgia?

Eliminating Brain Fog

I ran out of MetroMint (my favorite water of late) today and ended up at my local health food store, Mother’s.  Lucky for me they had several bottles of cherry mint, so I was able to stock up!  I use that water when I feel the need for something sweet and it seems to do the trick.  It has no sugars, artificial sweeteners, or other chemicals.  The ingredients simply read “purified water, mint & cherry essense” but it quenches my thirst and my need for sugar, and helps hydrate my body at the same time.  In the words of Martha Stewart, “It’s a good thing.”

Anyway, while at Mother’s, I picked up a copy of Delicious Living and came across an article called, “How Can I Get Rid Of Brain Fog?” that I thought you might enjoy.  It’s in question-answer format and features viewpoints from a dietitian, a neurologist, and an intergrative cardiologist.  You can read the whole article by clicking the link above or you can read my synopsis.

Basically, the dietitian explains that brain fog occurs from simple sugars which are processed too quickly in the body.  She recommends eating small amounts of protein at every meal and to use as snacks to quell the urge to visit the vending machines.

The neurologist feels that stress is a main contributor to brain fog.  He suggests simplifying, practicing meditation or yoga, 8+ hours of “quality sleep”, and aerobic exercise.  In fact, he explains that there is evidence that supports that 2-3 20 minute walks can improve brain fog in the course of a week.

The integrative cardiologist believes that brain fog stems from a toxic environment.  He recommends eating healthy, organic foods and taking regular supplements (CoQ10 & L-Carnitine, PS, Melatonin, and the old standby, B vitamins).  He suggested that taking 1-10 mg of melatonin at bedtime could result in “enormous improvements”.

So there you have it.  Eat right, exercise, take your vitamins, sleep well and practice yoga and brain fog will be yours no longer.  Good luck!

Are you a “Narc”?

Have you ever been accused of being a “narc“?  I don’t mean the type of “narc” that tattles on people, I mean “narc” as in a narcoleptic?

My roommates in college, husband, and even children have all teased me about having this disorder.  I don’t have it, by the way.  Narcolepsy is when you fall asleep without warning (when you’re supposed to be awake).

It’s similar to me the other night when I suddenly, without warning, fell asleep between chapter one and two of Nancy Drew, the book I was reading to my nine year old daughter.  After trying to wake me up (no chance), she read chapter two aloud to the comatose me, before falling asleep herself.  She’s so adaptable!

I blame my sudden sleep on non-restorative sleep or exhaustion, but some might label it narcolepsy. Luckily for me, I only experience this sudden switch off of consciousness when lying down or when I get really cold (histamine release).  Some people actually live with this disorder on a daily basis.  They aren’t allowed to drive (makes sense) or operate heavy machinery.  Not a good thing.

Did you know that some fibromites have found relief using medications that treat narcolepsy?  The drug is called sodium oxybate and can only be obtained from your doctor, not even from a pharmacy.  It’s a class 3 medication with potentially serious side effects.  I just found it interesting that this was been used to treat fibro. Have you taken it?

Take-Out Dangers

Last night we decided to have take-out for dinner.  I was hungry and didn’t want to cook or clean up.  I ordered my favorite fried rice and Hawaiian tri-tip, thinking I was pretty safe with those choices, in terms of being gluten, dairy and sugar free.  

I was wrong.  I could feel it as soon as I tried to move this morning.  My joints were very stiff and achy.  My shoulders all the way down through my lower back hurt.  I haven’t experienced this in quite a few days and immediately suspected my dinner last night. 

Sure enough, I confirmed with the restaurant that the soy sauce and other marinades contained wheat and/or corn syrup.  Guess I won’t be doing that again any time soon.  It was sure yummy, though.

Summer Days

Summer can be such a nice time of year.

Over the weekend my husband and a friend from church fixed our air conditioning, which is always helpful in improving our outlook on life. Today we sent four of our five girls off to church camp for four days. Therefore, as you might imagine, it has been a cool and relatively quiet day.

We (the daughter still at home and I) planted an herb garden and harvested some of our vegetables that are already producing and shared them with friends. So far we have picked lemon cucumbers and yellow crookneck squash. The tomatillos and peppers are coming along nicely as well. As soon as our tomatoes catch up, it’ll be time for salsa.

I love the convenience of having a garden. I try to plan our meals around what we are growing. Today I came across a very interesting article on obtaining extremely low cost seeds for a garden. Here’s the link. I hope you enjoy it as well.

Interesting Developments

Today was a great day for me as a blogger.  First off, one of my posts was featured in something called a blog carnival.  It is a compilation of various articles about all different health issues, everything from hormones and cancer to pain relief and pregnancy.  You can check it out here to see what I mean.

Secondly, I was asked to feed my blog onto a website called www.healthcare.com. Apparently the content editor had come across my blog and, in her words, “was really impressed by the content.” It feels good to hear that I’m on the right track.

On another note, I have to update you on my progress with regards to my eating.  I am doing really well and not feeling too deprived.  I’ll admit I did take a bite from a chocolate chip ice cream sandwich and eat a small slice of flourless chocolate cake over the weekend, but I was able to consciously make the choices to do so.  As I’ve been following the no wheat (gluten), no dairy, and no sugar recommendations, I have felt better.  In fact, as I type right now, I am actually not feeling any pain in my fingers. Amazing, but true!  Even more amazing to this self-proclaimed sugar/chocolate addict is that I don’t really miss it.  Even the small amount that I enjoyed this weekend did not bring on cravings.  I am actually feeling very “in control” of my eating and not feeling the need to turn to sugar when life gets stressful or I don’t feel good.  My sleep has been better, too.  I’m going to say it again, amazing!

Mind Altering Medication - What Do You Think?

This week a new drug was approved to treat fibromyalgia. It’s called Cymbalta, and it affects the production of serotonin and norepinephrine. Here’s the link.  This drug has also been used to treat nerve pain in diabetics, as well as depression and anxiety disorders. I know that Lyrica, is also used to treat nerve pain in diabetics, marketed as a pain reducer for shingles.

Does anyone else feel that there may be a correlation here?

I have never been diagnosed with shingles, but I have had the chicken pox multiple times and my immunity to immunizations doesn’t always hold. Could the same virus (Varicella Zoster Virus, VZV) that causes shingles and chickenpox be somehow linked to fibromyalgia? Anyone have any additional insight on this? I’ll have to see if any research is being done on those possibilities.

I’ve mentioned before that I do not feel comfortable taking many medications. It worries me that the medications that are being designed to treat fibromyalgia seem to target serotonin, norepinephrine, and other neurotransmitters. I grew up watching the commercials of “This is drugs” and “This is your brain on drugs” and am leery of any medication that messes with my brain.

At one time, I tried Ultram for 3 days and had major pain relief, but felt so anxious and disconnected that I have no interest in trying any more of those types of medications. I’d rather be in pain and feel in control, than pain free and out of touch. I’m a Mom - that alone can make my brain feel fried at times. I don’t need medication to enhance that experience! 

Parenting Fun

Today our fourteen year old graduated from 8th grade. Despite the heat, it was fun to witness this progression into high school. After the actual ceremony, however, she wanted to go to a friend’s graduation party instead of out to dinner with the family.

A little while later, my husband realized that he needed to finish running some electrical wire for a job that was to be filled in with concrete tomorrow. Since it was too late to find someone qualified to help, I became his apprentice for a couple of hours. We rode to the jobsite in his huge work van.

To reward me for my efforts, we grabbed a bite to eat at the local health food restaurant, chuckling over the fact that it was located next door to the venue that was hosting the outdoor graduation party. As we were relaxing over a delicious Greek salad with poppyseed dressing, brown rice and a boysenberry hemp milkshake, the phone rang.  We had been spotted.  The accusation came, “Were we spying?!?!”

We laughed.  If we really were spying, she’d never have known we were there!

Sometimes being a parent can be very fun.

A Sweet That’s OK To Eat

I discovered a sweet treat that I can eat tonight!  Yippee!  I blend together unsweetened almond milk and about 8 chunks of frozen mango together for about 2 minutes and TADA…  One cold delicious mango shake at my fingertips, containing no added sugar.  Anyway, that’s what I enjoyed to celebrate my first week of sticking to my new dietary recommendations.

I was tortured this week at finding that I am now allergic to bananas (cross-reaction to latex proteins). After suffering through two days of hives and severe joint pain, I am finally itch free (thanks to allergy medicines and prednisone).  Obviously, not the best way to discover a new allergy.  I think I prefer the scratch-test method. 

Luckily I had a friend who was willing to take my three year old to the park and Discovery Science Center while I was being treated at the doctor’s office and resting at home. Thanks, Nancy!  Good friends are true blessings.  The kids also pitched in and cleaned up after dinner.  Helpful children are true blessings, as well.  I’m feeling very grateful to have survived the ordeal without too much impact on our household and routine.  While not 100% yet, I am feeling much better!